|
Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Need advice for my "B" stock harps
Need advice for my "B" stock harps
Page:
1
Philosofy
441 posts
Jan 04, 2013
9:19 PM
|
I've been working on my harmonica project for about a year. I've learned to mill my own brass combs. I made them for Manji reed plates, and put Suzuki Promaster covers on them. I made enough combs for two sets of harps. My "A" harps are all Manji reed plates, and F, C, G, D, A, E and Bb of my second set are Manji as well. But I don't want to spend as much money for keys I really won't be playing as much. Any suggestions which Suzuki reed plates I should get for the Ab, Db, F#, etc? This second set will be in my car for playing while driving, or if I hit a jam night while on the road. Should I go with the Folkmaster, Harpmaster, or Bluesmaster reed plates?
|
Kingley
2118 posts
Jan 05, 2013
6:04 AM
|
The first question I would ask is the reason why you want/need harps in those keys?
1. Is it just to have a full set?
2. How often do you play in those keys?
3. Can you cover those keys by playing in other positions?
4. Why spend money on harps that you won't use very often?
Personally I'd be tempted to simply stay with the keys G, A, Bb, C, D ,Eb and F. By learning to play the first three positions, you would have most keys covered with 7 harps. Here's a layout of the keys and positions.
!st 2nd 3rd
G D Am
A E Bm
Bb F Cm
C G Dm
D A Em
Eb Bb Fm
F C Gm
|
jbone
1159 posts
Jan 06, 2013
4:31 AM
|
Kingley has a good working list there, I would only add a low D and low F.
----------
http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
|
Joe_L
2307 posts
Jan 06, 2013
9:33 AM
|
I would add an E harp before collecting any low tuned harps. Having a full set is handy, but I never carry Ab, Db of F#. Never. I carry a pair of everything else.
----------
The Blues Photo Gallery
Last Edited by on Jan 06, 2013 9:34 AM
|
dougharps
313 posts
Jan 06, 2013
10:39 AM
|
Since you have already made the brass combs and like Suzuki harps, I would suggest just buying Manji plates. The Harpmaster/Bluesmaster reed plates are $27.75 and Manji are $31.50 at Rockin' Ron's. Why not use what you know works for you?
In the past I found Folkmasters to be marginally acceptable, but recently I was told that they are not as good as in the past. Bluesmasters or Harpmasters would probably serve (if you can make them work with your combs), but the price difference to buy Manji plates is not that great.
If I were starting over buying the seldom played keys, I would buy low F# before the regular (high) F#. I have both high and low F# now, and I like the low F# better except for the occasional really fast song. And since most bands don't tune down, I don't use them a lot. If a band tunes down a half step you need the F# harp to take the place of the G you would normally use (B for the C harp, Db for the D harp, Ab for the A harp).
In my opinion, if you regularly sit in with bands that tune down a half step or if you plan to do studio work you will need to have all the keys of harps. After I have those I'd consider getting low F for the lower range, and maybe a high G to enable fast playing on jump blues or bluegrass (if you play these).
When you gig it is good to have backups in the keys you will use. I suppose that is why you made two sets of combs. You might consider having one set include the high keys and one set include the low keys of F, F#, and G. That way you have high and low harps, but can use them as backup harps as well.
If you don't plan on studio work or playing with bands/guitarists who tune down a half step, then I totally agree with Joe L's advice. You don't need those "odd" keys.
I consider Eb, Bb, F, C, G, D, A, and E as the minimal set I would bring if I might sit in with friends, or go to a jam. Five harps, F through A, will cover most circumstances, but if you are playing horn based songs, Eb and Bb are pretty necessary. An E can come in handy for some soul/blues songs in B.
----------
Doug S.
|
Philosofy
442 posts
Jan 06, 2013
1:25 PM
|
Thanks, Doug. My primary set has a high G and low F. I don't usually need the odd keys, but I have run into situations where the band was tuned down a half step. I'll probably go with Manji all the way, but will wait a little while. I also want to get the most used keys in my primary set customized.
|
Lyle
9 posts
Jan 06, 2013
9:03 PM
|
I think it's good to have all 12 keys cause you never know when you just might need them. I use Ab and Db a lot with the musicians I play with. And Eb for Bb in 2nd position.
Last Edited by on Jan 06, 2013 9:03 PM
|
Post a Message
|
