TheoBurke
644 posts
May 26, 2014
6:33 AM
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I am this close to getting a Suzuki Ultra Bend, the SUB 30, but first I'd like to hear your experiences with it. Opinions, tips, whatever you think. Thanks!
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Ted Burke
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheoBurke?feature=mhee
http://ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.coM
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florida-trader
489 posts
May 26, 2014
7:45 AM
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Theo, few people, other than Brendan Power, Zombor Kovacs and Richard Sleigh have been as intimately involved in the Suzuki SUB-30 than I. Objectively speaking, the SUB-30 is a harp that has a lot of potential. As an OOTB harp it leaves a little something to be desired. The reviews posted in the past two years about the OOTB harp have been mostly negative or neutral at best – and rightfully so.
I teamed with Brendan after SPAH 2012 to develop a custom CNC milled comb for the SUB-30, dubbed the BMH30 Comb / designed by Brendan Power. Brendan and Zombor developed an OverValve Plate which enabled them to valve the 1 – 6 sympathetic blow reeds and then later developed the Z-1 comb in order to valve the 7 – 10 sympathetic draw reeds. I developed an External Valve Plate that valves all 10 sympathetic reeds with a single component. All of these aftermarket components offer greatly improved the performance of the SUB-30. It goes without saying that, like pretty much all harps, the SUB-30 also benefits from reed work by a competent harp tech.
I began offering a SUB-30 Customization Kit about 6 weeks ago. So far the feedback has been 100% positive, however I will say that my hope is that as the kits get into the hands of more and more people, collectively they will uncover some hidden secrets about how to get the most out of the instrument. I do believe it has tremendous potential but I also believe that it is fairly early in the game now that the components required to customize the SUB-30 have only been available for a short time.
I have been playing a customized SUB-30 A for several months. I have also set up a Manji the same as the SUB-30 and have been going back and forth on each – playing the same licks and songs to get a side by side comparison. Here are my observations.
First of all, just in case you did not already know, the layout of the notes is exactly the same as a standard Richter tuned diatonic. So you don’t have to learn a completely new breath pattern to play the usual draw bends on the bottom or blow bends on the top. And if you have ever played a half valved harp like a ProMaster Valved or a PT Gazelle 1847 then the breath pattern for the extra notes is the same as that. But I digress.
It is all a bit of a compromise and I think whether or not you will be happy with the SUB-30 will depend greatly on what kind of music you want to play with it. The SUB-30 is not quite as responsive as a top notch standard 20-reed diatonic when playing “normal” music. But you have 9 extra notes to work with so that is a big plus. Here’s an example of the trade-offs that I see. Give me a choice between a 6 over-blow on a standard diatonic and a 7 draw bend on a SUB-30 and I would take the 6 overblow. The tone is better in my opinion. But give me the choice between over-draws on a Manji and draw bends on a SUB-30 and I’ll take the SUB-30. The 5 and 6 blow bends on a SUB-30 are much easier (for me) to hit on the fly than a 4 or 5 overblow. But then again, I am not nearly as proficient at overblowing and overdrawing as many. I’ve been meaning to make a video but I’ve just been so busy it has been hard to find the time to do justice. Soon I hope.
Last Edited by florida-trader on May 26, 2014 7:50 AM
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florida-trader
490 posts
May 26, 2014
7:46 AM
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I think that perhaps one good way to gain some additional insight into what the SUB-30 can do is to look at the type of music that it has been used for so far. Brendan is easily one of the most talented harmonica players in the world and he can play anything he wants but he is known more for Irish Fiddle Music than the blues. He is not known for his great Chicago Style Blues Music. I have had many many conversations with Richard Sleigh about the SUB-30, or the 30-reed design in general, and his goal is to create “The Ultimate Blues Harp”. There’s a big difference between his style of play and Brendan’s. That would also help explain why they have teamed up to offer the MB-30 which is a 30-reed harp constructed using Marine Band reed plates. It is another step in the development of the 30-reed design.
But to me, the Poster Child for the SUB-30 so far is Rob Paparozzi. He posted a video about a year and a half ago using a stock SUB-30. I really think the style of music he plays – some blues, some classic rock, some traditional melodies – is right in the sweet spot of the SUB-30. Unfortunately since he produced this video he changed his allegiance to Hohner so it unlikely that he will be posting any more videos about the SUB-30.
I hope this information helps.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
Last Edited by florida-trader on May 26, 2014 7:52 AM
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TheoBurke
645 posts
May 26, 2014
10:47 AM
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Thanks for the time you took to respeond, Tom. As you describe it, the SUB 30 sounds incomplete in its present form. I cannot see paying over a hundred dollars for a harmonica that is not ready, more often than not, to be played well out of the box. I think will get the Suzuki Promastr Valved instead. Thanks again.
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Ted Burke
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheoBurke?feature=mhee
http://ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.coM
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florida-trader
491 posts
May 26, 2014
10:51 AM
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Well I've got plenty of those too. Email me off list and I will take good care of you.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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Harp Study
36 posts
May 26, 2014
1:40 PM
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ThoeBurke: I don't know anything about the sub 30, but if you are considering getting a half valved harmonica i would suggest considering any Seydel model. You can get any model with the ultra suede half valves.
In my opinion the gazell valves are much better than the plastic valves on the promaster. If you only play single notes than either one is probably fine, but if you do any chording the plastic valves rattle and drive me crazy. The ultra suede gazell valves do not rattle while chording.
Just my 2 cents.
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Sarge
411 posts
May 26, 2014
3:34 PM
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I agree with Harp Study.
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Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives alone.
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TheoBurke
646 posts
May 26, 2014
8:57 PM
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Purchased Suzuki Promaster Valved, key of C from Rockin'Ron's this afternoon. I've had this harp before and really enjoyed playing. I look forward to getting it later this week.
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Ted Burke
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheoBurke?feature=mhee
http://ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.coM
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Gnarly
1013 posts
May 26, 2014
11:26 PM
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One year warranty (hi Ted!). And, of course, you can expect it in tomorrow's mail LOL
On the SUB30, as well--I have improved these for customers who found the harp less than satisfying--I think some of them liked them afterward--
Let's see, Bob Harty, Ken Mergantine, I forget who--anybody here? Ron would remember, he sold some of the offending harps.
OTOH, I am also the US repair guy for Brendan's Chromabender, and can heartily endorse his work.
And of course, Florida Trader does quality work, and is located here in the US. He also gets my vote.
I'd like to try the MB30, although it is forbidden to me (this is a joke, folks).
Last Edited by Gnarly on May 26, 2014 11:28 PM
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cyclodan
76 posts
May 27, 2014
5:38 AM
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I'd like to know how the chromabender compares. Anyone done any side by side comparison with the sub30?
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