Adam Hamil
125 posts
Jan 24, 2014
10:56 AM
|
*edited b/c Winslow beat me to it lol
----------
C. Adam Hamil
HOHNER CERTIFIED Free Reed Instrument Technician
Last Edited by Adam Hamil on Jan 24, 2014 10:58 AM
|
HarpNinja
3715 posts
Jan 24, 2014
1:00 PM
|
You can already order them direct from Hohner, and they will run around $66 (I ordered 4, but get the endorser price).
They had all the keys as no one had ever called in inquire about them until I did this morning.
----------
Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
|
sonny3
114 posts
Jan 24, 2014
4:22 PM
|
Sounds cool but if I buy anymore Harps me wife will kill me.I did just buy two harpmasters from Amazon for 24 bucks.Hopefully I get to the mailbox first!
|
tmf714
2368 posts
Jan 24, 2014
4:55 PM
|
|
tmf714
2369 posts
Jan 24, 2014
4:56 PM
|
|
tmf714
2370 posts
Jan 24, 2014
4:56 PM
|
|
tmf714
2371 posts
Jan 24, 2014
4:57 PM
|
|
tmf714
2372 posts
Jan 24, 2014
4:57 PM
|
|
tmf714
2373 posts
Jan 24, 2014
4:58 PM
|
|
tmf714
2374 posts
Jan 24, 2014
4:58 PM
|
|
Todd Parrott
1186 posts
Jan 24, 2014
5:58 PM
|
Thanks for embedding the pics, tmf714. Does anyone else besides me think it's pretty neat that the covers will now be interchangeable? This is just great! I ordered a Bb myself.
|
tmf714
2375 posts
Jan 24, 2014
6:02 PM
|
I think its a great bit of interchangeability to include into the build- these are the great ideas that come about when Joe Filisko has a hand in the creation of a new product.
Last Edited by tmf714 on Jan 24, 2014 6:03 PM
|
Todd Parrott
1187 posts
Jan 24, 2014
6:58 PM
|
Yes, Filisko is not only a great asset to Hohner, but to the entire world of harmonica.
|
Gipsy
40 posts
Jan 24, 2014
11:36 PM
|
Does this suggest that the GM might be in line for a make over?
|
SergZZZ
102 posts
Jan 25, 2014
7:02 AM
|
Timely updating of the equipment for stamping (matrices and poisson) for the production of plates and reeds traditional mass models (MB GM) strict tolerances during manufacture may give a better quality at a low price. A plethora of models of harmonics low quality is not always good. This is just a design and marketing.
|
jiceblues
261 posts
Jan 25, 2014
7:47 AM
|
I suppose it will play and sound like a SP20 .Wait and see...
|
Slimharp
135 posts
Jan 25, 2014
8:02 AM
|
At NAMM yesterday the Hohner rep said the Rocket had SP 20 reed plates ( made in Germany ) that had a custom type reed profile vs the stock Sp 20 profile ( probably more like the Crossover or MBD profile )
They are much louder and brighter and more responsive than a stock 20.I did not play one but the rep did and it sounded way brighter and seemed quicker in response. I will try one when I need another harp. The rep said they should retail for about $66.00. PS Howard Levy was there --- OMG.
|
A440
124 posts
Jan 25, 2014
8:42 AM
|
Does anyone know if it has the slightly sharper compromise tuning of the Crossover?
|
barbequebob
2453 posts
Jan 25, 2014
8:45 AM
|
The side vents and the much more open back of the cover plates are something you'd normally wouldn't be able to have stock and the only way was having the Sp20 customized to do that.
Just the more wide open back alone will help it play louder.
----------
Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
|
jbone
1474 posts
Jan 25, 2014
11:12 AM
|
It's way early days yet. From what I see though, I will likely stick to Suzuki for the moment.
----------
http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
|
tmf714
2376 posts
Jan 25, 2014
11:51 AM
|
"Does anyone know if it has the slightly sharper compromise tuning of the Crossover"
As far as I can tell,it will remain at compromised/just tuning-they will start shipping out in February-a tad bit more expensive than a Crossover from Rockin' Rons-retail between $66.00 to $70.00-
Last Edited by tmf714 on Jan 25, 2014 11:58 AM
|
6SN7
417 posts
Jan 25, 2014
1:04 PM
|
I see from the photo of the comb that the internal "ridges" are gone, making it more like a LO.
As BBQ Bob said, the Special 20 gets loud when the covers are opened up.
I don't understand, if the comb and reeds have two holes on the end, why does the cover have only one screw hole?
Well, know I know why those special 20's I got last month at MF were so cheap.
|
MP
3073 posts
Jan 25, 2014
1:17 PM
|
---Except for the forward screws I've modified SP/20 covers that look almost identical to the Rocket (side vents were a pain! i'll never do that again.)
If it is the same tuning as the SP it should sound brighter and closer to a Marine Band. My modded SP/20s sound similar to Marine Bands but are just a hair warmer.
I think I'd like this harp.
PS. thanks tmf for posting pics. I couldn't find any.
-------
Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
Last Edited by MP on Jan 25, 2014 1:19 PM
|
Rubes
786 posts
Jan 25, 2014
1:21 PM
|
I'd still chuck on a custom comb.....
----------
Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
Dads in Space at Reverbnation
Benny and Rubes at Reverbnation
|
MP
3074 posts
Jan 25, 2014
1:44 PM
|
Rubes,
Me too.
----------
Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
|
tmf714
2377 posts
Jan 25, 2014
1:50 PM
|
"don't understand, if the comb and reeds have two holes on the end, why does the cover have only one screw hole?"
Take a look at any Filisko custom harp-
|
harpcat
1 post
Jan 25, 2014
3:08 PM
|
Looks to me like a hybrid SP20. Comb related to a SP20, but cover plates akin to a Big River (vented sides, & the bottom cover plate is the same as the Big River).
|
jiceblues
262 posts
Jan 26, 2014
3:24 AM
|
I hope Hohner will do that work for the MS BLUES HARP .
|
SuperBee
1642 posts
Jan 26, 2014
3:52 AM
|
An MS blues harp with a bamboo comb can be a fine thing. I have one in Bb which is my go to for that key, and actually one of the sweetest playing harps in my bag. I think I saw a thread recently where someone proposed Hohner should produce such a thing as a stock item.
Does anyone know if the rocket is ET? I'm guessing that's what 'progressive' means...
|
Milsson
106 posts
Jan 26, 2014
4:04 AM
|
I'm thinkig of etta james when i see this beast! AT LAST!
I will buy a whole set of these. If hohner would be so kind to start producing low sp20 plates i would be in heaven!
|
jiceblues
263 posts
Jan 26, 2014
4:20 AM
|
Yes Superbee , the thread was "Blues Harp Deluxe" .A bamboo comb is a good idea .
|
6SN7
418 posts
Jan 26, 2014
6:50 AM
|
"take a look at any Filisko custom harp-"
Ok, I have seen his and yes, there is one screw. And Sleigh and Gordon have 4 screws…
A Thunderbird has 4 screws and I understand Filisko was involved with the design of this.
So, why only 1? Is one is all that is needed to secure the cover plate as all the other screws take care of sealing the reed plate/comb?
|
tmf714
2379 posts
Jan 26, 2014
7:40 AM
|
I own custom Marine Bands by Bishop,Sleigh and Filisko-they all have only one screw on each side-I also own a Stage 1 Spiers Low F Special 20-guess what? One screw on each end. The additional screws on the reed plates take care of the sealing-think about the vents in the cover plates as well-how air tight is it really going to be? Flat and straight is more important.
|
HarveyHarp
567 posts
Jan 26, 2014
8:46 AM
|
I think that they should have added a cover location slot to the plates, in addition to the extra holes. Then custom combs could be installed easily.
----------
HarveyHarp
|
Slimharp
138 posts
Jan 26, 2014
9:13 AM
|
According to the Hohner Rep at NAMM, the Rocket has Sp 20 reed plates that have a more custom reed profile. To me that is more important than the other added features. Outside of that they are a souped up 20. If they play the same as a 20 ?????. Time will tell.
|
1847
1479 posts
Jan 26, 2014
9:21 AM
|
sure looks a lot like my seydel
----------
i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
|
A440
125 posts
Jan 26, 2014
10:21 AM
|
I hope Hohner will be able to get the numbers to line up with the holes. (Looking at the Rocket cover photo, the low numbers are centered on the holes, while the higher numbers are shifted left). It's a small esthetic point, but detracts from the overall appearance, and makes the build quality look cheap. BTW - The Crossover has the same flaw.
|
Littoral
1022 posts
Jan 26, 2014
1:25 PM
|
"I hope Hohner will be able to get the numbers to line up with the holes."
That is funny -I don't know if I ever would have noticed that.
Shouldn't they just go with no numbers?
|
CarlA
434 posts
Jan 26, 2014
1:37 PM
|
@littoral
That is a great point! We want to be taken seriously as musicians but our "cute" instrument has numbered holes-lol
Imagine drummers having large plaques corresponding with snare, hi-hat, ride, etc.? or a keyboard player with a neon light signifying "middle C"??
How about a guitarist with letters all over the fret board??? Trumpet player with numbered valves?? What about the flute player, lyre, saxaphone, triangle, xylophone, etc? Don't recall the same patronizing marks as on the good 'ole fashioned harp
Last Edited by CarlA on Jan 26, 2014 1:42 PM
|
A440
126 posts
Jan 26, 2014
1:43 PM
|
Yes... Hohner, if you're listening, please stop putting numbers on your high-end models.
|
arzajac
1265 posts
Jan 26, 2014
1:51 PM
|
"our "cute" instrument has numbered holes-lol"
I have customers who play Seydel 1847s for that reason - no numbers on the top plate. I have others who ask for two bottom covers instead of a top and a bottom on their Hohner harps for that same reason.
----------
Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Jan 26, 2014 1:52 PM
|
A440
127 posts
Jan 26, 2014
1:55 PM
|
@arzajac yep, Seydel got it right with the 1847!
|
jiceblues
264 posts
Jan 26, 2014
2:12 PM
|
Meisterklasse don't have numbers on the top coverplate .
|
Slimharp
142 posts
Jan 26, 2014
4:30 PM
|
Most of the time when my students ask me what number a note is I say " forget the numbers, you cant see em when you play anyway. Find it by ear." If they plead I will write a small tab to get them in the ballpark.
What might be useful is a notch or bump on the lower note side of the comb or cover plate ( in dark clubs ) to help determine what end is up. I mark the key on mine with white paint on the high note side - end up- low note end down into the slots of my harp case. Unless of course you were Butterfield. Just sayin.
|
Shaganappi
80 posts
Jan 26, 2014
9:04 PM
|
I got rid of a LO because the holes were so indented that they bothered my lips. Not sure if they all are like that but it made me appreciate the SP20's much more. Yeah - none even better. For crying out loud, it's only 10 holes. What other instrument has so few "slots" or whatever. It's a joke to think we need these.
|
Rubes
788 posts
Jan 27, 2014
12:15 AM
|
A big yes for no numbers.........and that's what I mean about adding a custom comb ( like the 1847) Although stock items with say a bamboo comb would look more like the MBA than the 20??? So I understand the ( flimsy) plastic comb........(yuk....don't care if it's rounded!) And I guess it would be compromised eh?
----------
Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
Dads in Space at Reverbnation
Benny and Rubes at Reverbnation
|
SuperBee
1644 posts
Jan 27, 2014
3:14 AM
|
hey...its alright for you guys.."ive got so good i dont need the numbers anymore"...but its gonna be really annoying for the rest of us...peeling our little stickers and trying to make the line up...debates about which number stickers have the best glue and the most legible font...the customisers going to work engraving the numbers into covers and polishing the edges with lip-friendly buff-o-rub...
just dont rock the boat please..
|
Shaganappi
81 posts
Jan 27, 2014
5:02 AM
|
Or put a small indicator at 4 and 7 if really feel needed. Or a single one between 5 and 6. Got some "indicator" ideas? Gotta be something better ...
Last Edited by Shaganappi on Jan 27, 2014 5:34 AM
|
HarpNinja
3716 posts
Jan 27, 2014
5:07 AM
|
Harmonicas are not meant to be art projects.
The tuning is the same as the SP20 (what Hohner told me), and if there were significant reedwork going into it, they'd use that as a selling point. I bet it plays like a Crossover.
Regarding using an aftermarket comb, why wouldn't you just get a Marine Band then!?
It looks like a Seydel? You mean, it looks like Seyel, that looks like a Big River, that looks like a Rocket.
Finally, for those frustrated at the price WHICH IS NOT $100 RETAIL, you get what you pay for. If the overhead is more on the Rocket, the price will be more too.
Just because you don't know why it would cost more to produce doesn't mean it doesn't.
----------
Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
|
Slimharp
143 posts
Jan 27, 2014
5:16 AM
|
Sure would be helpful if Hohner stamped the key on the high note end of the comb, much like the LO. They didnt have any problem putting HOHNER on the newer models so it can be seen when playing off the mic. I guess pulling off the key stickers on the box and putting them on the harp is OK with Hohner. Seems kinda half ass to me. Oh but maybe not that I think of it. That might make the price of the harp go up 5 bucks lol. Hohner can do all the ergonomic stuff,but you need 40/40 vision to see what key you got in a dimly lit club. Oh well - I guess Im being too critical.
Last Edited by Slimharp on Jan 27, 2014 5:24 AM
|
