I just bought a brand new marine band 1896 Bb and the 3 hole sounds terrible doesn't bend all the others sound sweet and bend well. Has anyone had this problem before and can a harmonica be returned or is it me frustrated. maybe with time it will loosen does anyone have suggestions.
It could be a range of things, from gapping or alignment to a bad reed. So, a couple trouble shooting questions-
How long have you been playing? Different keys play a little differently and if you are fairly new switching keys can throw you sometimes.
Is it squealing or making any buzzing noise? If it is the reed might be out of alignment or there might be a bur. That's a pretty easy fix.
Is it playing but taking more air than usual? That might be a gapping issue. Again, that's a pretty easy fix.
If that doesn't fix the problem you can contact wherever you got it from and see if they'll give you a replacement, or you can post a sound file to see if someone can hear something else going on, but it's fairly common for a new harp to need some gapping. (See the forum how to for how to post audio or video files.)
It may be that the reed need slight adjustment, which you can do with a slip of paper and a very tiny jewellers screwdriver, but this is a bit hit and miss.
I managed to do it with a similar model when I had a bad 2 draw reed, and it worked out really well, but you are taking a risk when you do it, so be aware.
If you DO do it, slowly lift the reed very slightly at first with a slip of paper under the reed. Just a gentle pull upwards.
Then test, then another pull, then test.
If you find no note at all afterwards, youve gone too high, in which case you have to apply pressure on top of the reed with the screwdriver back near the rivet end, very gently each time, until it comes back down.
I found that I went too high at first, and then when I brought it back down, I had to keep the slip of paper under the reed at the rivet end, whilst applying gentle pressure with the screwdriver at the other (open) end.
This eventually got the reed to where it should be and it draws perfectly now.
A lot draw reeds are hard at first anyway.
It might be that you are just drawing in the wrong way. Try placing your mouth over the hole and sort of BREATH IN, slowly, but firmly, rather than suck.
Each embrochure (Ive probably spelt that wrong...it means "mouth position") is different for each hole.
Especially the 7 and up reeds which are completely different to the 6 and lower reeds.
Usually I find the 2 and 3 draws are the hardest, but with time and practice, they usually come.
I had exactly the same problem with a MB Bb and G. I just couldn't get the 3 hole to sound anything better than shit. My solution: Seydel Solist Pro. Couldn't be happier now!
I did some adjustment and it sounds a little better but let me tell you i personally think the S20's sound so much better out of the box. Although this is a good looking harp and i have 2 custom Chris Renolds and A,C haven't arrived yet but i can't wait.
Jorge, I don't know how long you've been playing. I haven't been playing that long...just a few months. But so far I've tried a few different harps. There are a couple that I really like. But although I like them I have to say that they are either equal too or the same as my SP 20's. Even the more expensive harps. I've read complaints or that SP 20's are beginner harps but personally I still haven't found anything I can truly say outshines it.
Spoken like a true beginner right? Lol c'mon, lets hear it! ---------- Tommy
I agree aside from custom harps the special 20's out of the box are it. Plus there easier on the lips than the 1896. My customs are Seydel 1847 silvers out of control.
Most people close DOWN the gaps to make a harp more responsive. Opening them up will only make them harder to play and especially to bend. IIf you play hard, it makes sense to open them up, but only then.
Try shutting down the gaps with a toothpick (you can retune your harp with an unfortunate scratch from a screwdriver). Shut the gaps down in blow/draw pairs. Adjust the gaps down(tighter) on the blow first, then the draw. Always side on the side of too little than too much. Be careful and test it between adjustments. It is something you will eventually get a feel for...
Did I mention this is all done with your cover plates off?
On another note, I find the Bb marine band 3 hole to be particularly tricky. I have purchased 3 in a row which were troublesome. I did find it resolved itself a bit as I practiced Tb bends. Your tongue must be in a different spot, which I found helpful in getting much better tone even LP on the 3 hole in particular. Now I did need to make some adjustment and reset the rivet, but a technique check is in order too...
"On another note, I find the Bb marine band 3 hole to be particularly tricky. I have purchased 3 in a row which were troublesome. I did find it resolved itself a bit as I practiced Tb bends. Your tongue must be in a different spot, which I found helpful in getting much better tone even LP on the 3 hole in particular. Now I did need to make some adjustment and reset the rivet, but a technique check is in order too..."
And on the other hand I have a SP 20 and a Harpmaster in Bb and both play very well on the 3 hole. Bends are very good and controlled also. Meanwhile on the MB...not so much. Now, technique may come into play here but why bother if there are other harps that pose no problem? And if other harps pose no problem then the issue of technique has to come into question. Fine on more than one harp but a problem on more than one of another harp of the same type? Technique or harp? Hmmmm. ---------- Tommy
Great point Tommy iv'e never adjusted reeds before so i tried, not to mention i totally ruined my marine band trash, oh well, now ill have to get my SP 20. I also found it was rougher on the lips to the reed plates are very exposed.
Tommy the Hat - I certainly agree with you there. If you are struggling with it needlessly, switch to something that will work for you.
I find that MBs are my favorite for that "sound" and ability to get it to do exactly what I want after a few adjustments. But I am not beholden to them. In fact, I love to play different harps, but my main set are my MBs. ---------- Danny
I bought a handful of Blues Bands specifically to practice reed work on. I know they'll never be great harps but I found it was much easier mentally to attack the insides of a $5 harp than a $30 harp. Gapped, aligned reeds, opened the backs, even tried embossing (which ended up breaking some reeds).
