gmacleod15
223 posts
Dec 16, 2013
7:51 AM
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I want to try a chromatic harp and I think Little Walter's "Crazy Mixed Up World" would be a good song to start on. My search of this forum says to use a C chromatic.
Is this true and how many holes should I buy 12, 14 16?
Thanks in advance.
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
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1847
1404 posts
Dec 16, 2013
8:10 AM
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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tmf714
2254 posts
Dec 16, 2013
8:54 AM
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Heres Aki using a 16 hole-
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tmf714
2255 posts
Dec 16, 2013
8:55 AM
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And Steve using a 16 hole-
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tmf714
2256 posts
Dec 16, 2013
8:59 AM
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And Mitch using a 16 hole-
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tmf714
2257 posts
Dec 16, 2013
9:05 AM
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Dennis using a Super 64 X-
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Gnarly
820 posts
Dec 16, 2013
9:22 AM
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Hi--
As some of you know (or care), I am the lucky stiff who gets to repair harmonicas for Suzuki USA (it's not a perfect job, but if my boss comes into the room while I am playing harp, I am not fired--compare your situation).
There are two 16 hole models I would recommend for blues guys--affordable and more expensive.
I think the SCX-64 is the best bargain in chromatic harmonica--and the S-64 Sirius is a step up, using the technology Suzuki Japan developed to build the Gregoire Maret model G-48.
Check your favorite vendor (read Rockin' Ron) for prices and availability--makes a great stocking stuffer.
Gnarly
PS Comes with a full one year warranty, that is definitely worth something--silders and windsavers are a concern that some diatonic players may have trouble with.
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gmacleod15
224 posts
Dec 16, 2013
9:33 AM
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Thanks for the tips and examples...seems like 16 hole but is it also a C harp?
Also the Steve Guyger video showed a technique that I had not seen before. He placed his harp mic against his throat to add a chugging/rhythm sound.
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
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tmf714
2258 posts
Dec 16, 2013
9:48 AM
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Sorry-yes key of C-Steve "borrowed" that throat technique from Big Walter-
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barbequebob
2401 posts
Dec 16, 2013
10:48 AM
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@gmacleod15 -- That's a technique I used to see Big Walter Horton do all the time and it was based on the old (and now extremely rare) throat mics which were tiny crystal mics that were attached to the throat (usually with scotch tape) at a point where the instrument resonates on the throat and some of the tones you may hear in a BW recording may be coming from that. This can be done with most any kind of mic, but usually easier to do with a bullet type mic and you gotta "feel your way around" to find that sweet spot, and this method gives a very unique sound/tone on its own.
Unless the chromatic was special order, all 16 hole chromatics come only in the key of C. 12 holers tend to come in many more keys besides C.
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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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Gnarly
823 posts
Dec 16, 2013
10:52 AM
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The Brazilian company Bends made some 16 hole chroms in the keys of Bb and A--they are no longer in business.
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MP
3007 posts
Dec 16, 2013
11:27 AM
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From Gnarly-
"I think the SCX-64 is the best bargain in chromatic harmonica--and the S-64 Sirius is a step up, using the technology Suzuki Japan developed to build the Gregoire Maret model G-48."
I love my Maret G-48! LW used a 16 hole Hohner 64.
It was tuned to C as most chros are tuned to C.
I still play my Hohner 64 because I love the extra low octave that my Maret doesn't have. Still, if the Sirius is a bigger version of the Maret, it must be a very fine chromatic harp.
Smaller chros, are easier to hold but I'm used to that beast w/ four octaves.
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i still have a little Hohner stock for reed replacement in three common keys.
when these are gone i'm out of the biz.
click MP for my e-mail address and more info.
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gmacleod15
225 posts
Dec 16, 2013
11:46 AM
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Thanks guys!
I ordered the Suzuki SCX-64....Merry Christmas to me.
I went with Suzuki because most of my other harps are Suzuki and because I can order from my local music store (who also had the best price).
Regarding the throat technique, I don't think this has come up on the forum before. It would be nice to here some more about how to do it...BBQ Bob?
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
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tmf714
2259 posts
Dec 16, 2013
12:15 PM
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@gmacleod15-I have seen Steve play bass lines through the harp mic as well-he just gets a good seal against the side of his throat-I think I have a video of Ray Norcia doing this as well-try it yourself-
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gmacleod15
226 posts
Dec 16, 2013
12:26 PM
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@tmf714 I will give it a try.
I know it sounds pretty cool when I place the mic against my cats chest when it is in full purr...sounds like stock car idling.
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
Last Edited by gmacleod15 on Dec 16, 2013 12:27 PM
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tmf714
2260 posts
Dec 16, 2013
12:54 PM
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Check out Ray at 3:07-playing and singing with the harp mic on his throat-
Last Edited by tmf714 on Dec 16, 2013 12:54 PM
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barbequebob
2403 posts
Dec 16, 2013
12:57 PM
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Ray learned that from the same player I learned it from, Big Walter. There's no place you can measure to find out exactly where the sweet spot is, so you'll have to get the mic and search around and you'll find it.
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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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tmf714
2261 posts
Dec 16, 2013
1:42 PM
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Ray and Walter-"Bocce Boogie"-
Heres a quote from Ray-
"I recently had a Shure 520 harp mic handed down to me. This particular mic is special because it was used on many, many occasions by the one and only Big
Walter Horton! It sounded really good but I decided it needed some work mostly because it was still "hard wired" with a very long cord and had no volume control.
I wanted the very best harp mic technician I could find to work on this sentimental piece of history. I searched the web and came upon Chuck Gurneys site: "Fat
Bottom Mics". I was really impressed with what I saw and also noticed that Chuck had been working on mics for Sonny Jr. who built a beautiful 4x10 harp amp for
me. I knew I had found the right guy.
I contacted Chuck and sent the mic out to him. He passionately upgraded the mic for me using only the best, high quality parts. I must say that his work is
outstanding and I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of help with a harp mic.
I was there thirty or so years ago when Big Walter was using this mic and thanks to Chuck, this little piece of blues history will live on ! "
Sugar Ray Norcia
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Gnarly
825 posts
Dec 16, 2013
1:55 PM
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@MP I use Orchestra tuned and 14 hole harps, but blues relies on octaves so much, you pretty much have to have a 16 hole harp.
Then the question is, how to get different keys. I think the answer is retuning them, although since Seydel will tune a 12 hole any way you want, that might be a way to go--not as much range obviously, but you can get the low notes in any key.
I mostly play a C chromatic, but when you are playing with a band, keyed chroms can save your reputation--
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MP
3008 posts
Dec 17, 2013
9:50 AM
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Hi Gnarly,
since I mostly play my diatonics at shows I don't worry too much about my chromatic reputation.
I'm well versed and in my element on diatonics.
I'll play a tune I wrote using the button on the chro [as it was designed] if there are the third position chro guys in the audience just to show off. They don't realize my limitations.:-) heh,heh, fooled 'em again Ollie.
But seriously, I also really dig third pos. chro and play about two numbers every gig in that style.
have a good day my friend and thanks for the info on my Maret.
I'm thinking of removing the lead weights in it. it is heavy like Maret wanted it but it drops like a rock and therefore can get damaged easily. my chros try to commit suicide by jumping off amps and stuff.
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i still have a little Hohner stock for reed replacement in three common keys.
when these are gone i'm out of the biz.
click MP for my e-mail address and more info.
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