jwesly1
1 post
Apr 24, 2014
10:13 AM
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Hey all I am new to the forum and first off I would like to just say hey.
I have been playing harmonica for probably about three months now and I feel I am progressing very quickly thanks to Adam's videos. I am mainly a guitar player but I picked up the harp after I broke my arm cause I couldn't really play any other instruments.
So I started learning on a really old Golden Melody in C I found that is pretty well blown out and out of tune, but I love it for some reason.
As my skills progressed I decided I needed a new harmonica to live up to my skills, so I purchased a Special 20 in C and I like it but I am not crazy about it. I have a tendency to baby it a bit and constantly go back to my GM especially when I have had a few if you know what I mean.
Now my arm is all healed up and I can play any instrument I choose so I decided I would buy a few new harmonicas in different keys to keep me interested as I feel I am meant to play harp.
So I just purchased a Suzuki Harpmaster in A so I could play crossharp while I play blues rhythm in E on my guitar because I have heard great things about Suzuki and wanted to try different brands and keys of harps to see what I like.
Finally, what are some harmonicas and keys you guys think I should check out? I was leaning towards a Seydel Blues Soloist Pro but am not a big fan of the large note holes, I seem to prefer narrower ones like my GM or a Marine Band. I figured this out from the fact that the Special 20 has larger note holes. I think I want a bit of a higher end harp with a sealed wooden comb possibly in the $50 to $70 range in a new and interesting key, possibly minor, but I am open to any suggestions construction and brand wise. Thanks for any help in advance and reading my long winded post!!!
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The Iceman
1603 posts
Apr 24, 2014
10:35 AM
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Seeing as how you have an attachment to Golden Melody already, why not go for these?
As time progresses, you can always try others and make a change.
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The Iceman
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jwesly1
2 posts
Apr 24, 2014
11:15 AM
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This seems to be a very obvious choice and it was calling to me but I have heard the Golden Melody is tuned by intonation and not by equal temperament so it tends to suck on chords, hence the name Golden Melody not Golden Chords
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The Iceman
1604 posts
Apr 24, 2014
11:16 AM
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GM doesn't sound terrible on chords. It is a good middle ground tween just and equal.
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The Iceman
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Pistolcat
610 posts
Apr 24, 2014
11:59 AM
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Give yourself a treat. Get a hohner marine band deluxe in Bb.
Edit: ...and golden melodies is said to be equal temperament and therefore have a bit harsher chords. At least that's what I always have heard but the Iceman is usually knowledgeable in these instances.
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Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
Last Edited by Pistolcat on Apr 24, 2014 12:40 PM
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sonny3
168 posts
Apr 24, 2014
12:12 PM
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I just got a Seydel Soloist pro and it was hardly playable out of the box.Took a lot of work to Get it to play nice.I would go with a Golden Melody.They play great from the box.
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jwesly1
3 posts
Apr 24, 2014
12:19 PM
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To Pistolcat, that is pretty close to getting on of the marine band crossovers. Or I could get a GM and later buy a wooden comb for it. Keep the ideas flowing, I am closer and closer to pushing that add to cart button on something.
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WinslowYerxa
569 posts
Apr 24, 2014
12:22 PM
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Actually, the Golden Melody is tuned to equal temperament, so the chords are not as smooth on a harp that's in just or compromise tuning. (To my ears the GM's chords are harsh, YMMV).
The Special 20 has the exact same reeds as the Golden Melody, but tuned to a more chord-friendly intonation.
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Winslow
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Pistolcat
611 posts
Apr 24, 2014
12:53 PM
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I have three crossovers (XO) and two marine band deluxe (MBD). I prefer the MBD:s to the XO:s. It's cheaper, too. Bb is a wonderful key. Balancing perfectly in responsiveness of the higher keys like C and above and the deep resonating sound of the lower keys
, A and below.
I would say that you don't really need new harps, though. C and A is enough at your stage. If you want to stay interested you should keep playing until you start feeling comfortable with bending and projecting a nice full tone. The Iceman say to picture a rod of steel, I believe, tha projects from your diaphragm trough your harp out in the room. I envision a beam of light, but that's just me. When you have that I would encourage you to learn to set your gaps. This'll make your OOTB GM and SP20 into well set up monsters that'll blow even a MBD or XO OOTB out of the water.
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Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
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jwesly1
4 posts
Apr 24, 2014
12:54 PM
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WinslowYerxa, sorry if I worded it wrong, I am new to harmonica but not music. I see now that you are correct.
I am gonna wait to see if a few more people chime in but now it is down to these four; Golden Melody replaced with a wood comb eventually, Seydel 1871 with wood comb, Suzuki Manji, or Hohner Crossover all in either G or Bb. Would love to hear some more key recommendations as well.
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jwesly1
5 posts
Apr 24, 2014
1:02 PM
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Sorry Pistolcat, I missed your previous post, but right now I have a slight abundance of money which is something I never have so I figure with a couple new harmonicas of different brands, styles, and keys I will find what I really love and expand upon my favorites later on down the road while peeking my interest to want to learn beyond what I already know.
As far as gapping I assume you are speaking of manually adjusting my reeds which I plan to practice on my old GM and move on from there to my better newer harps. Just want something more than a blown out favorite, and a new harp in the same key. feel two more harps of different brands and keys is warranted here. Thanks for all the help so far guys.
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jwesly1
6 posts
Apr 24, 2014
2:40 PM
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Well too late folks, went ahead and bought me a Hohner Crossover in Bb with free shipping for $58.90. Great deal!!! Checked out a few harp scale charts and realized how great of a key Bb is, especially combined with A and C in relative to guitar and many folk, country, and blues songs. Thanks again for the help guys and harp on!!!
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Destin
75 posts
May 10, 2014
1:29 PM
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Dude u need to just try a good old fashion regular marine band.
For real!
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JustFuya
129 posts
May 10, 2014
4:18 PM
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I think you made the right choice. To me, COs are the best OOTB. They resonate nicely. You can feel it even while setting it down. And Bb is joy in blues. You might have to change your cupping.
I would not buy anything that is nailed (ie MB) unless I had a drill press to make it otherwise. Bad science for something that needs dis-assembly at least once and likely more.
Only one bit of advice: If you do take it apart, don't use a Phillip's screwdriver. I owned a German car and learned to love how they fasten things but it takes a few additions to the toolbox.
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groyster1
2595 posts
May 11, 2014
4:20 PM
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don't use Phillips head?whys that?I have one with several bits and have used it many times....the main trick is not to over torque the screw...Bb is my favorite key...wish more guitar players would play in F or Cm
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JustFuya
148 posts
May 11, 2014
5:09 PM
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I believe they are pozidriv screws. I'm sure a Phillip's will work but the heads will tend to strip if you are not careful. This is my OCD speaking.
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