Goldbrick
197 posts
Jun 05, 2013
11:49 AM
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I guess I am asking does a harp get easier to play with use or am I just figuring out the quirks that make a particular harp easier to play. I find this especially true with a couple of Hohner MS harps I have.
It seems like more so than some other types of harmonica , they play better and smoother with use.
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smwoerner
183 posts
Jun 05, 2013
1:25 PM
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I’d say it more filling in and settling in than breaking in. It could just be me but there seems to be more crud inside MS series harps that I work on. I expect part of what’s happening is that the harp is just getting a little less leaky. To some extent I believe reeds settle in a bit over time and this explains why it can take a couple of rounds to get a custom harp to play consistently.
The other thing is that MS harps just play a little different than non-MS harps. For that matter, most of the times when you switch between types of harps you’ll notice they play different. Some of this is due to internal difference such as reed design and material. Another factor is the different embouchure required by different harps.
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SuperBee
1197 posts
Jun 05, 2013
1:39 PM
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Yeah I think the harp breaks in the player, but I buy the idea they seal up a bit too
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harmonicanick
1945 posts
Jun 05, 2013
3:03 PM
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Fact or generalisation: Hohner harps OTB are very good right now
Their production process has improved immeasurably
(as well as their prices)
however, I get most of mine customised
IMHO LO's play very well and I use minor & HM tunings without customisation
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Rick Davis
1890 posts
Jun 05, 2013
5:17 PM
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Back in the day we all believed you had to take it easy on a harp and break it in. I don't know if it was true then and I'm pretty sure it is not true now, but old habit die hard and I STILL find myself taking it easy on new harps.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Tip Jar
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BAG
141 posts
Jun 06, 2013
2:39 PM
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I’ve never been known to be gentle with a harp and it probably negatively impacts my playing, but I do believe (in theory) that I ought to be gentler at least until I get to know the particular harp because I hate it when I ruin a new harp on a first night at a loud out of control gig when the band has consumed more than the bar patrons
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Twitter ~ BossoBrewingCo
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Greg Heumann
2182 posts
Jun 06, 2013
9:37 PM
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IF the theory is that treating reeds gently at first will somehow make them last longer - THEN there is no proof and in fact from my understanding of metallurgy it is very doubtful. A reed vibrates within its "elastic" range - it returns to zero without deformation. This type of deformation involves stretching of the bonds, but the atoms do not slip past each other. There is no need nor is there any advantage to a break in period.
Google "elastic vs plastic deformation of metals" for more info.
Note that this is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT than the many metal to metal interactions that occur in automotive systems, where break in used to be required and is still recommended.
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/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
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Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Jun 06, 2013 9:38 PM
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Liljane
12 posts
Jun 06, 2013
10:03 PM
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I can tell you years ago I played this guy's Marine Band Hohner harmonica and it was like magic. It was playing bends and subtle tones with such little effort that it blew my mind. I believe breaking in a harp with care will reap benefits. But, the wood element I feel is the key. I love Golden Melodies, but this guy's wooden Hohner was the best! Today, I wouldn't even think of playing someone else's harmonica.LOL Glad I had the experience. Cheers!
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arzajac
1071 posts
Jun 07, 2013
4:37 AM
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Liljane: Hohners - as well as any other mass-produced harmonicas - are inconsistent. It's impossible for them to all be exactly the same. Some are pretty bad and some are pretty good. Most are just fine.
Airtightness, reed shape and gapping are what influence most out-of-the-box harps' playability the most. The companies are good at keeping things within certain limits to ensure the harps play fine.
Maybe 1 every 20 is really really good. I reckon it's likely that the harp you tried was one of those as opposed to the harp playing well due to it being played softly when first bought.
Playing a harp can fill in cracks with humidity and whatnot and that may improve airtightness. Playing will not have any effect on gapping or reed shape, though. You would have to work on the reeds by hand to have any permanent effect.
My 2 cents...
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rbeetsme
1250 posts
Jun 07, 2013
4:52 AM
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Every time I start to really attack a harp, BBQ Bob sits on my right shoulder and tells me to play softly! I do and I usually sound better! As a result, I haven't blown out a harp in years.
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barbequebob
2291 posts
Jun 07, 2013
7:27 AM
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The real break in isn't really so much about the harmonica, especially since you now have much better instruments available now as a whole, but it's really breaking in THE PLAYER to the instrument, and as Arzajac correctly points out, harmonicas coming out the assembly line AKA out of the box, regardless of the manufacturer, there is always going to be inconsistencies and the only time you're gonna get instruments that are consistent is from a good customizer, who is going to set them up to YOUR needs and not the masses.
If you're not a hard player, breaking in is largely not necessary, but for certain climate conditions, warming up the instrument makes more sense now.
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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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fred_gomez
90 posts
Jun 07, 2013
8:23 PM
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if i dont take it easy on a brand new D harp i end up swallowing the 4th reed draw. and its junk. i have many D reedplates brand new with a busted 4 draw anyone want them? for me its true dont play them hard till theyre broken in.
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SuperBee
1204 posts
Jun 07, 2013
9:01 PM
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Yeah I'll have em.
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