I have Low F#'s in a Big River, Special 20, Marine Band, and Marine Band Deluxe.
The BR is pretty solid...the other three are really nice. If you call to get a MBD from Hohner they might tell you they don't carry them...but you can find them on Amazon and they are legit (that's how I got mine).
I have a brand new MB LF# on a custom comb I could sell you. I haven't done any reed work on it or even played it. I just drilled it for screws and a new comb. ---------- Mike Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas VHT Special 6 Mods
Adam mentioned needing a LOW F#. You'd be surprised at how many people want a regular F#, though.
I try to avoid anything above Eb when playing blues. For rock stuff, I might use the higher keys. Especially with a full band.
I never carry a regular F#, though. I always use a Low F#...and I hardly ever play it as I'd usually use play 3rd or 12th depending on the tune. It just isn't a harp key I am in love with. ---------- Mike Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas VHT Special 6 Mods
Jason said he only has a low F#, not a regular one. I've only got a regular one because I used to jam along to DVDs where the original used an F harp (DVDs play about a semitone sharp). But I've got low F, low D and low C.
Previously Adam has said he isn't keen on harps as low as G, even, but that's because his music is more up-beat. I like to play real slow meditative front porch blues on low harps. Jason emulates guitar on harp, and I kind of like to emulate Ry Cooder (a la Paris Texas) on low harps. (not that I'm equating myself with either Adam or Jason, you understand) ---------- Andrew. ----------------------------------------- The only good cat is a stir-fried cat. (ALF)
Last Edited by on Dec 15, 2011 7:28 AM
Hohner do sell a marine band 1896 in low F# ask your dealer to order you one. They sell marine band 1896's in low D,Eb,E,F,F# they also sell them in minor tunings too.
Depending on your attack, Adam, you may notice the 1 draw hitting the bottom coverplate. I love me a low tuned harp and have no fear of the 1 draw, so that would drive me nuts.
It is easy to fix while you have the bottom cover plate off assuming you go to gap it. I have never had the rattle on my BR or SP20. You are probably fine until you get to something like Low Eb or so.
Turns out I had a low F# Special 20 that Kevin Moore, Sterling roadie, had given me a couple of years back. I wasn't into low harps, but in this case, I'm willing to modify that policy.
I'll admit, I don't often need F# either. It's not a key I'm particularly fond of. But one major song my band does is Gimme Shelter in Db/C#. So I have to say I do use an F# 2nd position on a regular basis. I've thought about getting a low F# for that song though, just to get some more balls to the harp part. ---------- Hawkeye Kane
kudzu says enough already but i just had to say i'm really proud of the G SP/20 i turned into a low F#.
lotta tuning (20 reeds brah!) but it was worth it even though i only use it for one song in a duo i'm in. the song is in G#m and 3rd pos on my new low F# is really sweet. ----------
MP doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
I have a regular and a Lo F# in my bag. Doesn't hurt anything to have it, but it stinks to want/need it and not have it. I like to have all 12 keys at all times, even though I've played the F# harps. . .maybe twice in the last four years. . . maybe. ---------- 12gagedan's YouTube Channel
It's amazing to realize that the same year (1978) Lomax recorded that stuff in Mississippi, disco and New Wave were the rage and stuff like this was ruling the airways:
Now HERE we go! It's my thread and I can hijack it if I want to:
The thing you young'uns need to understand is that the old deep Mississippi blues and THIS stuff were both created for exactly the same purpose: getting people to dance. I love 'em both.
Last Edited by on Dec 15, 2011 3:21 PM
Incidentally, it was 1978 when Lee Oskar released his second solo album. On the title track 'Before the rain' he used Db and (high)F# harmonicas. ---------- KiwiRick http://www.richardshanksart.com
Jeeezz! those vids bring back back some awful memories the Flares,the shirts the absolutely crap music you had to endure if you wanted to get laid.. 0_^_
Last Edited by on Dec 15, 2011 7:23 PM
In keeping with the thread's new direction, this is one of the most interesting releases of 2011 for me:
It's dubstep, but it's really funny. I think they just took an actual slap bass line and did all kinds of crazy things to it. Imagine playing harmonica to a track like this!
I might try, if I can get the song in good enough quality.
(back) I wuz inventorying my harp case yesterday & discovered that I had both a low and high F# (we play one tune in c#); I hadn't noticed that before. Now I'm wondering if we do more than one tune & use the high for one and the low for others. Time'll tell...
