Bonehed
6 posts
Apr 26, 2013
6:46 AM
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Would someone list the harps that have recessed combs? I am legally blind and cannot tell which harps have this condition from pictues, ads, websites. Local music store doesn't have other than the basic Hohner to physically inspect. Bought Manji(s)...love the tone but not the comb.
Reordered Herings and found out, on arrival, that the comb
has been changed. Waste of $$.
Would love to try out some of the "more money" harps but....
THX
p.s. The "code" thing is a lot of fun too.
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arzajac
1039 posts
Apr 26, 2013
7:40 AM
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1. Off the top of my head, in no way comprehensive list:
Special 20
Seydel Session
Lee Oskar
Suzuki Harpmaster and Bluesmaster
Hohner Pro Harp
Hohner Cross Harp
Bushman Delta Frost
2. I wonder if the Manji can be converted to a Special 20 comb. I believe the reed slots line up the same, but the reedplate dimensions are different. It may be possible to tailor the Manji reedplates, though. I'll get on it when I get back home this evening...
Would be an interesting project. I'm not a fan of the Manji comb either... It's too rough on the tongue for me.
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SmokeJS
89 posts
Apr 26, 2013
7:52 AM
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I've tried many on arzajac's list. The Special 20 works/feels the best to me after I file the front corners a little more round like the Suzuki Harpmaster. I do like the Harpmaster but more for acoustic work as I find them loud and bright.
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chromaticblues
1385 posts
Apr 26, 2013
9:01 AM
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I think the Special 20 is a very good harp.
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nacoran
6740 posts
Apr 26, 2013
9:21 AM
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Pretty much all the 'cheap' Hohners- Blues Bands, Fuego Azul, Old Standby, Hot Metal, Happy Color (and a couple more they market in Europe), as well as the Pro Harp.
Seydel's Session Steel, Blues Session (and Antique), Mini...
Suzuki Easy Rider, Harpmaster, Bluesmaster, and Promaster/
Lee Oskars, Bushmans, Huang Silvertones. There may be others.
One thing to note, a little fine grit sandpaper can fix the front edge of a protruding reed plate by making it a lot less jagged.
edited for accuracy.
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Nate
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Last Edited by nacoran on Apr 26, 2013 2:53 PM
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arzajac
1040 posts
Apr 26, 2013
9:27 AM
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Nate, I think the Big River and Blue Midnight have a plastic sandwich-type comb.
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Last Edited by arzajac on Apr 26, 2013 9:27 AM
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Sherwin
67 posts
Apr 26, 2013
10:11 AM
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Hiya Bonehed, I'm wondering about what you mean when you say recessed comb. You say you don't like the Manji comb, okay, now is it because the comb does not come out flush with the reed plates? Is this what you are referring to as a recessed comb? (Manji is sandwich type not recessed comb type construction harp).To make such a comb sit flush with the reed plates the screw holes in the comb can be made into slot shaped holes, and then reassemble with comb flush to plates. I think without that alteration, in the case of the Manji anyway, you can only come close but not flush.
You may really like the so called sandwich style construction type harps after that change is made: or maybe you would prefer the so called recessed comb harps, Special 20 and others.
Just curious......Sherwin.....good luck finding the harps you like
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groyster1
2216 posts
Apr 26, 2013
12:07 PM
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Sp20s have a recessed comb but it is possibly the best plastic comb made?????maybe that is what makes them so airtight....love them they should be called old reliable....
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nacoran
6741 posts
Apr 26, 2013
3:05 PM
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Arzajac, oops, yep, you are right.
Another option, albeit expensive, is importing a comb specially from Bluexlab (http://www.bluexlab.com/WP/?page_id=346). I think they are, as far as I know, the only aftermarket comb manufacturer who makes recessed style combs. (They also make recessed style combs with round holes instead of square.)
I can't tell for sure from the pictures because of the angle, but it looks like the Hering Black Blues, Golden Blues, Handy Harp, Herring Blues, and RK 20 are recessed (although the RK 20 an odd looking harp).
Several other cheap harps are recessed too.
I'm fond of the Special 20's and the Lee Oskars myself for OTB, but I haven't played any of the higher end Hohner's, like the Crossover. I just know that before I got some custom combs my wood combs tore my lips apart.
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Nate
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