Goldbrick
190 posts
May 28, 2013
2:56 PM
|
I would say I have pretty good basic blues skills-phrasing ,tone and rhythm are sound in 2nd position. Honestly I am not looking for more than improving these skills until they are excellent- i also play guitar, drums and hand percussion in several bands.
I have a couple of Marine band deluxes that I really like and also enjoy a couple of Steve Baker specials for chords on some tunes. For my goals am I missing anything that the Manji or Crossover provide?
|
groyster1
2242 posts
May 28, 2013
3:15 PM
|
for crossover you have bamboo comb,for manji you have composite comb...playability the deluxe is equal to bothIMHO
|
SuperBee
1153 posts
May 28, 2013
4:52 PM
|
I've played them all. IMHO you're not missing anything with the Manji. The covers are very nice on the Manji, but big deal. The combs are horrible. IMHO of course. I hate the way they feel on my tongue, but I've read complaints about flatness/consequent leakiness. Mine was ok like that, just yuk to play.
Crossovers/MBDs do have slightly different tuning I think, and each has its merits.
I believe the crossover comb is superior. I recently put one on my MBD and it did improve the playability of the harp, which was already very good. So as far as I'm concerned the crossover is the pick, but for the price MBD is fine by me.
Fwiw, I think the 1896 is pretty damn good, and that's what I use in my less-played keys.
Until you try a crossover you won't really know, so I'd just get one. Guaranteed you won't hate it, but you might decide its not worth the extra bux. I wouldn't confidently say you wouldn't hate the manji. You may love it, but harder to call.
----------
Last Edited by SuperBee on May 28, 2013 4:53 PM
|
groyster1
2243 posts
May 28, 2013
6:02 PM
|
classic marine bands can be as good as any harp,although not always are....crossover and deluxes are always spot on
|
puri
87 posts
May 28, 2013
6:36 PM
|
I agree with Superbee, I've tried to like the Manji but I can't. If you're a tongue blocker just stick with Hohner (or some other brand/model), I think.
Last Edited by puri on May 28, 2013 6:37 PM
|
capnj
101 posts
May 28, 2013
7:51 PM
|
Manji and promaster have a brighter output to my ear,but the replacement plates are cheaper,also Gnarly fixes reeds cheaper yet,got harps going a long time.
Really love the xovers,and MP replaces broken reeds.Your not missing the boat with MBDS,although a good ootb xover can really hook you.
Seydel steels have a great tone,my favorite is their C.Of course how many great recordings with the old marine bands.Not much help,but if you got wallet try variety.
|
STME58
442 posts
May 28, 2013
9:23 PM
|
I have a two Crossovers and two Manjis. The Crossovers are easier to overblow right out of the box.
I like the Manjis when I am playing simple melodies at a folk music jam and the Crossovers when playing at a blues jam or playing rock and roll style.
The initial price of the two harps is similar. The crossover reed plates are only a few buck lees that a whole harp. Manji reed plates are about half the price of a whole harp.
I wonder if Hohner's pricing is actually closer to the actual ratio of reed plate to harmonica cost. I expect most of the cost of a good harp is the labor to get the reeds set up correctly. So far I have had 4 sets of Manji reed plates and 3 sets of Crossover plates. The Crossovers seem to be more consistent in the setup.
|
Rgsccr
164 posts
May 29, 2013
12:27 AM
|
What I've settled on is using Crossover for keys G, A, Bb, and Marine Band Deluxe for everything else. To me, the Crossovers seem a bit brighter and seem to give the lower keys a bit more volume. The MBDs seem mellower so I like them better for higher keys. Both are great harps out of the box. I tried a couple of Manjis a year ago but did not like them as much as Crossovers, MBDs or SP-20s. I mainly play blues but the harps work well for anything.
|
jbear
6 posts
May 29, 2013
4:02 AM
|
Got my first Seydel after a few years of using Marine Bands. It's 2-3 times more expensive but is worth it if you can afford it. This review is pretty accurate...
http://www.patmissin.com/reviews/1847.html
I can play all OBs out of the box. The MBs sound super leaky to me now and really not good.
I have one Harrison custom MB that cost something like £120 and the 1847 is its match and hopefully will last longer!
Just to keep this not looking like a sales pitch, it's a good idea to play a few crappy harps too so you don't lose your ability to play on them (I have been finding that a little....)
|
chromaticblues
1392 posts
May 29, 2013
6:00 AM
|
The Crossover is the best production harp being made right now. I do not like the way it's tuned nor do I like the the coverplates, but that's just MHO.
I tell everyone that the Hohner SP20 is the best harp for the money winner year after year!
|
A440
81 posts
May 29, 2013
7:56 AM
|
The Crossover is a great harp, as are the Special 20 and MB Deluxe. I have been using all three for several years (OOTB) with great results. All sound and play excellent - but they do sound different, so I choose (SP20, MBD, CX) based on the song or circumstance. I own about 30 of them, in a range of keys. You really can't go wrong with these three models of harp. Let your budget and personal preferences dictate the mix.
I have never tried a Manji, or any Suzuki for that matter - so no opinion.
Recently I bought three Seydel Session Steels (A, C, D) just to see what all the fuss was about. At first the hole spacing seemed strange - it felt like I could not move as quickly up and down the harp. Soon I got used to that. The sound, playability and expression are absolutely stunning on these harps. I am loving them more and more... I have started gigging with them and will use them to record our band's next album this summer. I am really amazed by how good they sound and play. Ironically, now when I play my Hohners, it starts to feel like the holes are spaced too closely ;-)
Anyway, I still love my Hohners and remain married to my collection, using them daily. But with the Session Steel, I now have a new girlfriend on the side... who is increasingly winning me over...
Will steel fully replace bamboo? Time will tell.
I'm afraid to try an 1847 - if I fall in love, she'll empty my bank account.
Last Edited by A440 on May 29, 2013 8:04 AM
|
Moon Cat
261 posts
May 29, 2013
9:14 PM
|
Manji almost rhymes with Fonzy....you do what you want..
|
STME58
446 posts
May 30, 2013
12:26 AM
|
I think it is great that now instead of buying 3 harps to get one that plays adequately, as was the case not so long ago, you can get several good options form several manufacturers and be pretty sure the harp you get is set up well enough to get a good sound and all the bends.
This thread is about nuances between many good harps, rather then about which bad harp to start with and how to tweak it until it is playable. Things have improved even in the few years I have been playing.
|
rogonzab
303 posts
May 30, 2013
6:42 AM
|
I had (or have?) played the Manji and the Crossover, but I not going to buy any of those harps ever because I can make a OOTB MB play just as good whit a few hours of work.
But, for those of you who dont want (or know) to work on your own harps is 100% the way to go. They are both great harps and the price is good.
My 2 cents.
|
Kingley
2693 posts
May 30, 2013
11:06 AM
|
I've never played a Manji, but my friends that have tell me they are great harps. The Crossover is a great harp out of the box, as is the Deluxe. In my opinion though the Marine Band 1896 which Hohner now refer to as the Marine Band Classic is a great harp out of the box. Most of those I've had haven't even needed gapping.
|
Moon Cat
263 posts
May 30, 2013
3:16 PM
|
ill let u know in an hour thieven
|
TheoBurke
420 posts
May 30, 2013
3:48 PM
|
Marine Band Deluxes are okay as far as it goes, but they have a "bark" that I don't like. They are loud harmonicas and don't really respond to what I'm trying to play. They bend extremely easy and the high notes are very playable, but they blare too much for my taste.
I have two Manji harmonicas, a C and a Bflat, that came highly recommended by others; they are the biggest dissapointment in my harmonica playing life considering the reputation and very favorable reviews that have been published since they were first issued. They have volume and the high registers bend like no one's business, but for practrical purposes both the ones I have are slugggish and sound generally awful. I am constantly having to adjust my playing to accomadate the terrible squeaks and squeals this expensive harmonica makes. I know one can have them retrofitted and tweaked, but any insturment tht costs that much money should play satisfactorily out of the box. Other Manji owners I know locally echo my complaints. It's an awful harmonica and Suzuki should be ashamed for marketing them.
The Marine Band Crossover is the best out of the box harmonica I have ever played in my near four and half decades of being a harmonica player. Nothing I have played--and I have tried many different harmonicas--comes close. Nothing.----------
Ted Burke
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheoBurke?feature=mhee
http://ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.co,
Last Edited by TheoBurke on May 31, 2013 9:01 PM
|
chromaticblues
1394 posts
May 31, 2013
7:00 AM
|
Theo nailed it!
That is the truth!!
Anyone that says other wise is either wrong or has underlieing motives (money).
|
Goldbrick
194 posts
May 31, 2013
8:13 AM
|
Thanks guys. I ordered a Crossover in C . Seems like its the clear winner here. Amazon has them for $53.50 shipped
@Theo- I dig Muddy's Woodstock album too
Last Edited by Goldbrick on May 31, 2013 8:30 AM
|
sonny3
22 posts
May 31, 2013
5:54 PM
|
Just ordered one of those C's from Amazon. good deal! I have one in key of A that plays great. IMHO These are the best harps made today. I have one manji and I don't care for it at all. I really tried to love it, but it's hard to play and squeels like hell bending the 3 draw down. Seems like most of the people who like manji's are getting paid to do so.
|
CarlA
349 posts
May 31, 2013
6:26 PM
|
I bought a Manji about 4-6 months ago. Opened the amazon box, played three notes on it, put it back in its case and literally threw it in the garbage. It eventually found a good home and has been "fixed up" and is now making beautiful music-lol
IMHO, I don't feel that a $65>+ harmonica needs to have ANYTHING done/modified to make it playable. This is equivalent to buying a new Ferrari and then needing to take it to the mechanic to replace the original engine just to make it functional!!!
Suffice to say, the biggest disappointment harmonica related so far.
-Carl
Last Edited by CarlA on May 31, 2013 6:31 PM
|
groyster1
2247 posts
May 31, 2013
7:36 PM
|
you cannot kick the tires on a harp....you buy it its yours....I have 3 manjis in D Eb and F....bought them before the price went up....comparing them to XO or MBD,they do not hold a candle...also not to a marine band classic....that being said,sure would not "throw them in the garbage"
|
SuperBee
1170 posts
May 31, 2013
8:09 PM
|
I hear what you're saying sonny3.
But beware of those amazon deals too...Ive heard they are not always selling harps fresh from the factory
----------
|
puri
88 posts
May 31, 2013
8:16 PM
|
Totally with Theo, and I got all the reason to like it. I can get it maybe 1/3 of the price you guys pay.
|
Arnoud73
105 posts
Jun 01, 2013
12:37 AM
|
A little bit 'off topic' but I just bought a Marineband classic in D as a back up harmonica.
Almost all my other harps are Seydel Session Steel & 1847's.
This MB is the best 'out of the box' harp I ever had !!
It plays beautifull, the cords on spot, overblows on 4 5 6 are easy.
Really a suprise !
|
Kingley
2697 posts
Jun 01, 2013
12:47 AM
|
Arnoud73 - Yes that's my experience with the Marine Band Classic too. Great out of the box harps. I don't need to gap, emboss or do any other tweaking to them.
|
