You'd never want to put your name on it, but it would be sort of cool if one of the companies made a set like the Piedmonts but instead of different keys they'd give you several different tunings. There are a few I want to try. A $30 PowerBender sounds like a nice start though! :)
And of course, it's just fun to listen to you play.
Congrats Brendan, I think the PowerBender will open up a lot of possibilities for a lot of players. I do have a couple curiosities about the PowerBender and why you use it.
First, the PowerBender is great for those who don't overblow and use half-valved harps but you've long been playing great music using half-valved diatonics. What are you getting now that you weren't before?
Also, I've heard legendary tales that you invented a harp that employed auxiliary reeds like the XB-40 but was the same size and had the same tone as a regular diatonic. That would seem to be the Holy Grail for me. Does such a beast exist? Would you ever make those for sale?
I love the concept. It puts into practice doing more with less.
Congratulations indeed! Getting a manufacturer to put your name on a harp is not as big of a deal in comparison to getting harmonica giants to congratulate you on producing a cheap harp. That truly is a monumental accomplishment. That's a tribute to your idea!
As soon as the Canadian Postal Workers strike is over, I will put in my order.
I wonder if it comes with a little fold-out like other harmonicas. I imagine instead of an "Oh Suzanna" tab this insert could have the tab to Sweet Georgia Brown in all its four keys on the one page...
@ arzajac: I'd already considered the Sweet Georgia Brown tab giveaway (normally I sell it for $10 with two MP3s). Your suggestion helps me to go down that road - thanks!
@ Roverharp: The Powerbender I play in the video is totally stock, no valves or any other setup. My personal harps are all half-valved. Half-valving works great with the PowerBender tuning, there is no "either-or".
As for the last question, surely legendary objects and Holy Grails should remain mysterious?
I just ordered mine. I look forward to getting it. Brendan, Will you, or will the manufacture offer the 1/2 valving option as well? I hope all the keys will be available soon. Always a Brendan Power Fan Thanks for your contribution to the world of Harmonica Shawn F.
Good idea Brendan. I've been meaning to pick up a Power Bender tuned harp. I was going to get an old harp tuned up for me but this is a great idea:o) ----------
Well my harp arrived special delivery this morning - I was still in bed when the postman knocked on the door so the missus took the parcel. No hiding this one then! Considering I only ordered Sunday night, that is phenomenal - equalled only, in my experience, by Peter Blythe at Harmonicas Direct.
Inside the jiffy bag, wrapped in a cardboard sleeve was an attractive and relatively sturdy looking black plastic box, with a Powerbender logo and Brendan's signature printed on top. Inside, the standard velvety, plastic tray with a shiny new harp sat on top; engraved top cover to match the box top - bottom cover blank.
Curiously enough mine was engraved "Mike Newell" too ;-)
The harp responds as well as I expected - it's a Bluesbender, not a Joe Spiers stage III after all. If you've any experience of the Chinese made Hohner's you know exactly what to expect. Brendan has been completely upfront and honest about this. If you want a more responsive harp, then you'll have to stump up more for one built by him. If you just want to fool around with the tuning, and don't want a big retuning job: this is for you.
The tuning is OK: no beating on the octaves. 2 draw was a little airy, as is often the case with these Chinese made harps. There's a torsional squeal on the 9 and 10 draw bends which I'm going to try and fix with a dab of nail varnish. No overblows out of the box, but I haven't gone under the hood yet.
All in all it's a great introduction to the Powerbender tuning. 12th position is really easy on this. I can totally understand the reasoning behind the tuning - the middle and upper octave just make intuitive sense. Anyone worrying about adapting to a new tuning (noting another thread) really shouldn't have trouble. I can't explain it, it just makes sense. You forget you're playing in the upper octave, I haven't yet found myself trying for blow bends that aren't there. It just works.
Thanks Brendan - I'm a happy harper!
Last Edited by on Jun 28, 2011 11:01 AM
Good review MVLUN. I've been out the loop for the last couple of months due to an ear infection, When and IF I recover I may just be tempted now thanks to you. ----------
Brendan, can I keep that offer for when you have C's? I think even standard postage has insurance for up to £46 you just need a proof of posting and proof of value of the contents.
Good to see our Trade Imbalance being slightly rectified Greg (normally it's me using your excellent stuff!). I won't be at SPAH this year due to gig commitments in UK & Italy. Sorry to miss it but will be back in 2012.
@AW: I still sell the Suzuki Harpmaster (not Folkmaster) with the book or separately. The only advantage of my own-brand harp over the Harpmaster is price: the popular Harpmaster will appeal to people who're willing to pay extra for the high precision manufacturing that Suzuki offer.
You can buy the PowerBender tuning in any key and in many popular models in Hohner, Suzuki and Seydel brands from my website, but my own-brand model is just in A for the moment. Hopefully other keys by the end of the year.
Brendan, is your own brand Powerbender available in other keys yet? ---------- "Come on Brackett let's get changed"
Last Edited by on Nov 05, 2011 2:38 PM
When you go to China try to stop by Jakarta (we can work on reimbursing your flight) to jam at our show in 5star hotel and sell me some of your harps (let me be your sales agent!). Don't waste your time with the hippies in Bandung.
