Header Graphic
Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > Which custom tuning...?
Which custom tuning...?
Login  |  Register
Page: 1

Johnnyv321
2 posts
Jan 14, 2018
10:37 AM
I'm going to treat myself to a custom harp but am wondering which tuning to go for. Previous customs have been 19 limit but I'm thinking of a 7 limit for the vintage sound.
My question is just how vintage is 7 limit? Would someone like Snooky Pryor have played 7 limit or does it even pre-date him? If Snooky played 7 limit I'm going for it but if not I'll stick with 19...
Anyone out there have any thoughts on this one to help me decide?
florida-trader
1259 posts
Jan 14, 2018
12:04 PM
The default tuning for Marine Bands was 7-Limit Just Intonation until the mid 1980's. So it all depends on when the recording was made and which harmonica he was using. Just for kicks, I Googled Snooky Prior and looked at the images. We all know that harmonica players are fond of posing with their harps. In a matter of seconds, found photos of Snooky posting with Special 20s, a Hohner Chromatic, a Huang Chromatic, a Lee Oskar, an Old Standby and a Marine Band. It would be difficult to give a definative answer to your question.

My advice is to stick with 19-Limit or Modern Compromise Temperament.
----------
Tom Halchak
Blue Moon Harmonicas
Blue Moon Harmonicas
SuperBee
5187 posts
Jan 14, 2018
12:21 PM
Snooky Pryor would’ve been playing 7limitJI.

That’s the way marine bands were tuned, right up until the 60s I believe.
SuperBee
5188 posts
Jan 14, 2018
12:23 PM
Oh, yeah, later times who knows. Sorry I assumed you were thinking about the 50s records
Johnnyv321
4 posts
Jan 15, 2018
12:13 PM
Thanks for all your replies. I was thinking mainly of Snooky's older stuff from the 50's & 60's. I love that older sound although I appreciate it probably had as much to do with the mics, amps and recording eqpt they were using back then as the tuning of a particular harp. I had read that 7 limit JI was vintage but had no idea what vintage meant - it's interesting to hear that MB's could have been tuned to 7 limit as late as the 80's! I think I might try one out to see...


Post a Message



(8192 Characters Left)


Modern Blues Harmonica supports

§The Jazz Foundation of America

and

§The Innocence Project

 

 

 

ADAM GUSSOW is an official endorser for HOHNER HARMONICAS