Glass Harp Full
18 posts
Apr 08, 2015
5:35 AM
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Hi,
My mum gave me a Marine Band harp for my birthday not long ago because she knows I'm getting back into learning to play. It was a nice present and I was happy to get it.
Unfortunately I'm finding it very unresponsive. It's difficult to get any sound out of it at all, even with a lot of breath. I had one years ago and don't remember it having this problem. I have a few other brands/models of harps and don't have this problem, so I don't think it's a technique issue, although I could be wrong.
So my question is: did I just get a dud or is this common for Marine Bands nowadays? Does it just need to be broken in (I haven't played it very much)? Is there anything I can do to make it better?
Any advice much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Last Edited by Glass Harp Full on Apr 08, 2015 5:36 AM
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Rubes
936 posts
Apr 08, 2015
6:44 AM
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Great harps mate! needs some gapping.......welcome to our wonderful world.....
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Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
Dads in Space at Reverbnation
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arzajac
1628 posts
Apr 08, 2015
8:36 AM
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No matter what make or model, that happens to mass-produced harps. It may need gapping adjustment. It may also be leaking air because the comb or reed plates are not flat. Also, some reeds may not be well shaped.
It may be a particularly bad harp if there are a combination of all of those factors coming together.
For the most part, out-of-the-box harps are fine, though. A few are really good and a few are really bad.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Apr 08, 2015 8:36 AM
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Barley Nectar
751 posts
Apr 08, 2015
2:06 PM
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Can you send them back to Hohner, will they stand behind something like this?
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sonny3
254 posts
Apr 08, 2015
4:58 PM
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I havent had a bum 1896 ever.Maybe the gaps are set crazy high.
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timeistight
1750 posts
Apr 08, 2015
5:56 PM
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Have you asked a more experienced player to try the harp?
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groyster1
2771 posts
Apr 08, 2015
8:15 PM
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there are some that say the classic marine bands are as good as ever OOTB....I have several star of david and custom marine bands.....when they are good,they are as good as any harp anywhereIMHO
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SuperBee
2532 posts
Apr 08, 2015
8:23 PM
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i bought a set of 5 marine bands a couple months ago. they were all gapped way too wide. they were at very special price, like less than $25 each.
they are great harps though.
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Glass Harp Full
19 posts
Apr 08, 2015
9:55 PM
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Thanks for your suggestions guys. I'll look into gapping. I'm not very handy so hopefully I won't make it worse :)
I'll also try to find a more experienced player locally to have a go.
Other than this one my experience with OOTB harps has been good so far. Just unlucky I guess.
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