SleepingCat
16 posts
Aug 03, 2016
8:18 PM
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Have been very curious as to why harmonicas lack a simple way to identify which end is which without requiring eyeballs.
Like, I don't know, a little bump or any other suitable feature to prevent me from accidently screeching a high note when I plant my harp in my mouth (then curse and flip it around)?
To be fair, I only only own a couple Hohners and Suzukis, so maybe other manufacturers have solved this problem...
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STME58
1790 posts
Aug 03, 2016
8:34 PM
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One of the things Ronnie Shellist covered at a seminar I attended, was how to coolly flip the harp over and carry on as if no mistake had been made when this happens to you.
Seydel has little plastic bumps with the key names on them you can stick on your harps. I got a set from Rockin-Ron and the do the job, but they don't stay on forever (perhaps I did not prepare the surface well enough for the pressure sensitive adhesive to do its job)
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SleepingCat
17 posts
Aug 03, 2016
8:43 PM
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I have considered stickers as well. Have also considered using my daughter's "BeDazzler!" to place a little jewel on one side of the comb.
I wonder why this is an issue left to after-market solutions?
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STME58
1792 posts
Aug 03, 2016
9:16 PM
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The Seydel Nobel comes with these stickers in place. I have one in Low F and it is a great harp. I am considering a Low Eb or Low E Nobel next.
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SuperBee
3962 posts
Aug 03, 2016
9:44 PM
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The thunderbird solves the problem by having asymmetrical cover.
In practice, once you get it wrong a few times you will develop a strategy to avoid getting it wrong. Most of the time. Just looking at the harp usually does it for me. Picking up the wrong key is at least as much of a problem for me
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Gnarly
1905 posts
Aug 03, 2016
11:20 PM
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This is one of the reasons I like the TurboLids--bottom is bigger, easy to sort out in the dark.
I use them on Special 20's but Jim now has them to fit many makes and models.
Last Edited by Gnarly on Aug 03, 2016 11:21 PM
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nacoran
9178 posts
Aug 04, 2016
9:20 AM
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Gnarly, I don't see them for other models on his page?
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Nate
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bluemoose
1141 posts
Aug 04, 2016
10:10 AM
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on turbolib page in FAQ:
WHY WON'T THE TURBOLID FIT MY HARMONICA?
All harmonicas aren't shaped the same...We would love if the TurboLid fit all harmonicas, but unfortunately some need adjustments, or won't fit. That's why we are working to increase the list to include all of your favorites, and making modifications where we can.
Hohner Crossover- The harmonica is too small. Shims are needed on both the width and the length of the harmonica. We offer this modified version called the TurboCrossover.
Hohner Marine Band- The harmonica body is not wide enough. A shim is needed to keep the harmonica from slipping out of place. We offer this modified version called the TurboMB.
Suzuki Manji- The comb is too wide. The width of the harmonica needs to be filed down in order to fit. We offer a modified version called the TurboManji.
Suzuki ProMaster- The comb is too wide. The width is just 1mm too wide. The width would need to be filed down in order to fit.
Suzuki Olive - The harmonica body is too large.
Seydel Blues Session Steel - The harmonica body is too large.
Selection is under store/acoustic turboharps.
Not easy to find, I agree.
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Gnarly
1906 posts
Aug 04, 2016
12:46 PM
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There's nothing wrong with a Special 20 that I can't fix.
Not every harp in my kit is a SP20--there's a couple of Manjis, my Seydel Session Steel TurboSlide in G Major Cross (with stock covers--but the button orients you), and an SBS in D tuned circular on the bottom--but I not much care for playing the harmonica upside down, I play bad enough when it's right side up!
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mlefree
730 posts
Aug 04, 2016
7:13 PM
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Personally, I ~hate~ Turbolids.
I bought some about 10 years ago and could not figure out a way to eliminate the air leakage through the interface between 'Lids and my Special 20 combs. They rendered my harps unplayable. The good Doctor Antaki actually replaced them all in case they were defective. Not. I gave 'em all away to a friend in San Diego, though not Gnarly. But, my guess is they somehow ended up with Gnarly anyway.
It could have been my deep embouchure. If you have shallow embouchure, first off, you shouldn't (I'm not saying Gnarly does). But if you're insistent, your embouchure might not encompass that leaky interface. Both my pursed-lip and my tongue-block embouchures placed that interface well inside my mouth.
So, my advice is to buy one Turbolid and try it before you make a big plunge. If you don't like it, you can send it to Gnarly. ;^)
At least that's the way I see it.
Michelle
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garry
657 posts
Aug 04, 2016
7:44 PM
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couldn't you just insert a tiny screw into the high end piece? screwed all the way in it would leave a tiny bump you could easily detect by feel, but it wouldn't reach the 10 hole.
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Rontana
342 posts
Aug 04, 2016
7:59 PM
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Or, just drill a tiny hole (1/64th bit perhaps) in the lid from the inside out. Your finger would feel the raised edges around the hole. If sharp, you could swipe it with an equally tiny piece of sandpaper, and still feel the bump.
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SleepingCat
18 posts
Aug 04, 2016
10:13 PM
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I think all of these solutions would effectively skin the cat, I'm just super curious as to why this isn't part of basic harmonica design. Maybe it isn't as big of a problem as I perceive it to be?
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STME58
1798 posts
Aug 04, 2016
10:38 PM
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I think the answer to your question is tradition. Harmonicas have been in production since the early 19th century, not as long as other instruments, but long enough to really get a strong sense of "this is the way it should be done".
As a designer, I have worked with both the sheet metal and the plastics industries. The sheet metal industry, like the harmonica, has roots back to the early 19th century whereas the plastics industry only goes back to mid 20th century. The plastics industry is much more open to innovation.
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Frank101
174 posts
Aug 04, 2016
10:53 PM
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Putting nails/screws into the comb= various problems, + what about harps w/ plastic combs?
Try superglue, just a dot applied w/ a toothpick to the end you want to mark (far end of the harp from where yr mouth will be), bingo!
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JustFuya
936 posts
Aug 05, 2016
8:04 AM
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How about modifying one screw head or nut for the cover plates. The screw could extend slightly beyond the nut, the nut could be knurled, taller, or larger. The shape of screw head could be modified using a file (ie by adding flats to the circumference).
I make this mistake often in practice. If I'm out and about I just try to be careful about how I place them in whatever container I'm using. It's not the end of the world if I miss but I'd rather not. If I can I'll give them a quick draw before the song begins. My biggest hassle is grabbing the intended key when I'm frenzied or using multiple harps.
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1847
3605 posts
Aug 05, 2016
9:27 AM
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so.... why are you afraid to look at your harmonica?
does your girlfriend get jealous?
"you don't look at me like that"
i simply put a sticker with the key on the bottom plate to the right. seems to work just fine.
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Gnarly
1908 posts
Aug 05, 2016
10:35 AM
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When I am on stage I don't want to have to peer at my harps to see which end is up.
I try to show the folks my face, as I understand it, that's all they are interested in anyway.
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nacoran
9179 posts
Aug 05, 2016
4:21 PM
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Michelle, that wasn't my experience with them, although I only have one. I don't use it a lot because it won't fit in my case (which, if I had a bunch I could figure out a workaround for.)
... Of course, I have a big mouth!
I also really like the surface on them. I didn't get nearly as much gunk buildup on the surface with them as with metal covers. (Still get gunk in the holes, but that's to be expected.) Also like how easy it was to open up the harps.
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