TheKrowe
16 posts
Jun 13, 2012
6:49 AM
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I have a really nice K&M 416 Professional rack that just doesn't suit me. I can't get enough mouth on the harp, and I play with a near 45-degree upward tilt which is impossible (I think) with this rack and my anatomy. Can this rack be adjusted to set the proper tilt for my playing style? Can you recommend one that can be adjusted? Would you like to buy this one for $25 shipped to CONUS? It's never been used.
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TheKrowe
"It can't rain all the time." - Eric Draven
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Gnarly
266 posts
Jun 13, 2012
7:22 AM
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I modified mine to work better--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od6iOkK8Yq8
I can do the work for you, but I am sure you can figure it out based on this video . . .
Last Edited by on Jun 13, 2012 7:22 AM
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oldwailer
1909 posts
Jun 13, 2012
7:30 AM
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I think the one here would be great--from Builder of Stuff--who also posts here sometimes-- http://www.builderofstuff.com/enr.html
I don't have one of those myself-- I use the Sonnenschein rack you can see here-- http://www.slk-harmonica-rack.com/index_en.html
I like this Sonnenschein very much--it does adjust the tilt--even though you might see some pics of the older model online that didn't adjust. It is quite comfortable to use and does the job very well. I have collected most of the cheap ones over the years--and none of them worked well for me until I got this one.
Of course, Walter will no doubt jump in here and tell you to just man up and get used to it--and he is a world class rack player and is probably right--but for me--I prefer to have a rack that works the way I want it to. . .
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Oldwailer's Web Site
Always be yourself--unless you suck. . .
-Joss Whedon
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KingoBad
1117 posts
Jun 13, 2012
7:45 AM
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I would wait for the Hohner Flex Rack. You can see the ad here on Adam's site. It is going to be about 70 bucks and will be available at guitar center late this month.(27th I think). It will have all the right adjustments. Whether it will fit you well might be a different story. I have been waiting anxiously for a rack like this that wasn't 200 bucks or was going to fall apart any minute.
I tried modifying a k&m rack, but could never get the angle right. I finally used two rubber ponytail bands (I have 2 girls) pinched by the rack. I pull them tight and stretch them around the ends of the harp. It essentially holds the harp pointing straight down, but when you bring it to your mouth, it is at a comfortable tilt.
The only thing I don't like about my setup is that I can't really get get that harp as far back in my mouth as I would like sometimes. I'm hoping the flex rack will be a decent solution.
I like Gnarly's solution alot, but you are also adding to the problem of depending on more tightening hardware. While it works fine, even with the two tightening bolts of the regular rack, it will loosen on you at times. I would probably want to upgrade the hardware there too. However, i haven't done that on my current rack, so I'm not even sure what i'd do about it...
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Danny
Last Edited by on Jun 13, 2012 7:47 AM
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Gnarly
267 posts
Jun 13, 2012
9:20 AM
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You get used to the adjustments--one thing is that everything moves! But you deal with it . . .
I normally just use the unmodified K&M, because what I find is that putting the harp in the right place makes it nigh on impossible to sing right on the mike--which is more important to me at a gig.
The modified rack is what I use for strolling gigs--I have Velcroed a headset mike to the rack, and use it for vox and harp, moving the mike to the appropriate spot when necessary.
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mlefree
67 posts
Jun 13, 2012
10:16 AM
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+1 on Gnarly's modified K&M rack. It rendered a nicely built but useless uncomfortable rack into one that fits perfectly. The only problem I have is that it won't fold flat unless you completely loosen all the adjustment knobs and lay it out. If you do that, it not only gets to be about 3 feet long but you need to start from scratch setting it up again, which is not fast or fun. I leave the chest-side knobs set and reconcile that it just won't fold flat that way. Still it's the only rack I use.
Michelle
PS: Gary, have you tried mounting a vocal mic' alongside your harp on the modded rack?
Last Edited by on Jun 13, 2012 10:16 AM
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lumpy wafflesquirt
586 posts
Jun 13, 2012
10:47 AM
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I'm getting a harplock which fixes the harp to the mic rather than to the player. It seems great [In another thread you'll see I 'test drove' the idea by putting the harp on a stand and it was much easier to play than in a rack.]
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
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waltertore
2333 posts
Jun 13, 2012
11:43 AM
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try them all. I did from the late 70's through mid 80's and found myself continually going back to the cheapest rack out there. In the end it will be time playing with harp in a rack that will get you comfortable. It is like learning a new instrument with the hands out of the process and playing guitar at the same time. Human nature is to find shortcuts to the end point. Unfortunately this doesn't hold true with art. To get to the endpoint (I assume thoughtless flow is it) shortcuts puts one further back from it. Keep at it and like anything you get there! Walter
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walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year.
" life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
4,000+ of my songs
continuous streaming - 200 most current songs
my videos
Last Edited by on Jun 14, 2012 4:48 AM
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Gnarly
268 posts
Jun 13, 2012
11:23 PM
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@ mlefree A huge problem with mounting one or more mikes on the rack is that everytime you change a harp, you either make a huge noise or have to be very careful.
The HarpLock looks like a great idea, but they don't work on TurboLids.
Actually, at my main gig, I loop the guitar so I can hold the harp in my hand--that is preferable to the rack every day of the week.
The main advantage of the harp in the rack is that I can play two things at once--like Walter, except he's doing three or four!
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oldwailer
1910 posts
Jun 14, 2012
12:17 AM
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KingoBad could be right here--I looked at the picture of the $60 Hohner FlexRack and it looks really good--I'd be waiting for it if I didn't already have my Sonnenschein. Check out the cool picture on the Hohner site at http://www.hohner.de/index.php5?2771
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Oldwailer's Web Site
Always be yourself--unless you suck. . .
-Joss Whedon
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waltertore
2339 posts
Jun 14, 2012
5:16 AM
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I will definetely try the flex rack when it comes out. Walter
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walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year.
" life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
4,000+ of my songs
continuous streaming - 200 most current songs
my videos
Last Edited by on Jun 14, 2012 5:16 AM
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JInx
223 posts
Jun 14, 2012
7:26 AM
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! Flex rack looks nice!
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Sun, sun, sun
Burn, burn, burn
Soon, soon, soon
Moon, moon, moon
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Lazerface
29 posts
Jun 14, 2012
8:19 PM
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I use a lee oskar rack. It hold real nice, but i've just recently noticed that it has been puching the cover plates closer to the comb and closing up the back. I swapped some cover plates on my B special 20, as it was the worst victim...
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