Martin
792 posts
Mar 20, 2015
6:54 AM
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From my horizon the Suzuki Harpmaster looks like a reasonably priced harmonica. I know it´s not top end and all that (top end is way beyond my budget) -- but I´m wondering if any of you have any experience of it as a lasting instrument?
Does it take punishment?
The Suzuki Folkmasters I´ve bought over the years have proven to be rather sturdy things, and good for practice. But I HATE those cover plates; the Harpmaster appears to be smother.
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ted burke
136 posts
Mar 20, 2015
6:58 AM
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For the money, I would say that the Harpmaster is the best modestly priced instrument available. I have four of them in my collection, C, D, A, Bb, and they perform with good tone, good response. They still sound good after three years of moderate to heavy use/ I recommend them for anyone on a budget/
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Ted Burke
__________________
ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.com
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shakeylee
167 posts
Mar 20, 2015
7:19 AM
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i use suzuki harpmasters and delta frosts as my main harmonica as a harmonica player.i have a whole set of them,or mixed parts versions of them.(as a harp rack performer i use manjis
i would also say a delta frost outlasts most other harmonicas in the sense of tuning or reed fractures for hard players
i don't think of a harpmaster/delta frost as "good for the money" i think of them as good,regardless of money.
BTW,the suzuki folk master is different than any other suzuki and is not interchangeable with them. it is however interchangeable parts wise with huang silvertone deluxe.
you can use silvertone deluxe reedplates and covers on a folk master comb.
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www.shakeylee.com
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Goldbrick
911 posts
Mar 20, 2015
7:49 AM
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Good harp- I gig with the Delta frost version-they seem to take a likin' and keep on tickin'. I have A,C, D, E, and G
Have all been fine out of the box for 2nd position blues play,so never even had the covers off
The Hammonds are even better but $$$. I have an A and a D and they are sweet.
I have one Manji that is ok but imho not twice as good as a Delta Frost or equal to the Hammond.
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arzajac
1614 posts
Mar 20, 2015
7:56 AM
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Out of the box, they may not always be superb, but they have much more potential than most harps. A little tweaking really pays off. Full-slot embossing and compromise tuning in particular have a dramatic effect on these harps.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
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mlefree
267 posts
Mar 20, 2015
9:33 AM
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Can anyone confirm or deny that Suzuki models share reed plates? In other words, I have heard that Harpmasters and Promasters differ only in their combs and cover plates.
Thanks,
Michelle
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SilverWingLeather.com
email: mlefree@silverwingleather.com
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arzajac
1616 posts
Mar 20, 2015
9:47 AM
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Michelle,
Promaster reed plates have a groove into which the covers fit. The harpmaster and blues master plates do not.
I would not use a harpmaster plate on a promaster comb for that reason. Mind you, most Promaster combs I have seen are not flat, nor are they fixable. The plastic harpmaster/blues master comb is way better anyway.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Mar 20, 2015 9:48 AM
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shakeylee
170 posts
Mar 20, 2015
10:30 AM
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But,of course,the reverse works great. You can use promaster reed plates in a harpmaster/DF and blues master just fine.
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www.shakeylee.com
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Rontana
68 posts
Mar 20, 2015
11:15 AM
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I just put a bluesmaster draw-reed plate in my busted harpmaster (the 4-draw bent off in the latter). It fit perfectly.
I've got several harpmasters, and all played well after I tweaked the gaps a bit. That said, I've come to prefer Hohners (am currently enamored with a Rocket I bought, and have a couple of SP 20s) but the Harpmaster still seems a good choice. No complaints.
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Marr's Guitars
Offering custom-built Cigar Box Guitars for the discriminating player of obscure musical unstruments
Last Edited by Rontana on Mar 20, 2015 11:16 AM
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jhallc
14 posts
Mar 20, 2015
11:36 AM
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I have several Harpmasters and find them very much like the special 20's I have in terms of feel. They might be a bit brighter sounding than the 20's I have with an open back. Have held up pretty well so far and I've blown through a lot of special 20's in my time. I found them new for $ 20-25.
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BeelzeBob
35 posts
Mar 20, 2015
9:58 PM
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I like them, no one has mentioned that they have a raspy quality which might be weird to some paired with its equal tuning. I'm a little less enthused about them because Suzuki used to sell them real cheap, then they jacked the price up. Still a good harp OOTB, IMHO.
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Glass Harp Full
10 posts
Mar 20, 2015
10:12 PM
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BeelzeBob, does that apply to Harpmasters in all keys or just certain ones?
I'm still a beginner but I'm looking at exploring some different keys, and I've hear some keys are harder to play than others. I have Hohners in A and G and like the sound of these keys. I'm thinking getting a Harpmaster in D, do they sound good? Any tips in general for playing in D?
Thanks
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SuperBee
2473 posts
Mar 20, 2015
11:29 PM
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A little OT perhaps, but mention of pro master got my interest. I have 5 virtually new and I remain completely unimpressed with them. But arzajac's comment re combs has led me to wonder if there may be hope, if I can score some alternative combs. Is there a source of harp master combs other than buying harp masters?
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SuperBee
2474 posts
Mar 20, 2015
11:32 PM
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Oh, just realised I'd probably need covers too, because I don't have any nice thoughts about pro master covers either
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mlefree
268 posts
Mar 21, 2015
8:50 AM
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Thanks, Andrew and others for the kind reply.
Michelle
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SilverWingLeather.com
email: mlefree@silverwingleather.com
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shakeylee
172 posts
Mar 21, 2015
9:30 AM
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Super bee,arzajac makes a great pro master comb. If you don't like pro master covers ,sp20 covers,harpmaster covers and DF covers fit.
Also ,blue moon makes a wonderful recessed reed plate style comb,as well as a flat comb,that are also great.
With a recessed plate comb you can use souls voice covers ,the newt style .they are vented in such a way that they avoid the end screws on the reed plate .
There are tons of comb,cover,reed plate and brand combinations for Suzuki and bushman harps .
Anyone in Philly,I would be happy to show you bitsa brand mash ups of harmonicas .
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www.shakeylee.com
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www.shakeylee.com
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florida-trader
663 posts
Mar 21, 2015
11:17 AM
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I would give the HarpMaster a big thumbs up. They are good harps.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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SuperBee
2478 posts
Mar 21, 2015
1:16 PM
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Great to know. thanks! I have a bunch of Sp20 covers, and they are about my favourite covers.
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shakeylee
174 posts
Mar 21, 2015
2:48 PM
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another thing to keep in mind,is that the bushman delta frost replacement reed plates come attached to a comb.
pretty good deal.
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www.shakeylee.com
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SuperBee
2480 posts
Mar 21, 2015
3:31 PM
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This is good. I have now a source of Suzuki reed plates. All promaster plates I understand. Down the track I should also get some Manji plates. So I can get down with learning more about working on reed replacement for Suzuki harps. In fact, I'm gonna start a new Suzuki sp20 promaster project today
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dougharps
888 posts
Mar 21, 2015
5:58 PM
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I have collected quite a few Delta Frosts and I like them. Also, for a while the Delta Frost reed plate & comb were selling for around $20. Add Special 20 covers with slight modification, and it makes for a great harp for little money. I have a few like that.
With a little gap adjustment you can easily pop 4, 5, & 6 obs on a Delta Frost. They seem pretty durable, and have a raspy tone. My Bluesmasters are OK, but the Delta Frost seems louder and better.
My Deak Harps remain my favorites. They are my only customs so far. If I gig enough or win the lottery, I will add more customs from other customizers. They are a luxury on my budget. I buy my harps and gear with gig money, plus pay for workshops/conventions with gig money.
For day to day playing, I would gig with Delta Frost (Harpmasters), Spec. 20s, Manjis, Crossovers, MBDs, Seydel Steels and 1847s. I don't like to work on harps that are nailed together, so I don't buy Marine Bands.
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Doug S.
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mlefree
273 posts
Mar 22, 2015
9:13 AM
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Next question: Now that we know how Promaster and Harpmaster reed plates differ, how are Manji plates different from Promaster plates?
Thanks again,
Michelle
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SilverWingLeather.com
email: mlefree@silverwingleather.com
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shakeylee
177 posts
Mar 22, 2015
9:42 AM
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they are a compromise tuning,which is what i do to equal temperment harps anyway.
the cover plate hole is forward on a manji,but it also has promaster/harpmaster coverplate holes .
so,you can use manji plates in a promaster,harpmaster,DF blues master ,but if you want to use promaster plates in a manji you have to drill cover plate screw holes.all other screw holes align ,or have the same footprint.
i would like to try the just tuned plates they make for the fabulous!!
i think ,in the future ,you will see universal hole placement on suzukis
i would imagine this question would be better answered by someone like gnarly.
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www.shakeylee.com
Last Edited by shakeylee on Mar 22, 2015 9:43 AM
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arzajac
1617 posts
Mar 22, 2015
11:09 AM
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Manji reeds are long-slot (in all keys). All the other Suzuki diatonic harps in production today are short-slot.
Suzuki compromise tuning is simply ET with the thirds tuned down about five cents. That's just enough to make the chords sound less rough around the edges.
Manji reeds/reed plates have an impressive amount of potential. I love the sound and they can be made to perform to a very high level with less work than other brands.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
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shakeylee
180 posts
Mar 22, 2015
12:47 PM
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yes,that's how i tune my harps if they start as ET.i just lower the thirds a pinch.
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www.shakeylee.com
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shakeylee
181 posts
Mar 22, 2015
12:49 PM
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arzajac,with the slot differences,am i wrong thinking manji plates fit on a promaster comb,etc.?
i do have a manji with promaster plates,but i wonder if the reverse doesn't work?
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www.shakeylee.com
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SuperBee
2482 posts
Mar 22, 2015
1:34 PM
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i tried messing with promaster and bluesmaster and sp20 covers yesterday.
my promaster plates were not tapped so they are attached with 7 nuts. the nuts are a pill and get in the way of sp20 covers somewhat but i was able to get them to fit. perhaps because the promaster is designed witth full-length covers in mind, the edge of the reed plates has had no smoothing. thought a marine band was rough around the edges? it has nothing on this harp! thats ok, can be dealt with. the covers dont really fit straight off the bat, i'll have to fold up the back some so i can slide them forward to meet the slot on the plates. but, even with the covers set too far back and the sharp corners and edges this seems preferable to a promaster with standard covers.
i tried the plates on a bluesmaster comb. it wasn't really gonna be a good deal, mainly because there wasn't enough thread available to get the nuts on. bluesmaster comb must be a little thicker than promaster. for a laugh i put the gold promaster covers on my bluesmaster (red comb!) gaudy!
i tried to order some arzajac combs but had problems with the mobile site. maybe just as well, i'm still not convinced these will be viable.
i did discover though that at least some of the trouble with these promasters is down to the valves. glue on some extended beyond the cutouts of the comb. i tried to save them while i worked on the reeds but i guess they're not working anymore as i get overblows now and not blow bends. i think i'll just clean them off and start from scratch. i can't say i'm a fan of suzuki harps but i have acquired a bunch of secondhand plates so determined to get over my prejudice.
i'm thankful only 2 of my promasters have the threadless reedplates.
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shakeylee
182 posts
Mar 22, 2015
1:59 PM
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i have not seen the threadless plates in a long ,long time.
for me,the sp20 covers fit with no alteration.
if you are trying to buy the arzajac combs from rockin rons,you have to keep clicking the image till you get to the right page.
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www.shakeylee.com
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shakeylee
183 posts
Mar 22, 2015
3:27 PM
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it occurs to me that the plates that were put together with square nuts used 1.6 screws.it would be easy enough to tap them for 2mm screws and do away with the nuts.
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www.shakeylee.com
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SuperBee
2483 posts
Mar 22, 2015
6:55 PM
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Thanks Shakeylee. i did think about tapping them but they were clearly drilled too big for my 1.6 tap. its possible they are tight enough for 2mm. little things...its quite possible to deal with the nuts but when you're testing your changes it gets to be a PITA.
i was trying to buy the combs direct from arzajac's site. the issue may be with the out-of-date ios on my phone...
i gave up until i could get to the desktop...but by then my enthusiasm for suzuki harps was back to its normal low ebb. i picked a bad one to start on. I'll take a crack at one with tapped plates.
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dougharps
889 posts
Mar 22, 2015
9:22 PM
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@shakeylee
I lengthened the hole in the Spec. 20 covers toward the back of the covers so I could move the covers closer to the front of the Delta Frost comb. It would work OK without the mod, but I like the covers a little more forward than they would be.
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Doug S.
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shakeylee
185 posts
Mar 22, 2015
9:30 PM
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yes,i think to use on a DF or harpmaster you would want to enlarge or elongate the hole.on a promaster they fit sans alteration.
hering vintage,master blues etc.covers fit too
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www.shakeylee.com
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Gnarly
1289 posts
Mar 24, 2015
8:25 PM
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The Harpmaster and Bluesmaster are good harps, but I prefer the more expensive Suzuki models--I particularly like the Olive and the Hammond Promaster.
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hvyj
2663 posts
Mar 24, 2015
10:21 PM
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I'm with Gnarly. Love my Hammonds and very fond of the Firebreaths as well. I like the Olives a lot after I put Blue Moon black aluminum anonodized combs on them. Never had to swap out combs on Hammonds or Firebreaths.
@arzac: I think the Fabulous are also long slot.
Last Edited by hvyj on Mar 24, 2015 10:23 PM
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Gnarly
1290 posts
Mar 25, 2015
12:29 PM
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http://rockinronsmusicsd.com/index.php?_a=product&product_id=15
A boxed set for Bluesmasters, on the other hand, is priced well below $200 (see above link to RR), and the 6 harps include a Bb.
So that's a pretty affordable way to get the keys you need most.
Of course, the covers are different, if you really want the Harpmaster style covers, you wouldn't fork out that much money.
Still, 6 harps for $163, comes with a case (fairly durable) and one year warranty (includes reed failure and phone calls with Gnarly and Daron).
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