Ugly Bones Ryan
109 posts
Sep 11, 2014
7:46 AM
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So I own a Marine Band 1896 but I can't stand the fact it has pins instead of screws. Just out of curiosity, for those of you who have the money to buy MB Deluxes or MB Crossovers but still prefer 1896's I simply ask why? Do you prefer the sharper edges, the more mellow tone, etc?
Sincerely,
Gabriel (Ugly Bones, Brassmouth) Ryan
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SuperBee
2194 posts
Sep 11, 2014
2:59 PM
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I may not be the right guy to answer because I don't think the 1896 offers any advantage over the deluxe except in price.
I think they both sound better than the crossover. And I think a crossover comb with deluxe/1896 plates is better yet.
Of course, one can just retune a crossover to sound like an 1896/deluxe.
I already have a bunch of 1896 model harps. When they need work that will involve taking them apart I put them back together with screws. And either do some work on the comb if it's worth keeping, or fit an aftermarket comb. I'm just too cheap to buy new harps when I can fix what I already have.
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nacoran
7995 posts
Sep 11, 2014
3:00 PM
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I'm not really a MB guy, but I've played regular MB's and a Crossover. The little finishing work on the Crossover is nice, but my particular Crossover was just a mediocre harp. I think if you've got a shop with a drill press and don't mind doing the work yourself the regular MB's give you a lot more bang for your buck.
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Nate
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arzajac
1464 posts
Sep 11, 2014
3:07 PM
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What's wrong with the nails?
Screws don't make a harp more airtight.
To be honest, I don't find MB Deluxes play all that well. Crossovers may tend to be a bit better out-of-the-box, but still both are a little leaky. The 1896's comb is leaky too, but the fact that the nails are spread over the reed plate can make a better seal. (It's best to make everything flat, but that's another discussion...)
So to me, the extra cost of the Marine Band Deluxe/Crossover is a waste of money.
Can't take the 1896 apart? Use a sharp paring knife to raise the nail heads and use flush-cut pliers to gently pull the nails out. Use locking pliers (Vise Grip) to put the harp back together. Put the nails in and push with your finger until it goes no further and then drive it in the rest of the way by clamping down with the vise grips. Do both sides simultaneously so you don't scuff the bare comb.
Disassembly and reassembly with nails only adds less than five minutes to the job compared to working on a harp with screws. Probably a lot less, actually, if you take into account that disassembling and reassembling a harp with screws takes about 2-3 minutes total. ..So the working with the nails adds a couple of minutes to the job...
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Sep 11, 2014 3:09 PM
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Rgsccr
279 posts
Sep 11, 2014
3:22 PM
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I use Marine Bands, both 1896 and Deluxes, and some Crossovers. I am using Crossovers in the lower keys - G, A and Bb - as they sound a little brighter and louder to my ear (not much). With the 1896s I've taken to re-tooling them - taking them apart, drilling holes for screws and nuts, flat-sanding the draw reeds and flat-sanding and sealing the combs. I messed up a couple of harps learning the ins and outs, but now can do this in a fairly reasonable time frame. To me, the MBs and Deluxes sound the same or very close, but I like the sealed combs and screws (of the Deluxes) for easy dis-assembly. With an average of almost thirty dollars difference between the two, it's worth it to me to do my own retrofitting.
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arzajac
1465 posts
Sep 11, 2014
4:47 PM
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Lol! I just took apart a MB 1896 and put it back together to see how long it really takes me. It took me 1 minute 46 seconds to take it apart completely. It took just a few seconds under 4 minutes to put it back together (but I dropped a nail and had to go looking for it on my hands and knees and that slowed me down...)
I took apart a Golden Melody in 1 minute 12 seconds and put it back together in 2 minutes 9 seconds.
So a nailed MB is three minutes more work than a GM.
After that complicated scientific study and that fascinating evidence-based conclusion, I think I've earned myself a beer. Cheers!
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Sep 11, 2014 4:50 PM
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Ugly Bones Ryan
113 posts
Sep 11, 2014
5:12 PM
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I very very very VERY RESPECTFULLY disagree with a few of you guys. It's all subjective but I like the crossover more. The tone of the bamboo comb is a little less "downhome blues" which fits my style better, the maintenance is MUCH easier (screws), the tuning is more of my style, and the open cover plates are excellent and loud. Personally I don't mind spending a few extra beans for a Crossover, when I have them. Have 9 harps Three Crossovers, One GM, One 1896, and 4 Special 20's. My preference is the Crossover but it's too pricey and I don't have a day job. When I get more harps they'll be GM's probably.
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http://www.murraythewheel.com/
Last Edited by Ugly Bones Ryan on Sep 11, 2014 5:13 PM
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sonny3
209 posts
Sep 11, 2014
5:55 PM
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I find 1896s quirks charming.Once you know how to deal with them.For blues and old time music it has the tuning and tone that i like.I don't full on clean my harps that Much anyway so screws aren't a must have.
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KingoBad
1528 posts
Sep 11, 2014
6:04 PM
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The MB is cheap(kind of), and I can do exactly what I need to make it great.
I like the crossover too, but.i am cheap, and I would rather put in the sweat equity with an original MB (unless the Crossover goes on a super sale like the last one I picked up).
I like adding a little mojo to a harp, so having some hands on time is good for my connection to my instruments.
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Danny
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