Philosofy
806 posts
Apr 02, 2017
7:46 PM
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I'd like to start a thread on comparable models between manufacturers. I don't want it to be a "which is better", but more of which model is most like a model from another manufacturer.
For instance, the Hohner Marine Band Crossover is similar to the Suzuki Manji. Similar body styles, similar price point. The Crossover has riveted reeds of brass, while the Manji has welded reeds of phosphor bronze. The Crossover has a comb of bamboo, while the Manji has one of a plastic composite that contains wood flour.
What is Seydel's model that competes with the Crossover and Manji?
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florida-trader
1115 posts
Apr 03, 2017
4:54 AM
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Hohner – Suzuki – Seydel
Marine Band Crossover – Manji – 1847 (Tin Sandwich Design)
Special 20 or Rocket – HarpMaster – Session Steel (Recessed combs)
Hohner has more models for which there are no real equivalent Suzuki or Seydel models. These would be the Golden Melody and the MS-Series.
Suzuki makes the ProMaster style harps for which there is no equivalent from Hohner or Seydel. Suzuki also offers the SUB-30. Neither Hohner or Seydel make anything like it.
Lee Oskar is similar in design to the Special 20, etc.
Hohner uses Brass reeds
Suzuki uses Phosphor Bronze reeds
Seydel uses Stainless Steel reeds
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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Philosofy
807 posts
Apr 03, 2017
5:42 AM
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Thanks Tom! That was easy: now maybe we should do Easttop and Huang!
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Rontana
390 posts
Apr 03, 2017
6:54 AM
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Just curious . . . is the MB 1896 the only model (from major manufacturers) that still uses nails? I can't think of any others.
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florida-trader
1116 posts
Apr 03, 2017
8:50 AM
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Phil - I don't know anything about Easttop or Huang
Rotana - I beleive you are correct with regard to the Marine Band 1896 being the only "quality" harmonica that is made with nails instead of screws.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
Last Edited by florida-trader on Apr 04, 2017 12:51 PM
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arzajac
1821 posts
Apr 03, 2017
9:42 AM
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Hohner Marine Band 1896, Crossover, Deluxe, Golden melody, Rocket and Special 20 all use the same reeds. You can buy individual reeds from Hohner C shop (worldwide) or some distributors
Hohner MS series reeds are slightly different and not generally interchangeable with MB-type reeds. Individual reeds are no longer available.
Seydel stainless reeds are also the same between models. You can buy individual Stainless reeds from Seydel.
Manji reeds are different dimensions than Bluesmaster/Harpmaster/Promaster reeds. Suzuki doesn't offer individual reeds.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica Combs and Tools.
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nacoran
9413 posts
Apr 03, 2017
3:38 PM
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I don't know if anyone is distributing them stateside these days but Hering is still out there too, if we want to be really inclusive, and outside of the states Lee Oskar/Tombo has other models.
So Hohner/Suzuki/Seydel/Tombo-Lee Oskar/Easttop/Hering?
I've only seen the one Bushman model still being offered (there was the Soul's Voice but I haven't heard anything about that lately except that there is a Suzuki equivalent)
Is Huang still around at all? I've only played one and it was used (badly) but it had great covers, maybe the most comfortable to play I've ever tried.
What Andrew is doing would be useful across brands... I know a few brands/models that you wouldn't expect can sometimes swap parts.
-I have no idea if they are any good but someone was shilling for a different harp company out of China on the FB page the other day. They were saying their quality was coming up. I forget their name though, and Pat Missin's site mentioned the Leo Shi brand as being better quality, although the first page of hits aside from that seem to be old, and of course Bends went under.
Any other 'real'* brands? *(Brands besides the 5 dollar lousing harps... actually, I grabbed a halfway decent $5 harp. I can't remember the brand though, but it was something I'd heard of, maybe Swan? Played like a $15 harp.)
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Nate
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WinslowYerxa
1286 posts
Apr 05, 2017
7:26 AM
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Nate - you may be thinking of East Top. They're the first Chinese manufacturer in my experience to make harmonicas of comparable quality to the major German and Japanese makers. They make both diatonics and chromatics with phosphor bronze reeds, and have metal combed models as well.
Danny G at newharmonica.com carries their full line in the US. Brendan Power has been working witht them to produce his Lucky 13 and AsiaBend models.
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Winslow
Check out my blog and other goodies at winslowyerxa.com
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1847
4046 posts
Apr 05, 2017
9:49 AM
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mx
28 posts
Apr 05, 2017
11:09 AM
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So the main difference that maters from one brand too another is copper alloy reeds or iron alloy reeds the rest is cosmetic differences.
MX
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nacoran
9417 posts
Apr 05, 2017
11:45 AM
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Winslow, no, it wasn't an East Top, I've been keeping an eye out for them. This was just something that I saw at a regular store. They also had 'Toysmith' harmonicas, which weren't as good.
It could have just been a lucky good one. I once had a great Piedmont in D (well, the covers dampened the sound, but it was airtight and bent well and everything. I had it when I first started playing.
My dad and stepmom were in town and my stepmom expressed a little interest in learning so I gave it to her the mystery harp. It's probably sitting in a drawer somewhere. I am about 60% sure it was a Swan.
Mx, wel, whether it has open or closed covers or side vents, and how airtight it is, and better harps also do more to smooth the rough corners so they don't rip your lips up. Even reeds that are the same material can be really different. Some of the cheap harps have really thin reeds that don't sound great (they bend fine if everything else is airtight, but they just sound tinny.) Really cheap Piedmonts have plastic covers and thin reeds and reedplates. The covers are easy on the lips but they muffle the sound. I actually like the feel on the lips of the Piedmonts covers, so I threw a the covers on a Special 20 and it sounded terrible. The covers just muffle the sound too much and you loose the quality of sound.
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Nate
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