Greyowlphotoart
86 posts
Sep 27, 2010
1:36 PM
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Has anyone had any experience of, or heard any reports about the quality/playability of the Hohner Meisterklasse harmonica?
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toddlgreene
1837 posts
Sep 27, 2010
1:42 PM
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I have one, but it's an MS. I've had it for 15 years or so, I guess. I'm not wild about its responsiveness, and I probably need to mess with it a bit. It does feel substantial due to the solid comb, not unlike a Suzuki Promaster. Some folks won't like the taste of the metal, and others have a bimetallic reaction with dental fillings. If you can get one cheap, go for it, but I wouldn't shell out the 80-90 bucks they ask for these now. I've never played one of the pre-MS Meisterklasse, but I have read and heard they were pretty sweet.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Last Edited by on Sep 27, 2010 2:41 PM
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hvyj
645 posts
Sep 27, 2010
1:59 PM
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I have a set of 9 MS Meisterklasse, which I bought before i knew better. They are not responsive because they are leaky. The process Hohner uses to make the aluminum combs causes them to warp, so they are not flat and therefore not airtight.
Tonally they are very BRIGHT, especially if you are playing amplified. Even brighter than Suzuki Pro Masters.
MS Meisterklasse are not high quality instruments and are very overpriced IMHO. If you like metal combs, Suzuki Hammonds are far superior.
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Greyowlphotoart
87 posts
Sep 27, 2010
2:20 PM
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@toddlgreene
@hvyi
Thanks for the feedback. Its just that I have tried a meisterklasse hybrid with a solid brass comb and I have found it to be quite leaky. Holes 1, 2 & 3 quite airy then ok on the draw bends thereafter. Almost impossible to overblow on 4,5&6 (my OB holes of choice.) Blow bends 7 to 10 ok. Loud and bright it certainly is but let down so far for responsiveness, so it's interesting you both came to the same conclusion.
I could gap it, but the supplier is prepared to look at it and see if it can be improved. I went for the coated reed plates (brass might be better?)
Anyway I'm hoping someones going to post that there one is ok, but I don't hold out much hope.:(
p.s.
I do have a Suzuki Hammond which I like a lot. It has a very nice tone, much more mellow than my promaster 350V (I do like the 350v by the way, just different tone)
Last Edited by on Sep 27, 2010 2:27 PM
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tookatooka
1749 posts
Sep 27, 2010
2:22 PM
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I have the Suzuki version, the ProMaster. Although it is well made and a stunning looking harp, I've decided I don't like metal combs due to the bi-metalic effect and although the weight makes for a substantial 'handful' I find a lighter plastic combed model preferable.
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toddlgreene
1838 posts
Sep 27, 2010
2:26 PM
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hvyj is spot on-mine's not gapped too bad, and is probably leaky as hell due to the comb. Mine might be a candidate for some sanding or micropore tape, dunno. I might just sell it instead. It's pretty, at least.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Last Edited by on Sep 27, 2010 2:29 PM
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HarmonicaMick
155 posts
Sep 27, 2010
3:46 PM
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When comparing the Meisterklasse, the Seydel Favorite is well worth a mention; it's a good bit less expensive, similar in design, and was Seydel's flagship harp before the 1847 came along.
EDIT: And it comes in about 43 zillion different tunings, including high and low ones.
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YouTube SlimHarpMick
Last Edited by on Sep 27, 2010 3:49 PM
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nacoran
2826 posts
Sep 27, 2010
5:29 PM
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Mick, yeah, I have a Blues Favorite that I love.
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Nate
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groyster1
524 posts
Sep 27, 2010
5:32 PM
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I have a classic Meisterklasse in C about 20 years old supposebly they are superior to the Meisterklasse MS its not my best harp but still very strong
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OzarkRich
258 posts
Sep 27, 2010
5:38 PM
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I have a half-dozen of both the Meisterklasse and Promasters. I like aluminum combs in general and really like the Meisterklasse. I don't like the Promasters. The tone is too "tinny", tuned too sharp or something. I've retro-fitted most of the Promaster combs in my Marine Bands.
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Ozark Rich
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hvyj
650 posts
Sep 27, 2010
6:39 PM
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@OzarkRich: ProMasters are ET. MS harps are a compromise tuning and MBs are a different compromise tuning. So, yeah, if you are used to Hohner MS and MBs Promasters may sound "sharp." Promasters are very BRIGHT harps anyway.
Personally, I like metal combs. My favorites are Suzuki Hammonds. They are ET but have a darker and more even tone than Promasters. I think it's because the anodized combs of the Hammonds are machined better (flatter). Before I got a set of Buddha harps, I used Hammonds for my performing set (they are my backups now). Personally, I wouldn't consider using Promasters or Meisterklasse MS for performance. FWIW.
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Greyowlphotoart
89 posts
Sep 28, 2010
2:15 AM
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@OzarkRich Just interested to know what work if any you did on your MK's. Did you find them leaky and do they OB ok.
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hvyj
652 posts
Sep 28, 2010
6:32 AM
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@Greyowlphotoart: FWIW, i suspect the problem is with the comb. I'm not a fan of MS harps anyway. I don't think the MS reeds and reed plates (coated or not) are all that great. But Danneker is a very skilled harp tech and should be able to set the reeds up well (although, from what I understand, he does not actually do what a customizer does). Maybe the lexan comb would be better.
I don't know...just thinking out loud, FWIW.
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OzarkRich
259 posts
Sep 28, 2010
6:44 AM
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@Greyowl: I haven't had any issues with leaks. The lack of warping and swelling of metal combs (compared to wood) is why I like them. I also haven't sanded any combs (to make a comparison) because I didn't want to loose the anodising on those surfaces. I only OB on 4,5&6 (still learning) but setting them up seems the same as any other Hohner MS.
My MKs were all purchased within the first few years of the introduction of the MS MKs so perhaps there have been changes through the years. I bought the PMs when they came out and will probably try other metal combed models in time.
The chrome plated reedplates on the MKs don't sound any different to me than the replacement (Crossharp) reedplates. Just shiny.
I also have a Dannecker Blues in A, which is basically a MK with a brass comb, and its one of my favorites (but seems to weigh as much as my bullet mic!).
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Ozark Rich
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Greyowlphotoart
90 posts
Sep 28, 2010
7:51 AM
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@hvyi Yeah I nearly went for the lexan comb, but i do like metal combs and I liked the idea of the solid brass. It certainly is heavy and feels great in the hands, so you get a workout at the same time! I would hope though that brass would tend to warp less than the aluminium on standard MK's but I don't know. It is being looked at to see what adjustments can be made to improve it.
@OzarkRich Thanks, that sounds more encouraging. I'm pretty new to overblows myself and have only just started to introduce them into my playing (holes 4,5&6 like yourself)and they are beginning to sound less like I've just sat on my cat and now approach something like a recognisable note! Using them more in pop/rock melodies and ballads than blues at the moment.
I have been able to set up all my harps to get OB's now which is progress! I'm not sure at this point whether the Dannecker is set up too play OB's which I thought should be the case for a 'Custom Harp'.
btw Do you know if you're Dannecker was Just Intonation?
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ness
295 posts
Sep 28, 2010
7:55 AM
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@OzarkRich said: "I've retro-fitted most of the Promaster combs in my Marine Bands."
Forgive me if I'm slow, but just what did you do?
BTW -- my guess that your dislike of the sound of the Promaster is more due to the ET tuning than anything else. I think the heavy gauge steel coverplates and aluminum comb make for a more muted tone, FWIW.
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John
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hvyj
655 posts
Sep 28, 2010
8:29 AM
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@Greyowlphotoart: I'm not suggesting that the brass comb would warp. I just suspect that it's not machined perfectly flat. Just speculating. I wouldn't think the reedplates are likely to be the problem.
Dannecker is a good guy and he'll probably make things right. But what he does is not what a customizer like Spiers or Buddha does. I wouldn't consider a Danneker Blues to be a custom harp of the sort you would get from Spiers or Buddha.
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Greyowlphotoart
91 posts
Sep 28, 2010
8:56 AM
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@hvyi Yea that could be the case. Trouble is with leakiness it could be any number of things or a combination. Warped or mis-machined combs, warped reed plates, overwide slots for the reeds, incorrect gapping.
Wouldn't want it as my 'day job':) Having said that I've just regapped my GM in F (following the excellent Joe spiers tutorial) and it sounds brilliant. Even OB's on 1,2 & 3!! (though probably easier to manage on a high harp. And yes, Tony D is a nice guy and I have faith. I also don't think it will be a Custom job comparable to Spiers or Buddha, the respective price difference alone tells me that as well as the reputations of the latter.
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OzarkRich
260 posts
Sep 28, 2010
9:28 AM
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@Greyowl: The Dannecker Blues seems to be the same tuning as the MS series. It's not a true custom but is somewhere between a custom and an OOTB MK. It's very easy to play but is not setup for OBs.
@ness: My retrofitting method isn't very professional; I simply remove the MB wood comb, replace it with the PM comb, line everything up the way I want it, clamp it together and drill larger holes through the reedplates for screws (new holes through the comb). I should add a screw in the middle through the existing hole in the PM comb but that would require some measuring and more precise drilling than I can do with a vise and cordless drill. they seem to be pretty air tight anyway. The back of the comb extends further than the original but otherwise is a good fit.
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Ozark Rich
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Last Edited by on Sep 28, 2010 9:37 AM
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ness
298 posts
Sep 28, 2010
12:18 PM
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Interesting setup there, OzarkRich! Thanks for explaining it.
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John
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