I'm going to buy my first low tuned harp (key of C) but have no experience actually playing one. So far all I've played have been Special 20s, can anyone recommend something decent in the price range of $35 - $75 or so?
I've got a Seydel Blues Favorite in LLF that I really like. Looking at the Seydel site it looks like they are about $80.
I think Low C is going to limit you to Hohner or Seydel. The Hohner Thunderbirds are $125. That may be the only Hohner that goes down to Low C now. Looking at their site they seem to be limiting their other harps to Low Eb now that the Thunderbirds have come out. (I could be wrong, but that's as low as I could find.) The Hohner 365 Steve Baker Special has what amounts to a Low C version, but it doesn't have the normal layout (it's a 14 holer- see this thread for more detail:
Most of the Seydel models seem to go down to Low C, except maybe the Solist Pro. The Blues Session Steel might be the only one that fits in the strict part of your price range, but most of the other Seydel's squeek in close to the 'or so'. :) In addition to the Seydel site, and Rockin' Rons, Elk River Harmonicas (David Payne) deals in Seydels. He's a regular poster here, including very useful videos and a nice guy. He's the one I bought my LLF from.
Mike, crossed posts, yeah, from what I could find that's the very bottom of the steel reeds range (excluding customs.) Jim deals with Seydel's too, but he's in Europe. If I remember correctly the one he played in the last piece I heard was tuned all the way down to Low Low D. I think he said all the reeds were steel except the very bottom one, but that's not going to fit under the $75 price range for that custom job. :) It sounds awesome though!
There are also the Hohner 364 & 365 (12 & 14 hole - non SBS tuning) Marine Bands in low C. The "solo" tuned 364 is a different animal & not what you want...unless you want a compact, slideless harp tuned like a chromatic for Chicago style 3rd position.
The 3 hole is perfectly bendable, the 2 hole...not so much if you try the full tone draw bend, best stick to unbent chords/vamps & single notes. ---------- www.myspace.com/markburness
I don't know how much Hohner Thunderbirds are in the US, I am in the UK. But I have a Low D and it's great. I also have a Low D in the Marine Band but that suffers fron reed rattle.
Thanks everyone for your responses. It looks like I may have to spend more than I intended. What makes steel reeds so great anyway?
It's a new weird experience for me shopping for an instrument without being able to play it first. Luckily for this reason harps are less expensive than say a guitar or piano.
I went to the Seydel site and saw 1847's with various combs (plastic, wood, aluminum). What's the difference? So far I like the plastic combs I'm used to on the Special 20s, but then again I have nothing to compare them to.
I realize I could google much of this info, but I wanted to get forum people's opinions as well. :-D
lynn - Is there any particular reason why you have decided to get a Low C? You mention that this is your first low harp. If you are just getting a low harp to try them out and start adding to your collection then you might consider getting a Low F first - for two reasons. Number one, the regular F is so high that most people just avoid it. The Low F is just one step below a G harp and is a lot easier to bend than a low C. It would essentially fill a hole for you if you, like many people, tend not to play an F harp. A few years ago, I picked up a Special 20 Low D, which was my first low harp. I like it now, but when I first got it I found it difficult to play anything on the low end other than some chugging. You may very well be in a different place than I was 3-4 years ago - ability wise, etc. If so, disregard my input. However, if you happen to entertain the thought of getting something other than a Low C, it opens up some other options for you, including your preferred Special 20's.
Tom
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Last Edited by on Jun 04, 2012 2:43 PM
Hi lynn: I have just gotten into the low harps. Low F is definitely easier to bend etc. I also have the MB365 14 holer (low C) which is quite challenging to drive but is great exercise! I ordered the Seydel Classic in Low D and it arrived yesterday. I LOVE this harp. It was $88 from Rockin' Ron's, above my usual $65 ballpark but it sounds so great I have no regrets. There is even a little dimple below the #1 draw so you don't get the reed whacking the coverplate. I took it out busking yesterday for a test drive.
@florida-trader: The reason I want a low C is because for my first open mic I want to play and sing a solo version of Sonny Boy Williamson's "Bring It On Home." Gonna sing it in G because the original E is too high/too low for my vocal range. I'm going to play it the way Keith Dunn recorded it (simplified for my skill level) which is basically keeping a basic groove. Think that's what you mean by chugging, no? No bending, which I can't really do yet anyway!
Thanks for the tip though I love the sound of the low harps and plan to play around with as many different keys as I can.
I call it the "shoe cam". I have a gorilla-pod tripod but nothing to attach it to there. No amp. I don't think the shopkeepers and pedestrians would like it in the confined space. I find it's good practice for training my hands and projecting acoustically...
Last Edited by on Jun 04, 2012 8:39 PM
Lynn, the comb material doesn't make that much difference. On most harps plastic combs means it will have recessed reeds (the reed plate will be cover in the front) which some people say might make them a little less responsive, but I'm not sure if that's even the case with the 1847s. (Plastic combs don't have to have recessed reeds, they just usually do.)
You can also order the Seydel's with different covers. I've been looking to get an 1847 with full length covers when I have some spare cash. Elk had a post a few days ago I think about which parts were interchangeable. I've actually got to combs for my Blues Favorite, the aluminum one it comes with standard and one of Dave's custom combs. Dave's comb is a thing of beauty.
Low C Session Steel from Rockin' Ron is $60...seems like a no brainer. ;)
I use all sorts of low harps down to LLF. I have a Low C 1847 that is fantastic. I have a Low C 1847 tuned down to Bb that I really like too. The Thunderbirds in LG and LA are my favorite (I have them in LF and LLF too). My other low harps are mostly MB's with modded cover plates. ---------- Mike VHT Special 6 Mods Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
I have to add that the low Big Rivers are fine harps.
Low F# to Low-D, they don't come in low-C, though.
I would recommend one (or two) to someone who wants to get their feet wet and try low-tuned harps without investing a lot. And with a flat custom comb, they can be upgraded for not a lot of money. They are a joy to play.
In this clip, Annie Raines plays a Big River Low-D:
Is what you are referring as an "open mic" a solo performance or a group jam?
If it's a jam and the other musicians are playing electric instruments, you will not get enough "cut" from a tenor (low tuned) harp to be heard. Accordingly, you might be better off just using a regular C harp. FWIW.
OT- To continue on what I posted above about recessed reeds and plastic harps- I just took apart a Huang that I bought on Amazon a while back with the intention of fixing it up. It's got a plastic comb, complete with the mold injection style and the little bars to support the tines while it's being made, but it's got a protruding reed plate. It's the first model I've opened up that has the hollow style comb that isn't recessed.
Nate special 20 ms models are like that with only the back recessed and the reedplate front lid showing ---------- Slim's-Custom-Harmonica-Cases-Website
"I went to the Seydel site and saw 1847's with various combs (plastic, wood, aluminum). What's the difference?"
I have one of each the aluminum comb Nobel has a matt finish that I don't really like. It doesn't slide a nice as a slick shinny cover.
There isn't a lot between the wood comb and the plastic in the Silver model. The ones I have are in different keys so I don't have a direct comparison. They both sound the same to me and play great.
I really prefer the Silver with the plastic comb. It's easy to dip in Perxoide and water to clean without having to take it apart. I've done it a dozen times and mine is still fine.
Greg ----------
Just when I got a paddle, they added more water to the creek.
@laurent. Thanks. I didn't have it that day. Just a bag on the ground. I keep a close eye anyway. Someone once grabbed a $20 bill which I proudly and foolishly left on full display.
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Last Edited by on Jun 04, 2012 2:43 PM
