hvyj
2476 posts
Jun 21, 2012
9:59 AM
|
I bought Olives in G, C and D on closeout from Harmonicas and Stuff. Wow--really nice instruments. The G is crisp and responsive and since the D is long slot (all Olives in all keys are long slot)it has a nice rich tone and smooth response. Response in all keys is precise and tone and response is very even across all registers.
Suzuki Daron tells me Olives are tuned ET. Very nice harmonicas. I'm impressed.
|
barbequebob
1945 posts
Jun 21, 2012
10:28 AM
|
They're long slot reeds, which gives them a noticeably fatter overal tone than most Asian made harps plus their slot tolerances are much tighter than nearly everyone else's are (with the new Hohner stock and the Seydel 1847 closely behind), tho not evenremotely close to that of the stuff from the very best customizers. The reeds are exactly the same as what's used in the Manji and the Fabulous and the only difference in tuning between the Manji and the Olive is that Manji comprimise has hols 2-5-8 blow and 3-7 draw tuned just 5 cents flat, and everything else is at ET.
----------
Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
|
the_happy_honker
122 posts
Jun 21, 2012
10:30 AM
|
It sounds to me like a Firebreath with a Manji comb. Yet another harp in the Promaster/Hammond/Firebreath vein. I wonder how is the Olive different from these others (besides a significant jump in price)?
|
hvyj
2477 posts
Jun 21, 2012
10:52 AM
|
Different reeds and reedplates from the Firebreath (Firebreath is not long slot). Plays better than the Manji I have and the comb seems nicer. More precise and more even response than Manji/Firebreath/Promaster and close to if not as good as Hammond. Mellower, more even and fatter tone than Promaster/Firebreath. Not quite as crisp as Hammond. Not quite as loud as Hammond.
Of these harps I like Hammonds the best, but Olives are a close second. Very consistent tone and response across the registers in every key I've played.
Last Edited by on Jun 21, 2012 11:12 AM
|
MP
2305 posts
Jun 21, 2012
1:02 PM
|
"that Manji comprimise has hols 2-5-8 blow and 3-7 draw tuned just 5 cents flat, and everything else is at ET."
thanks Bob! Good to know these things.
----------
MP
affordable reed replacement and repairs.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
click user name for info-
|
hvyj
2486 posts
Jun 23, 2012
11:27 AM
|
Update: Tried my new Olives a little bit on a gig. Quickly went back to playing the customs I have from Mike Fugazzi and Joe Spiers.
BUT, the response, projection and cut on the low keys (A and G) is outstanding. And while I still prefer my Hammonds (which i carry as back ups) over the Olives, on the Olives it's easier to control the bends--especially on the 3 hole draw, probably because of the long slot reeds. The Olives are VERY nice harmonicas.
Last Edited by on Jun 23, 2012 11:29 AM
|
bonedog569
545 posts
Jun 23, 2012
1:13 PM
|
You dirty dog - I called five minuites after you and missed the deal. "someone just called and took all of them".
That'll teach me to do the "honey do" favor before takn care of bidness.
I did get one from Rockin Ron though. Manji with a green hammond coverplate. I think I am with you on the general assesment. I favor the hammond by a bit - though the it's a darker tone than the harps with manji plates.
----------
|
hvyj
2490 posts
Jun 23, 2012
2:12 PM
|
You know, I have a Manji and I don't like it anywhere near as well as i do the Olive. Personally, I also happen to like the darker tone of the Hammonds, but I certainly wouldn't characterize the Olive tone as being bright.
The Manji sounds much brighter than the Olive to my ear. I think that's probably because of the vented covers. But I also think the Olive sounds smoother and has better and more even response than the Manji I've got. And, of course, the Manji is not ET.
I tend to prefer ET harps with full length unvented covers anyway, and the Olive has those characteristics. And the combs seem nicer than the Manji combs. I swapped out the Manji comb for a custom comb, but i have no inclination to replace the combs on the Olives I have. The Olives all have very consistent tone and response across the registers.
Last Edited by on Jun 23, 2012 2:21 PM
|
