Shajan
28 posts
Jul 28, 2011
4:55 AM
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Well as you may know I've stated several times that I play the scx-64 with u-blocking technique but I own a Manji as well as that one. I'm looking for a diatonic that has the most "easy-to-listen" (mellow) to tone out of the box, which one is it? I feel the Manji is Very sensetive on bends and I don't have the technique to bend softly yet so that's a big problem for me as well as it being very high pitched. The Manji I've got is in C and I bought a cheap Swan diatonic box a while ago (A,B,C,D,E,F,G. I thought there was only Bb but it says B on my harp) so I have backups in most keys but I think I'm going for the Bb
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Greyowlphotoart
697 posts
Jul 28, 2011
5:00 AM
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If you like Suzukis, you can do no better than a Hammond HA-20 for a mellow tone. You will notice a significant difference compared to the Manji.

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Shajan
29 posts
Jul 28, 2011
7:10 AM
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is there any hohner that can compare itself to the hammond ha-20 ? I'm always open to try new brands and from what I've heard the hohners have a more rich tone while the suzukis are more durable and built better. I can verify that's the truth with chromatics but what about diatonics?
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Todd Parrott
597 posts
Jul 28, 2011
10:24 AM
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The only Hohner harp I know of that was comparable to the Hammond was the old style pre-MS Meisterklasse. The old Meisterklasse had a very nice tone, better than the Hammond in my opinion.
Of course, the Hammond is basically a Promaster, which seems to have been based off of the old Hohner Meisterklasse.
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groyster1
1222 posts
Jul 28, 2011
10:45 AM
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the only promaster I have I bought in a music store because it looked like the only meisterklasse I have but less expensive but agree that the classic meisterklasse has a better tone glad I still have it
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nacoran
4397 posts
Jul 28, 2011
12:29 PM
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Smooth for single notes or chords?
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groyster1
1223 posts
Jul 28, 2011
11:02 PM
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I seem to judge harps on their chord sounds and the classic meisterklasse chords are very strong
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Shajan
30 posts
Jul 29, 2011
6:06 AM
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@nacoran smooth for single notes :)
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hvyj
1623 posts
Jul 29, 2011
7:43 AM
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I've got a full set of pre-MS Meisterklasse and a full set of Hammonds. I think the Hammonds are more responsive and have better compression. Both are GREAT diatonic harps and both have great tone. But, personally, I'm partial to the Hammonds.
Don't particularly like the ProMasters, though. Too bright and they don't have the same smooth and even response as the Hammonds do.
Last Edited by on Jul 29, 2011 7:45 AM
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Todd Parrott
599 posts
Jul 29, 2011
8:31 AM
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The Hammonds are much more responsive than the old pre-MS Meisterklasse, I agree, but I still prefer the bigger tone of the Meisterklasse.
The pre-MS Meisterklasse harps were made during the time of Hohner's inconsistent quality, so many of the reed plates are not so great.
Another option would be to place old style Meisterklasse covers on a Marine Band or Crossover. The covers are what made them sound so good in my opinion.
As for the Hammond, I think those are just overall more consistent than the Promasters. I never did like Promasters.
hvyj, if you have a full set of pre-MS Meisterklasses, that is pretty cool!
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nacoran
4400 posts
Jul 29, 2011
9:02 AM
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Well, smooth for single notes I'd go Equal Tuning. Golden Melodies, or any of the Japanese harps (Suzuki, Lee Oskar) except the Manji, which I think is Just Tuned. You can get any Seydel in Equal, Just or Compromise.
I think closed back harps have a mellower tone.
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jbone
586 posts
Jul 29, 2011
9:28 PM
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i have a suzuki pure harp, rosewood comb and covers. a bit pricey when i got it over a year ago, but it is a very warm sounding harp, not harsh at all. ---------- http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
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