As long as your fedora and sunglasses match.. rather don't clash ---------- Greg Jones 16:23 Custom Harmonicas greg@1623customharmonicas.com 1623customharmonicas.com
I'd like to hear from players who use a bandolier. What is the advantage? Why use one? You can always walk a few steps to get a harp from your "ready" location, and if you need multiple harps in one song you can stick them in your pocket. So why the bandolier or belt?
Cool question Walter,seems they are with most out there.They definately look uncool on a fancy dressing front man harp player.
I have a cheap hohner brand,but I think I,m going to invest in a cool old style one.They keep clutter down on small or larger jam packed stages.I have a hard time finding space for my case,yeah have on your bandstand trick,somebody going to trip or stumble into them.
The old school when the harp player was the mother of the band.Carried minimum gear,helped others set up tear down,and bail out most songs when things weren't jiving right.Some guys make themselves look more unprofessional,or less classy by turning their back to the stage,fiddling around in their case,instead of moving with other players flow.Just saw Kim Wilson,but he moves like a cat,hardly missing a beat,what a classy pro,thats experience,something we all want.
Last Edited by capnj on Jun 04, 2013 7:07 PM
Harmonica belts and bandoliers never appealed to me, but one of my groups, a guitar/vocals/harp thing has recently gone totally unplugged and all Mariachi style, so I find it expedient to have all the harps with me, as we wander around.
Right now, I am using a Seydel belt pack(Rockinrons)for the main harps, along with a fanny pack(K - Mart)for extra harps, percussion eggs,etc., and a zippered travel document pouch(K-Mart)for the 4 octave chromatic...all of which hang off the same belt.
Surprisingly, the arrangement is not too awkward or heavy, and although not exactly stylish, isn't weird either.
The Seydel belt pack is nice because all the keys are separated, but it does tend to sag on the belt a little once the zipper is opened to get to the harps. The harps, however, remain perfectly secure, so long as you are not jumping up and down too vigorously.
Undoubtedly, I will improve this arrangement somehow as time passes, but for now, it seems to work okay.
I prefer a case, but for now, unless one of the other bands goes for a totally vintage feel, I will use the belt pack approach.
There is something to be said for having the harps on your body, though. They feel much more a part of you, which feels good. I like that aspect better than having a case.
I always wear my belt. It just makes since to me. But I do get a few strange looks from people. I had a Honer 8, but club member Darrell Brown looked at mine and made a 9 holder for himself and me. Here's a pic of me with my 9, and Paula Stewart with her her Honer 8.
---------- theharmonicaclub.com (of Huntington, WV)
Last Edited by Jim Rumbaugh on Jun 04, 2013 7:52 PM
I use a belt when I play with a strolling group (The Jackstraws, we are playing at the San Diego Zoo all summer long), and I always have to figure out which 6 I need the most. Sometimes people ask me for change, LOL
I can see it from a convenience standpoint. I just can't get past the dweeb factor. But that's just me.... I note that none of my personal pro harp heros wear them - which probably has some influence on me.
Every now and then someone will suggest I get a bandolier. I consider it, I kinda like the bandolier and I do dislike having to turn away fro the audience to pick up a new harp...but so far I've resisted. It's gunfighter gear...I figure I'm just not that good to be able to get away with it. I think you gotta be really hot shit, then you can get away with anything...and jus say f*** 'em! I can't even write it. ----------
Yep I always thought you'd have to back it up with some pretty serious playing...but, I recently got the Seydlel model for those busy open mics where travelling light and tight looks professional. And I sorta hide it under my shirt which is of course..never tucked in! @ Robbert....sounds like a good setup! ---------- One of Rubes's bands, DadsinSpace-MySpace Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
Thanks Frank, for the nod to Sam Myers. He's one of my personal favorites. I was fortunate to see Sam with Anson Funderburgh a few times in the 90's. Both of those guys are so inspiring!
Wow! Thanks a lot, Frank. I've never heard of him before. His stuffs with Anson are so cool, I'm feeling like I've discovered the darker version of the T-birds! ha ha I'll be having a really good time with youtube tonight.
Last Edited by puri on Jun 05, 2013 6:07 AM
Put me in the camp that says they look dorky. I gotta agree with what Rick Davis said above. Personally, I've stored my harps in an old black nylon shaving kit. Holds about a dozen harps in their cases. Only takes a couple of seconds to switch out harps, probably nearly imperceptable to all but the most scrutinizing audience members. Way better than parading around with the goofy belt on.
I think it would be funny to see a televangelist in a brown suit wearing a bandolier/harmonica belt.
You can hear the sermon...
"And won't you reach down deep into your souls people...reach down deep and give to the church as much of your wealth as you can possibly afford. And while y'all are doing that, I'm going to play a real nice, minor key shuffle in 3rd position...praise the lord, praise Jesus."
I have a Cumberland harp belt, I don't strap it on often, but its nice to store harps in, I usually have the belt in an over the shoulder travel bag with other things like mics etc. I pick out the key I need. I never regret buying it as its so handy, and looks so neat.
i used to use two six slot leather holsters slung low like six shooters on either side of my belt. had a shoe repair shop build 'em. it was cool back then..30 years ago? it was extremely handy but it's kinda dweeby like Greg mentioned. i keep a small percussion tray on my vocal mic stand. much cooler and very efficient. ---------- MP affordable reed replacement and repairs.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
click user name [MP] for info- repair videos on YouTube. you can reach me via Facebook. Mark Prados
I have a Hohner belt and a Seydel belt. Normally I just use the Seydel belt with another little pouch on my other hip that holds an additional three harps. Once or twice, I've worn the Hohner on my hip and slung the Seydel over my shoulder bandolier-style. I don't like doing that though. It's uncomfortable, and it throws me off on reaching for the correct harp since the arrangement is out of my norm.
As to the question of fashion faux pas, I've said this before, and I'll say it again. To me, it's not meant for fashion, but rather for function. I bounce around a lot on stage. I switch between straight and cross on many numbers. I have my harps organized in the belt to what I've come to establish as second nature. Besides, I usually wear a shirt or jacket that comes down over the belt and hides it. It serves as a good way of staying incognito at a jam should that be your prerogative.
Arrange the harps you will need in the next set at your ready area: It may be on top your amp or on a table or music stand or whatever, very close to where you play. If you need more than one harp in a tune, put the extra harps in your pocket!
I agree with Greg: Bandoliers and belts have a high dweeb factor, especially since I can see no functional advantage to them. They are essentially an ornament.
I know that some (very few) famous harp players use bandoliers, but most players I admire don't. I just don't see any need for them.
Fraid we'll have to agree to disagree, Rick. On this detail, we're just from two seperate schools of thought. You can't fathom donning one due to the so-called "dork factor". And I can't fathom turning, or even moving back to my case to fetch a different harp.
But then again, my scenario may be somewhat different from others' in the respect that I'm also a vocalist on nearly every song my band plays, backup harmony if not lead. So that kinda nixes my moving away from my vocal mic if I need to switch harps mid-song.
As for the bandolier point, I agree with you and Greg. It IS summarily an ornamental device. The only times I've done it is for a Halloween gig though, so don't hold it against me. ;-)
Tim - Kim Wilson (for example) sings every song and has no problem having his harps handy without a dweeby bandolier. For me, the harp case is open on a stool to my right. If I need two harps in one tune I put the 2nd harp in my pocket.
Wait a sec... I think I get it. Doesn't John Popper use a belt or bandolier? Newer players whose introduction to harp was Blues Traveler may think they are actually cool. For those of us who discovered blues harp from Howlin' Wolf or Sonny Boy or Little Walter tend to think they are lame.
Rick, no offense, but I honestly don't care if you or anyone else (harp player or not) think they're dweeby or lame. I've tried doing the open case thing, and it didn't work well for me, whereas my belt does. For the record, I actually get a lot of compliments on my belt from audience members and fellow musicians alike. I don't wear it to show off or try to look like a hotshot. I don't wear one because John Popper wears one. My exposure to blues harp really didn't have a thing to do with Popper. I wear it because it's what works best for me. ----------
As a public service announcement please remember the following…If you choose not to wear a stylish belt while playing harmonica, if your harmonica case is on the floor please always remember to face the audience with changing harps. A “Plumber’s Crack” is neither an attractive onstage look nor an appropriate place to put an alternate key harp…
I saw a guy a few years ago at a well-known blues jam in another city (I don't want to embarrass him) who wore the dorkiest belt/bandolier I have ever seen. It looked quite nice and expensive, obviously custom made. It was nice leather; a long sash thing that draped sometimes around his neck and at other times over one shoulder. It reached nearly to the floor. He even wore it when he went outside to smoke. There were pockets for maybe 20 harps, spaced a few inches apart and angled upward. It was quite impressive, but WAY overdone.
All the other harp players in the room were ridiculing him and snickering. Had he been a stellar player I think it would have been different, but he sounded like a beginner.
I wear this one now...banged it together myself as it gives me easier access than a pouch. When I carry them in a pouch its always the one on the bottom
Here is a couple where you can kind off see...it goes with the outfit quite well
I also have an older one I made that is brown but only holds two harps. this one is five
Ginny is awesome. Post a little of her playing sometime if she doesn't mind. One of the reasons I have started playing again is for the learning process and keeping the mind working on something different as I get older.
A long time ago a friend sewed me a vest with harp pockets, and it said "Gentleman Harmonica Player" along with my name, but I was always afraid of being embarrassed if I wore it. I assume that's Frank's belt with the flames on it. Hard to go wrong with flames. :)
@Rick Davis " Newer players whose introduction to harp was Blues Traveler may think they are actually cool"
They probably think duct tape is cool too.
I picked up a Hohner belt for almost nothing at a pawn shop. I use it, under my shirt, when I think I MIGHT get asked to play, but I don't want to carry a case of harps around (which, besides being a pain, is like a billboard that says "I EXPECT to be asked to play").
That said, I do feel like a dweeb when I wear it, which is why I hide it.
I had on old biker mate who is a leather worker make me one (belt not bandolier). We all thought it looked pretty cool, but I only wore it once.
That particular time our band was crap, individually and collectively, and I felt like a tool.
Haven't worn it since; I side with the 'dweeb' camp: you'd better be pretty shit hot if you're gonna wear it. (someone like Sugar Blue or Popper can get away with it) ---------- Lucky Lester
With all due respect-- When you are strolling, you have nowhere to put your harps. You have two choices--carry the harps around or store them somewhere on your body. Add to the equation that I am always playing a stringed instrument (sometimes dressed not too differently from shadoe42--that vest is pretty close to my pirate vest) and my choices are either use the same harp all night (or two--I've got the DuoHarp installed in my rack) or use a belt. If you are a cool blues guy your mileage may vary.
@hooktool...That sure is a pretty belt, but not mine...I had a one piece jumpsuit made that has harp pockets stitched into it from head to toe front and back and I can sport over 100 harmonicas at any one time....here is a photo of one I'm having made with a cape attached so I can add 30 more harp pockets :)
Many years ago I was passing through Bangkok and had a custom vest made up (24 hours!) that held 12 harps in pockets and another two side pockets for slide etc. Looked much better, and was more comfortable. Unfortunately it eventually fell apart from sweat, and now I'm back to the cheapo seydal case full of LO's on the stool. Works for me! ---------- Paul Cohen aka Komuso Tokugawa HarpNinja - Your harmonica Mojo Dojo Bringing the Boogie to the Bitstream
Last Edited by Komuso on Jun 06, 2013 4:57 AM
Popper never wore a harmonica belt...he was too heavy. He did wear a modified military belt as a vest and then various vests after...but he has used a Hohner case on a table for the last like 15 years.
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