REM
89 posts
Jul 30, 2011
6:48 PM
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They use to sell Crossovers that went all the way down to Low C. Now it appears you can't even get a Low F Crossover. I understand that they're trying to promote the new Thunderbirds, but was it really neccessary to phase out all of the lower Crossovers?
I guess I could understand them phasing out some of really low tuned crossovers, like the Low C. But I don't like the fact that we can't even get a low F Crossover anymore. Now if you want a Low F Crossover, you have to buy the Thunderbird for $125! That's a lot of money for a conical bottom cover plate, which isn't even really necessary for the low F crossover. The bottom coverplate is the only obvious difference. They say they changed the reed profile for the really low harps, but I'm guessing that some of them, like the low F's are the same as the crossovers (or at least it's not necessary to change the profiles since a low F really isn't that low).
The Thunderbird is more than twice the price of the Crossover, so I imagine I'm not the only one who wishes you could still get the lower tuned Crossovers.
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WinslowYerxa
30 posts
Jul 30, 2011
8:02 PM
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I owner if anyone going to SPAH will have one of each in the same low key to do a direct comparison of reed profiles.
I have a Low D Thunderbird . . .
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REM
90 posts
Jul 30, 2011
8:11 PM
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Yes, I'd be interested in seeing that as well. I'd be interested in comparing a lower key (like a low C or low D) as well as comparing a not so low key (like the low F). It seems like they'd be more likely to change the profiles on the extra low harps, where as it doesn't seem like it would really be necessary for some of the "not so low" low harps, like the low F.
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HarpNinja
1550 posts
Jul 30, 2011
8:29 PM
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Where were low tuned Crossovers available? At one time, they were listed on websites, but I never once saw them "in stock" anywhere. I do recall seeing a Low C listed on a site for more than regular Crossovers, but they never got them in stock.
I've had rattles on regular Low F Marine Bands when not modding the covers. The easiest solution, though, it so just get a Low F Marine Band Deluxe if $125 is too much.
The really low keys like Low A aren't really as easy to make as other keys...they are so low the reeds are very specialized.
IMO, I think they've done more than use a different bottom coverplate. I have a Low F and a Low Low F and they totally rock with no mods. I would wager a lot more money is spent making these.
My suggestion is to get a Low F Marine Band Deluxe and get a bamboo comb from Harpcombs.com. For other keys, just get a regular Marine Band and mod the bottom cover plate (my Low D, Low Eb, Low E, and Low Db are all regular Marine Bands).
I will for sure snag some more Thunderbirds. The Crossover/Tbirds are by far my favorite harps now...even more than the GM.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
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Todd Parrott
600 posts
Jul 30, 2011
8:36 PM
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"The Crossover/Tbirds are by far my favorite harps now...even more than the GM."
More than Golden Melodies??? Sad.
Just kidding Mike!
The Thunderbirds really are great harps out of the box.
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HarpNinja
1552 posts
Jul 30, 2011
9:27 PM
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I know! I needed some new harps and after working on a bunch, I realized how great the Crossover is OOTB and how I liked that sound and how easy I could get them set up without having to do full builds for myself.
I have about half and half in my gig case right now.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
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