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
|
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...
|