Lazerface
4 posts
May 27, 2012
9:26 PM
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Anybody tried these harps? I just discovered they existed today while browsing at a local music store. Been thinking about trying that one, the pro harp, and the marine band crossover as i am trying to diversify my harp collection
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nacoran
5743 posts
May 27, 2012
10:27 PM
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I haven't tried one, but there are a couple threads about them.
Blue Midnight: First impression....not so good
Hohner Blue Midnight tuning
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/2751531.htm
What other harps do you have in your collection? I think it's good to try new harps. For price/performance I've settled mostly on Special 20's and Lee Oskars. I really like my one Seydel, but I haven't had the money to try more (or even try their go to 1847). Suzuki harps have a good reputation too.
Rockin Rons Music 4 Less has a good selection of the 4 big brands (I've got no affiliation, just one of the billions and billions of happy customers he's got!). If nothing else you can use his site to browse what's out there. There are a few other brands. There are a few Hering fans out there too.
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Nate
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Lazerface
5 posts
May 28, 2012
6:05 AM
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I saw the other threads, but really am looking to see what people who may have them say about em more. As to my collection, i have a bunch of special 20s, 4 delta frosts, one suzuki harpmaster and ine lee oskar
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SuperBee
291 posts
May 28, 2012
7:18 AM
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It's just a MS with a blue comb isn't it?
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timeistight
588 posts
May 28, 2012
8:13 AM
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Some people like the MS harps. I get the feeling that the Big Rivers are the favourites of those who do, maybe just because they're the best deal or because they're available in low keys. The Blue Midnights have that "marketing gimmick" smell to them. They don't seem to have attracted any fans among actual harmonica players.
The Crossovers, on the other hand, have a lot of fans. They're really nice harps. Pricey, though.
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FMWoodeye
353 posts
May 28, 2012
9:28 AM
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@timeistight....yeah, the Crossover is my favorite. As I posted earlier in another thread (or maybe I dreamt it) I practice on Special 20s and use the Crossovers as my "good" harps. They cost about twice what a Special 20 costs. Are they twice as good? No. But they're an indulgence I grant myself.
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timeistight
589 posts
May 28, 2012
9:59 AM
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@lazerface: Since you're new around here, you might not know what I mean by "MS" harps.
The Hohner Modular Series first came out in the late 1980s. Their original concept was to replace all the hand-made models with instruments made on a computer-controlled assembly line. That idea was about as popular as new Coke, so Hohner backed off, keeping the old assembly methods for Marine Bands, Golden Melodies and Special 20s.
The current Blues Harp, Pro Harp, Blue Midnight, Big River Harp and Meisterklasse are all Modular Series harmonicas and all their parts (combs, reed plates and covers) can be swapped between any of the models.
If you're interested in experimenting with them, I'd pick up a Big River first, since they're the cheapest. Some people use them as back-ups or as an inexpensive way to experiment with low harps -- they're available down to low D.
Last Edited by on May 28, 2012 10:00 AM
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groyster1
1889 posts
May 28, 2012
11:16 AM
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@Lazer
I bought 2 blue midnites in C and G just out of curiosity...I liked the idea of the blues tuning but they are only slightly less than a Sp20 which is a superior harp and worth the extra price...its hard to beat Sp20s at the price range they are in
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Hobostubs Ashlock
1800 posts
May 28, 2012
11:41 AM
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My last harp I got was a blue midnight,I like it,Its seems similar to the big rivers which I also Like,But it does to me seem a little brighter sounding than the Big rivers,.I plan on getting a few more
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Hobostubs
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HawkeyeKane
959 posts
May 29, 2012
8:44 AM
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"It's just a MS with a blue comb isn't it?"
Yes and no. Construct-wise, yes. Basically a translucent blue version of the Big River comb with rebadged Blues Harp coverplates. Tuning-wise...its on an MS reedplate, but the similarity stops there. Chicago blues tuned instead of standard Richter. Which makes it something of a pain in the ass since Hohner STILL hasn't come out with replacement MS reedplates with the Blue Midnight tuning. You need one fixed...you'll have to send it to someone like MP.
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Hawkeye Kane
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nacoran
5753 posts
May 29, 2012
11:15 AM
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Hawkeye, just a terminological point, it's got a different temperament, a different flavor of Just Temperament. It's still Richter Tuned though. (Richter refers to which notes are in which holes, temperament refers to how each note is tuned.) I see what you are saying about the reed plates though. You'd have to retune the reeds to get that sound.
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Nate
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HarpNinja
2487 posts
May 29, 2012
11:33 AM
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I'd just tune a Sp20 to 19LI. ;)
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
1060 posts
May 29, 2012
4:10 PM
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It's usually not that big of a deal having the draw plate and blow plate using two different schemes. I have no idea what this Hohner Blue Moon tuning is, but for instance, What does the draw plate care if the 3rd on the blow plate is 10 or 14 cents flat? I could see maybe a problem with EQ, but I think EQ sounds bad whatever it's on, lol.
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David
Elk River Harmonicas
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"Also, drinking homemade beer." - David Payne
Last Edited by on May 29, 2012 4:14 PM
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Lazerface
9 posts
May 29, 2012
7:18 PM
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I am familiar with the MS series, and while i love my special 20s, i am simply interested in exploring other makes as well as other hohner models. I dont think i can justify spending $100+ on a diatonic, but $30-50 seems to be about the range i'm exploring. I would buy up a bunch of delta frosts, but my last order took right around a year to receive. Im glad i didnt buy a Blue midnight now, but i can see a crossover or marine band deluxe in my future
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A440
10 posts
Jun 29, 2012
7:26 AM
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The latest incarnation of the MB Deluxe is very good indeed. I prefer them to the more expensive Crossover.
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barbequebob
1962 posts
Jun 29, 2012
7:38 AM
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The link for the tuning doesn't work anymore.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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groyster1
1928 posts
Jun 29, 2012
10:27 AM
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HarpNinjas advice to just tune a Sp20 to 19 limit JI is a great idea...Sp20s are better harps than blue midnites or any MS harpIMHO
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opendoor_harps
49 posts
Jun 30, 2012
12:07 AM
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I purchased one of these in D and its not so bad. I profiled and re gapped the reeds for better response, re tuned it and it plays a lot better.
But I still prefer the sound of the open back Big River even though its the cheapest of the MS series.
I did not find the tuning to be very consistent or similar to old Marine Band JI tuning which was kind of what was being marketed (or what I had hoped for). I re tuned to more of a compromise tuning closer to the Crossover. I made notes somewhere of where the original tuning notes were if I wanted to compare or go back.
Its a combo of Big River style plastic comb (although very cool blue which I'm sure colors the tone the same way right? :), MS Plates, and Blues Harp style cover plates.
I do prefer the Marine Band Crossovers or the Deluxe better to start with out of the box though.
I may sell the Blue Midnight as I have hardly played it at all and probably won't get around to doing any more modification to it.
If anyone is interested to try one, "like new" in D for a good price, feel free to contact me off list. I was planning on posting on eBay soon.
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