Woody
35 posts
Mar 11, 2011
4:43 PM
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I took up playing blues harp seriously a couple of years
ago, but am a guitarist by trade. Years of playing by ear
helps me phrase licks on this 'devilishly difficult' instrument.
I have bought many, many models of harmonicas and I find
that some are not delivering bends and nuances that
some other models offer up easily.
My preferance is Hohner Marine Band Deluxe.
What I can deliver on an 'A' MB Deluxe is far above what
I squeeze out of a Hohner Blues Harp.
Is it a mouth shape phenomenon, lung capacity, lip issue,
or some other personal effect that finds me musical on a 'Deluxe' but struggling with a 'Lee Oskar'or Blues Harp?
Woody
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Electric Harp....I just love it.
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thechangingcolors
58 posts
Mar 11, 2011
4:54 PM
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not all harmonicas are exactly the same but there might be an inconsistancy the way your playing them? genearlly proffessional quality harmonicas bend just fine..
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pistolero
97 posts
Mar 11, 2011
5:05 PM
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"What I can deliver on an 'A' MB Deluxe is far above what
I squeeze out of a Hohner Blues Harp."
Same key? MBD may be tighter with the sealed comb. I haven't tried an MBD yet. I have one Blues Harp in Bb and it's pretty leaky (specially on the low end) compared to my Special 20s.
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It's MUSIC, not just complicated noise.
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hvyj
1303 posts
Mar 11, 2011
5:06 PM
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All Hohners except Golden Melodies are compromise tuned. Lee Oscars are tuned to equal temperament. Hohners have longer reeds than Lee Oscars. MB Deluxe has VENTED covers which do affect tone. LOs and Blues Harps have UNvented covers. Blues harps are part of the Hohner MS line which have somewhat larger combs and are not as air tight as many other models.
So, yeah there are differences that make a difference. my favorite OOB harps are Suzuki Hammonds.
But, generally speaking, if a beginning player is having problems with draw bends on the 3 and/or 2 hole, the problem usually is with playing technique and not the instrument that's being played. Although some harps are more forgiving than others.
Last Edited by on Mar 11, 2011 5:13 PM
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Icemaster
21 posts
Mar 11, 2011
5:19 PM
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+1 to hvyj. I love my Hammond.
Anyway, my teacher told me that since everyone's mouth or resonant chamber is different so certain harps or even certain keys may not perform as well as others for you. I know that I my Bb Manji just seems to be too stiff for me, even after a lot of gapping. But all my other MB style harps work great. I'm sure at a higher skill level than mine, it matters less and less. What I did was buy a whole bunch of different harps so I could find my favorites and now all I have to do is stock up on those.
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"A harmonica is not just a souped up kazoo" -Mo Rocca
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hvyj
1304 posts
Mar 11, 2011
5:25 PM
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No matter what a player's skill level is, different keys require adjustments to playing technique. For example, high keys respond well to a crisp attack and low keys require a softer attack or they won't respond properly. it's definitely not a one size fits all endeavor.
I've played a lot of different harps over the years, but I've developed preferences so all the harps in my performing set are the same make and model. Some harp players carry all kinds of different harps. I don't. My back up set may be different from my performing set, but they are also all the same make and model even though different from the make and model of may main set. I stick with what i like and I've been playing long enough to have developed definite preferences--for example i only play ET harps.
Last Edited by on Mar 11, 2011 5:30 PM
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MP
1486 posts
Mar 11, 2011
6:17 PM
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woody. short answer. yes. the deluxe is better by far than the bluesharp or the LOs.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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MrVerylongusername
1607 posts
Mar 12, 2011
6:34 AM
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Hey MP, you forgot to say "in my opinion" ;-)
I'd take a Lee Oskar or Golden Melody over any of the Marine Band family, but that's because I know what I like, what I need and how to get it out of those harps.
The REAL short answer (in MY opinion) is the best harp is the one you are most comfortable with.
Fortunately there are lots of options; unfortunately they are starting to cost lots of money so finding out which you like has become a costly business.
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MP
1492 posts
Mar 12, 2011
6:48 PM
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oh yeah, in my humble opinion....:)
what i find funny is that it's actually a true or false question, and i said, "yes". whadda dumbhead!
from now on i'm going to preface or afterword my opinions or statements with, 'in order to win your love'....or IOTWYL.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
Last Edited by on Mar 12, 2011 6:51 PM
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MP
1493 posts
Mar 12, 2011
7:04 PM
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user, i've a confession. i own a buncha lee oskars and one sees service. an Eb.
last night i watched a jason ricci lesson where he shreads my posterior and the LO wouldn't OB well. sort of a barnyard animal sound mostly.
i felt so bad i went out and bought 18 heinekens. i didn't drink them yet. i'm going to build an MB Eb w/ a bamboo comb.
but seriously, you are right. use what you like.
how else can i win your love?:)
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
Last Edited by on Mar 12, 2011 7:05 PM
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chromaticblues
693 posts
Mar 12, 2011
8:36 PM
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Heay alot of people bust on Lee Oskars, but they are better than any suzuki made! I'm talking about the quality of brass. Lee Oskar uses the hardest highest quality brass than any harp manufacturer period! Now having said that the coverplates SUCK! The comb SUCKS! They are ET tuned. Which is the least of the three. It is easy to retune them. Hohner Blues harp coverplates fit with a little modifying. Hetrick harmonicas offers bamboo combs for Lee Oskars. I'm just saying stock they suck to me. Modified they are GREAT! The reedplates are VERY GOOD! I play Marine Bands and like long slot harps, but these are by far the best short slot harps. The misconseption that these harps do not overblow is WRONG! BuLlShIt! Do not believe everything people say! I'm only comparing modified harps not stock harps.
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MP
1494 posts
Mar 12, 2011
9:10 PM
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wow chro! you got 18 heinekens too!? suzuki? any manji or delta frost is simply better oob or modified.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
Last Edited by on Mar 12, 2011 9:13 PM
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MP
1497 posts
Mar 12, 2011
10:19 PM
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dammit chro
! now look whatcha made me do! i put bluesharp covers on that oskar. i'll probably be in surgery, when by rights, i should be drinkin' beer. she'll probably get a new bamboo comb too. and for what?! to be fashionable? fashion is fascist. it's a bleeoskarp!
thanks alot.
love and puppies, mark
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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