LevelUp
7 posts
Aug 30, 2017
8:40 AM
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I'm playing Manji's these days. But I really like my Golden Melody because it has no sharp edges. Has anybody tried putting Promaster cover plates on a Manji? I really need roundness, I caught my lip for the second time in two weeks.
Also, does anybody use a lubricant on their cover plates?
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Philosofy
847 posts
Aug 30, 2017
9:57 AM
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I have two sets of Promaster covers, Manji reed plates, and my own brass combs. The hole patterns on a Manji cover are different than Promaster, but the reeplates come drilled for both. The chrome plated stainless on the Promaster is pretty slick and smooth. I don't think you'll need a lubricant.
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Gnarly
2293 posts
Aug 30, 2017
2:59 PM
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I like the "Hammanji"; a Manji with black laquered cover plates.
Spit is the best lubricant, it's free and available.
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Crawforde
146 posts
Aug 30, 2017
3:11 PM
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I like the Manji coverplates, but I put an oversized screw through the reedplates and comb to make them crush proof.
I also like the Promaster covers...
I'm glad Suzuki harps are modular, combs too. It lets you get a new harp every couple of weeks without having to buy anything ;).
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SuperBee
4918 posts
Aug 30, 2017
3:18 PM
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You'd need promaster cover bolts as well. Manjy bolts wouldn't do it.
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ValleyDuke
175 posts
Aug 30, 2017
4:52 PM
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I also buy Promasters and put in Manji reed plates. Wish we could buy Natural Minor Manji reed plates! Because then I could build my own NM Promasters.
PS: I forgot this requires a Blue Moon comb
Blue Moon comb + Manji reed plates + Promaster covers
Last Edited by ValleyDuke on Aug 30, 2017 4:59 PM
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hvyj
3466 posts
Sep 01, 2017
5:41 AM
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Well, the Olive has Manji reed plates and a Promaster shaped comb. I put Blue Moon black anodized aluminum combs on mine. They are terrific harps.
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dougharps
1546 posts
Sep 01, 2017
6:09 AM
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Manji plates fit nicely in Bluesmasters with cover bolts from Bluesmasters.
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Doug S.
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florida-trader
1189 posts
Sep 01, 2017
6:58 AM
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ValleyDuke - you can buy Natual Minor Manji Reed Plates. I can get them for you. I can also re-tune a standard set of plates to Natural Minor. It only requires re-tuning five reeds. Piece of cake.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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hvyj
3467 posts
Sep 01, 2017
7:08 AM
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I actually have some Harps with custom combs, GM covers and Manji reed plates which have been cutdown to fit. VERY nice combination. I like Suzuki reedplates much better than Hohner. They are much more durable and last longer. But I also like the sound and response of Suzuki plates better than I do Hohner plates.
Actually, JA Harmonicas will make Sjoeberg GM combs drilled for Manji reed plates. They also make Sjoeberg combs for Suzuki harps. I like aluminum combs but I also like the Sjoeberg combs, which are made from dymondwood composite. But I put aluminum combs on my Olives and have them tuned to ET. I like them a lot and they sound great.
Last Edited by hvyj on Sep 01, 2017 11:27 AM
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ValleyDuke
176 posts
Sep 01, 2017
11:28 AM
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@FloridaTrader Thank you! Good to know. A Minor, here I come.
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BnT
87 posts
Sep 01, 2017
10:18 PM
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Help with Suzuki harps?
You can also check with Gnarly who posts on this site gnarlyheman@gmail.com. He's in San Diego, works for Suzuki USA, reasonable, and I have him work on my harps.
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BnT
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Gnarly
2300 posts
Sep 01, 2017
10:48 PM
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That's me!
I am only at Suzuki Tu-Thurs, 800-854-1594 x4410
But I only do warranty repair there, always happy to take a phone call tho.
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AppalachiaBlues
49 posts
Sep 02, 2017
11:10 AM
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The Olive uses Manji reedplates. Is it factory-tuned the same as Manji, or is it ET tuned like the Promaster/Hammond?
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Gnarly
2301 posts
Sep 02, 2017
11:58 PM
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I had thought that the Olive was compromise, same tuning as the Manji--
But I recall Brendan saying that it was ET.
Ah yes, here is the thread.
Olive
Last Edited by Gnarly on Sep 03, 2017 12:45 AM
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hvyj
3480 posts
Sep 03, 2017
11:02 AM
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Olive reedplates are the same compromise tuning as the Manji, NOT ET. I have mine re-tuned to ET which is my strong preference.
My Olives with Blue Moon aluminum combs sound and play great. The only thing with Manji/Olive reed plates is since they are not chrome coated like Hammond and Promaster plates, there are sometimes little "volcanoes" protruding from the mounting holes which impair seating flat against the comb. So, they need to be sanded.
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AppalachiaBlues
54 posts
Sep 03, 2017
11:59 AM
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Thanks @hvyj - I thought they were identical to Manji. It makes sense, since they share replacement reedplates.
The thread with Brendan's comment is old - maybe Suzuki originally sold them ET, then changed.
I guess there are 4 different reed plate designs in the Suzuki "professional" harp range:
1. Manji/Olive
2. Promaster/Hammond
3. PureHarp/Firebreath (the Firebreath now discontinued)
4. Fabulous (ET and JI versions)
How different is the PureHarp/Firebreath reedplate from the Manji/Olive?
Last Edited by AppalachiaBlues on Sep 03, 2017 11:59 AM
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hvyj
3481 posts
Sep 03, 2017
12:49 PM
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All you mention are interchangeable.
The Firebreath plates sound closer to Manji/Olive plates than to Hammond/Promaster, but maybe slightly darker than Manji/Olive plates. But, the Manji/Olive plates are all long slot. I believe the Firebreath plates are short slot like the Hammond/Promaster plates. So, the Manji/Olive reeds are a little easier to bend with precision--easier to properly intonate the bent notes. I believe the Fabulous are also long slot.
I love these Suzuki harps! Not the Promasters, Pureharps and Manjis so much, but all of the others you mention are great IMHO.
Last Edited by hvyj on Sep 03, 2017 1:21 PM
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ValleyDuke
178 posts
Sep 03, 2017
9:50 PM
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Has anyone here actually played a Fabulous? Do they have a "sweet" sound? I like the bell-like quality of the Promasters, so I imagine the Fabuous sounding even more sweet as opposed to raspy.
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hvyj
3483 posts
Sep 03, 2017
10:32 PM
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The Fabulous sounds BRIGHT. I attribute this to the heavy brass comb. But, to my ear, the Promaster also sounds bright. Both too trebly for my taste. But the Fabulous is brighter and sweeter than the Promaster. And the Fabulous plays GREAT. The response and precision are incredibly good.
Last Edited by hvyj on Sep 03, 2017 10:33 PM
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