Neil Stern
1 post
Mar 06, 2015
3:48 AM
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I have played the cheaper ones they have good sound but really you get what you buy What im getting at if you cant afford to get a top end harp try this one and write me back on what you think Try a Hohner Special 20 their about 40 bucks yes a bit more than you may want to spend but not as much as 100 200 or more For 40 bucks you get so much more sound plays very smooth great sound and you dont have to force the sound its a very easy harp to play in the key of C and comes in a nice case not paper Had mine for years And remember for better long lasting sound break in before you start playing hard Its a very loud harp well worth the 40 bucks Oh and its made in Germany
Last Edited by Neil Stern on Mar 06, 2015 3:50 AM
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jbone
1897 posts
Mar 06, 2015
4:24 AM
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I used them for years. Really a good harp as you say, but I needed longer life and I played harder. A false start or two and I landed on a Japanese harp, Suzuki Manji. Granted it costs more- $60 or so- but features not only a longer life, you can buy replacement reed plates for half that or less.
If Manji were not available I'd get a fresh Sp 20.
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Raven
14 posts
Mar 06, 2015
2:08 PM
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I agree with jbone. Started out with a lot of SP20's, but after trying a Manji, I shifter gears. Play great OOB and I've yet to back a screw out of a cover plate. A little brighter than SP20. Both good harps.
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the_happy_honker
211 posts
Mar 06, 2015
11:37 PM
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I think Suzuki's Harpmaster beats out Special 20 in best value for money category. Manufacturing and assembly standards are higher than for Special 20s. I have never had one that was not air-tight and sensibly gapped.
And like jbone says, for less than the cost of a new Harpmaster, you can buy Manji or Promaster replacement reed plates and pop them in.
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Scotty16
7 posts
Mar 13, 2015
1:55 AM
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hi I havew been playing for a year or so and the honner special 20 is a great harmonica and it is easy to bend and is comptable in the hand so my first harmonica special 20 it can never let you down. I belive the Suzuki harpmaster and blues master are good harmonmicas as well but I personely have not tried them so the special 20 is good and good value for money and because it has a plastic comb it can never change shape on you. glad to be of help
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Glass Harp Full
4 posts
Mar 13, 2015
3:45 PM
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I have a Suzuki Bluesmaster and really like it. Comfortable to hold, comfortable to play and responsive.
I haven't played a Special 20 so I can't do a direct comparison but it does have a brighter tone than my other Hohners. Certainly not shrill though. At about AU$40 (about US$30) it's great value for money.
I'm looking at getting a Harpmaster, so good to hear they're good too.
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STME58
1235 posts
Mar 13, 2015
4:31 PM
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The SP-20 and the Harpmaster are kind of like the Ford F-150 and Chevy 1500. Both are solid and reliable for the price and each has its loyal following. Reed plates are available for each from Rockin Rons for about $30. Rocket plates for SP-20 and Manji or Promaster for Harpmaster. I have yet to see a music store that caries reed plates. I have a couple of each of these and I can't say either is better.
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Danny Starwars
70 posts
Mar 13, 2015
9:06 PM
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Neil,
1) These are for you: ...................................................................................................................
2) I agree that the Special 20 is a great all-round harp. Because good harps are hard to come across in my country, i always suggest them as a good place to start. Yes, $50 or so bucks here, but a great, responsive little instrument. The cheaper ones here would likely put a new player off.
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My YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2_8CnjaiNLcPke4gWQ65A
Last Edited by Danny Starwars on Mar 13, 2015 9:06 PM
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HarpNinja
4059 posts
Mar 14, 2015
7:52 AM
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After playing custom Marine Bands for years, I am fully converted to the Special 20. I have a set of 20 - all 12 keys, back ups in 5 keys, and three low tuned. I still have a set of Marine Bands and Golden Melodies, but the don't get much play.
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
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SuperBee
2461 posts
Mar 14, 2015
3:26 PM
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I started working on harps a couple years ago, maybe 3 years. This last year or so I've been fixing harps for paying customers. This has allowed me to see a lot of harps, and many special 20s. As a repairer, tuner, and player, I've grown to appreciate the special 20 more than ever before. Most of my personal kit is marine band/crossover, and will probably stay that way for a long time because there is no need to replace them, but if I was assembling a new kit from scratch I think I wouldn't mess around with anything else, just all Sp20
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9000
219 posts
Mar 14, 2015
6:11 PM
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Harp Ninja and SuperBee: Now that there are some alternate combs for the S20 available from Hohner and the aftermarket do you feel the stock combs are adequate or would you replace them.
Jay
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Music speaks where words fail.
Last Edited by 9000 on Mar 14, 2015 6:11 PM
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mastercaster
131 posts
Mar 15, 2015
4:51 AM
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Hohner is making alternative combs for the Sp 20 ?
I searched this forum , as well as goggled this topic .. no results from Hohner other than the standard stock comb .. do you have a link to Hohner's Sp20 'alternative' combs ?
Thanx in advance
Last Edited by mastercaster on Mar 15, 2015 4:54 AM
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groyster1
2752 posts
Mar 15, 2015
7:52 AM
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I would leave sp20 combs stock....I replaced some sp20s with wood combs....only a cosmetic change with zero improvement in sound....sp20 combs are very good
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HarpNinja
4060 posts
Mar 15, 2015
8:15 AM
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All stock combs all the time. I do cut out the support in each column. I always switch out the cover screws to M2x10 too. They look better, lol.
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
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MindTheGap
570 posts
Mar 15, 2015
8:19 AM
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Superbee - what is it about the SP20 that, as a repairer, you particularly like?
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Gipsy
132 posts
Mar 15, 2015
9:15 AM
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@masrercaster. I suspect 9000 is referring to the fact that the Hohner Rocket comb works with sp20's. Here in Europe they are available from the Hohner website for 8 euros ( 8.40 USD ).
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Littoral
1219 posts
Mar 15, 2015
9:43 AM
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I've added some 20's to my box but the recessed reeds do mess with me a little.
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Goldbrick
904 posts
Mar 15, 2015
10:22 AM
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For the same money I think Seydel blues session is a nicer harp. Just my IMHO.
The Seydel has a sturdier feel and great smooth covers
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Thievin' Heathen
505 posts
Mar 15, 2015
11:05 AM
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I can't let a "Great Harp For The Money" thread go by without plugging Lee Oskars. $37.99
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shakeylee
162 posts
Mar 15, 2015
12:11 PM
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doesn't seem odd that the OP's first post is a hohner ad?
i mean,if it was a bushman/harpmaster ad............. :)
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www.shakeylee.com
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SuperBee
2464 posts
Mar 15, 2015
2:34 PM
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Hi Jay, I'm happy enough with the stock comb. I'm not customising these things as such. I'm just repairing them, and i work on making them play well, before tuning them. I have used a couple of different solid combs on my own Sp20s though. I recall being impressed at the time (couple years ago or so) with the hetrick bamboo comb but these days I think I wouldn't bother. I like the rocket comb, but it's not an imperative for me to change the comb. I haven't tried Florida-Trader's new comb. I'm sure it's very good an probably an improvement over stock but I'm a long way from Florida and the economics don't make sense for me with postage and the exchange rate, not even (or especially) as a one-off trial.
i can usually get a sp20 to play overblows on 456 with a standard comb.
MTG: I find they are comparatively easy to work on, and give satisfying results. Easy to clean, only two cover plate fasteners, can use a nut with screw when attaching new reeds. Small things but when you deal with multiples, they add up to an easier experience
Last Edited by SuperBee on Mar 15, 2015 3:53 PM
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mastercaster
134 posts
Mar 16, 2015
3:57 AM
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@ Gipsy ,
I suspect you are right .. nothing custom , just the stock Rocket comb ..
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Gnarly
1275 posts
Mar 16, 2015
8:13 AM
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I agree with the OP--good for the money, but I don't know if they are really made in Germany any more.
There are a bunch of SP20s in my gig kit.
That being said, I work for Suzuki as their repair guy, and I would have a lot more work if their harps didn't last so long. One year warranty includes reed failure, and all harmonicas will break, but folks seem to think our harps hold up better than the competition.
I don't prefer steel reeds, and they will break too.
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SuperBee
2466 posts
Mar 16, 2015
2:36 PM
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i'm really interested in how you repair those suzuki harps Gnarly.
i dont repair suzuki, mainly because i havent enough to experiment with and i'm not sure how best to address the issue of placing well-aligned pilot holes in reed and plate. i know there is a special tool kit for the job...but its a little too pricey for the amount of work i'd anticipate
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mlefree
264 posts
Mar 17, 2015
12:07 PM
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SuperBee, as Gnarly knows, the gating factor is the availability of donor reeds. To me, the rest is just good machine technique.
I can't find a current version of Pat Missin's old tunings.txt file, nor do I know, if it does still exist, whether he's updated it to include Suzuki harps.
I've a friend with a blown reed on a Harpmaster. I'm about to dig through my pile of dead harps (donated to me over the years) with my digital caliper to find a suitable donor. Wish me luck.
Michelle
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SilverWingLeather.com
email: mlefree@silverwingleather.com
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SuperBee
2467 posts
Mar 17, 2015
1:38 PM
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Good luck!
If it's just down to good machine technique, that is what I'm interested to know more about.
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mlefree
265 posts
Mar 18, 2015
11:13 AM
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I'm basing that on what I saw in Brendan Power's Suzuki reed replacement videos on Youtube. He's reduced it to some fairly simple steps that don't seem difficult if you have a drill press and some experience working with harmonicas.
I'm unaware of a Suzuki reed replacement too kit. Please tell me more.
Thanks,
Michelle
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SilverWingLeather.com
email: mlefree@silverwingleather.com
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SuperBee
2468 posts
Mar 18, 2015
1:53 PM
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Thanks Michelle, I shall dig through Brendan's videos.
The Suzuki kit is advertised like this:
Suzuki HRT-10 Harmonica Reed Replacement Tool Kit is the perfect companion for the serious harmonica player or repairer. These hard to find specialist tools are combined together in a handy Suzuki case and will enable you to make own repairs.
Among other more common items, it includes
"2x Punching tools and bases (for narrow & wide reeds)"
It's the "punching tools" which are unique. I believe there is a video.
http://youtu.be/GS9zo4KaN20
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Gnarly
1276 posts
Mar 18, 2015
8:36 PM
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Yeah, the Suzuki Japan guys were kind enough to give me an HRT-10 a couple of years back, it makes this thing easy. It's just as good as the bigger tools we have been using at Suzuki for many years, but lighter and more portable.
If you have the right tools, Brendan's video shows the way. I wish we sold single reeds, but that's not going to happen.
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SuperBee
2469 posts
Mar 19, 2015
12:19 AM
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ok, that all looks quite doable. unfortunately i gave away my broken Manji a few weeks ago. that would have been the ideal prototype repair.. i better have a few practice runs before i start telling folks i can mend them...
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