Irish Soul
4 posts
Jun 09, 2017
11:23 PM
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I just purchased a Golden Melody, fully aware of the tuning. It plays fairly well out of the box...but...the ET tuning may have to go.
I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with tunings that sound good with that particular harp...it will have an Andrew Zajack Dark Comb in place before I tune it..
Yup its an odd harp to some and yes I could have bought several other models...but I rarely follow the crowd.
I searched the archive and didn't come up with much except the Golden Melodies are different..so any tricks? This could really be a nice harp....already checked out some Blue Moon cover plates.....any reasonable advice very much appreciated.
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hvyj
3304 posts
Jun 10, 2017
7:57 AM
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Be aware that the stock GM tuning reference is A443. I consider this to be too bright. But otherwise, I prefer ET. So... you may want to make sure that what you are finding objectionable is actually the ET tuning and not the bright A443 reference pitch. Personally, I prefer A442 or A441.
Btw, the Blue Moon powder coated covers will darken the tone somewhat, which I think sounds good. The custom comb will substantially improve the response and overall performance of the harp. Andrew's combs are excellent. I use a custom set of GMs for gigging (tuned pure ET A442 or A441 for the higher keys). I like them.
Last Edited by hvyj on Jun 10, 2017 8:22 AM
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AppalachiaBlues
15 posts
Jun 10, 2017
8:33 AM
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@hvyj is right. I find the Golden Melody has a brighter stock tuning... A443... or maybe even higher. But the ET temperament does not bother me.
They are nice harps, and not at all an "odd harp". Rachelle Plas uses them, and endorses them. Todd Parrott also plays them. Howard Levy mastered his overblows with them. Many people claim they are easier to learn overblowing. If you look at Jason Ricci's early youtube videos, you see he used them as well, back in his "wild youth" ;-)
I would say: check to see that it is in tune (using an iphone tuner app). Then spend some time with it and get to know it. It's a good harp.
Last Edited by AppalachiaBlues on Jun 10, 2017 8:38 AM
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Irish Soul
5 posts
Jun 10, 2017
9:48 AM
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Thanks guys...looks like the cover plates will have to wait as they seem to be more or less out of stock, but I will be very aware what you said about the tuning...it is a key of C I forgot to mention, not that that changes much...but I do appreciate it.
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florida-trader
1145 posts
Jun 10, 2017
5:33 PM
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Golden Melodys have the same reed plates as a Marine Band or Special 20. You can tune them any way your want to. If ET isn't your thing then tune them to Modern Compromise or 19-Limit.
I am completely out of powder coated GM covers at the moment but I will be getting a batch of covers done soon. I have several sets of GM covers that are ready to go. Stay tuned.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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AppalachiaBlues
16 posts
Jun 10, 2017
11:34 PM
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Red covers and white combs would look very cool on a GM!
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Irish Soul
6 posts
Jun 11, 2017
3:43 AM
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I agree completely....my fiancé feels it looks feminine. She suffers from a color fetish I feel she needs therapy for, however she loves to hear me play and lets me buy things with no argument. She saw The Paddy tuned 13 Brendan posted and feels I should have one.
I said red and white on that harp looks 50's and very cool. We will have to see what covers Florida cooks up in his next batch....
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