CarlA
171 posts
Nov 25, 2012
5:11 AM
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Just wondering what others opinions are on these harps. I am thinking about buying a couple extra harps, and heard so many good things about each of these. But, if you had to pick between the two, which model would you choose?
-Carl
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arzajac
899 posts
Nov 25, 2012
6:55 AM
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It depends on you. What are your preferences and playing style?
They are both the same grade out-of-the-box harp.
They are both tuned to compromise tuning, but the Manji if a little closer to ET and the Crossover is a little more closer to favoring smooth chords.
The Crossover uses Marine Band reeds. The Manji uses Suzuki phosphate-bronze. They sound and play differently. Which one your prefer can't be decided over the internet.
I think the question here is not which one you should buy, but why can you buy only one?
It's not a marriage where you will make a choice and have to stay committed to one brand of harp for the rest of your life. And this is not the last harmonica you will ever buy, either.
Unless the world is about to end. Do you know something we don't?
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the_happy_honker
140 posts
Nov 25, 2012
7:49 AM
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They are both very good harps. I think those who play Suzukis (Harpmaster, Promaster, etc.) will like the Manji best, and those who like Marine Bands will be satisfied with the Crossover.
Crossovers are very bright and demand a lot of attention to embouchure and hand technique to get the right sound. I think the MB Deluxes are just as good for less money.
Manjis have a reputation for being overblow-friendly, but I have had to to do a lot of fiddling on mine (6 Manjis) to get them responding well. I have had much better luck with Promasters, actually. But that may be an opinion not shared by many.
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Frank
1476 posts
Nov 25, 2012
7:54 AM
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If that's the case, then I would reccomend getting a Crossover - you may as well try the best before you parish!
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Thievin' Heathen
86 posts
Nov 25, 2012
8:02 AM
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The world will end tomorrow. I am certain of it.
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Frank
1478 posts
Nov 25, 2012
8:21 AM
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I'm not a bettin man T'H...but,I'll bet you a new CrossOver it does'nt :)
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messy ventura
36 posts
Nov 25, 2012
9:11 AM
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I've been playing primarily XO's and 1847's in my short ( 14 mos ) length of learning harp. I recently purchased a Manji. I love the tone and I love the comb. It is a beautiful harp and has a great feel to it also. Not quite as responsive on the 1 & 2 draw as my XO's IMO. Seems to take a bit more effort airwise on those two holes. A little gapping may solve this. I don't do OB's yet. Both are great OTB harps but at this point I prefer my XO's. If you can afford it try one of each. Different strokes fer different folks.
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STME58
297 posts
Nov 25, 2012
9:30 AM
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I have a couple of each and they are both great harps.
I have a Manji in D and A and Crossover in D and E. I know key matters so I wanted to try both in the same key. If i were going to play something slow and melodic I would go for the Manji, fast and brash, the Crossover. I have been working on some 40's big band horn lines and the Crossover seems well suited to this.
I have not tweaked any of them. I can get more overblows in the Crossover than the Manji but as my technique improves it is getting easier on all harps.
Don't fret too much over which to buy. They are both great harps.
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FMWoodeye
487 posts
Nov 25, 2012
9:32 AM
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Having tried both, I prefer the Crossover. I practice on Special 20s and save the Crossovers for "performance" situations. I have no problem switching back and forth, even mid-tune.
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HarveyHarp
397 posts
Nov 25, 2012
10:14 AM
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Neither. In about 10 minutes, I am going to put a special on for sale page.
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HarveyHarp
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TheoBurke
206 posts
Nov 25, 2012
12:12 PM
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The Manji, I think, is the most over-hyped and over rated harmonica that has been released in the last few years. The two I have, a C and a Bflat, are both disappointing. The C performs well enough, but the only real advantage over other harmonicas is that the high registers are easily bendable, very malleable. Other wise, it has a stiff, shrill sound, very cold. The Bflat is all but unplayable; sluggish, tired, unresponsive. I have read very long topic thread here and else where about post-purchase tweaks and modifications to perform to make the Manji come up to snuff, but for me that defeats the purpose and expectation of purchasing a widely and positively reviewed instrument. No one, I think, should have to do that much work to make a fifty dollar harmonica merely playable. I do not recommend the instrument.
My experience with the Marine Band Crossover, though, is very positive, with the keys C and Bflat again. On each instrument the notes are clear , easily bendable, with a a malleability that makes creating of dynamics , tones, chords easy and rewarding. The lows are solid and moaning, the mid range is conversational and sensationally expressive,and the high registers are bright, incredibly responsive to expressive bends. I recommend the Crossovers without hesitation.
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Ted Burke
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-VPUDjK-ibQ&feature=relmfu
http://ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.co,
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Gnarly
412 posts
Nov 25, 2012
1:00 PM
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Hi Theo, contact Daron at Suzuki and I will make your Manjis better--we want you to be happy (especially if you are going to post to the Internet 8))
I like the Olive better than the Manji.
I haven't tried the Crossover, would like to, but have more harmonicas than money.
I am really liking my SP20 with a Hetrick comb--
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Joe_L
2176 posts
Nov 25, 2012
1:28 PM
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I've had a couple of Manji's. I really like them. They are great!
I've got a Crossover on back order. I've managed to accumulate nearly a complete set of Marine Band Deluxe harmonicas on amazon for less than $35/each. They are great, too.
If the prices were equal, I would go with the Manji's. I really like replaceable reed plates at a lower cost than a complete harmonica.
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SuperBee
675 posts
Nov 25, 2012
2:38 PM
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For me the Manji is a mixed bag. I love the size and I love the covers. If I was primarily a lip blocker I think I probably would like the comb too.
The crossover has a much nicer comb, for me. I've got my tongue on the comb a lot, and I cringe a little at the manji comb.
And I prefer the feel of the hohner reeds. Not that there is anything wrong with Suzuki reeds, they just feel different and require a slight adjustment in my approach, a tiny bit more effort on the attack it seems. It's not better or worse, just different and I prefer the hohner, probably because I'm used to it.
So I play crossover/deluxe/1896...but if I could only get manji I wouldn't be too sad
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CarlA
172 posts
Nov 25, 2012
5:46 PM
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Just ordered a Manji d online and will pickup a crossover tomorrow from guitar center. I'll let you guys know how it goes. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to comment and share their experiences.
Thanks again!
-Carl
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Jehosaphat
355 posts
Nov 25, 2012
5:49 PM
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I have only bought one Manji and one Crossover.
The Manji is in the drawer where i put it.
Didnt suit me at all
The Crossover is a great harp.I did have to gap some of the reeds.
Great tone and has that old Hohner 'bark'.
I will be getting a few more.
A friend likes the Manji better though so it really an individual thing.
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Destin
38 posts
Nov 25, 2012
6:48 PM
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To me the biggest difference is the size of the cover plates, the manji is more like a special 20 and the crossover is like a marine band
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
1413 posts
Nov 25, 2012
8:23 PM
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I've heard a lot of comments on the Manji. What I gather is some are great. Some are not. I get the same impression from Manjis I have personally played and worked on.
The problem is really simple.The combs aren't flat. Most harmonicas that are hit-and-miss in one way or another have some kind of leakage between the comb and reedplate mating. The reason it's hit and miss is, if the undulations are in the right places, they don't cause leaks. If they are in the wrong places, they leak.
Matt Smart has pulled me out of retirement and into a mere semi-retirement. That actually hasn't been announced much yet and maybe I'm spilling some early beans here, but I am doing some stuff for Matt, bluesifying Concertos, optimizing chromatics and Session steels and Manjis. On the Seydels, they are generally already made and ready to go, but on the Manjis you mail them in.
Harmonica Upgrade Program
____________________
At the time of his birth, it was widely accepted that no one man could play that much music so well or raise that much hell. He proved them all wrong.
R.I.P. H. Cecil Payne
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David
Elk River Harmonicas
 
Last Edited by on Nov 25, 2012 8:30 PM
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jbone
1117 posts
Nov 25, 2012
9:45 PM
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i am establishing a home for unwanted Manjis. i promise they will be well cared for and have a place in society for all their days. just send them on to me and sleep well knowing you have done a good deed for your unwanted harp.
i am a big fan. aside from a superior comb that most wood or plastic- which both have drawbacks imo- the reeds are durable and never become misaligned. tuning they suit my style well. volume is among the best of any production harp i've ever played. a raw and brash tone is what i like as well and they have this.
hohner lost me some years ago so if they can't get it more together i will just not buy their glorified MB for any price.
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jiceblues
103 posts
Nov 26, 2012
4:42 AM
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I didn't try a manji , but i tried some LO's ( not good , not bad ) one bluesmaster ( leaky , poor quality) a promaster ( leaky , the comb had some scratches , but it was an old one ) , so , i was disappointed with japanese harps .I don't like the tuning , too .Crossover and mbd's i tried are very good harps , but i think SP20 is the most reliable and all purpose harp (workingman's harp ) .When i want to play mostly single notes ( not the "roots" style , i grab a BH with custom comb .
I think HOHNER is superior : my 2 cents .
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groyster1
2081 posts
Nov 26, 2012
8:06 AM
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I love sp20s because they are ALWAYS airtight...the 1 crossover I bought was not as good as the marine band deluxes ootb....chromatic tweaked the crossover...best harp I own...the 3 manjis I own were before price increase...they were all superior to the crossover ootb...but not the mbds...
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Gnarly
417 posts
Nov 26, 2012
8:34 AM
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There is a little brand favoritism evident here. My experience is that EVERY HARP IS DIFFERENT despite efforts toward quality control (and I work for Suzuki, QC became part of my role for that last batch of UltraBends--they were all fine).
I also think that every player should be able to do simple things to improve their harp--practice on your old broken ones.
I saved every harp I ever played, and it paid off when I wanted to start working on them. It took many years to reach that point--I did a little tuning before I leapt in with both feet.
Some folks think the Suzukis are superior. I know they try to make the best quality harp they can, and I am particularly impressed with their chromatics.
I play SP20s routinely, but do not find that they are ALWAYS airtight. Bear in mind that the Suzukis do not have rivets per se, and that has to make them more airtight--the draw reed plate fits flush against the comb.
Last Edited by on Nov 26, 2012 8:36 AM
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jiceblues
104 posts
Nov 26, 2012
10:46 AM
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Have your SP20's rivets ?
Well , i guess they are quite old...
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HarpNinja
2927 posts
Nov 26, 2012
12:51 PM
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Payne,
You are now on double-secret probation for the leak. I am now watching Matt watch you watch the Seydels.
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Mike
OOTB Harmonica Price List
VHT Special 6 Mods
Note Layout Comparisons
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas (Updated 10/25/12)
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HarpNinja
2928 posts
Nov 26, 2012
12:52 PM
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My vote is Crossover, but if you are patient, you can get great results with the Manji. The sweet spot for gapping is different.
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Mike
OOTB Harmonica Price List
VHT Special 6 Mods
Note Layout Comparisons
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas (Updated 10/25/12)
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bluzlvr
497 posts
Nov 26, 2012
1:05 PM
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I had a 15% off coupon for Black Friday at Guitar Center, so I headed over there and picked up my first Crossover (in A). I really like the the harp and I really like the Manji also. To me it's apples and oranges. I just have an issue with all the packaging that comes with the Crossover. Maybe they could cut down on the price of the harp by eliminating some of the excess packaging...
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myspace
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logenough
5 posts
Nov 26, 2012
11:54 PM
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I love Marine Bands. That is why I choose Crossover.
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LIP RIPPER
642 posts
Nov 28, 2012
4:44 AM
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Dave, you are on the money. I just got a Manji Hi G last night. I preffered the Crossover but it was on B/O and $75. I found a close out on the Manji for $40. It did not play worth a darn. So, I got out my parallel blocks and some sand paper. Gee's this comb was awful. I could not believe my eyes. It took a lot to get it flat. After that I adjusted the gaps and it is a complete different animal. Frankly, out of the box it played like a cheap toy harp. The 10 blow was practically non existant.
Last Edited by on Nov 28, 2012 4:46 AM
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Littoral
659 posts
Nov 28, 2012
5:26 AM
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till 12/5: (from his site)
Rockin Rons, New special: Order a Suzuki Manji and a Hohner Crossover any key and we will take $5.00 off each. This is a great way to see which harp you think is best.
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Rick Davis
923 posts
Nov 28, 2012
7:22 AM
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I use both Manji and Crossover harps. I prefer the Crossovers.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
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nacoran
6232 posts
Nov 28, 2012
10:23 AM
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If anyone thinks the world will end in Dec, I've got an offer for you... I'll give you a dollar a harp, right now, and you can send me the harp bright and early in the new year! Call it apocalypse mad money. If the world ends, you got a few bucks to buy drinks before it all goes south, and if it doesn't, I've got a bunch of new cheap harps! It's win-win, well, except for the world ending thing! :)
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Nate
Facebook
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Pistolcat
336 posts
Nov 28, 2012
11:25 AM
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I have gone at it the wrong way I think: The second harp I got was a XO which was nice so I got another one. I then tried MB, Promaster and MBD as well as LO:s. The LO:s were crap. The Promaster was crap. But the MBD really had me going. Then I tried some SP20 that I thought was ok but still favoured the MBD:s. But now I prefer the Sp20 for blues at least. It got a dirty "fussy" tone where MBD is more chimey. Now I just need to try a Spiers SP20. :)
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Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
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CarlA
175 posts
Nov 29, 2012
12:20 PM
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UPDATE!!
Just received my manji from Amazon 10 minutes ago. Because I am mostly a sp20 guy, I will make my comparison based on this model.
Sp 20:
Packaging- very basic grey snap case
Feel- doesn't have the "toy" feel that some harps have, relatively good construction and ergonomic feel
Playability- smooth as oil, bends are a breeze on the lower/upper register
Closed back- allow for less volume, but this is neither here nor there
Price-at about 30 usd, this is a tough harp to beat
Susuki Manji:
Packaging- "tiger-like" markings on the case and the comb, this harp is cool as heck! Kinda reminds me of a "ligar"!
Feel- the harp looks cool. Open backs definitely make it louder than the sp2. I am not too fussed about the ridge on the lip of the cover plates. Kinda digs into your fingers. Overall a solid construction!
Playability- lovely on the high register. A total and complete POS otherwise. Like everyone else mentioned, 2-3 draw are useless.
My $5 hohner "pocket pal" plays superiorly to this $65 dollar monstrosity!
Price- speaking about price, at twice the price of a stock sp 20, and for $40 more to get a joe spiers sp 20, Susuki should be ashamed of themselves. I already threw the harp into the garbage bin, 5 minutes after receiving it in the post.
Conclusion: everyone who warned me to stay away is laughing right now, and deservingly so. All those who say that with tweaking the manji is a great harp, I must argue. To pay $65 for a harmonica that is unplayable is a real shame.
I think I'll stick to my sp 20 from now on.
-Carl
Last Edited by on Nov 29, 2012 12:22 PM
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HarpNinja
2936 posts
Nov 29, 2012
12:42 PM
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Carl,
Dig the Manji out and send it to me. I can trade/pay you for it.
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Mike
OOTB Harmonica Price List
VHT Special 6 Mods
Note Layout Comparisons
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas (Updated 10/25/12)
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SuzukiDaron
31 posts
Nov 29, 2012
12:42 PM
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@ CarlA:
If you can find that Manji, please give us a call at (800) 854-1594. All Suzuki harmonicas come with a one year warranty, and we would be happy to fix whatever may be wrong with your Manji.
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-Daron Stinton
SUZUKI MUSIC USA
Got a question about a Suzuki Harp?
Call (800) 854-1594, or e-mail harmonicas@suzukicorp.com
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1847
388 posts
Nov 29, 2012
1:26 PM
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a bought a set
A B C D E F G
played them a bit, put them away
they just didnt sound right
so i take them back out and check the tuning
they were not even close
not et not just not comprised
just flat out of tune
this is not a problem,
no special tools are required
i actually enjoyed the process
now that they are in tune i can comment
"first of all i love the comb"
not too crazy about the cover plates
several have been replaced with
bends juke coverplate which is hands down a favorite
much stronger!
the reeds have a very tight tolerance
very good action very little breath force is required
the reed plate seems a bit thin
it will bend if not careful
overall seems like this harp will last a good long time
not thrill with the tone when playing it by itself
but it cuts thru when playing with a band
looks like they have tremendous cust. service
it's not going to replace any seydel's
but it's good to have a back up
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Gnarly
419 posts
Nov 30, 2012
12:42 AM
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Hi Carl--
How do you really feel?
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jiceblues
114 posts
Nov 30, 2012
3:27 AM
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Never had an issue with a SP20 .You take it OOTB , you play , and that's all .
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gmacleod15
186 posts
Nov 30, 2012
5:30 PM
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I am a Susuki fan, however I also have a Bb Manji that sits in box for similar reason as described above. I have just emailed Susuki as per Daron's suggestion.
To be fair I have other key Manjis that work fine.
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
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Fingers
222 posts
Dec 01, 2012
6:43 AM
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I put Hetrick diamondwood combs in all my Manjis!
re-gapped them and the play great now! the A is fast becoming a go to harp loud bright and raspy! a bonus on an A.
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Frank
1523 posts
Dec 01, 2012
7:05 AM
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So there you have it folks - The Hohner CROSSOVER seems to have won the opinion poll, congratulations!
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CarlA
177 posts
Dec 02, 2012
9:40 AM
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"HarpNinja
2936 posts
Nov 29, 2012
12:42 PM Carl,
Dig the Manji out and send it to me. I can trade/pay you for it.
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Mike
OOTB Harmonica Price List
VHT Special 6 Mods
Note Layout Comparisons
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas (Updated 10/25/12)"
@Mike(Harpninja)
Email me your details and I'll send it out to you for free. Thanks,
Cansara1@yahoo.com
-Carl
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yonderwall
43 posts
Dec 02, 2012
9:51 AM
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@HarpNinja, after you receive Carl's Manji, and get a chance to look it over with a customizer's eye, it would be very beneficial to many of us (and would certainly provide an informative closure to this thread) if you could let us know what you find to be wrong. I, for one, would certainly appreciate it. Thanks!
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
1428 posts
Dec 02, 2012
1:13 PM
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Yonder, it's going to be the same thing that's wrong on all the ones that don't play well (see my post and Lip Ripper) above.
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David
____________________
At the time of his birth, it was widely accepted that no one man could play that much music so well or raise that much hell. He proved them all wrong.
R.I.P. H. Cecil Payne
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David
Elk River Harmonicas
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daijoubu
9 posts
Dec 02, 2012
3:59 PM
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After reading this, I'm glad I went with the Promaster instead of the Manji for my second harp. I'll have to look at a Crossover for the next one.
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Rob
Six Eight Time
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CarlA
178 posts
Dec 02, 2012
4:28 PM
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@David
If its primarily a defect in the comb, why is the problem almost always occurring on the 2-3 draw with most of the manjis, especially the 3draw on my Manji?
Last Edited by on Dec 02, 2012 4:30 PM
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Jehosaphat
364 posts
Dec 02, 2012
7:14 PM
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@ Carl
Thats the exact same problem i had with my one and only Manji
Shame about it is i loved the look and the heft of the manji but....
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
1430 posts
Dec 02, 2012
7:20 PM
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@Carl, that's where leakiness hurts.
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David
____________________
At the time of his birth, it was widely accepted that no one man could play that much music so well or raise that much hell. He proved them all wrong.
R.I.P. H. Cecil Payne
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David
Elk River Harmonicas
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rbeetsme
943 posts
Dec 03, 2012
5:13 AM
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Gnarly, since when did Suzuki care about customer service? I bought 5 Pure harps when they first came out, played ok, but not very responsive, then 2 went flat in a few weeks. I complained to Suzuki but no one ever responded. (Have you seen the price of Pure Harps? Big Bucks)
I finally replaced all of the Pure reedplates with Delta Frost plates, BIG improvement! I was a Suzuki fan too, have a full set of Promasters. Since then, Hohner re-tooled and is producing a great harp at a fair price. Won't buy anymore Suzukis, too expensive, no support.
Last Edited by on Dec 03, 2012 5:19 AM
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1847
389 posts
Dec 03, 2012
9:54 AM
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the manji is super air tight
their are no rivets to cause an air leak
it is held together with 8 screws
it plays as well as my harrison harmonica
the problem i have with it is what
theoburke said it has a cold shrill sound to it
still waiting on my crossover
12-12-12 is coming up fast
who all ordered one on special?
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