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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
harp advice needed (again)!
harp advice needed (again)!
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geordiebluesman
59 posts
Aug 14, 2008
3:55 AM
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Hi Harpers,as you may have noticed from previous threads of mine i have a major problem with Wet Mouth Misery,well after trying various different cleaning techniques i have realized that the easiest and most effective way to unstick gobbed up reeds is a hot water rinse but this ain't a good idea on my MB Deluxe's, what with the wood combs an all,so i was wondering how does the sound of the special 20 compare to the MB cos that has a plastic comb?.Also what about playability,I love the playability of my Suzuki 350v's but the tone just ain't down and dirty so what i really want is a harp that plays and sounds as good as an MB Deluxe but is hot water resistant, any ideas folks?
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Patrick Barker
116 posts
Aug 14, 2008
9:24 AM
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I've see Marine Bands customized with plastic and metal combs. Check out the custom dude harps at http://www.dudeharp.com/ where they have the plastic dude for a similar price to the marine band deluxe, as well as the SS dude (stainless steel combed). As for the special 20, its a great harp in my opinion, but it doesn't quite have that same marine band tone.
Also, I forgot to mention that you should be able to disassemble your MBD as I believe it uses screws. That way you can just wash the reedplates.
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"Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
Last Edited by on Aug 14, 2008 4:44 PM
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bluesnut
28 posts
Aug 14, 2008
10:04 AM
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I have 7 different special 20s in my case and i like them cause they are comfy on the lips and if you slobber like a dog ( i do ) they don't expand. I clean mine with a water and denture cleaner solution. The tone is fine for what i do, i think good tone comes from the soul and lots of technique and practice helps. i heard eric clapton say that he gose to great lengths to sound like muddy waters out of respect for the guy, but it still comes out sounding like eric. you could aply that to little walters tone.
Last Edited by on Aug 14, 2008 10:09 AM
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Oxharp
12 posts
Aug 14, 2008
1:33 PM
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Hi Geordie,
IMHO I have tried the lot and am now going down the custom route.
I have the following Points to make.
Special 20's are very playable and great for all levels but the tone is quite mellow, however if you modify the covers and open the back and drill the sides like the MB they sound alot better and if you are into tuning then Just tuning is the tuning that I have setttled on as it gives you great chords and is really good if you are a Toungue Blocker.
They last alot longer than all the other harps I have had. Easy to keep clean but I must tell you about the sydel 1847 silver.
I have had 3 customized and just tuned with lots of reedwork etc and they sound absolutely fantastic very loud, pure sweet tone and real dirty but thats my tone and the just tuning and are real easy to play hard or soft plus they are DISHWASHER PROOF.
also check out west westons web site for custom MB. same price as a MB delux. BTW MB Delux harps have sealed combs.
email me for the details - russ.turner@ntlworld.com
you tube is OXHARP
Last Edited by on Aug 14, 2008 1:38 PM
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LittleJoeSamson
19 posts
Aug 14, 2008
1:49 PM
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Have you tried the Hering 1923 Vintages? Many of the same dynamics as MB's....the warmth of a wood comb, open end covers, heavier reed's. Where they are superior to MB's ( imo ) is that they can easily be taken apart for maintenance and cleaning. Covers are held on by the conventional two nuts and bolts. Reed plates are secured with FIVE self tapping screws. I know this is more work than putting them in a dishwasher ( something I would NEVER do ), but then you really get all of the gunk and can thouroughly scrub the comb and disinfect.
Some recommend one of those ultrasonic cleaners commonly used for dentures for the reed plates, but I do not have one. I use spare cases ( Huangs work great ) for a double dip bath...first in rubbing alcohol for 1/2 hour, let air dry, then another quick bath in disinfectant mouthwash, shake first and air dry, reassemble.
While the wood comb is separate the first time, I use the opportunity to super seal it. I then create some custom finishes....some with matching gold, but the ones that really get attention are the veneered copper ones.
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oldwailer
146 posts
Aug 14, 2008
9:35 PM
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LJS--What kind of mouth wash? I tried using Listerine mint mixed with lots of water for a while--right up until I took some of my harps apart and discovered the gluey mess on the reed plates--that's when I went to nothing but straight gin!
Geordie--if you haven't tried a SP20 yet--you just gotta do it! I like them a lot--but I still like to dick around with the MB's because they have the prestigious name and all--and they were OK with Little Walter.
The SP20 will really wail--in my opinion--they last well--they need very little tweakage. One thing I can't really make them do is get that really nasty tone on a 2 draw bent down--I think a Bushman is tops for that action--but they aren't tuned as nice as the 20's.
Just another opinion in a universe of opinions. . .
Last Edited by on Aug 14, 2008 9:36 PM
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LittleJoeSamson
23 posts
Aug 15, 2008
3:43 AM
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Tom's has an all natural that has no added ingredients. The main thing is no sugar...that is what gums up stuff.
I make my own mouthwash with proprietary ingredients...spices and Chardonney wine.
You can use a hair dryer to dry out cleaned harps, just be careful.
So many tricks. I learned on my own and from others. Kit Gable that gave Lee Oskar his intro. Rod Piazza is close, but gives subtle clues. Charlie Musslewhite is a consummate gentleman that has shared with me more than once.
Westside Andy.
Cadillac Pete.
Kim Wilson.
Pierre LaCocque.
Jimmy Liban.
Mark Hummel.
and sorrowfully, Paul DeLay and Gary Primich.
*I have shared a chemical libation with all of these premier harpslingers. Some have given me hints, others none. I have provided tidbits to all...I'm not greedy.*
Junior taught me about breath control ( I caught him on a good, and sober, day. Beautiful human being...bad drunk. )
Met Big Walter on Maxwell Street, but he was SO drunk at 11 AM that he could not play adequately. Sweet man, bad relatives. He should have the name that Little Walter has.
"Shakey" Horton was first. LW copied Big W.
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geordiebluesman
60 posts
Aug 15, 2008
10:53 AM
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Hi Harpers,thanx for all the sage council,it's really amazing to me that i can chat to, and get advice from, all you guys all around the world,i mean heres LJS, a guy who knows Rod Piazza, passing on knowledge to me!,by the way LJS did you ever meet rod's sometime piano goddess Honey?what a player and what a babe!Hubba Hubba
Last Edited by on Aug 15, 2008 10:54 AM
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