STME58
1104 posts
Sep 27, 2014
10:27 PM
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A couple of years ago I bought a Hohner Steve Baker Special in A. I was disappointed as soon as I played it as I was expecting it to be a standard A harp with the first 4 hole in Low A. Instead, this harp starts on the same A as a standard A harp and goes way up into squeaky territory by the time you get to the 14th hole. The top two holes would not even sound until I spent some time gaping them. I tossed it in my case where it has languished ever since.
Last Friday at Slo Jam I needed an A harp and my go to was a bit out of tune so I grabbed the SBS. The piece we worked up called for me to do a duet with a violin. The high end of this harp blended very well with the violin and I got several compliments afterwards. One person in the audience told be they had been looking down and heard a great high sound they did not recognize that harmonized well with the violin. It took her a while to figure out it was coming from my harp.
Anyone else relegated a harp to the nether corners of the case only to later find its niche?
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Thievin' Heathen
394 posts
Sep 28, 2014
8:06 AM
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Yes. My SBS A. I have a slightly different reason. I am saving it. I don't know what I am saving it for but I have a dozen playable A's and I just like to keep the SBS in new condition. This has only been going on for about 3 years, so I may pull it out today and get to wearing it out. They are very nice harps.
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Michael Rubin
972 posts
Sep 28, 2014
9:54 AM
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I have been fascinated with the Chordomonica since I heard Sam Hinton play it. At SPAH years ago I found one used which seemed in good condition. I spent 100 bucks on it. Later that day, when fooling with it I discovered the chords were completely different than a standard chordomonica. I assume the original owner returned it for his special song. I decided to not make a fuss and just keep it.
I am in a band that does a Christmas show every year. We were doing We Three Kings From Orient Are and I just had a feeling. Sure enough, that harp was perfect!
Recently I found a standard chordomonica in perfect condition. It's very fun. I don't seem to be inspired to get to Sam's level yet, but maybe someday.
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STME58
1106 posts
Sep 28, 2014
10:45 AM
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Just last night I was just looking at the very video Michael posted. Someone at yesterdays jam told me my style was reminiscent of Sam Hinton, I was not familiar with Sam so I looked him up and found out what a high compliment that was. I am in San Diego, home of the Birch Aquarium where Sam played in the hallways because of the excellent acoustics.
As I watched the video I too , was fascinated with the Chordmonica as Sam presented it and was wondering how I might get a hold of one.
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MP
3265 posts
Sep 28, 2014
2:09 PM
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Facinating!
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STME58
1107 posts
Sep 28, 2014
3:22 PM
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Thievin' Heathen, Did your SBS in A play in the top hole out of the box, or did it require gaping? The top reed is very short and I had quite a time getting it gaped to where it would sound.
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Todd Parrott
1244 posts
Sep 29, 2014
8:42 AM
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I love he concept of the SBS, but it's just too uncomfortable (too long) to play. The Seydel version is much more comfortable, but the last hole is the same as 9 blow, so no 10 blow note. So, the best alternative is to make a homemade 13-hole hap like Brendan Power has done through the years. I really want one! This would be extremely useful on higher keys like Eb, E or F.
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Gnarly
1122 posts
Sep 29, 2014
8:51 AM
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I have been making Chordomonica I harps out of chromatics, it's not that hard--but of course, the harp is then no longer chromatic!
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Gnarly
1123 posts
Sep 29, 2014
8:53 AM
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I had a similar experience to STME58 when I bought a pair of SBS harps a dozen years ago. They were neglected until I started experimenting with tunings.
Now one of them is in my kit, in a special tuning I designed, and another is tuned to Fourkey.
Never throw a harmonica away!
Last Edited by Gnarly on Sep 29, 2014 8:53 AM
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arzajac
1487 posts
Sep 29, 2014
8:59 AM
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"the best alternative is to make a homemade 13-hole hap like Brendan Power has done through the years. I really want one! "
I have a comb design for that (Brendan fuses two plastic combs together). You're on your own for cover plates, though. Brendan uses MB365 covers.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Sep 29, 2014 9:00 AM
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