Harpaholic
263 posts
Jul 03, 2013
12:43 AM
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Anyone optimizing the SUB 30 in the U. S.?
I would like to try one, but I know they have issues out of the box.
Thanks!
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Stevelegh
797 posts
Jul 03, 2013
3:47 AM
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@Harpoholic:
Mike Fugazzi has optimised SUB 30's, but I'd go with Brendan Power's X-Reed. It's more a rebuild than optimising.
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jim
1447 posts
Jul 03, 2013
7:40 AM
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stock sub30 can only be re-built. They can't be optimized without sacrificing anything.
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Free Harp Learning Center
Last Edited by jim on Jul 03, 2013 7:40 AM
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florida-trader
330 posts
Jul 03, 2013
8:09 AM
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I am close to introducing a SUB-30 Customization Kit which will include all the components necessary to optimize a SUB-30. As some of you know, I worked closely with Brendan after SPAH last year to develop the BMH30 comb that Brendan uses on some of his X-Reed Creations. The BMH30 Comb makes a very positive difference in the performance of the SUB-30 but I have been reluctant to market the combs solo because I felt that the comb alone was not enough to convert the SUB-30 into the high performance harp that everyone craves.
Please bear in mind that I am not a customizer per se. The SUB-30 Customization Kit will simply provide you with the components necessary to upgrade your SUB-30. Brendan's X-Reed harps are fully customized so in order to make a comparable harp, you will need my kit plus the services of someone who has the skills necessary to customize the harp. I know that many of those who frequent these pages are very good customizers so this would be an opportunity for you to build your own custom SUB-30 using my parts and your skills. Others have relationships with their favorite customizer so this would be an opportunity to provide them with the raw materials necessary to build a custom SUB-30. And finally, if you are neither a customizer yourself nor have a relationship with one, I can refer you to a couple who are very skilled and have experience working on the SUB-30.
This announcement is slightly premature but since the question was asked I thought I would seize the opportunity. Clearly Brendan has established himself and X-Reed.com as the leading experts on the SUB-30. However, for those of you have been wanting to step into the mix, the time is near.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
Last Edited by florida-trader on Jul 03, 2013 8:12 AM
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Pistolcat
413 posts
Jul 03, 2013
12:42 PM
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Sounds like a cool deal, Tom. I think we all should do a collection to send one of these kits to Jim. It seems like he always gets the lemons...
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Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
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Harpaholic
265 posts
Jul 03, 2013
1:21 PM
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I don't want to experiment with a $220 harp even though its well worth it.
Richard Sleigh mentions some problems with it out of the box. I'm looking to try a stock harp that has had those issues corrected.
It may not suit my needs so I don't want to spend big $$ for a paper weight.
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Brendan Power
361 posts
Jul 03, 2013
3:29 PM
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For those of you who have the customising skills Tom is offering a good deal. The BMH30 comb is excellent, and he has them in a big range of colours and materials.
Embossing is the single biggest improvement you can make to the SUB30, and many more players know at least basic embossing than in the past. Adding a BMH30 or other custom comb adds to the improvement embossing gives.
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florida-trader
331 posts
Jul 03, 2013
3:52 PM
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@ Pistol. I don't think that Jim gets the lemons. I just think he has very discriminating taste and very high standards. Plus he is very opinionated so if he doesn't like something he does not hesitate to let you know.
The fact is, other than Brendan's X-Reed customized SUB30's, we haven't heard or seen a lot of positive reviews of the SUB-30. But as was predicted nearly a year ago when they debuted, the prices have come down and I predict they will become even more affordable in the near future. I don’t think harp players will be faced with the proposition of spending $220 on a harp that needs an additional $100 worth of work to make it playable.
If you are paying attention, Brendan is giving out some great information. He’s done that on several MBH threads recently. Plus a few months back he posted two excellent videos (10 minutes each, 20 minutes in all) explaining how to adjust the gaps on the SUB-30. Slowly but surely the information is creeping into the collective knowledge base. When the components become available (soon) anybody who really wants to will be able to build a SUB-30 that will be substantially better than the OOTB version. In time, the 30 reed harps such as the SUB-30 will become more main stream.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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nacoran
6894 posts
Jul 03, 2013
7:48 PM
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Now if I could just get them with my special comb modifications... (I forgot to grab my friends tripod when I was over at his house yesterday. I had it sitting right next to me. I was going to make a better video for my system and post it to see if anyone else wanted to give it a shot- I've got a solution for the one remaining problem, but it's a pain in the butt solution that involves drilling holes in the reed plate- not a huge issue, but a pain. Soon the world will know my evil genius- muhahaha!) (It's a bling bling mod, not a tone mod).
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Nate
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Brendan Power
362 posts
Jul 04, 2013
1:49 AM
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For those of you who order from Tom and want to customise your own SUB30, I'm happy to help with advice.
Buying a microscope under which to do embossing is the biggest single tip I could give. Maybe Tom sells those as well :-)
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