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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
New harps
New harps
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Tommy the Hat
269 posts
Aug 31, 2011
9:09 AM
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I added two new harps to my collection. After reading the thread a few days ago about the Suzuki Harpmaster, I thought I'd give it a try. I recently bought a Seydel Blues session for the car/pocket (C) and thought I would add a Bb to keep in my car (I have a Delta Frost (D) in the car also).
The Harpmaster arrived today and let me tell you, I think it's great. Tight as a...well, you know. great harp and I'm very happy with it. I have mostly SP 20's and I have to say I really like those. I haven't really had time to compare but I like it a lot. I also like the Sp 20's a lot too, so I'm doing good!
The biggie is the Seydel Soloist Pro optimized by David Payne. This harp looks nice plays niceI like it better than the blues session. The cover plates are smooth and extremely lip friendly. They don't stick and they don't slide...just right. The only other wood comb I have to compare it to is my MB. This blows the MB out of the water.
I don't find it as tight (or as loud) as the SP 20's or Harpmaster,but this is a great harp and sounds nice.
It takes a little deeper breath to get sound (or a good sound) than the plastic combs like DF, Harpmaster or Sp 20 (those things sound with the slightest of air) but it's a real nice harp. Thanks to David Payne for great and fast service.
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Tommy
Bronx Mojo
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selkentblues
27 posts
Aug 31, 2011
10:19 AM
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Glad you liked the Harpmaster, I think it is a really great harp.
I know that Brendan Power does too (GREAT player...see You Tube).
It feels very PRECISE doesnt it?
...and knowing that it has those great long-life phospher bronze Suzuki reeds sort of gives you confidence to work it REALLY hard!
You can really lean on the reeds hard and they just reward you with more tone, and more volume.
I had a couple of Suzuki Bluesmasters turn up today, and although they are good, they are not as good as the Harpmaster.
I wasn't that keen, though they are not bad.
In point of fact just sound like a quieter Harpmaster and so there doesnt seem much point in them.
They have an all-enclosed type case and this just seems to muffle the volume, so whats the point of THAT Suzuki?!
I think the Harpmaster is a little gem though, and it has also got me into playing the larger holed SP20 more often, which I am warming to day by day, despite what I said in an earlier thread whinging about them!
Your never to old to learn, and I'm man enough to admit I was wrong about the SP.
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bluesharpslc
6 posts
Aug 31, 2011
5:38 PM
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@selkentblues: "I had a couple of Suzuki Bluesmasters turn up today, and although they are good, they are not as good as the Harpmaster."
I'm not absolutely certain of this, as I don't own a Harpmaster and so therefore am unable to personally verify it, but I've read in numerous places that the Harpmaster and Bluesmaster are exactly the same harp, save for the coverplates. Same comb, same reedplates, same tuning, different coverplates.
@selkentblues: "In point of fact just sound like a quieter Harpmaster and so there doesnt seem much point in them."
I can certainly see where the differences in coverplate design could account for your perception, but I think that one "point in them" is that some people prefer the mouth and hand feel of one design to the other. And I'll point out that what you hear from the player or source side of the harp is not necessarily acoustically the same as what can be heard on the receiving or projection side of it.
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Tommy the Hat
275 posts
Aug 31, 2011
6:06 PM
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"I can certainly see where the differences in cover plate design could account for your perception, but I think that one "point in them" is that some people prefer the mouth and hand feel of one design to the other. And I'll point out that what you hear from the player or source side of the harp is not necessarily acoustically the same as what can be heard on the receiving or projection side of it. "
Good point and something I was thinking about today while comparing my SP 20's, harpmaster, Seydel Soloist Pro and Blues session. Playing, feel/comfort, ease, among other personal preferences may be one thing but I really didn't detect any difference in sound monumental enough to say this one or that sounded better. Some definitely play louder or with a lighter touch but again that falls into the category of personal preference. Just like guitar; some like a fast action and strings low to the fret board while others prefer higher action or heavier strings. SRV is said to have used 13 gauge strings (many others use 9's or 10's) and action set very high. He also replaced his frets with bass guitar frets (very fat). Personal preference. If you did the same you wouldn't get his sound.
I doubt even more that the audience would know the difference in sound harp to harp. Personal playing styles and tastes will dictate which harp suits "you." IMO. Sound? The jury is out...I'm skeptical.
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Tommy
Bronx Mojo
Last Edited by on Aug 31, 2011 6:09 PM
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groyster1
1340 posts
Aug 31, 2011
6:12 PM
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the differences in opinion in this forum vary as wide as the atlantic ocean but I really like the new hohner midnight blue which has vintage blues tuning liked the 1 I have in C have ordered a G they are the best MS harps I have played
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