mickil
147 posts
Apr 10, 2009
1:34 PM
|
A couple of weeks ago, I bought above mentioned harp on account of the fact that they are supposed to have sealed combs that eliminate swelling.
Two weeks down the line, I notice that the comb has swollen on the lower holes. I may may be stupid or even bl**dy stupid, but am I missing something?
This is not a cheap harp.
----------
'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
|
MrVerylongusername
235 posts
Apr 10, 2009
1:37 PM
|
They are still only partially sealed - I guess the few Euro cents that it'd cost Hohner to do the job properly is too much ;-(
|
mickil
149 posts
Apr 10, 2009
2:26 PM
|
It's unbelievable, isn't it? I love Hohner's sound, but no more MBs for me until they sort their act out.
----------
'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
|
Preston
271 posts
Apr 10, 2009
3:04 PM
|
To me it's a matter of perspective and expectations. I don't expect much out of an out of the box hohner, so I'm not let down.
As far as perspective goes, I LOVE to tinker, tweak, and modify these things. It is a hobby as much as playing the thing is. So if I bought one that was already awesome, I wouldn't get that quality time adjusting it.
I know this sounds weird, but after I've modified a harp, I feel a greater connection to it. It's not some instrument I bought at the music store, its one of my personal creations that there isn't another like in the world. Now it's unique.
|
mickil
151 posts
Apr 10, 2009
3:38 PM
|
Preston, that does make a lot of sense. Trouble is for me at the moment, I don't know how to do Hohner's job for them. But I do like MBs enough to maybe spend some time to work out this sealing thing. Although I shouldn't have to for a harp that costs that much.
----------
'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
|
wheezer
66 posts
Apr 11, 2009
3:54 AM
|
strange thing is that the wood comb on the MS blues harp
is very well sealed. Shame about the rest of the harp.
|
jbone
46 posts
Apr 11, 2009
5:12 AM
|
does that deluxe feature screwed down reed plates? i've never seen one. it it does it would not be a big job to pull the covers and plates and seal the comb. there are several methods, the one which i have used may not be recommended since it involves hot liquified beeswax, which can flash and cause serious burns. but there are other methods like food grade silicon.
point is, if you want to eliminate swelling, and you already spent the $, save this one harp and play it.
the hering 1923 is a sealed comb, for less $, but i found it far too easy to flat out a reed on the few i bought. to me they had a fairly short life for gigging.
|
Richharp
2 posts
Apr 11, 2009
9:37 AM
|
Hi,
I bought a MB once, and the comb swelled up after just 10 minuets of playing it. I can never understand why Hohner sell them like that, they must know about the problem, but yet let them be sold in shops.
It's disgracfull.
Rich.
|
Spl20
28 posts
Apr 11, 2009
10:08 AM
|
It's not that surprising after all they come with "razor blade" edges across the mouth piece! Ever notice the front of the harp doesn't have an edge. If theres a market that will buy it why make it better.
Maybe we should start a complaint blog or write hohner with 100's of email complaints. I don't know if ya'll saw the Ronnie Shellist YouTube complaint that Honher called him about.
1st Vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JedozxAdK9k
2nd vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j9Pz9Ii6kM
Deluxe, what makes it deluxe the Price!! Why can't a deluxe have smooth finish, completely sealed comb and better QA
|
mickil
153 posts
Apr 11, 2009
11:45 AM
|
@ wheezer: I didn't know that BHs were sealed. Fascinating, I might try one. Thinking about it, my friend has a pre-MS (I think) BH, and it seems fine. I think it's about 20 years old.
@jbone: Yeah sure, the reed plates are screwed down. One thing I've often thought about is how do you seal the bit it rests on while it dries. I know it may sound like a daft question, but I always imagined that the part that it rested on would not be sealed properly. I hope I worded that clearly.
@ Richharp: 'disgraceful'. I agree. 'Shameful' is the word that sprang to my mind. This harp costs a days' wages for some people, and for others a lot more. The least Hohner could do on their website is make it clear that the harp is only 'partially' sealed. Otherwise, what's the point in sealing the damn thing at all. It's a bit like building an 'almost airtight' space shuttle.
@ Spl20: you start the blog / complaint and I'll jump on board. In my view, Hohner are relying on / taking advantage of their historical position in the market, along with their fantastic sound, of course. But, it is, I think, misleading to advertise a harp as sealed and leave out the word 'partially'. I don't want a row with Hohner, I love their harps and I wish them well. But, they should be more open about what they're selling.
If anyone can adequately point out where I'm wrong in any of the above, I'll happily aquiesce with my tail between my legs.
----------
'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
|
Oisin
196 posts
Apr 11, 2009
2:18 PM
|
You know I've got to agree with you guys about Hohner but what really amazes me is when you see them advertising pro-harmonica consultants that have been involved in designing harps. Surely these guys know what makes a great harp? I suppose cost is the bottom line.
Do you think it would be possible to automate the things that Chris and others do to their custom harps, well maybe not automate but put those steps into a manufacturing process? I mean like embossing, gapping, reed arching and filing?
Oisin
|
rabbit
19 posts
Apr 11, 2009
5:16 PM
|
Re: Hohner Blues Harp MS
I've got one and the comb does not seem to be
sealed, simply resistant to water. Hasn't swollen
yet like my MB would have under similar use.
It is merely a nice harp, but a cheap way to try
fancier MS replacement reedplates, if I can ever
find a Pozidriv to dismantle it.
This link indicates the Blues Harp's comb is
made of a special wood ("African Dousie")
http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/HO532-E.htm
Last Edited by on Apr 11, 2009 5:18 PM
|
wheezer
67 posts
Apr 11, 2009
5:28 PM
|
Mickil. The pre MS, i.e. handmade Blues harps have the same unsealed comb as the Marine Band. It is only the MS ones that are sealed. Be wary though the MS ones can need a lot of work to get them playing well. Put N62KNM into youtube for more info.
|
jonsparrow
84 posts
Apr 11, 2009
6:56 PM
|
thanks to Ronnie Shellist, i did send back one of my MB harps that was so horrible out of the box an they did fix it for free an send it back an it plays nice now. hohner didnt seem to happy about it but they did it.
|
chromaticblues
4 posts
Apr 21, 2009
9:48 AM
|
Ronnie is correct USA hohner will warranty there harps. Just send them back to the Hohner USA warranty Dept. with a note stating the problem and they will fix it or replace it every time. I always state the problem as plesently as possible and within seven days every time I get new harps back!
I agree with Marine band short comings, but I also think that no other harp sounds as good as a good Marine Band. What alot of people have to remember is not everybody is good enough to make them sound good! OH it can't be me!!
|
