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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Manji gapping
Manji gapping
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SuperBee
2561 posts
Apr 17, 2015
4:26 PM
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Not specifically with a Manji (I only ever had one, didn't really like it enough to pay the extra $, and I don't remember how it played new), but gapping is a very common issue with many types of factory-built harps. Manji would be no exception.
Most harps can be improved given personal attention. It's less common to get one which is not adjusted to at least be playable, but it happens. I have a drawerful of suzuki and Seydel reed plates for harvesting reed spares. Some of those plates were faulty when they left the factory. Back prior to about 2008 I reckon I felt lucky every time I got a harp on I could play every reed without having to take it apart. Things definitely improved though, I recall buying 5 crossovers that all played great. At the price I felt it was fair to expect that. I remember buying a batch of 5 marine band 1896 harps when they were clearing the old model with lacquered combs. I almost fell over when I found I could play every harp, every note without needing to reset gaps. Of course, over time I found they could be improved.
Lately though...I bought a set of 5 marine bands that were all virtually unplayable until I adjusted them.
I've heard various tales about Manji over the years. Quality control in factories can vary. Sometimes it's as simple as a new staff member, a vacation, a bad day. In the Australian car industry the legend always went that you didn't want the car built on Friday, because it was thrown together quickly by workers with their minds on the weekend.
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A440
355 posts
Apr 19, 2015
2:50 AM
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It's not limited to the Manji. Any mass produced harp will have variation. This is often due to variation in the manufacturing process. I also suspect that shipping can effect a harp (due to shock, excessive heat, etc.) Sometimes you get a good one, sometimes you get one that needs a lot of adjustments. In general, I expect a more expensive harp to be more consistent. So I expect a Crossover or FireBreath to be more consistent OOTB than a Big River or a Harpmaster.
As much as people complain when they get a bad harp, sometimes the opposite happens. A couple years ago I needed a Db harp just a few hours before a gig. The local shop only had MS Blues Harps in that key. I bought it, took it on stage, and it is was absolutely magical OOTB. Better than any other Blues Harp I have played before or since then. Today, this is one of my best playing harps - it plays a lot like a Crossover. I don't dare even open the covers! All of my other Blues Harps are so-so, at best. So variation works both directions, sometimes in your favor!
Last Edited by A440 on Apr 19, 2015 6:13 AM
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