haziz
2 posts
May 23, 2018
6:35 PM
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In a moment of foolishness, I purchased a "Silver Creek" "Diamondback" harp from the local "Guitar Center" store. Looks like this is their store brand. Who makes it for them, and any opinion regarding the quality of this harp?
Thanks.
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Rustys26
74 posts
May 23, 2018
7:13 PM
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I'm not sure who makes that harp, but judging from $56 AUD for a pack of 7, I can tell you that it is a toy.
It doesn't matter who makes it....Hohner makes some of the best quality harps, and they make some that are absolute rubbish. Any harp that costs over $30 USD for one harp should be fine to start off, and then its just a matter of preference. Marine Band, Special 20, Seydel Session Steel, and Suzuki Manji are all really good harps. I play Marine Bands and keep Special 20s as my "carry harp" as they are less prone to damage when they are squished in my front pocket at work. Don't think about it too much, just buy a decent harp (or 2) and get going.
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jbone
2553 posts
May 23, 2018
8:17 PM
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Hope you at least got a decent carry case haziz! The harps you can either mess around with or maybe give to children.
I'm with Rusty, spend a bit more cash and get a good harp. Along with those mentioned, Eastop has some decent models for $30 or so, the 008 is one I use and like fairly well.
Unfortunately most store stocked harps- unless they are Marine Band, Special 20, or Lee Oskars- are probably not going to be very good.
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jbone
2554 posts
May 23, 2018
8:18 PM
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Hope you at least got a decent carry case haziz! The harps you can either mess around with or maybe give to children.
I'm with Rusty, spend a bit more cash and get a good harp. Along with those mentioned, Eastop has some decent models for $30 or so, the 008 is one I use and like fairly well.
Unfortunately most store stocked harps- unless they are Marine Band, Special 20, or Lee Oskars- are probably not going to be very good.
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jbone
2555 posts
May 23, 2018
8:18 PM
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Hope you at least got a decent carry case haziz! The harps you can either mess around with or maybe give to children.
I'm with Rusty, spend a bit more cash and get a good harp. Along with those mentioned, Eastop has some decent models for $30 or so, the 008 is one I use and like fairly well.
Unfortunately most store stocked harps- unless they are Marine Band, Special 20, or Lee Oskars- are probably not going to be very good.
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haziz
3 posts
May 24, 2018
1:45 AM
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Rustys26 wrote "I'm not sure who makes that harp, but judging from $56 AUD for a pack of 7, I can tell you that it is a toy."
Actuallu it was US$20 for one harp, theoretically discounted from US$30. The "Diamondback" is supposed to be the highest end line of the "Silver Creek" brand.
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Todd Parrott
1447 posts
May 24, 2018
1:11 PM
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Silver Creek harps are made by the same company that makes Golden Birds, Jiangyin Qiling Musical Instrument Co. I had the same question a while back when I saw them at Guitar Center, and confirmed this with Sung-Hua Yang (Alan) with Golden Bird. While these harps look like the Golden Bird Harps, according to Sung-Hua, the out-of-the-box quality is not quite as good as the Golden Birds. I bought one and found this to be true. Apparently, this was a part of the agreement they had with the U.S. musical instrument company for whom they made the harps. I'm not sure who the U.S. company/distributor is, as he couldn't disclose that info. Hope this helps!
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Rustys26
75 posts
May 24, 2018
2:54 PM
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Haziz, if that is the case regarding the Diamondback, perhaps it is an okay harp to start out on, though I'm not familiar with it. As long as it isn't leaky and you can get a bend on the 2, 3, 4, and 6...you can use that harp to begin your journey.
I would upgrade to one of the more popular models before too long. I started playing Hohner Blues Harps (a half decent model), then made the switch to Marine Band after about a year or two. You might be surprised how accustomed your lips will get to the shape of one harp...making the switch a bit frustrating.
Unfortunately you can't test out a harp before buying, so you'll have to just trial and error until you find what's right for you.
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jbone
2556 posts
May 24, 2018
3:30 PM
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I've been playing for 45 years. In that time I've played a lot of different brands and models. A lot of harps do feel a bit different but I have always made it my mission to adapt to the instrument I'm playing at the time. I believe this makes for a well rounded experience. As long as the harp plays okay to very well.
Perhaps I spoke too soon, and those Silver Creek are ok harps. Only way to find out is work with them for a while.
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haziz
4 posts
May 25, 2018
7:43 AM
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Fear not, harp acquisition syndrome has already hit big time! I have since added two Marine Bands and a Suzuki Manji in C, to the Silver Creek, and just acquired a Hohner Crossover as my third A harp in addition to an 1896 MB and another Suzuki Manji in A. I have a lone SP20 in Bb.
My East Creek harp has been relegated to noodling in the car duty. I was just curious. There is very little info about them out there, and the more frustrated I became about the lack of information, the more obsessively curious I became!
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Rustys26
76 posts
May 25, 2018
7:50 PM
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You probably don't need so many harps in the same key....
I got by on 6-7 harps all in different keys for the first 1-2 years. The quality of the harp (so long as it isn't rubbish) is not going to make you a better player. I think this is a common problem with new musicians...much more so in instruments like guitar. Just play man!
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haziz
5 posts
May 26, 2018
5:32 AM
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It is called Harp Acquisition Syndrome after all! And aptly named, I have to say!
On a more serious note, I do like to scatter copies of the more common keys around. A couple at home, in my briefcase, in the car, etc to maximize practice opportunities, and since I am terribly organized, to minimize my, where the f--- is my A harmonica, moments. I anticipate owning less copies of the less common keys.
Another aspect of my acquisition syndrome is that I am having a tough time comparing the various harps and brands of harps, I tried initially to compare my Suzuki Manji A to my MB 1896 C but ultimately felt that I was comparing apples to oranges. I just "had to" compare apples to apples, so to speak. So far I love my Crossover, like my Manji and SP20, and have mixed feelings about the the 1896 MB, I actually like their sound the most (even over my sample of the Crossover) but find the sharp (sealed) comb edges a bit disconcerting in my flailing attempts at learning to tongue block.
Last Edited by haziz on May 26, 2018 5:47 AM
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