SteveTech
27 posts
Apr 07, 2015
7:59 AM
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Hi all,
I'm looking at buying some low harps and am curious what low harps you all are currently playing.
I'm have been playing Hohners, preferring the SP20s, but as we all know, they are no longer available tuned low OTB.
Thunderbirds look good but...$$$$$. Of course, I'm not opposed to spending if they really are that much better than other brands or models.
What's your opinion?
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-Steve
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2chops
374 posts
Apr 07, 2015
8:40 AM
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Lee Oskar. I bought a set of LoF plates and put them on an extra L. O. G harp I had. Works just dandy.
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
Last Edited by 2chops on Apr 07, 2015 8:40 AM
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rogonzab
682 posts
Apr 07, 2015
8:48 AM
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I have 3:
LF# Big River = OOTB useless, whit a lot of work now is OK
LD SP20 = OK OOTB
LF Manji = Not very good OOTB, but whit a litle of work mostly gaping) is great!
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Sorry for any misspell, english is not my first language.
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STME58
1266 posts
Apr 07, 2015
8:59 AM
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I have a Seydel Session in Low D and a Manji in Low C, a Suzuki Pure Harp in Low F and a Seydel 1847 Nobel.in low F. I think the nest low harp I buy will be another 1847.
Suzuki makes good harps and has a good warranty. Reed plates for the Manji are reasonably priced. My Low C is the first Manji I recieved that was way out of tune. 7 blow was very sharp so I brought it in with some blue tac to make it playable. I know Suzuki will tune it up when I take the time to go through the process and send it in. On a harp I play a lot I usually wear out a reed within a year. Gnarly has done a good job on repairing many of these for me under the Suzuki Warranty. The first time I flat a reed I send it in for repair and the next time I buy a new reed plate, which has a new warranty and I can send it in when I flat one. My MTBF (Mean Time Between Flatting) is going up as I get better at playing. I don;t really notice any difference in MTBF between brands or reed materials. I try to change the harps I carry with me to distribute the load. If I carry the same harp for a month it is sure to blow out.
The Seydels I can repair myself as the reeds are riveted and not welded. Seydel also has single reeds available. I have not yet purchased any but used reeds off old reed plates I have replaced. I like all 4 types of harp. All are $60 or more so I would expect them to be good. Of the bunch I like the heft and play-ability of the 1847 Nobel. It is the second most expensive of the group.
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Harmlessonica
114 posts
Apr 07, 2015
9:36 AM
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I do like my Thunderbird but upon reflection it was more money than a person with my talent (or lack thereof) should be paying.
I'm very happy with my Session Steel low C, and also enjoy playing my Favorite LLF - but you have to know its limitations, especially with regard to reed rattle.
I understand the regular Sessions come in the low keys also, so I'd start there if you're looking for an economical choice for your first sub-Low F Harmonica.
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isaacullah
2986 posts
Apr 07, 2015
10:14 AM
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I'm sad that Hohner stopped making low Special 20's. I've got two of them (E and D), and they play really well. I've got a low F MB Deluxe, which is also pretty good, but I only bought it because it was on super duper discount in Amazon. I wouldn't buy one at full price. I've also got a low C that I put together from Session Steel reedplates on a Solist Pro comb and covers. It's the best playing one of the bunch by far, but also cost me the most money (the Solist Pro parts were donated from a defunct harp, and the Session Steel reedplates were around $45, if I remember correctly). Thunderbird and low Manji's might be great (the covers are neat), but IMO, they're priced too high for my blood. Sadly, I'm not a Lee Oskar fan (hate the coverplates), so the fairly-priced LO's are not on my radar. Don't really need any more low harps, but I'm annoyed that that I couldn't replace any of them with new low Spec 20's if I needed to.
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YouTube! Soundcloud!
Last Edited by isaacullah on Apr 07, 2015 10:15 AM
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Diggsblues
1760 posts
Apr 07, 2015
10:18 AM
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Bushman makes a low F.
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groyster1
2767 posts
Apr 07, 2015
10:36 AM
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F is my least favorite harp....pitch is too high...have one low F....really don't mind the low pitch of G....I have a high G....its all too quirky for me
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STME58
1269 posts
Apr 07, 2015
10:57 AM
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@isaacullah, are you aware that Seydel coverplates fit Lee Oscar Harps?
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Gnarly
1300 posts
Apr 07, 2015
11:00 AM
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Steve, I am sorry you had tuning issues with the Low C, and I am ready, willing, and able to address all issues with the entire line of Suzuki harmonicas, more to the point, I need stuff to work on here at Suzuki since there aren't a lot of warranty repairs. Nevertheless, I am glad you did what every player should be able to, that is, fix little stuff that makes you a better player. Gapping and tuning are fairly rudimentary, although you should never learn a skill on an instrument you can't afford to lose.
Low tuned Manjis rock, in my estimation, and are priced only a few dollars above the standard Manji. Thunderbirds, OTOH, are three figures (Rockin' Ron has them for $125).
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Lmbrjak
258 posts
Apr 07, 2015
11:51 AM
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I bought three low harps from Tom Dikon. Big Rivers in D,F,and Eb. All play good and only $25 each.
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Goldbrick
945 posts
Apr 07, 2015
12:00 PM
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Low C Manji- very nice
low D Special 20--meh
Low D and Low E Blues Session-great
Low F Lee Oskar-- good
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ted burke
165 posts
Apr 07, 2015
12:06 PM
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I just scored a Low F Lee Oskar and I like what I hear.
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Ted Burke
__________________
ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.com
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Raven
35 posts
Apr 07, 2015
12:32 PM
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LF-Manji
LC,LLF,LG-Seydel
LE,LEb,LF#,LD-SP20
LF-L.O.
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Gnarly
1302 posts
Apr 07, 2015
1:03 PM
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Ted do you want me to work on your SUB30?
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isaacullah
2990 posts
Apr 07, 2015
2:11 PM
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@STME: Didn't know that Seydel covers fit 'em, but do know that Hohner MS Blues Harps covers fit (with a little reaming of the bolt holes). I had two defunct MS blues harps, and two working Lee Oskars that I never played. So I swapped out the covers. Now I have two pretty great Lee Oskars that I play all the time because the don't feel rough on my lips! lol!
If I had more "donor" covers that would fit them, I would consider buying LO's more often (especially for alternate tuning). Having to buy additional covers kinda makes the cost savings disappear, though... Very glad to know that Seydel covers will fit, however. Always important to know this kinda stuff "just in case"! :)
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YouTube! Soundcloud!
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nacoran
8398 posts
Apr 07, 2015
2:40 PM
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I've got:
Low F MB (B+)
LLF Seydel Blues Favorite (B+)
LD Blues Session (harmonic minor) (A++)
Hohner 365 (B-)
They are all good harps. The LLF originally had valves but I tore them off in a fit of rage. Now it's fairly quiet, but mics up fine. The MB has the normal issues I have with MBs- tough on the lips, but sounds great. The LD is an amazing harp. It has a custom Elk River comb on it, and I prefer the long cover harps. The 365 is a neat harp, but it's not terribly airtight, has all sorts of sharp corners and with the 4 extra holes is a beast to cup.
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Nate
Facebook
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First Post- May 8, 2009
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BronzeWailer
1640 posts
Apr 07, 2015
2:45 PM
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Low F Special 20 with Turbharp lids. Love it.
Low F Seydel Nobel.
Low C and Low D Seydel 1847s.
Low E Thunderbird.
I also love the Seydels. They purr right out of the box, and the heft feels important.
BronzeWailer's YouTube
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Aussiesucker
1467 posts
Apr 07, 2015
2:58 PM
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Low F Marine Band
Low F Lee Oskar
Low E Marine Band
Low D Special 20
Low C Marine Band 364
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HARPOLDIE’S YOUTUBE
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SuperBee
2525 posts
Apr 07, 2015
3:10 PM
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LO D big river. Ok I think. Very rarely used.
LO Eb marine band 1896. Used more than the Lo D but still not much. Not loud enough to be heard in the songs where I need the key, and I can't play it fast enough. I can't get the 1 draw bend without paramedic standing by. I spent some time working on this harp and it did improve but 1 draw issue may be about me.
Lo F seydel session, brass
Lo F thunderbird
Lo F 1847 silver
I play all the LoF harps...except the session broke. The tbird is good to play, responsive. Sounds kinda harsh compared to the mellow sound of the seydels. The 1847 is very smooth and plays almost as well as the tbird. Tbird doesn't take quite as much air.
Sometimes I feel like life is too short to spend time playing Lo harps. But I'll probably get a 12 holer in C sometime
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root
34 posts
Apr 07, 2015
4:57 PM
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I have a low f valved promaster, and low c,d,e flat and low e manjis that I put Gazell system valves on. I really love the low manjis. I also put brass combs on them. Made them louder, more responsive, and I like the heftiness. I didn't get a low f manji, as I have 2 low f promasters. How do the low f manjis compare?-Greg
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Thievin' Heathen
517 posts
Apr 07, 2015
7:32 PM
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I have a really mixed set of low key harps. The Lee Oskar Low F is a given. I picked up a couple of Low D pro harps off ebay. I got some odd ball Eb, F#, etc. Big Rivers from Rockin Ron and transferred the reed plates into some MS Blues Harp wood combs. I filled in the missing keys with Seydel reed plates and put them into some blown out ebay 1847's.
Last Edited by Thievin' Heathen on Apr 07, 2015 7:32 PM
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Gnarly
1304 posts
Apr 07, 2015
10:47 PM
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I bought the last of Rockin' Ron's low F SP20s, still have at least one in the backup box of SP20s.
Manji has come in low F for a while, but the new ones have the conical cover "borrowed" from Filisko's design.
I also put a Low E SP20 into the kit, not sure if that one is going to stay tho--only so much room, and I haven't found a tune for which it is required yet.
Seydel low lo F hasn't made it to the kit yet.
I like the 365s but usually wind up retuning them, so they don't wind up starting on C3. I have a stock one that does (duh), but it too has not made it to the stage yet.
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A440
346 posts
Apr 07, 2015
11:29 PM
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Seydel Session Steel: LF#, LF, LE, LD
Excellent playability, rich sound.
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florida-trader
667 posts
Apr 08, 2015
3:30 AM
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I use Cross Harps and Big Rivers. I do have some of these available if anyone else is looking for a nice low tuned harp at good price.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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Gipsy
137 posts
Apr 08, 2015
4:26 AM
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Low C, low D and low Eb Sp20's. All retuned down from low E reedplates ( new old stock ). All with turbo lids so no reed rattle on cover plates. All wonderful to play.
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dougharps
897 posts
Apr 08, 2015
9:16 AM
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I have 2 Low F# MBDs and a Big River in F#, and prefer the MBDs.
I have a Low F Seydel Silver and Low F Delta Frost, and prefer the Seydel Silver, though the DF is OK. The Silver is my easiest low key harp to play. The Low F# MBDs are pretty easy, too.
I have a Big River Low E and a Low Eb, but still have a little trouble getting all the draw 2 bends on them, probably due to my technique.
However, even in other regular keys I have found that Big Rivers often take more effort, even when regapped. I generally don't use Big Rivers, though I can get by with them if needed.
I haven't tried the Session Steels in Low keys, but may at some future date.
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Doug S.
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Mighty Slim
32 posts
Apr 08, 2015
10:52 AM
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I have a Lee Oskar Low F I just bought, which works great. It replaced a Marine Band Low F that needed new reed plates, but it was cheaper to get the LO harp new than Hohner replacement reed plates that would fit the Marine Band, which seems crazy. I use that harp key mostly to play in Gm in third position. I use it a fair amount.
I also have a low D and low E, each of which I created by taking a Hohner Blues Harp body and adding low D and low E Hohner MS replacement reed plates (I think, maybe a differently named replacement set but too long ago to remember) many years ago. These play Ok but I created them each for specific tunes I did with my old band, and they worked fine for those tunes.
I used the low E to play "Please Please Me" in first position E to sound like the Beatles.
Used the low D to play "For Your Love" in Em in third position to sound like the New Yardbirds.
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hvyj
2681 posts
Apr 12, 2015
9:38 AM
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Just bought a Low F Suzuki Olive. wow!!! Responsive, very even through all registers, nice tone and with excellent compression (airtightness). This may be one of the best OOB harmonicas I've ever played.
This is surprising to me since the other Olives that I have are not as good OOB. Maybe I just got lucky with this one.
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