Big I
8 posts
Dec 01, 2013
7:14 PM
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My first harmonica was a HohnerMarine Band. Next was Hohner Ms Blues harp. I prefer the Blues harp. It just feels more solid to me and is easier for me to play. I want to try other brands. Which harps would play and feel more like the Blues Harp?
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STME58
597 posts
Dec 01, 2013
9:28 PM
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If you like a solid feel try a Seydel 1847 Noble. It has heft and at least the one I have was set up well enough to overblow right out of the box.
The Suzuki Hammond is also nice. I find myself reaching for a Hammond, Proharp or Firebreath if I want to play something lyrical. My Bb Proharp did not play well until I replaced the comb with a BMH comb. The original comb had quite obvious saw marks in it. I expect Suzuki has probably corrected this issue by now.
I like the Blues harp. It plays well and is moderately priced. I like the riveted reeds because you can replace a reed without having to drill out the old one like you do if they are welded in like the Suzukis. I have not replaed a Suzuki reed myself though. They are warranted and Suzuki will replace them for me. If the harp is older then 2 years I just buy new reed plates.
Hohner reed plates cost almost as much as the whole harp. If you have a custom comb it is nice you can at least get the plates by themselves though.
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clyde
324 posts
Dec 02, 2013
3:51 AM
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Lee oskar
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jiceblues
215 posts
Dec 02, 2013
4:25 AM
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Seydel 1847 classic is more like a Blues Harp .
Solid harp but not as responsive as a SP20 or a Xover .
The Manji , is good too , in my mind .
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jiceblues
216 posts
Dec 02, 2013
4:31 AM
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Oh , and if you put an aftermarket comb (corian , acrylic,lacquered wood) , you get a very nice Blues Harp ,more powerful and responsive .Be sure that the comb is flat .I have a few Blues Harps with boxwood Dortel combs and Meisterklasse coverplates , they play well & have a nice sound .
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Barley Nectar
198 posts
Dec 02, 2013
7:16 AM
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Lee Oskar. I have played LO's for years. Steped up to them from the MB's. Recently tried an XO and a MBD. I'll stick with the Lee Oskar's thank you. Great harp and very durable. Can't beat them for the money. Plus, if you ever call Lee's shop, you will probably talk to him personally, great guy...BN
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ridge
472 posts
Dec 02, 2013
8:09 AM
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I don't own any full size Seydel, but I think my Big6 plays great and has a nice feel to it.
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Ugly Bones Ryan
8 posts
Dec 02, 2013
5:37 PM
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I would try something like a Seydel. I personally haven't tried them but I've heard good things from them. I wouldn't give up on Hohner so fast though. Give a Special 20, a Crossover, a Marine Band Deluxe, and a Meisterklasse if you'd like. However, I have heard very good things about the Seydel 1847 Classic.
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Pluto
269 posts
Dec 03, 2013
6:54 AM
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There is only one diatonic for me and its a Seydel 1847. Once in a great while you may find a leaky one, but in general they are the most consistently built harp out there. They outlast anything Hohner makes by at least 3 times. No swelling wood, no rust (no taste), and they are louder. The initial investment is more, but they last longer.
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DoubleJ
27 posts
Dec 03, 2013
10:14 AM
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The Seydel Session Steel is a great choice. 1847 covers fit on them if you like the more traditional Marne Band style cover.
If you like the Blues Harp you also should give a Marne Band Deluxe a try, make sure it is not NOS so you get one that is fully sealed.
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Rarko
70 posts
Dec 03, 2013
11:21 AM
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After two years of playing I made my choice, marine band and SP20. Dunno why but with Blues Harp and Pro Harp I had problem with bending 2 whole draw and 3 hole draw...
Now I am waiting for my suzukis, I hope that there is something similar with marine band and SP20 in my packadge :) (I ordered bluesmaster, harpmaster, folkmaster and manji)
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SuperBee
1560 posts
Dec 03, 2013
12:59 PM
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I guess you have to go through this. Try everything you want. I baulked at the expense of some. Eventually I shelled out for some crossovers. And that led me back to marine band classics and the easily repaired sp20, which once I'd disdained.
My very favourite harp is a marine band deluxe.
But I have blues harps I like to play also.
For mine, it's hard to beat a marine band. But it's good to get comfortable with something. Takes a while i think. If you're restless, you have to ramble, even if you are already home you won't know until you've been somewhere else
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nacoran
7390 posts
Dec 03, 2013
3:50 PM
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I've been buying pre-MS Blues Harps on eBay. I like the sound of Blues Harps, but they are rough on the lips, but I like the responsiveness of the pre-MS ones even better. Right now, mine are all taken apart. I'm converting them to be easier for maintenance, but debating whether to just do a screw conversion or convert them to my magnet system, which is still a work in progress.
If you like the Blues Harp, and you are willing to gamble on eBay, you could try a pre-MS one. If you sign up for Richard Sleigh's mailing list he'll send you is harmonica spotter's guide, which will include how to find the good ones.
Now, my other picks- I play Lee Oskar's and Sp20's a lot. I use the LO's for melodies because they are ET and the Sp20's more for chordal stuff. I've tried a Crossover, and it was better on the lips than a regular MB, but it didn't wow me, especially not for the extra bucks. I like the feel of Seydel's. I've played a Session Steel, a low tuned harmonic minor on a custom comb and a Blues Favorite (also low tuned). I love the feel of the long body covers, and if you want a harp that feels substantial, the aluminum combs have some nice heft (some people don't like the taste, but I actually like it!) It's also got slightly rounded tines. The only negative I'd give them is the back supports on the covers- they bend easier than the supports on other harps (if you look at the shape, it's easy to see why). If you opened up the backs (and added some support screws) that wouldn't be an issue.
I don't have any proof, but something about a heavier comb seems to make it slide better. I think when you are holding it loosely, it's less easy to get snagged on the lips. You could also fend off a mugger by throwing them at him! One at a time, they don't weigh much, but you will notice your harmonica case is a little heavier if you have a full set of metal combs. (I haven't tried brass yet, which I think would be even heavier.)
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