CarlA
436 posts
Jan 27, 2014
5:23 AM
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@slimharp
I totally agree! It's kind of like building a beautiful home from scratch, and deciding NOT to paint it, just because!?!
Hohner, sometimes it's the little details that matter most!
Last Edited by CarlA on Jan 27, 2014 5:25 AM
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Slimharp
144 posts
Jan 27, 2014
5:27 AM
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CarlA I cant agree more. Stickers cost fewer German Marks.
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Slimharp
145 posts
Jan 27, 2014
5:32 AM
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As far as Im concerned, if the reeds are not upgraded on the Rocket, it's just a different trim package. Will see.
Last Edited by Slimharp on Jan 27, 2014 5:34 AM
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Slimharp
146 posts
Jan 27, 2014
5:41 AM
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(Here I go again) Im sure somebody from Hohner is reading this. Get It ! Hint! Nudge ! Poke ! Wink Wink ! KEY SIGNATURE ON THE HIGH NOTE END OF THE COMB IN LARGE FONT AS IN LEE OSCAR. Thanks.
Last Edited by Slimharp on Jan 27, 2014 5:43 AM
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Rhartt1234
116 posts
Jan 27, 2014
6:53 AM
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At the risk of derailing this thread: I use a Dymo label maker and the plastic label cartridge to make key labels. I put one on the high end of the harp so it shows when it's in my left hand, and one on the back of the harp on the low end so I can see them when they are face down in my case.
As for the Rocket, as a diehard Special 20 guy I also recognize some of its shortomings. I am looking forward to trying a Rocket.
Last Edited by Rhartt1234 on Jan 27, 2014 6:53 AM
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HarpNinja
3717 posts
Jan 27, 2014
7:05 AM
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If you look at the pics in this thread, you can clearly see the comb has a C stamped on the high end.
What qualifies as a reed upgrade?
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
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Slimharp
147 posts
Jan 27, 2014
8:27 AM
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Ninja that is a Customized Sp 20 with the key stamped on the end.
From what the Hohner Rep said at the NAMM show the Rocket will have SP 20 reed plates with more of custom reed profile ( I would suppose more like a MBD or Crossover ).
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HarpNinja
3720 posts
Jan 27, 2014
8:35 AM
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Is that stated on the review? I can't view that from this server. It sure looks like the Rocket showing different covers on it.
I think a comment like that means it will play just like a MBD and XO - however, current productions SP20's are amazing too.
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
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Slimharp
148 posts
Jan 27, 2014
9:04 AM
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Thats a 20 with the stamp on it. The screw is in the middle, Rockets have the screw closer to the top of the comb on the cover plate.
No its not stated in the short review of the Rocket. I got it from the horses mouth, a Hohner Rep.
Yeah I have gotten some good 20's recently. I open up the covers, seal the comb, add 2 screws to the reed plate that are not there and they play very good.
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Adam Hamil
126 posts
Jan 27, 2014
9:12 AM
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@Slimharp The pic shown on the previuos page is not a custom SP20, It's a Rocket with SP20 covers on it. That pic and the one below it are illustraing that the covers for the SP20 and the XO/MBD and compatable. The key will be stamped on the side of the production Rockets.
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C. Adam Hamil
HOHNER CERTIFIED Free Reed Instrument Technician
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Slimharp
150 posts
Jan 27, 2014
9:20 AM
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You are right. The have three holes in the reed plate. My mistake. Will the reed plates have a different reed profile ?
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Adam Hamil
128 posts
Jan 27, 2014
9:31 AM
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Yes Slim, they will have the same reed profiles (mensur) as the MBD & XO. I've played a few of the prototypes of these harps and they play very well. Anyone who likes SP20s will LOVE these harps. Ultra comfortable to play, very responsive, and LOUD!! Another difference in the reedplates are the screws. They will have the same reedplates screws as the OX/MBD/MS harps. I much prefer these smaller screws b/c if you happen to strip the reedplate out, you can put a larger self-tapping screw (like what's on the SP20) in it's place w/o having to do any additional drilling or tapping.
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C. Adam Hamil
HOHNER CERTIFIED Free Reed Instrument Technician
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Slimharp
151 posts
Jan 27, 2014
9:42 AM
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Excellent excellent. This is the most comprehensive info I have gotten.Thanks Adam. I have played mostly tweaked 20's for a long time. Oh crap, looks like I will have a lot of 20's on hand lol. Do you know when they will be in stock ?
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Adam Hamil
129 posts
Jan 27, 2014
10:15 AM
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Hohner USA will have some in about 2-3 weeks. you should see them on shelves and online in about a month.
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C. Adam Hamil
HOHNER CERTIFIED Free Reed Instrument Technician
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MP
3075 posts
Jan 27, 2014
10:19 AM
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From Slimharp,
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."
profile is very important so i'll go w/ that. I'm not absolutely positive but I think a good profile would make a harp louder and be more important than simply opening the back covers.
the more open the cover plates are the brighter the sound of the harp. Brighter harps appear to be louder.
PS. Oops! just read what Adam posted about the Rocket using smaller screws than the 20 so a person would need different screws too.
Since I work on harps I have a rule of thumb. no matter what the task is, tuning, gapping, etc, the task is almost always larger and includes steps you didn't count on doing when you started. It's sorta like moving furniture for the woman in your life.;-) So much for my just buy SP/20 plates idea..heh, heh.
looking at tmf's photos it appears that Hohner just made SP/20 plates as usual but added holes and,if what the rep said is true, they worked on the profile.
I was thinking that if a Rocket owner needed new plates they could just buy SP/20 plates and drill screw holes to fit. (one could do it easily w/ a hand drill. BUUUT if they messed w/ the profile it wouldn't perform quite the same way.
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Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
Last Edited by MP on Jan 27, 2014 10:39 AM
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groyster1
2517 posts
Jan 27, 2014
11:50 AM
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all of my sp20s that Ive sent out for service have had the backs opened......there has to be more to the rocket than having open backs to make it worth the cost
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HarpNinja
3725 posts
Jan 27, 2014
12:05 PM
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@groyster1
Read through the posts here. It has been mentioned above that "for sure" (confirmed) differences are:
1. VENTED and opened covers
2. Rounded comb with key stamp
3. Wider chambers than a SP20 comb
4. XO reed profiles
5. GM/MB style screws (M1.4, I think, rather than M1.5)
6. Louder and raspier than a SP20
7. 12 standard keys
8. Available in February
9. Lower MSRP than a Crossover, but similar in price $66-70
***I was told it was the same tuning as a Sp20 from Hohner, but I guess I can't promise that.
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
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DoubleJ
35 posts
Jan 27, 2014
12:21 PM
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Mike's summary fits with the harp I saw and played. To my ear the Rocket is tuned like a Sp20 as opposed to the Xover.
The harp fills a void in the Hohner catalog providing a higher end semi-custom instrument to players who prefer recessed reed plates.
It's a positive development brought on by the power of competition.
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Sherwin
117 posts
Jan 27, 2014
2:52 PM
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@ MP, Mark the 'reed profile' in this case, I figure, has to do with shape of reed meaning what was milled away from the sheet of brass before reeds were punched from it.
I've run across the terms arc and profile being used interchangeably on this forum, and so it isn't always clear what is being referred to.
Michael
P.S. We're you referring to reed milling pattern, or arc/shape of reed in the last paragraph of your post? :)
Edited to pose question
Last Edited by Sherwin on Jan 27, 2014 2:58 PM
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MP
3078 posts
Jan 27, 2014
4:25 PM
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Well, I meant the interchangeable terms not the milling process even though I think the milling process is the more correct way to use the term. It could mean thicker here and thinner there? In either case one could check the profile from a side view.
My point was that you can't just swap out the Rockets reed plates w/ SP/20 plates by just drilling holes if you wanted to repair it. If the profiles are different then the harp would perform differently w/ SP/20 plates.
PS. RockinRonsmusic4less should have The Rocket in stock in Feb.
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Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
Last Edited by MP on Jan 27, 2014 4:35 PM
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Todd Parrott
1189 posts
Jan 28, 2014
4:08 PM
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MP
3080 posts
Jan 29, 2014
11:19 AM
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From ninja,
"Regarding using an aftermarket comb, why wouldn't you just get a Marine Band then!?"
Hi Mike,
weeeelll, for me, even though I think that the SP/20 comb is a really great design and so comfortable it needs no smoothing out like the rocket, I have a confession. I like after market combs because the ones I choose look really cool. I'll have a perfectly fine SP/20 I make for myself and think that the plastic looks cheap. I miss Hetricks Dymonwood combs.
My gig set includes- 2 MBDs, 1 Crossover, 2 or 3 MB 1896s, but the bulk are SP/20s. I would use GMs too( CRAPPY COMBS on GMS!) but they don't fit in my Hohner seven slot cases. But....the bulk of my kit are SP/20s- some with stock combs some w/out.
My love of after market combs has nothing to do w/ tone. It is aesthetics. Sometimes i'll just sit and look at a GM w/ a cherry Hetrick comb and dig on it forgetting that I set it up specifically to practice my OBs. :0)
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Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
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Gnarly
890 posts
Jan 29, 2014
9:18 PM
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Howard says they are strong--nuff said.
I am forbidden to buy or even try these, but as a player, I am happy to see the tools get better. There's plenty of Special 20s in my kit.
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groyster1
2519 posts
Jan 30, 2014
3:33 PM
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my curiosity will not let me forget about the rocket...I love special 20s...I have never bought a bad one.....it could be on the level of a custom sp20...of which I have a handful...
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groyster1
2522 posts
Feb 01, 2014
11:25 AM
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the rocket is now available for pre order in limited keys from rockinron
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MP
3082 posts
Feb 01, 2014
11:40 AM
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I wonder how well the forward screws on the covers work.
When it comes to leakage, most of the water mark stains I see form an arc on the front of the reed
plates and comb.
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Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
Last Edited by MP on Feb 01, 2014 11:41 AM
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tmf714
2394 posts
Feb 01, 2014
1:30 PM
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Like I said-look at any Filisko or Sleigh harp-
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groyster1
2523 posts
Feb 01, 2014
5:34 PM
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BTW...the sp20 I have from mark in F was a gift....appreciate that so much....my least fave key but still essential
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MP
3085 posts
Feb 02, 2014
5:23 PM
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.....or Spiers harp and a lot of other guys too.
I'm glad you like it groyster. I've come a long way since i gave you that harp and my harps play much better now.
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Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
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Frank
3815 posts
Feb 10, 2014
7:20 AM
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After reading groysters post I ordered one from RR's on 2/1/14 - nothing yet, and no shipping details on the order?
Last Edited by Frank on Feb 10, 2014 7:21 AM
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HarpNinja
3742 posts
Feb 10, 2014
7:57 AM
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http://www.rockinronsmusic4less.com/content/harps/hohner/rocket.php
"Free Shipping in the USA. Outside the USA must get a shipping quote before placing order. Price: $69.00 Preorder. Expected to ship near the middle of February. Orders will ship on a first come first serve basis. We placed a large order but there is big demand. If your order does not ship this month it will ship the next month. We will continue to place orders with Hohner. We have no control on what they will send as far as quantity or keys. We have ordered all 12 keys but the first shipment has already been limited to the keys mentioned below. Please be patient, we are doing our best.
Available Keys: A, C, D, G, Bb, E, F, Eb
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
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jiceblues
277 posts
Feb 11, 2014
3:20 AM
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Who knows the "material" of the comb ?
is it ABS ?
And if the covers could be real stainless steel , like the 1847's ones , i could be fine .
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HarpNinja
3747 posts
Feb 11, 2014
6:29 AM
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http://www.playhohner.com/instruments/harmonica/diatonic/progressive-series/the-rocket/
It says right on the product page it is ABS with stainless covers...Hohner has been using stainless coves for a number of years now.
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
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jiceblues
278 posts
Feb 11, 2014
9:29 AM
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I doubt that SP20 covers are stainless steel , because they rust .
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Adam Hamil
132 posts
Feb 11, 2014
9:56 AM
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Ronnie's Rocket Review!!!
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C. Adam Hamil
HOHNER CERTIFIED Free Reed Instrument Technician
Last Edited by Adam Hamil on Feb 11, 2014 9:57 AM
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HarpNinja
3751 posts
Feb 11, 2014
10:02 AM
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@jjceblues
They are stainless. They are listed as such on the website, and I can attest from having played and manipulated hundreds over the last 5 years that any new SP20 has stainless covers.
I can't wait to get my Rockets!
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
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RonnieS
8 posts
Feb 11, 2014
11:45 AM
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Here's my review on YouTube of the Hohner Rocket: http://youtu.be/1VljkfSuvZs
Also, everyone knows that MSRP is not what YOU pay. This thing is landing on the streets at around $69. In my opinion, it's a fair price for a killer harp.
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Ronnie Shellist
www.Harmonica123.com
www.RonnieShellist.com
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Littoral
1028 posts
Feb 11, 2014
12:36 PM
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Ronnie, most helpful, thanks. I do need a new D harp... This one seems like a serious beast in D.
Brings me to topic I don't see, or recall:
preferences for different harp brands based on how they perform in different keys.
Last Edited by Littoral on Feb 11, 2014 12:36 PM
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CarlA
453 posts
Feb 11, 2014
1:32 PM
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Stainless steel can and in fact does rust, despite its name. Stainless comes in different grades, and the lowest (ie:304) is more prone to rusting. It would be interesting to find out what grade stainless Hohner uses for its cover plates.
Last Edited by CarlA on Feb 11, 2014 1:34 PM
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Todd Parrott
1193 posts
Feb 11, 2014
3:53 PM
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Frank
3819 posts
Feb 11, 2014
4:04 PM
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So that's what it sounds like...Thank you Ronnie :)
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Frank
3876 posts
Feb 21, 2014
5:21 PM
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I got my Rocket yesterday and there is a free 1 month pass for bluesharmonica.com that comes with the purchase...I'm not going to use it - email me if you wanna try the site out:)
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jnorem
37 posts
Feb 21, 2014
7:38 PM
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Here's what the Rocket and the Thunderbird are: more great harmonicas to add to all the other great harmonicas out there that I can't afford to buy and so I'll most likely never play. Thanks, Hohner!
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Call me J
Last Edited by jnorem on Feb 21, 2014 7:40 PM
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Frank
3879 posts
Feb 22, 2014
3:47 AM
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J...are you able to stop spending money on something that maybe you don't really need?... like food, gas or electric, and use your newly found money to purchase a better quality harp :)
Last Edited by Frank on Feb 22, 2014 3:53 AM
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groyster1
2539 posts
Feb 22, 2014
7:10 AM
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I received my rocket from rockinron yesterday...it is loud and very responsive as it was claimed to be....the main difference between the rocket and sp20 is the superior construction that the rocket has...like comparing a crossover and marine band 1896
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HarveyHarp
573 posts
Feb 22, 2014
7:34 AM
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George, how does the Rocket compare to your Stage 1 Spiers Special 20. Just curious, but its probably what everyone really wants to know.
Sorry for asking the question Joe, depending on george's response.
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HarveyHarp
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