Bass410man
23 posts
Jan 20, 2015
10:37 AM
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For anyone out there that plays with a harp rack, could you give me your opinions on a decent one. Most I see look flimsy and as if they don't clamp very well. I Want to order one, but I want to make sure I get a half decent one. Thanks
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KC69
428 posts
Jan 20, 2015
10:54 AM
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I mixed and matched three different racks to get the one I like best. one was lee osckar for the harp holder. a K&M for the round plastic tightners, which I added locking washers and plastic wing nut. forget the third, maybe most important is the neck part, it lays best on my neck and chest. It is black and curved at the neck. I think its a Dunlop. This is the exact setup Jimi Lee uses. You should also check out pictures of T.J. Klay's rack. He added small metal extensions for height and small weights to keep in place on the chest. Bet you can e-mail both guys for help, they are both great guys and always willing to help. Definitely check out pics of them. these guys are both great in the rack. Of course its about hundreds and thousand of hours of playing!!!
P.S. I use a magnetic harp holder in the lee osckar harp holder. it extends the harmonica further in my mouth and at a better angle, for better tone and easier playing. it also makes harps easier to change than the lee osckar holder.
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And I Thank You !!
KCz
Backwoodz
Bluz
Last Edited by KC69 on Jan 20, 2015 11:12 AM
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shakeylee
24 posts
Jan 20, 2015
11:02 AM
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i have good luck with the cheap ones.take the hardware out,throw it away. then,go to the hardware store and get new thumbscrews and wingnuts .
the cheapest or second cheapest work fine for me.
i do make my living with a harp rack.
i think the expensive ones are a waste.
an old elton is a good find!
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www.shakeylee.com
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shakeylee
25 posts
Jan 20, 2015
11:14 AM
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http://rockinronsmusicsd.com/index.php?_a=product&product_id=179
http://rockinronsmusicsd.com/index.php?_a=product&product_id=178
the hohner HH154 and HH154B are sturdy.
but even the cheaper one,which is a copy of the old elton holder,is ok after you change the hardware,albeit somewhat flimsy.
i do use one of these too:
http://rockinronsmusicsd.com/index.php?_a=product&product_id=174
not so i can use two harps,but so i can change harps with one hand,say while still finger picking with my right hand.
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www.shakeylee.com
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KingoBad
1591 posts
Jan 20, 2015
11:38 AM
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I think the Hohner Flexrack is the best bang for the buck. I have tried many others, and it holds up very well. It can hit all the angles I prefer, as I hate the forward tilt of a standard rack. I have modified a few - the K&M being the last I modified with reasonable success - but the flex rack does everything you need as far as adjustment. I keep a backup because I wouldn't want to be stranded in a town where I could only get a standard rack…
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Danny
Last Edited by KingoBad on Jan 20, 2015 11:39 AM
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Bass410man
24 posts
Jan 20, 2015
12:25 PM
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Thanks for the info, I will check in to these. Sounds like in the end it will be half store boughten, and half homemade, to get it where you need it to be.
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shakeylee
26 posts
Jan 20, 2015
12:50 PM
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really only the hardware to start.
where as i agree with king of bad that the flex rack is nice,i get the impression you have never used a rack before.please realize i am not trying to contradict anyone,but if you are a beginner with rack.....
i do not think you need a customized rack or a >$50 rack to start out.
i think the hohner hh154 would give you years of service,until you learn your preferences.at $11.25,i promise you you won't go wrong.even if you don't love it,it would be a sensible backup.
if you hate it,i'll give you $10 for it :)
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www.shakeylee.com
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waltertore
2791 posts
Jan 20, 2015
12:55 PM
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I started with coat hangers and used the basic cheap Dylan/Jimmy Reed rack for 30 odd years. I bought the flex rack and think it is junk. Then I tried the Farmers drum harp rack. It is going on 2 years with it and it is the best rack I have used to date. I play 99% of my harp on a rack and have about 40 odd years of it behind me so if that means anything to you get a farmers rack. Walter
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walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year in the Tunnel of Dreams Studio.
" life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
my videos
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KC69
429 posts
Jan 20, 2015
1:07 PM
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I will add that the service at Farmers Foot Drums is spectacular. Pete's wife Kate is amazing in response and support. E-mail Kate with any questions and your sure to get great service. I just bought another downbeat pedal and accessories and was completely satisfied in the purchase and process!!!
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And I Thank You !!
KCz
Backwoodz
Bluz
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shakeylee
27 posts
Jan 20, 2015
1:12 PM
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walter is an amazing performer i first learned about on big road blues forum.
here is the rack he's talking about.
http://footdrums.com/archtop-harp-holders/archtop-add-ons
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www.shakeylee.com
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KingoBad
1592 posts
Jan 20, 2015
1:25 PM
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See if you can find some that people will let you try. Maybe an open mic. Plenty of us have made investments in our setup, you'll go with the one that works for you. If you are ever close to Indianapolis, you are welcome to try mine.
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Danny
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A440
317 posts
Jan 20, 2015
1:43 PM
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The K&M works well for me. Its their slightly more expensive model with thick rubber on the harp clamp, holding the harp tightly without scratching the covers. German quality. I also love my K&M mic stand.
Last Edited by A440 on Jan 20, 2015 1:45 PM
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Bass410man
25 posts
Jan 20, 2015
2:04 PM
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@ Walter & Shakeylee
That is a sturdy looking rack for sure, and your right Shakeylee I have never played with a rack never even tried it. So I think I will just get the cheap one and see how it goes, if I feel I can do it then I will buy the Farmers Rack, and keep the cheap one for a back-up. Hard to believe magnets could hold it on so well.
@ KingoBad,
Won't be down your way anytime soon, I am up in Northern Canada, but I appreciate the offer, and the input from everyone, its been a great help.
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GMaj7
597 posts
Jan 20, 2015
2:26 PM
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I have the standard cheap Hohner version, but then I stripped the springs and clamp off of it and added rare earth magnets to the top.
It works perfectly for me and I can swap out harps on the fly.
I have pics of it on my 16:23 Facebook page
The one Jimi Lee uses is a good set-up, too, but for me, I want to be able to switch harps quickly. I also need to be able to put some of my special hybrid harps on there that are the size of a 260.
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Greg Jones
16:23 Custom Harmonicas
greg@1623customharmonicas.com
1623customharmonicas.com
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waltertore
2792 posts
Jan 20, 2015
2:32 PM
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Thanks for the kind words guys. The hardest thing about a harp rack is you will have to spend a ton of hours with it to really feel comfortable with the way it sits on you and making music with it. Think about how few good rack players there are out there. The time it takes to get good tone out of the rack and nice riffs makes it learning a whole new instrument. The one man band thing is the same. Just blowing a harp with drums is a bit of a challenge but add a guitar to that and you really have a lot to coordinate. The great news is if you can get through the 15 odd year learning curve you will be self contained and free to make any music you want anytime you want with no compromises. Todays world wants everything fast and the harp rack/guitar/drums on the feet is a long term thing to get decent at. The $9 old standby rack is fine. It served me well for most of my life but the Farmer rack is really a class piece of equipment. Walter
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walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year in the Tunnel of Dreams Studio.
" life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
my videos
Last Edited by waltertore on Jan 20, 2015 2:40 PM
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Komuso
471 posts
Jan 20, 2015
4:43 PM
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@Kingobad "I think the Hohner Flexrack is the best bang for the buck. I have tried many others, and it holds up very well. It can hit all the angles I prefer, as I hate the forward tilt of a standard rack. I have modified a few - the K&M being the last I modified with reasonable success - but the flex rack does everything you need as far as adjustment. I keep a backup because I wouldn't want to be stranded in a town where I could only get a standard rack…"
+10 to all this.
Hohner Flexrack works great for me.
I also have my custom frankenracks made from 3 other cheapos as a backup, but I rarely adjust the Flexrack now and just leave it set. Grab it off where it sits, put the harp in, play!
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Paul Cohen aka Komuso Tokugawa
HarpNinja - Your harmonica Mojo Dojo
Bringing the Boogie to the Bitstream
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Gnarly
1216 posts
Jan 21, 2015
8:06 AM
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JInx
956 posts
Jan 21, 2015
2:49 PM
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+1 for the magnetic Farmer Archtop harmonica holder.
The Hohner Flexrack pales in comparison. It's bulky and if your are not careful, it'll exploded springs and parts, never to be seen again.
also the rarely available Blues Tool rack is good as well.
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Gnarly
1217 posts
Jan 21, 2015
3:15 PM
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Yeah, Harmonica John (in San Diego) favors the blues tool.
I like the Flex Rack, but prefer what I have, as it lets me escape from the harmonica when I need to croon.
Ba ba ba boooo . . .
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shakeylee
37 posts
Jan 21, 2015
3:17 PM
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the customized $80 one is interesting.
i would be more likely to use the $8.99 one and bend it to shape.worked for jimmy reed.
i might have given the impression earlier that you HAVE to change the hardware right away.i just like to.the stock hardware will work for a while.if you are just learning,stock is fine.
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JInx
960 posts
Jan 23, 2015
4:26 PM
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if you get the farmer rack, make sure you get at least one extra amount harp magnet standbye mount and also the kazoo mount. you know you love it
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