Barley Nectar
6 posts
Sep 02, 2013
1:27 PM
|
Do any of younz use these? Why or why not...BN
|
Leatherlips
217 posts
Sep 02, 2013
1:39 PM
|
Used to use them many years ago, but I found them to be too bright for my liking. It's always going to be a personal preference though.
You can buy replacement reed plates for them, so that is one advantage you might consider.
|
Frank
2691 posts
Sep 02, 2013
1:43 PM
|
I prefer to stick to one manufacturer when it comes to harps and that is "Hohner"....There have been a lot of new harps on the market in the past 5 or 10 years with great to excellent reviews and I still don't buy them to try because I'm happy with Hohner...If the other manufacturers harps were given to me, believe me- I wouldn't turn them down, like I said they probably play and perform just fine - but still when I decide to spend hard earned cash on a harp, it's a Hohner I will buy- because I'm happy with them...And being happy is a very good thing :)
Last Edited by Frank on Sep 02, 2013 1:46 PM
|
harmonicanick
2015 posts
Sep 02, 2013
2:11 PM
|
I have a complete collection of Lee Oskar minor and harmonic minor harps.
I gig 3 times a week and use them a lot, very good hard working harps with minimum maintenance.
for major keys I use Golden Melody
|
the_happy_honker
163 posts
Sep 02, 2013
2:21 PM
|
Try the Minor-tuned harps or the Melody Maker. The chord possibilities can inspire you to make music differently.
|
Todd Parrott
1140 posts
Sep 02, 2013
2:52 PM
|
Lee Oskars are great harps and last forever, but they are the most squealy, screechy sounding harps I know of, especially for overblows. If they would just update the reed profiles to match those of the other manufacturers' models, they would probably be a more viable competitor, and more popular with harp players. Suzuki did this with the Manji, Fabulous and Firebreath, but so far, Tombo is still stuck in the past. This is a real shame, because they are great harps.
Last Edited by Todd Parrott on Sep 02, 2013 2:53 PM
|
nacoran
7092 posts
Sep 02, 2013
5:57 PM
|
I play L.O.'s mostly. I don't overblow often, so any squeal issue isn't a problem for me. They are nearly indestructible (unless you put them through the washer and dryer, and even then you have a 50-50 shot they'll survive.)
So, down sides? The screws for the cover are a little short, so if the screw starts to come loose it will likely fall off before you notice. The little squares on the ends seem to be from a previous incarnation of the harmonica. I believe it was originally a depilatory device and they decided to turn it into a harmonica instead. (No worries unless you have a mustache though.) They are Equal Temperament, which means generally speaking they sound particularly nice playing melodies and not as good playing chords.
The minor tunings are great. They have natural minor and harmonic minor (the harmonic minor sounds like Klezmer music and you'll be able to play Fiddle on the Roof in no time on one of them.) I haven't tried the Melody Maker.
It seems like a small thing, but the labeling on them is a lot easier to see in low light than a Hohner. That's nice when you need to get the right key, and they label the left end of the harp like this (for instance on a G harp: 1st G. The other end is labeled 2nd D. The front shows the 1st position key again (and on minor tuned harps it notes that it is a minor tuned harp.) The labeling doesn't wear off either.
It would be nice if they came in more temperaments and if they'd venture into the low tuning game (beyond low F). Tombo has some weird marketing agreement with Lee Oskar. They make the L.O.'s, but in the U.S. you can't get any of the other Tombo models. Personally, I like full length covers on my harmonicas, and Tombo doesn't sell those in the U.S. My favorite harps are Seydels, but Lee Oskars really do a nice job of balancing playability/durability vs. cost.
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
Frank
2692 posts
Sep 02, 2013
6:17 PM
|
Seems like a good thread to announce... that I will barter a used but very nice Lee Oskar "Am" harmonica- in great condition... for a used but very nice Hohner in great condition, any key will do :)
It's been sitting on my shelf for years - can't remember how I ended up with it or know how old it is, and I never played it other than to see if it works and it sounds sweet.
I'm at franze52@msn.com if you are interested, Thank you!
Last Edited by Frank on Sep 02, 2013 6:37 PM
|
Barley Nectar
8 posts
Sep 02, 2013
6:21 PM
|
Well, I have been playing LO's for about 15 yrs. I don't see them refered to here so I wonder if I'm missing something. I agree with all the above. Todd, please explain "Reed Profile".
You See, I have been playing for 40 yrs but I have never copied anyones style or even tried to play someone eleses licks. I have limited knowlage of the instrument. And no knowledge of tunnings or music theory. I play them out of the box then replace reed plates when necessary. I have aprox. 35 diatonics in the case. Yes minor tuned too. In spite of my lack of knowledge, I am highly reguarded by the local music comunity. Please forgive the brief arrogance... I have my own style. I see reference here to overblows. I really don't know what this is. Not the same as a blow bend on 8,9 & 10 I take it. Maybe my LO's woun't do this???
I build tube amps and love to play. Was in a band once but it was a PITA$$. Jams are my world. new wave country, smooth jazz, classic rock, bluegrass, reggae, light rock, occasional heavy metal, but hardly ever play blues. I'v been in my own little world for 40 yrs, maybe time to change. Thats why I'm here....BN
Last Edited by Barley Nectar on Sep 02, 2013 6:31 PM
|
Thievin' Heathen
244 posts
Sep 02, 2013
6:33 PM
|
Because of some quality control issues I experienced with Hohners in the '80s I switched to LO and have acquired about 30 or 40 of them. I am trying everything else out there right now, but those LOs are here to stay. $22 reed plates are just too good a deal to pass up. They are very good harps. I recommend you try a couple, especially if you want to play Fiddler on the Roof. (Bm?)
|
Jehosaphat
530 posts
Sep 02, 2013
8:14 PM
|
I have mostly L/Os.
I have put them onto wood combs from Bluemoon,makes a big difference to them.
Not,i believe because they are wood,but because they are flat.
Those plastic combs can be very out of true flatness.
So now i have good combs a new harp costs me 20$ or so for just the plates.
Mind you i have some 20 year old L/Os still surviving.
|
MakaInOz
95 posts
Sep 02, 2013
8:41 PM
|
All my diatonics (except a couple of cheapos that live in the car) are LOs. I’m lazy – my harmonica playing started when I was given a LO in C and I figured different brands have slightly different shapes and tunings, and such differences were variables I didn’t need when learning. I’m still learning!
LOs are also readily available here and so my ‘wish list’ on the fridge has been shrinking over the years as birthdays, Christmases etc. go by. It means the family can buy me something reasonably priced that I really want (better than another tie!). I completed the ‘pack’ of majors last weekend with a Hi G for Fathers’ Day (was 1 Sep in Oz). That’s all 14 keys now (+ spare G A and C).
|
JInx
512 posts
Sep 02, 2013
8:43 PM
|
If they had the action a crossover, I'd buy them for the ET. But as is, I don't use them.
----------
Sun, sun, sun
Burn, burn, burn
Soon, soon, soon
Moon, moon, moon
Last Edited by JInx on Sep 02, 2013 8:46 PM
|
nacoran
7093 posts
Sep 02, 2013
9:55 PM
|
Barely Nectar, here is a chart for a C harp. It shows where the overblows are. They are additional notes that you can squeeze out of the harp.
As for reed profiles, there are several things that go into making and placing a reed. When you look at a harp's inside, you quickly notice the reeds are different lengths. That's only one dimension of it though. They also are wide (all the reeds in one harp will be the same width- I'm not sure if all brands use the same width or not. It only really matters if you are transplanting reeds from one harp to another). Reeds also have a thickness, but it's not uniform through the length of the reed (I think it is through the width, but don't quote me on that). The reed is 'profiled' so that it isn't as thick in the middle, but each company varies the thickness of their reeds along the profile slightly differently. That is one of the things that effects how long reeds last and how they sound. Reeds also can be adjusted for pitch by shaving a little off either the rivet end or the swing end- that's on top of the general profiling.
There are also long and short slot harps. The pitch a reed sounds at is a function of how fast it swings, but there is more than one way to make a reed that will swing at the correct frequency. You can play with different combinations of length, thickness, weight at the rivet or end... generally speaking, I think the overblow guys prefer long slot harps- something about the overblows being easier to control. Generally speaking, higher harps have short slots, but low pitch harps can have either, depending on the brand (with LO's being short slots.)
At least that's my understanding of it. (If I've got it screwed up, someone correct me. I haven't really tried to explain short slot/long slot and profile before. I'm just trying to put the strands together myself.)
If you are interested in temperament, this article explains it a bit without getting too technical.
The Wolf at Our Heels
Basically, there are several ways to split and octave up into notes mathematically so that they either are a simpler mathematical function, or produce smoother sound waves when played with other notes. (Don't worry, the article explains it much more interestingly!)
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
Jehosaphat
531 posts
Sep 02, 2013
10:43 PM
|
I feel that I should in my 'endorsement' of L/Os say that i do retune the ones in Major to a more Just intonation rather than leave them in ET
Also if you flatten the draw 5 (9)on the Melody Makers and you have a nice harp for Blues.
Last Edited by Jehosaphat on Sep 02, 2013 10:47 PM
|
SteamrollinStan
33 posts
Sep 03, 2013
3:53 AM
|
Long time ago i purchased a L.O., ahhaa!!!, this is gonna give me the tone, well i was so pissed off with all the hoo haa i just stopped and still use nothing but SP20's, if you play good then you can probably make an elastic rubber band sound cool, for the price sp20's kick the rest out, LO.....lol.
|
Rubes
752 posts
Sep 03, 2013
4:12 AM
|
I'd say these days LO's are ok, but inadequate for the higher demanding market seeing as how competitors have raised the bar. (wouldn't mind a minor key..but I'd chase up Seydel on this)
Oh, and Barley Nectar...welcome to the future for your playing man!!
----------
Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
Dads in Space at Reverbnation
Benny and Rubes at Reverbnation
|
Zadozica
263 posts
Sep 03, 2013
6:18 AM
|
I find that my LO are bigger than my Hohners and as such easier lip pursing is more precise.
|
atty1chgo
701 posts
Sep 03, 2013
7:32 AM
|
The harp is needlessly long and awkward to hold, tone is too soft, cover plates bend very easily, and blew a reed in a week after buying one. I wouldn't take them if you gave them to me. I prefer Suzuki Manji. And if I need to buy a harp in an emergency, Special 20's or Marine Bands top the list. I just don't understand the fascination with what I consider a poorly made product . JMHO
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Sep 03, 2013 7:32 AM
|
Komuso
171 posts
Sep 03, 2013
7:51 AM
|
Lee Oskars are great. They strike the perfect balance between price, performance, sound, available tunings, & maintainability.
----------
Paul Cohen aka Komuso Tokugawa
HarpNinja - Your harmonica Mojo Dojo
Bringing the Boogie to the Bitstream
Last Edited by Komuso on Sep 03, 2013 7:53 AM
|
Todd Parrott
1142 posts
Sep 03, 2013
10:06 AM
|
Hi, Barley,
Looks like Nate pretty much answered your question. Hope you had a great Labor Day weekend. :)
|
Silvertone
132 posts
Sep 03, 2013
10:32 AM
|
I used Lee Oskars for years because they lasted that long, still have some from the flat top box days They are a well thought out harp that can take some abuse. Different cover sizes for the lower keys and I think he was the first to offer replaceable reed plates, combs, covers and alternate tunings. The labeling really is a big deal when its dark,I really like the minor tuned harps. I liked that each harp came w/ tuning instruction. When they came out they were much better quality than the hohners of the time. Lee really set the bar up there for all others to aspire to. I really like the Manjis now but my case still holds a pile of Oskars and probably always will.
|
Goldbrick
259 posts
Sep 03, 2013
12:12 PM
|
Good thing about Lee Oskars for me, is that I have never had a bad one. Cant be said of some of the others I have tried. They can be a bit squealy sometimes if you dont bend it right and they are a little brite for my ear but I can fix that with a dirty mic or amp setting.
They are still my main gig harp as they are reliable too. Lately I have been digging Delta frosts and Suzuki Bluesmasters but the Lee's are still good to me.
In fact the first two harps I ever bought were so bad that I thought it was just me ( kinda like that old guitar with the bowed neck I started on). A guy suggested trying a Lee Oskar and I realized it was the bad harps not just me. So Thanks Lee
|
groyster1
2368 posts
Sep 03, 2013
12:13 PM
|
I own 4 lee oskars they are all old...bought them because replacement reeds were available...only trouble is....never had to replace any of them...prefer hohner harps though
|
Barley Nectar
9 posts
Sep 03, 2013
4:47 PM
|
Wow, thanks so much everyone. I have hung out at the WEBER VST forum for years. My handle there is Goose. I'am about the last harp guy over there. I learned a lot about tube amps and speakers there but no harp theory. My first harp was a Hohner MB key of C. As I had one foot in my Dad's van leaving for USAF basics, my brother Randy handed me that harp and said "Don't come back till you learn how to play it". OK,I replied. My TI in basics took it from me as I was driveing him crazy. He said i could have the harp on weekends till I learned the AF theme song, then I could keep it full time. I still can't play that dam song. "Up we go into the wild blue younder".
I switched to LO's for the same reasons stated above. I still play a MB, Hohner Pro, and a couple of old Herrings. As a jammer I make very little money playing so I can't justify $75+ harps. I do adjust gaps at times. I admit to being intruged by corian and bambo combs. The LO's have served me very well and this thread makes me feel that i am still using a quality instrument. Thanks again all. This is a great place...BN
|
nacoran
7096 posts
Sep 03, 2013
5:08 PM
|
atty1chgo, sometimes you get a lemon, but what did you do to your poor harp to bend the covers on a Lee Oskar? (I bent one, but to be fair, the screw came off when I had it in the washing machine, so that took two catastrophic failures to bend.) Of all the harps I've played, the L.O. has the sturdiest covers I've come across. (I have chipped some combs, but I've done that on Hohners too, and the LO's are certainly sturdier combs than the ET Hohner Golden Melodies).
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
Barley Nectar
10 posts
Sep 03, 2013
7:53 PM
|
LO= Stainless Steel covers, smooooth.
Hohner= Rusted covers...
That is a biggy in my book...BN
|
A440
99 posts
Sep 04, 2013
7:32 AM
|
The Lee Oskar is a good harp (I have 2). However there are 4 really nice harps at this price point which compete head-to-head. They all have similar plastic combs with recessed reed plates. They have similar build quality (IMHO). The prices are pretty much the same. All are made by reputable, established manufacturers, widely available around the world.
1. Hohner Special 20
2. Seydel Blues Session Standard
3. Suzuki Bluesmaster
4. Lee Oskar
Everyone has a preference among these four, but they are all excellent instruments. Just different. If you have the money - buy one of each. Then after a few months you will know which one YOU like the best.
|
nacoran
7099 posts
Sep 04, 2013
8:32 AM
|
A440, that's about the same price point as Golden Melodies and Marine Bands too, although they don't have recessed reed plates.
Since someone mentioned crushed plates above, I'd add, if you are going to get a custom comb, get a Marine Band rather than a Special 20, unless you are getting the full custom work-up. The Front groove on the MB keeps the cover from sliding, and the MB covers seem more crushproof. (On a standard SP20, the comb has that little plastic bit that sticks up.)
atty1chgo, your crushed LO lid didn't happen to be on a custom comb did it?
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
chromaticblues
1456 posts
Sep 04, 2013
11:14 AM
|
@ nacoran I have a piece that I recorded years ago just before I switched from LO's to SP 20's that I would like to post here. I've read the Forum how to, but I am not very computer literate.
Could you please direct me to a step by step?
Or somebody HELP!
|
1847
1043 posts
Sep 04, 2013
1:25 PM
|
chromatic.... first sign up with soundcloud
----------
master po
i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
|
nacoran
7102 posts
Sep 04, 2013
6:09 PM
|
Chromaticblues, what 1847 said. You need a place to host it. I use Dropbox, but I think Dropbox changed how they work for new member so they can't share files (existing members can, so I haven't learned a new system). Soundcloud should walk you through the process if you've got it on the computer. Another option is to use Windows Movie Maker (or whatever it is that Apple uses) and make a video. You just import the audio and either import a picture to or write some text in to display and upload it to YouTube, and then embed it from there, but Soundcloud is probably easier.
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
chromaticblues
1457 posts
Sep 05, 2013
8:47 AM
|
I signed up with Mediafile and uplaoded the sound file. Now how do I get it here?
I sorry I'm really not into computers much, but I think this would be worth posting here. I played LO's for 8 years at the beginning of my journey. So after posting I'd like to point out a few things that most people don't think is possible.
|
Frank
2701 posts
Sep 05, 2013
9:34 AM
|
This site does what your lookin for too :)
How Can I Embed a File in my Website?
|
chromaticblues
1460 posts
Sep 05, 2013
11:26 AM
|
Thanks Frank I'll try that tomarrow.
|
atty1chgo
703 posts
Sep 05, 2013
6:16 PM
|
@ nacoran - it was in my pocket, not even my back pocket. If you want it, I'll mail it to you. D harp, one blown reed, not used a lot.
|
nacoran
7108 posts
Sep 05, 2013
6:58 PM
|
Huh, that's odd. I guess sometimes you move just the wrong way. I just bent the lid on an Sp20 in my pocket a couple days ago. It's the first time I've ever had a Sp20 bend on me, although it is on a custom comb, so it didn't have that support strut. Still, I carry it around a lot and it caught me by surprise when it bent. I'm going to start making sure I have support screws on any custom comb harps I have from now on.
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
chromaticblues
1461 posts
Sep 06, 2013
10:25 AM
|
@ Anybody
I've created an account with boxworks and uplaoded some songs, but I don't see where it says how to transport them to another website?
|
tbirdflier
44 posts
Sep 06, 2013
9:40 PM
|
Sp20, good size and blows well...last forever, no way, buy another one and keep on playing. No harp is cheap to buy these days and based on that, give me a Sp20 all day long.
|
Stokes Bay Slim
22 posts
Sep 07, 2013
12:38 PM
|
David Rotundo having fun with his Lee Oskar harp
|
