Greetings, all! This is my first post and I have a couple of simple questions I need answered or if you can point me to the answer on the site, that would work too!
I am a singer/songwriter/guitarist, and now I like to think of myself as a harp player as well. I've improved quite a bit over the past few months, incorporating harp into my solo and band shows more and more. I seem to get compliments at every show, although I have a lot to learn still.
I don't know a ton about maintenance. I mostly play Marine Band harps, and on a couple, particularly my A harp, one hole/reed doesn't make sound anymore. Is this a cleaning issue, fixable, or should I be prepared to replace it?
Also, what's the short answer/consensus on buying used harps? Yay or nay?
I'm currently using Marine Band, Blues Harp, and Lee Oskar. I prefer Marine Band over the others I have. Looking at Special 20s next. I also have Green Bullet.
There are a few possibilities for why a reed could be not sounding. If it's making no noise at all it's probably just stuck/jammed or the gap is set too low so it's choking. If it's making weird noises then it's another story. Marine Bands are a little harder to take apart than some other models, but fortunately Adam has a good video on it. Jams, misaligned reeds (where the reed is hitting the sides of the slot), and gapping are all easy steps to check (easier on harps with screw on covers, but not too bad on MBs).
For future reference, here is an index of Adam's videos:
So, for buying used harps, that's a tougher question. Personally, I've bought a few. You have to make sure to sterilize them. For wooden combed harps, for me that means replacing the comb. For harps fastened with nails like the MB that means you'll have to redrill the harps for screws, which is simple enough if you have a drill press and mechanical skills, but a pain in the butt if you lack either. If the seller has a good reputation and is willing to vouch that they all play okay you can get a deal if you are willing to put in some elbow grease to get them fixed up. It all depends on how handy you are.
Generally speaking, I think most harpers agree that you should know how to take apart your harp to clean it, to adjust the gaps and maybe to fix a misaligned reed. There are guys who get into more advanced stuff- retuning, reed replacement and some other more advanced things, but you can learn those later if you are interested and like tinkering.
I think the Sp20 is a good next step, although the MB Deluxe and the MB Crossover are both great, if slightly more expensive. Personally, most of my harps are Lee Oskars and Special 20s. They, for me, they give the best price/value return.
Nay, never buy used harps (unless they are vintage harps on e bay!!)
Buy new ones, MB and all Hohner models are good OTB.
Try not to think about your tools too much, your technique going forward is your goal
Think more about your breathing as you play from the diaphragm deep and slow, work out your practice schedule, say 20 mins a day and stick to it for years.
Lee Sankey, quote is 5 years not too bad ,10 maybe gettin' there, 20 years you should have found yourself
Thanks, guys. That video was helpful, Nate. I was a vocal performance major in college, and have been singing my whole life. Thank goodness, because I think it has really made learning harp easier.
After reading this forum a little more, I do believe there's a good chance I'm "playing too hard." I also beat the hell out of my A harp as it gets tossed around on stage a lot. On a few songs, I go from singing to slide guitar, to harp and then back to singing and playing guitar.
Man, I love the harp, though. Sounds so cool, and there is some real talent on this forum. I'm really glad I took it up.
BTW, I practice in the car to and from work (about 20 mins each way).
There's nothing wrong with buying used harps. Most of the time they are perfectly OK. It goes without saying that you should clean and sanitize them before playing them. The Marine Band is pretty much the only harmonica on the market that is assembled with nails, which makes it challenging to disassemble and reassemble so that it is airtight. Most guys, when they disassemble a Marine Band, replace the nails and re-assemble it with screws. If your preference is Marine Bands, be prepared to retrofit them with screws if you want to maintain them. It's not hard and lots of guys do this. Every other quality harmonica made today is assembled with screws, meaning disassembly and cleaning is very easy. We buy used cars. We buy used Guitars. We buy used Saxophones. What's wrong with used harmonicas? Worried about catching something from the last guy who played it? If that's the case, you better be prepared to bring your own flatware and glasses with you next time you eat out because every fork, spoon, glass and coffee cup has been in countless mouths yet we don't even blink when the waitress hands us a drink or we use the flatware. Flatware and glasses can be sanitized. So can harps. Buying used is a good way to get some bargains to stretch your money a little. ---------- Tom Halchak www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
mistermullins,Being relatively new to harp, and especially this forum, if you click on the Blues Harp Forum tab on the left side of the page you'll see "Beginner Forum" in the drop down. That 's a great place to post newbie questions and get some great responses.
If you go there, scroll down to the topic title "Introductions" and tell us a little about yourself
Note on the beginner's forum- all members are always allowed to post on either/any forum, but the beginner's forum is set up where beginners can help each other out with things that guys who have been playing longer may not think about much anymore. Some people also get nervous posting basic questions around guys who have been around the block a few times. But you are certainly welcome on the main forum as well.
Also, you can check out the forum search on the same tab. It's not a great search engine but it can sometimes help you find things, particularly if you have an idea of what you are looking for.
If you like Marine Bands, u may wish to consider the Marine Band Deluxe which is assembled with screws. MBDs are very decent harps if u like vented covers and compromise tuning.
Last Edited by hvyj on Jan 26, 2016 7:13 PM
Do u have a beard or mustache----most times my harps jam up, its a hair from my mustache--dried saliva mixed with sugar from softdrinks or just saliva will build up and Im of the school that says its ok to wash harps now and then--if u have wood combs and wash the harp still together the wood will expand-[uncomfortable] if u take it apart [cut the nylon bristles shorter on a toothbrush and brush sideways to reeds- if u do one or 2 strokes parallel to reed ,the shorter,stiffer bristles,help keep it from getting stuck in reed slot, which Ive done-since yr not overblowin [my vote goes Lee Oscar- easy to get Reed plates,combs cover plates--screws reasonably priced and LAST A LONG TIME--save yr broken [bad] reed plates and parts-- down the road u may choose to work on and or repair yr harps-welcome to the sight--Ive learned a ton from this sight--
I have a whole lot less problems with sticking reeds by keeping the 'stache trimmed, doing a good teeth brushing and rinse before playing and never eating popcorn during a session!
Sankey had it right on that quote. Indeed it was about that long for me to begin to turn a corner into more robust playing. The BUT here is, in the 70's and 80's there was a much smaller pool of resources. Other than a few books and possibly live lessons from adept players you were pretty much on your own with a pile of lp's or cassettes.
I occasionally buy a used harp if it's a very good deal. I have traded for a few custom MB's which I also disassemble and clean before use. I despise the nailed MB's. That is so last century. I will drill and tap for screws where needed but since there are many other choices I prefer to just use a different and equally as good or better imo harp, like the Manji, Sp20, etc. Technique is everything and if you have had voice training and can access your core you are definitely ahead of the game. Most newcomers- and some of us for YEARS- have/had a habit of sucking the life out of a particular reed, mine mostly draw 4 or 5. Sometimes draw 2. Once you play a reed too hard for too long it's finished and the two solutions are replace the reed or replace the reed plate- or buy a new harp. So the discipline of playing with focus as opposed to playing with force- a key component to dynamics by the way- is crucial to keeping a harp alive for a long time. Even playing acoustic in public, it's a huge help to find your resonance and understand how much volume you can get from a harp- and when to use restraint and ease up on straining. About amped playing, I was not "ready" when I got my first couple of harp rigs together. But even so there I was with the power to be heard by more people. I would be sometimes warily accepted to play a bit with a band at say a house party but I had no real skill and it was a long time before I actually got up at an established jam, let alone played with anybody for money all night. Acoustic tone and chops are absolutely crucial to developing as a real player with one's own depth and musical personality.
Some harps will grab a 'stache hair. I keep mine trimmed back short and avoid most all the harps with covers where a hair can be grabbed and yanked out. Nearly 20 years ago I realized that to be a harp player, one who could actually be proud of a skill and be accepted by musicians, I had to take a long view and truly be a student. I am still a student although I've made some very good progress on my path. I will gladly swap licks with most all players, I can hang with the big dogs on stage, I have a few albums to my credit, and it's a great feeling to know I can do what's required- and attractive- in 3 positions and a wide range of genres. My preference is blues and roots rock but there is so much more as well.
All of this began with an inherited harmonica in 1971. If you relax and take a long view you will realize, you have plenty of time and opportunity to learn the craft.
Would you make out with an attactive woman,man , other preference-this is a pc board here)-- you had just met ?? Sure you would-Guarantee they have more cooties than the used harp
Why worry about a used harp ? Take off the covers , rinse it out- let it dry , reassemble and play
There is a clean freak older lady who lives on my corner--always washing her front porch, pavement etc. Yet i see her kissing her nasty little dog on the mouth?? different strokes I guess.
