Rgsccr
136 posts
Jan 13, 2013
12:19 AM
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Hi, I just got my first Crossover - key of A - and I am quite impressed. It sounded great out of the box (well, as great as I can make it sound). I'm not sure if it sounds noticeably better than the SP20s I play (with the backs opened, draw reeds flat sanded and custom wood combs), but it sounds good. I got it for $56 which makes the cost comparable to my SP20s with custom combs, and it does look a bit sturdier. Assuming I don't feel different down the road, I might want to replace SP20s with Crossovers as they wear out. So my question is this - are there any keys that harp players have had issues with? One reason I ask is I messed around with Manjis for a while last year, buying a C and D. The D was great from the get go, but the C was always sticky and tough to bend. I did try a little gapping but with no success (admittedly I didn't really know what I was doing). Plus, it may just have been a bad Manji in C. However, from time time, I see guys post comments on various harp brands, here and elsewhere, saying to avoid low(or high) keys so I wondered what guys thought. Thanks, Rich
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Kingley
2174 posts
Jan 13, 2013
12:29 AM
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The Crossover is pretty good across all keys. Like any harp though it's recommended that you gap it to your style when you get it. In my opinion Hohner has really started to get it's act together in the last few years. All of their mid priced harps play well out of the box these days.
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dmitrysbor
25 posts
Jan 13, 2013
12:49 AM
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I use harps from A to D from standart key set. I avoid to use lower and higher keys, which I treat as non convinient to play. Besides, I never use L,LL, H,HH etc which is even less convient.
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jim
1366 posts
Jan 13, 2013
4:20 AM
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To use low superlow keys, you MUST be able to repair them. Regardless of brand.
They all die rather soon.
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Free Harp Learning Center
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jiceblues
170 posts
Jan 13, 2013
6:29 AM
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JIM is right .Low keys are "exotic" .Most people use the common keys .
Keys i use :
A D C G F Bb and Eb (one song)& Low D ( one song )
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Rgsccr
137 posts
Jan 13, 2013
11:15 AM
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Thanks for the comments. Just to clarify, I normally use G,A, Bb, C, D, E, Eb, and F - no "low" harps. I was referring to these keys. As I mentioned, I am happy with the way my SP20s in these keys play with the minor tweaking I've done. Just wondering if anyone has had any issues with particular Crossover keys.
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FMWoodeye
539 posts
Jan 13, 2013
1:40 PM
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The Crossover is my harp of choice, having tried several other brands and models in different keys. I use the Special 20 for practice and the Crossover for "performance," and find I have no trouble switching back and forth, letting the Special 20 do the heavy lifting of practice regimens which are often repetitious and hard on certain reeds. From a pecuniary standpoint, it is less painful to replace the Special 20.
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groyster1
2124 posts
Jan 13, 2013
2:42 PM
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special 20 reedplates areso easy to replace even a caveman can do it....hopefully crossover and marine band deluxe will be the same....but hoping they will last and last.....they are pricey5
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MJ
551 posts
Jan 13, 2013
5:13 PM
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I have 4 Crossovers that I enjoy using. They are very responsive. The one drawback is when using them for minor key songs. I prefer the bass quality of the Sp 20 for the 1 draw over the Crossover,so much, I rarely use the Crossover on a minor key song.
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