rbeetsme
1017 posts
Jan 04, 2013
5:27 AM
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Ten years ago I would have said that harmonicas weren't very durable, but they were cheap so you bought back-ups. Today we have a rejuvenated Seydel, Hohner has retooled, Suzuki and the all of the major brands have introduced new models. I haven't tried a lot of the new harps. What harps are considered not only good players out of the box but also durable today? (with rising prices, a consideration)
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HarpNinja
3049 posts
Jan 04, 2013
5:46 AM
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I have had zero issues with Hohner handmade, Seydel steel, and Suzuki phosphorus bronze.
The steel will stay in tune the longest, but when they drop, the reed needs to be replaced.
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Custom Harmonicas
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mlefree
75 posts
Jan 04, 2013
10:54 AM
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1) If you treat a harmonica well by ~not~ blowing hard but instead "breathing" through it, most decent quality harps will last a good while.
2) Learning to set the gap of the reeds will allow you to play the harp in your style (playing softly through it) instead of having to "force" notes to play the way you want them to. When you start to be limited by the instrument you will then be ready to buy a custom Quicksilver harp from Fugazzi. Until then, check these videos on adjusting your reeds by another master harp tech, Joe Spiers:
http://youtu.be/Rh79GaDVmC8
And, keep playing!
Michelle
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Kingley
2112 posts
Jan 04, 2013
10:49 AM
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Rick - I'd say all the mid priced Hohners are good these days, Marine Band Classic, Deluxe, Crossover, Special 20 and Golden Melody. The Suzuki Manji seems to get good reports as does the Seydel 1847. I've never played either of them myself, so can't really comment.
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tookatooka
3165 posts
Jan 04, 2013
12:01 PM
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When I started playing in 2007, my weapon of choice was the Suzuki BluesMaster. I found I was getting through reedplates fairly quickly (All 4 draw problems). Most of my problems, I am sure, were due to learning to bend, I couldn't get it out of my head that you really needed to suck that note down deep. Since I've progressed and seen the error of my ways I haven't destroyed a reedplate over the past three years.
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Bart Leczycki
72 posts
Jan 04, 2013
3:35 PM
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I have theory about this :o)
Harmonica durability = reeds material + key of harp + knowledge and skills of musician + style of music + comfort on the stage (bad monitors or LOUD guitarist) + "destiny" factor :o)
Friend of my made short experiment: he took one expensive harmonica and killed it very very fast (about 20 minutes). So in my opinion breath control is the most important thing.
Warm regards
==============================
www.bleczycki.com
Last Edited by on Jan 04, 2013 3:38 PM
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snakes
689 posts
Jan 04, 2013
4:23 PM
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I have a complete set of Suzuki Firebreaths (13 total including the low F) that I've been playing for a few years now and have only had to replace the reeds on one harp if I remember correctly. It was my key of A which is my oldest and most played key. Still love those Firebreaths as far as OOB harps go.
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snakes in Snohomish
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groyster1
2117 posts
Jan 04, 2013
4:48 PM
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blew out a 5draw recently on a suzuki folksmaster from the 45draw hang.....rare for me to do....less breath force is key
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rbeetsme
1019 posts
Jan 04, 2013
6:46 PM
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As a disciple of Barbecue Bob, I agree that proper technique is critical and that good breath control will prolong the life of a harp. However, I think as a whole we are seeing a higher quality product than we had even a few years ago. I remember in the 60's and early 70's motorcycles were a bit of a crap shoot. There were some great bikes and some real losers, but most riders needed some basic mechanical and riding skills to keep them on the road. Today, there really are no bad bikes. The buying decision is more about riding preference than build quality. I hope we've reached that point with harps.
Last Edited by on Jan 04, 2013 6:48 PM
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Thievin' Heathen
125 posts
Jan 05, 2013
9:29 AM
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If durability is your first priority, I have been playing the same Lee Oskars for about 25 years with only the occasional reed plate change. I know, at times, I hit them hard.
I don't think durability should be the first priority. Reed response, tuning and sound/tone is where I think my brand to brand preferences lie. There is a lot to be said for replaceable reed plates.
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MP
2635 posts
Jan 05, 2013
1:58 PM
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i agree w/ Kingley,
"Rick - I'd say all the mid priced Hohners are good these days, Marine Band Classic, Deluxe, Crossover, Special 20 and Golden Melody. The Suzuki Manji seems to get good reports as does the Seydel 1847. I've never played either of them myself, so can't really comment."
though i don't own a Manji. just a matter of time- i do know a very hard player whom has had his Manji for a few years w/ no failure. i fix his harps. his Firebreath, seems indestructible.
i rarely see 1847s in need of anything more than a slight tune-up.
Seydel Blues Soloist Pros are set up nice OOB as a rule. i think as that a result, folks kill them. but then, that doesn't explain other well set up OOB harps that last longer.
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MP
affordable reed replacement and repairs.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
click user name [MP] for info-
repair videos on YouTube.
you can reach me via Facebook. Mark Prados
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rbeetsme
1022 posts
Jan 05, 2013
3:23 PM
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MP, interesting that the Firebreath rates high. I bought 5 Pure Harps when they were introduced (got a good deal) within 2 months 2 were unplayable. I don't play hard either. Suzuki never responded to my complaints. At the time, these were among the most expensive diatonics available. I believe they use the same reedplates. I also found them to be unresponsive and not very loud. Later replaced all five with another brand reedplate.
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MP
2637 posts
Jan 06, 2013
1:05 PM
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rbeetsme,
"MP, interesting that the Firebreath rates high. I bought 5 Pure Harps when they were introduced (got a good deal) within 2 months 2 were unplayable."
well, that beats me:) i really don't play Suzukis enough to comment any further than saying a VERY hard player has a Firebreath that stiil works.
what gets me is how fast a brass reed Seydel can eat it. After the first three or four ? reeds the Seydels have very different reed and slot sizing than Hohners
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MP
affordable reed replacement and repairs.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
click user name [MP] for info-
repair videos on YouTube.
you can reach me via Facebook. Mark Prados
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groyster1
2120 posts
Jan 06, 2013
1:31 PM
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lee oskars are like a sherman tank...very durable but they dont hold a candle to hohner and suzuki in toneIMHO
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Thievin' Heathen
126 posts
Jan 06, 2013
8:04 PM
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I am experimenting with other combs and tunings on my LO's.
It may be too late. Between the Shure mics, Peavey amps and LO harps, I may be stuck with the way I sound.
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Martin
197 posts
Jan 07, 2013
5:47 AM
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Some of us blow out harps frequently. I´ve been playing a long time and have not managed to make any significant technique adjustments, despite attempts, in that department. It´s not simply that we are huffing and puffing indiscriminately, which could be a beginer´s problem, but maybe seek expressiveness with a bit of a harder attack.
The only wisdom I´ve gathered is:
1)practise on cheap but playable harps.
2)Individual differences between harmonicas are considerable, and perhaps more decisive than between brands.
3)LO harps have declined in quality -- but still make a good buy due to the availability of replacement reeds. (But OB´s and OD´s are a real problem if you use them.)
4) Surprisingly, for me, some Huang harps have held up for a very long time, and proved to be really worhtwhile investments.
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HawkeyeKane
1345 posts
Jan 07, 2013
7:17 AM
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Ironically enough, and agreeing with Martin's last point, I've found that one of the most durable, long-lasting OOTB harps available today is the Huang Silvertone Deluxe. A lot of folks don't like them because they tend to be somewhat leaky. But I've bought several now and used them on a regular gigging basis, and I have to say, they have good tone, they hold up well to abuse, and they don't blow out for a LONG time. My Marine Bands, SP20's, MS harps, and Seydel Sessions never seem to last as long as a Silvertone. Suzuki Folkmasters used to be great economic harps that were durable and well built. But since they moved production of them from Japan to China, they feel fragile, sound tinny, have almost zero bendability, and choke out regularly. I really don't like them anymore.
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Jan 07, 2013 7:17 AM
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barbequebob
2161 posts
Jan 07, 2013
7:56 AM
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LO seems to have declined, but in reality, everyone else's quality has improved enough to make you think that way. It still boils down to personal playing technique and habits more than anything else.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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Sarge
289 posts
Jan 07, 2013
8:31 AM
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I agree with Hawkeye on the Huang silvertone. I've had one for 6 years and it still plays great. I stays in my fishing bucket,it's exposed to all sorts of temperature changes, moisture, etc. I play it a lot. I also have an old Huang back pac harp that's still going. My main set of harps are seydels.
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Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives alone.
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rbeetsme
1026 posts
Jan 07, 2013
1:01 PM
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It sounds like everyone is pretty happy with present day harps, durability is no longer a big issue. Go out and buy a motorcycle and a harp!
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Kingley
2141 posts
Jan 07, 2013
1:04 PM
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"Go out and buy a motorcycle and a harp!"
Two of the finest things in life!
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