silverharp88
14 posts
Jul 11, 2013
9:21 AM
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Harps usually last for you guys?
Just out of curiosity I was wondering how long your guys harps last. I'm hoping I got magic ones that last forever. I'm really starting to like my harmonicas.
I'm not gunna kid myself and say I'm good but it sure is a lot of fun.
My 4 hole reed rattles a bit on the C harp and the support thing in the middle of the G harp is a little loose but its playable. There a little quirky.
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Reed Triller
141 posts
Jul 11, 2013
10:35 AM
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I have had all of mine for about 4 years now. I know some who have had them for 10 or more. They can all last that long if you take care of them. Might need to replace a reed now and then. What brand are you playing? The reed rattle may be because it is a little crooked in the slot and it rubs the slot as it vibrates, or it could be hitting the coverplate.
EDIT- I remember now. You have the Silvertones. The cheaper models have a shorter shelf life usually. I have never had that brand so I am not sure what to do about the center support.
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Last Edited by Reed Triller on Jul 11, 2013 10:38 AM
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HawkeyeKane
1876 posts
Jul 11, 2013
10:43 AM
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I have several Silvertones myself. They last a good long while for me usually. And yes, the center support rattle is a nuisance, but you get used to it after a while and stop looking in the back of the harp to see what's causing the rattle. I've never had a reed rattle on one though like I have on some of my Hohners.
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Hawkeye Kane
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2chops
150 posts
Jul 11, 2013
12:15 PM
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I have a bunch of harps that were given to me about 4 years ago. SP20's, Star Performers, MB's mostly. They were about 10-15 years old then and were played by a guy who giged regularly. He never worked on them. Still work quite well for me still. Except for the 1 Lee Oscar and an SP 20 I blew reeds out of. Both my fault due to too much breath force. I've bought some new SP20's since and all still holding up well. I play a lot and gig from time to time. One thing I will say about the Star Performers, you pretty much have to run them over with a truck to hurt them. Good harps for cheapies. As for the rattling cover support, take it out. I've done that with a few of my cheapies that rattled, one of them a Silver Tone Deluxe. Issue solved.
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nacoran
6921 posts
Jul 11, 2013
1:05 PM
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That center support is a weird design. I only have one Silvertone. Rattles can be a couple things. It's unusual for a C to rattle. It might be a slightly misaligned reed, or maybe (I think, I could be wrong) a rivet loose? I'm guessing on that. I don't know if that would do it.
I rarely blow out my harps- when I do, it's usually because I'm trying to jam with friends who are amped and I'm not. I have a different experience with cheap harps. They actually seem harder to blow out, because they aren't as airtight. (They don't sound as good or respond as well though.)
Some people play harder than others. It does change the sound a little when you play full force, although a lot of that can be done with an amp too. Adam is on record as saying he blows out a lot of harps. Maybe that's what makes his sound 'Adam's Sound'. Since he's a runner he probably has stronger lungs. I like Adam's sound. If I was trying to sound like Adam I might blow out a lot of harps too, but I'm not a runner, and my band has it's own sound and I don't blow out harps.
BBQ is at the other end of the spectrum. He says to play like there is a baby sleeping in the next room. Both of them sound great, but they do sound different, so it may depend on the sound you are going for.
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White Beard
9 posts
Jul 11, 2013
1:07 PM
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In my experience it depends on how hard you wail on one and yes the quality of that one. I have several been with me for years and honestly when one gets to the point where I keep having to tweek it to keep it going then its time for new reed plates. I make sure I get harps that have reed plates available. Don't have to be top of the line just quality. Im a Lee Oscar or Seydel fan meself...
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Philosofy
472 posts
Jul 11, 2013
1:29 PM
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I very rarely blow out a harp. My ear isn't sensitive enough to hear when it goes out of tune, though.
I am curious: do customized harps last longer, about the same, or does customization shorten the life of a harp?
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jbone
1296 posts
Jul 12, 2013
4:49 AM
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Sometimes the band just gets loud. I turn up what I can and still blow a reed here and there. Part of that is trying to achieve a certain sound. Part is just a sort of bad old habit. My 4 draw and sometimes 5 draw are usually the victims.
One of these days I will work a deal with someone and get rid of all these wounded soldiers I have stuff in drawers.
I went to Suzuki Manji about 3 years ago when they first came out. They are my primary go-to harp. Yes I have blown a few reeds and replaced the plates but it has taken much longer to blow any out.
Some years ago I was sealing and screwing together Marine bands and they were definitely tighter but lasted a shorter time since the air flow was so much more efficient.
Generally speaking, I get around a year on average out of a harp depending on how much I gig with a band. Higher volume is usually the key factor. Rarely in a duo have I killed a harp. Playing on the street can be hard on reed salso until you train yourself to play a bit softer. Past a point all the wind in the world will not get you any more volume. Much better to draw spectators in with less volume and better playing.
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