I saw Adam Gussow's advise for a Marine Band harmonica. Would this also be tru for a Marine Band Deluxe? it would be a lot easier for maintenance (nail vs bolt)
Last Edited by johan d on Jun 19, 2015 2:30 AM
The MBD is a very nice harp. As I said in the other thread: I prefer it easily above the crossover. It's my favourite OOTB harp. ---------- Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
Only one issue. When I play with the band, our lead guitarist often tells me I'm "out of tune" when playing the MBD. With the Crossover, I never have that problem. The difference in tuning between the two is subtle, but it is significant when playing in a band. So I usually use Crossovers with the band, and MBDs when playing alone.
Last Edited by A440 on Jun 20, 2015 1:26 AM
With regard to the tuning, I can hardly remember a jam I've been to where half [edited for gross exaggeration: some of] of the guitarists weren't at least a little out of tune - even with their digital tuners in hand - not enough to completely ruin things, but certainly enough to grate on my ears a little.
I don't know how skillful your guitarist is, but maybe, just maybe his tuning skills aren't up to the boys and girls at Hohner. The other alternative is that you might be bending some notes much harder than is necessary, in which case your guitarist might be bang on the money. Many harp players, myself included, have been in the habit of doing that at some point.
Last Edited by HarmonicaMick on Jun 20, 2015 5:27 AM
Actually, our guitar player is correct. The 3 and 5 draw on the MB/MBD/SP20 are tuned 10-12 cents flat. The draws on the Crossover are 1 or 2 cents sharp. That makes the Crossover a better choice than the MBD when playing with the band, especially rock/folk songs that should not be played too bluesy. However, on straight up blues songs, those flattened notes sound bluesier, so the MBD works. (only 1/3 of our songs are blues).
Last Edited by A440 on Jun 20, 2015 9:16 AM
Thanks for the pointer. I knew that the tunings were different - am not crazy about the Crossover's - but I hadn't realised that they would be noticeable in the way that your guitarist's ears picked them up.
On the other hand, the MBD will sound nicer on chords and double stops, since its closer to JI. So it would be a better choice for classic blues playing.
Yeah. That's why I'm not so keen on the Crossover. I often wonder how sharp my ears really are - though, in truth, I meant what I said about blues jams and tuning - but I can really tell the difference with the chords on closer-to-JI Deluxe.
Anway, the point I was making was about temperament - the MBD and Crossover are tuned to different temperaments. When playing the blues, those flatted notes on the MBD sound good. But when playing along with a guitar in country/folk/rock/jazz, those two flatted notes can sound out of tune with the band. So it is those situations where I find the Crossovers work well. The guitarist I have played with for the past 5 years has a really good ear, and he usually spots which harp I am using. I highly doubt the audience can hear the difference.
Yes, I guess a harp tuned to A446 would sound out of tune with a band tuned to A441.
The only point I was making, 1847, is that irrespective of root tuning, the MB temperament gives you flatted notes in the 3 draw and 5 draw, relative to a scale of single notes on the harp. I play in a six piece band, and during practice our guitar player can hear that I am flat on those two notes, compared to the guitar and horn which are playing the same scale.
This was the same thing Michelle pointed out recently in another thread, as the advantage of using an ET harp in some situations. The Crossover is compromised close to ET, which is my point, characterising the difference between the MBD and a Crossover.
Last Edited by A440 on Jun 21, 2015 11:13 AM
What I want to do is encourage people To learn to tune there own harmonica’s. or at the very least Check the tuning for your self
No one should rely on the guitar player to tell them they are out of tune. What you may find is that the notes that are not in tune, may very well be much further out than 12 cents Perhaps 20 cents or more.
Something also to consider is this.. You may be playing the wrong note. Heaven forbid. But it happens more than you think.
If you are playing 5 draw and it sounds flat… that’s because it is. It is a flat 7….. it like 50 cents flat. If the tune calls for a major 7 th. It is a note to avoid. At all cost.
Sugar blue played with the rolling stones, he used a special 20 he does not sound hopelessly out of tune.
Here is a john popper tune he is using A special 20. This a great solo
the guitar the bass and organ are all equal tempered.
didjcripey this one example. I will address the other example in its own separate thread, because on that topic it may very well be me who is mis-informed, and if that is the case I will gladly admit I am wrong, because I am also here to learn. Peace.
"What I want to do is encourage people to learn to tune there own harmonica’s. or at the very least Check the tuning for your self"
I absolutely agree! It as important as gapping if not more so. The audience may not even be able to tell that your harp is not well gapped and that you are working hard to play it. But they won't miss noticing if you are out of tune!
In of itself, being in tune makes a harp more fun to play...
