Header Graphic
Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > Recommendations for harp "optimization"
Recommendations for harp "optimization"
Login  |  Register
Page: 1

Seven.Oh.Three.
288 posts
Sep 28, 2014
6:50 PM
I have a set of MBD's that I'm looking to have custom combs mounted (already have the combs), tuning checked/corrected, gapped and support the covers. Not really interested in making them full customs but just optimized. Does anybody have any recommendations for someone in the States? Also, any ballpark on what something like this costs?

Thanks!
7.o.3.

Last Edited by Seven.Oh.Three. on Sep 28, 2014 7:34 PM
arzajac
1486 posts
Sep 28, 2014
8:41 PM
I'm not in the States and I am full up with a six-month waiting list for this type of work. But this is what I do/charge:

For $16.50, you get the comb (it's just easier for me to provide the comb - I started making my own combs so that I could provide this service faster/cheaper. I would charge you extra to use the stock comb or a third-party comb.) You also get the harp cleaned, tuning corrected and gapped. If a reed is obviously out of shape, I will reshape/profile it and make it play right. I also open up the back of the covers.

For $30, you get the same along with advanced reed work (every reed will have a better profile than stock) and light-to-medium full-slot embossing. You can also have the harp retuned to a different temperament if you want.

The result is a loud harp that has a wider dynamic range and better tone than stock.

Who would I recommend? In the US, I hear MP is sitting on a virtually unlimited source of Mojo that he infuses into each harp he works on.

----------


Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.

Last Edited by arzajac on Sep 29, 2014 9:42 AM
Kingley
3707 posts
Sep 28, 2014
10:35 PM
There are a few guys on this forum who do that kind of work. Mark Prados and Scott Woerner both do that work and could sort you out.

I'd like to offer an alternative suggestion though. I'm reminded of the old proverb which goes something like this: If you give a man a fish he eats for a day. If you teach him how to fish he'll eat for life. My suggestion is to take one of those Marine Band Deluxe harps and learn how to fit the comb and tune them up yourself. It's not hard to do and just takes a little practice and patience. There are loads of videos available on how to do this stuff. If you learn to do it then you'll always be able to set up your own harps the way you want too. Take the plunge and teach yourself to fish.
Seven.Oh.Three.
289 posts
Sep 29, 2014
7:11 AM
Thanks guys, still hoping to get some more recommendations....

Kingly, after a year of playing I got really big into working on my MB's. from watching videos I learned most of the basics; flat sanding, sealing, gapping, opening the covers etc. I invested a bunch of time and money in trying to make the best final result I could. I quickly realized I was spending more time working on them than I was playing them. Now-a-days I much prefer to spend time playing and leave this kind of thing to the pro's. I still get in there and will tweak something here or there and you're right, being able to do this stuff yourself if a rewarding and beneficial skill to have. I just don't have the enthusiasm to sit down and mess with a whole bunch of harps....


Post a Message



(8192 Characters Left)


Modern Blues Harmonica supports

§The Jazz Foundation of America

and

§The Innocence Project

 

 

 

ADAM GUSSOW is an official endorser for HOHNER HARMONICAS