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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > Easiest harps to adjust?
Easiest harps to adjust?
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Lonesome Harpman
192 posts
Apr 14, 2016
1:16 PM
In a couple of weeks I am playing in a the musical Big River its multiple shows spread out over two weeks, it's out on You Tube if you'd like to listen to the Broadway version. As many of you know, in his past our own Adam Gussow was traveling with a company performing this show. It's country style and my Crossovers seem too heavy, meaning they take a little more effort to get the initial sound and aren't as clean and crisp as they need to be to play this style. Normally I would just try and close the gap a little. Is there a quick fix for this? Say just get three Golden Melodies? Or do I need to bite the bullet and adjust the Crossovers. Perhaps Big River harmonica's? Seems to obvious? If any of you know what was actually being used on these recordings, let me know?
Killa_Hertz
1064 posts
Apr 14, 2016
1:30 PM
In my opinion marine bands are the easiest reeds to activate hands down.

Im not sure i understand. Why now do you need them more responsive and usually you don't? Is there ever a time you would want your reeds LESS responsive?

Hohner (marine band and sp20 specifically) reeds are also the easiest to work on IMO.

I don't think another model is the answer, but I'd you do find yourself needing two different gap setups perhaps another set is best. I don't know if i would cheap out on harps in going to be paying on the road, but. ... idk. Just my general thoughts.
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florida-trader
897 posts
Apr 14, 2016
1:43 PM
Lonesome - the "Quick fix" is to adjust the gaps on your Crossovers. If they seem "heavy" it is probably because the gaps are too wide and air is leaking out between the reed and reed plate. The Crossover is regarded by many as the best Out of the Box on the market. It is assembled with 7 screws - four which hold the covers on and 3 that hold the reed plates to the comb. It doesn't get much easier than that. If there is crud built up on the reeds or comb or both, gently brush it off with a soft toothbrush. You might even consider using a little tooth paste. Don't worry about getting it wet. The comb is sealed bamboo so as long as you don't soak it in water for an extended period of time it will be OK. Golden Melodys or Big Rivers won't necessarily solve your problems because they might have the same issue with gaps that are too wide as your Crossovers.

I have no specific knowledge of what kind of harmonicas were used on these recordings but if it was Adam Gussow it is a safe bet that they were Marine Band 1896's.

There are a bunch of harp techs on this site who can help you if you need it. Let us know.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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Gnarly
1742 posts
Apr 14, 2016
3:59 PM
Hering harmonicas--the reeds are very responsive.
Who sells them?
Oh yeah, and the reeds are also kinda easy to fracture.
Lonesome Harpman
193 posts
Apr 14, 2016
4:35 PM
https://youtu.be/WIBI_VmmPBw?list=PLUSRfoOcUe4YEuX9IyxaztKlp9stvf2un
This isn't Adam on the recdording, I'm not sure who recorded these.
Thanks Tom, they're clean and I'm going to gap them.
@Killa_Hertz- I usually played amplified Chicago Style where I can get behind the reeds. This will require a different approach. I have been told the house has very good acoustics and that the orchestra will not be amped. This also applies when I'm on stage. I want a quick responsive reed that's bright enough to match the fiddle players volume. This probably makes no sense to anyone other than myself. I have plenty of harps so I can spare 3 for this show.
snowman
184 posts
Apr 14, 2016
4:50 PM
have back up harps for sure--if yr gonna work on them---I like GM tuning-good for octave splits--reeds are closer to yr mouth on the reedplate --personally I think that helps w/ overblows--I hope narly doesn't mad ,but my experiance with hering is 'the metal is lessor quality--bend and break to easy --and u can't get individual reeds for them--I won't even replace reeds on hering anymore--I keep the comb and cover and throw away the reeds and reedplate--- to make sure I don't fiddle with them----bad experiance with them--sound fine --just don't last
timeistight
1982 posts
Apr 14, 2016
5:58 PM
"https://youtu.be/WIBI_VmmPBw?list=PLUSRfoOcUe4YEuX9IyxaztKlp9stvf2un
This isn't Adam on the recdording, I'm not sure who recorded these."

It was Don Brooks.
Lonesome Harpman
194 posts
Apr 15, 2016
6:15 AM
Thank you timeistight, what a great player. I hadn't focused on his playing prior to trying to learn these licks, looks like I've got some great listening ahead.
FreeWilly
492 posts
Apr 15, 2016
10:46 AM
The GM tuning has advantages for playing jazz. It is, however, as good as any other harp for tongue splits. Octaves are octaves - no matter what the tuning.

As to the OP... I don't get the question but if you're matching a fiddle on a low harp... better leave the gaps as you like them for playing loud... although a well gapped harp will do both.

If you buy GMs, you'll have to retune em for that style... I play GMs and retune them. Great harp. Switched to Olives now though. Retune them too..

Last Edited by FreeWilly on Apr 15, 2016 10:47 AM
Philosofy
742 posts
Apr 15, 2016
2:56 PM
Joke answer: the easiest harps to adjust are Joe Filisko custom harps. :)
Lonesome Harpman
195 posts
Apr 15, 2016
8:30 PM
Funny you should say that Philosofy, I found a Joe Spiers harp that is absolutely perfect, problem is it's in the wrong Key. Its a GM with a custom comb tuned perfectly for this job. I have to send some to harpwrench. Also in my search I found a Suzuki Promaster MR350 that's workable.
Owen Evans
132 posts
Apr 15, 2016
8:39 PM
@Lonesome Harpman - interesting statement you make with respect to " a quick responsive reed bright enough to match the fiddle players volume" I play Crossovers too and three months ago I invested in various combs from Tom Halchak above. I found that when I replaced the bamboo comb with a black anodized aluminum comb & flattened the reed plates, the harp evolved into a very responsive instrument with an increase in volume. It plays slightly brighter as well. All bends from 1-6 became easier also. No reed adjustments were made. This was not the case with the acrylic combs. They seem to increase volume but are not brighter. The one brass comb that I purchased became the replacement in my E harp. This adds brightness and volume with less effort. I truly believe that flattening the reed plates and installing them on a really flat comb is most of the solution. Here's a reference for the draw plate technique from Andrew Zajac; http://harp.andrewzajac.ca/sites/harp.andrewzajac.ca/files/Preparingareedplateforusewithaflatcomb-harp.andrewzajac.ca_.pdf
Hope that's useful to you.

Last Edited by Owen Evans on Apr 15, 2016 8:42 PM
Lonesome Harpman
196 posts
Apr 16, 2016
6:11 AM
Thanks Owen,. Tom, do you have a comb for the Crossover
Killa_Hertz
1079 posts
Apr 16, 2016
7:59 AM
Yes he makes combs for most models.

I have an acrylic lava on a crossover. It's great.

I really like the Hogany material too.


Acrylic before and after


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Hogany before and after

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They both play great, but the hogany is slightly more solid. It has slightly more weight and this seems to make the harp sound darker. I really like it. Highly recommend it. They re all good though. Can't go wrong.

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Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Apr 16, 2016 8:00 AM
Owen Evans
137 posts
Apr 17, 2016
7:37 AM
@LonesomeHarpman - Tom's site displays the MB or Marine Band (Crossovers are an MB style harp) combs all together. Go here: http://www.bluemoonharmonicas.com/combs_models/3

Killa_Hertz
1086 posts
Apr 17, 2016
8:46 AM
Not that the looks is the important thing. But they do look great. Obviously they play fantastic.

After rereading my post seemed kinda silly. Just showing pictures. All the combs will boost playability greatly. Depending on what else your looking for .... owen has pretty much covered the bases on which material effects sound in which way. The brass is heavy though, so if that's a factor .... anyways.
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Lonesome Harpman
197 posts
Apr 17, 2016
7:30 PM
Kills, I liked the pictures, I took several of my harps apart and focused on their 'flatness' I also tried moving the reed plates slightly. It may be my imagination but it seemed to help with responsiveness. I'm ordering one those combs that Owen has and one of another material. I'm also going to work on the plates.
Killa_Hertz
1132 posts
Apr 21, 2016
10:15 AM
Yes i agree that shifting the plates forward or back changes playability.

Personally i like the comb and plates flat. Meaning the reedplates edge to be flush with the comb. If the comb sits out a little its ok. but if it sits in, it bugs the hell out of me. One of the reasons i Hate the manji comb.
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