groyster1
3130 posts
Mar 27, 2018
3:37 PM
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theres so many posts on this forum about harp brand preference......I have my 3rd subaru outback......very best cars Ive ever driven......personal preference.....its just me and not you......but no matter your harp preference,you are the driving wheel......the engine.......they dont play themselves..........and no harp that you think is the best............it will NOT make you little walter,sonnyboys,big walter
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jbone
2527 posts
Mar 28, 2018
7:50 AM
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Well you have to start someplace. I started with Marine Band and tried several other models- all Hohner- for about 10 years. I sounded how I sounded with slight improvements in the time. Lee Oskar's harps didn't make me a star either. As time went on and I kept killing harps I found cheap harps to work with- but they died quicker.
Eventually with time, I began finding my style and how to not kill reeds so fast, and how to fit in on a given song and with people on stage.
My search for the "perfect" harp has led me to good quality, but along the way I had to address my own bad habits and improve my overall knowledge and ability. No harp out there will stand up to abuse forever. BUT a decent quality harp, played with respect for what it is, will last and can be made to sound very good.
As for brands I do have my preference, but that sometimes changes if I see a deal on something I don't usually use. I have driven a lot of different brand cars and trucks as well.
I saw Blind Mississippi Morris playing $5 Johnson harps about 15 years ago and he did stuff I could not do with $40 Bushman or the rare custom harp I got hold of.
It is indeed the driver.
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Joe_L
2833 posts
Mar 28, 2018
10:11 AM
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I beg to differ. The equipment makes the man. Quite often, a harmonica sounds it's best when it is not be used.
Last Edited by Joe_L on Mar 28, 2018 10:12 AM
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Flbl
155 posts
Mar 28, 2018
12:40 PM
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Guess it wasn't an issue in the old days you had a choice on a Marine Band or a Marine Band, and you just learned to play the damb thing.
I doubt I'll ever reach a professional level, mostly play for my own pleasure and to piss off the neighbors,
but that will never be for a lack of a quality instrument. On the other side I can't blame bad playing on the harp, should have bought the $5.99 model they sell in Cracker Barrel, Nah.
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Dragonbreath
101 posts
Mar 28, 2018
3:09 PM
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I was reluctant to get a hohner marine band because of the wood comb. All harps I had seen before, I guess at like flea markets and stuff, had super warped wood combs. So I went for different plastic comb harps. But then I finally took the gamble and got a marine band. And WOW what a revelation!! That was IT!! It sounded just like sonny boy II!! The harp made me SBII!! At least it felt like it!! Something that was missing, the x-factor, was just there!!
I'm not making this up, it's my experience.
But yeah you're right too, "they don't play themselves" but come on it's the same old cliche'. There's these extreme opinions and cliche's like oh it's all in the player etc. The truth is, the truth is somewhere inbetween. Yeah the gear does a difference and sure a great player can make anything sound great.
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Barley Nectar
1351 posts
Mar 28, 2018
3:44 PM
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I don't want to be those guys, they're dead! I couldn't tell you one from the other anyhow. Don't care who's harp I play as long as it sounds good. Gota sound good to be the Driving Wheel. Yep, I like it.
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SuperBee
5348 posts
Mar 28, 2018
5:23 PM
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I agree with the principle but there are some harps I just can’t play. Or don’t want to play.
I’m pretty sure the harp that came with my ‘how to play harmonica’ book I bought mid 90s would put even Howard Levy to task. And that Silver Star. I’ve read about the lengths Lee Oskar went to trying to find acceptable marine bands back before he cut the deal with Tombo to produce harps under his name.
But generally, sure. I don’t like certain types as much as others but whatever floats your boat is no skin off my cup of meat.
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groyster1
3131 posts
Mar 28, 2018
5:29 PM
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absolutely!!!!!!!!its your$$$$$if you like it......pay the man......just dont think it will take it will take you to next level......if you do youre only kidding yourself..........driving wheel......its up to you
brothers and sisters!!!!!!
Last Edited by groyster1 on Mar 28, 2018 5:30 PM
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