Cyco
18 posts
Aug 04, 2012
10:31 PM
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I know the covers are plastic. Right? But are the reeds brass? Don't really care bout the case but 25 bucks for a decent case & set of donors sounds like a deal to me.What do you think?
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paulbunyn
30 posts
Aug 04, 2012
10:39 PM
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Too much,they can be found for less! I think I paid $15 for my set 3 yrs ago. Not worth more than that IMO. Case is fine. Give the harps to some small kids to play with/destroy.
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nacoran
6040 posts
Aug 05, 2012
2:33 AM
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The plastic tastes terrible until the gold paint wears off (thankfully that's only about 24 hours). The reeds are really thin, not the sort of thing you'd transplant into a good harp, but yeah, they are brass. That said, they aren't bad for experimenting with tweaking the insides on until you get past the oops, destroyed another reed stage. I actually had a couple good harps in the bunch. I had a D that played really nicely. The plastic covers make them pretty quiet, which, if you live with people who sleep at different times than you is useful, and the plastic, once the paint wears off, is actually really easy on the lips, so if you are clocking lots of practice time they won't tear you up. Basically though, you are paying for the case.
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Nate
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timeistight
764 posts
Aug 05, 2012
3:02 AM
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"The plastic tastes terrible until the gold paint wears off (thankfully that's only about 24 hours)."
You mean, "The plastic tastes terrible until you finish eating all the gold paint," right?
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CarlA
92 posts
Aug 05, 2012
8:25 AM
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Wow, this thread is like major deja vu
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nacoran
6041 posts
Aug 05, 2012
11:22 AM
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Timeistight, yeap, that's what it comes down to. It's a shame too, the gold paint is really pretty. I've actually sent an email complaining to Hohner about it. I really do like the feel of the plastic, all though the tone is too dampened. (I've thrown Piedmont covers on Sp20s, so it's not the reeds so much.) I suggested maybe they could coat regular covers with the plastic, and maybe open up the backs. I suspect that maybe the reflecting surface has to be hard to get a brighter sound (although it might be deadening the sound in other ways.)
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Nate
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Cyco
19 posts
Aug 05, 2012
10:10 PM
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Thanks for the replies. So the reeds are brass not plastic but thinner,physically, than normal.Ok for learning basic tweaking,but not donor parts or performance.
I know Piedmonts come up frequently but I couldn't remember if there was a specific thread. I'll play around with the search function & maybe save us all a little grief.
Think I'll wait till they are on sale or jus forget about them.
Last Edited by on Aug 06, 2012 8:52 AM
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norrin_radd
22 posts
Aug 07, 2012
8:07 AM
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After I bought a set of Piedmonts I found a similar set of with the BluesBands that I wish I would have gotten. I think they are a little better IMHO. And I believe the SP20 reedplates fit in them too. Just a thought.
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harpdude61
1517 posts
Aug 07, 2012
8:51 AM
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If you are the least bit serious about your playing and want to stick with Hohner.... Golden Melody, Marine Band, or Special 20 is where you should start. There are some cheaper that play pretty good, but once you begin to advance and learn new techniques...these harps make all the difference in the world.
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nacoran
6044 posts
Aug 07, 2012
9:15 AM
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norrin radd, I'd take Piedmonts over BluesBands most of the time. The BluesBand covers are really have lots of sharp edges (although you can practice opening up the backs on them). I think other than the covers they are the same harp.
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Nate
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paulbunyn
35 posts
Aug 07, 2012
9:51 AM
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I didn't like the piedmont covers, too rough. smooth plastic would have been fine i think. I still could not learn to bend on them and mine took SO MUCH air. got me breathing deeper tho.
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Cyco
20 posts
Aug 08, 2012
5:13 AM
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I have decent harmonica's to learn to play with.I'm looking for harmonica's in a price range where I wouldn't have heartburn opening up right away & start learning gapping,profiling,embossing etc. & possibly destroy in the process. So there is no sense in starting with top of the bottom line like Big River or say Blues Bender. But neither do I want bottom of the bottom line Piedmont or Chicago Blues. So I'm looking at 10-12 dollar range like Blues Rocker or maybe Old Standby.If I could find something in that price range with a wooden comb it'd be great.Probably not likely tho.Still looking & haven't decided yet.
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nacoran
6047 posts
Aug 08, 2012
6:49 AM
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Paulbunyn, I actually liked the Piedmont covers. I think smooth plastic would have actually caught my lip more. I think the slight roughness puts less of your lip in contact so it slides easier, sort of like a golf ball's dimples. It's funny how different things can feel so different tactility to different people.
Cyco, be careful at the low end on Hohner harps. A bunch of them are actually just the same harp with a different stamp on the cover. What you are paying for is a slightly better box. BluesBands come in cardboard, but a couple steps up gets you a plastic harmonica holder.
I haven't played them myself, but I actually have heard that the Chicago Blues can sound decent with some tinkering, but I don't remember who told me that, so take it with a grain of salt.
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Nate
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shadoe42
207 posts
Aug 08, 2012
6:52 AM
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@Cyco in that price range take a look at the susuki Folkmaster. They are a bit on the quiet side but I have found them overall to be better in sound and quality to the piedmonts or bluesbands
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The Musical Blades
My Electronic Music World
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Cyco
21 posts
Aug 08, 2012
8:25 AM
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shadoe42
Thanks,timing could not have been better.I was about to do something rash.Googled Folkmaster & I think they will fit the bill.Inexpensive,sound pretty good & should be easy to open & close.I wanted to avoid tweaking gap for instance & then trying to determine if I did something wrong or is it the cheap harmonica.Know what I mean? Didn't find a set so I ordered 3 A,Bb&C. Don't know the tuning yet but that's secondary. 44 bucks total I'm ok with that.
Again thanks.
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