dchurch
59 posts
Nov 20, 2016
12:15 PM
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I’ve been a little distracted from music due to fishing a local salmon run, which recently had me wondering_
Is the Lucky 13 really lucky?
I always pack a harp where ever I go. This time a Lucky 13 made the trip. It sounded great out on the dead calm water. This kind of weather is pretty rare for the Oregon coast. That was my first bit of luck. Then I brought in a small Coho (jack) on my 2nd cast on the spinning rod.
Okay, I was feeling pretty lucky so I decided to switch to the fly rod with the hope to catch another one. A few minutes later I brought in this 29 incher with my 7wt. fiberglass Fenwick. It’s pretty exciting in a small kayak and I was extremely lucky to get it into the boat without a net.
When the fight was over I played some joyful blues and snapped this shot to capture the moment.
Life is good and a little luck never hurts.
Do you have a particular lucky harmonica or one that conjures up a great memory?
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It's about time I got around to this.
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shakeylee
592 posts
Nov 20, 2016
3:07 PM
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Get him on a comet?
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www.shakeylee.com
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Gnarly
2003 posts
Nov 20, 2016
9:05 PM
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The question has been raised, "Is the Lucky 13 really lucky?"
And my answer would be, "Not for Suzuki Japan."
I really wish that we made diatonic harmonicas in 12 or 14 holes.
I would settle for 13.
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synopsis
4 posts
Nov 20, 2016
11:50 PM
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There is actually no better commercial for Easttop than this beautiful picture on the kayak.
@Gnarly: why would you think the Lucky 13 is competing against Suzuki harmonicas?
It looks to me like a copy of he MS Pro Harp, just as the Eastop 008.
They also copied the Hohner John Lennon signature by releasing one model with white coverplates and acrylic comb.
Their 0033 model seems being a copy of the Hohner Bluesband, and their T002 seems being a Hohner Meisterklasse.
I also figured out the Asiabend chromatic looks similar with a Sirius S48S.
Actually both Hohner and Seydel have 12 hole harps. Hohner shifted it 2 holes, Seydel shifted it one scale and got rid of the upper hole.
It's sad these copies do not profit true manufacturers who initially invested in R&D.
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Rubes
1007 posts
Nov 21, 2016
1:37 AM
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What key dchurch? I saltwater fish from my kayak so sadly harps are no go.....
Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
Dads in Space at Reverbnation
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Barley Nectar
1274 posts
Nov 21, 2016
7:43 AM
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Beautiful pic! I have sat on the bank of the Elk Creek in NW PA while steelhead fishing and played harp, during slow spells. Didn't give me any luck but I did get a few compliments. I use a 9' Fenwick noodle rod. That hit is on right now! Put that harp in your tackel bag!
Last Edited by Barley Nectar on Nov 21, 2016 7:52 AM
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Gnarly
2004 posts
Nov 21, 2016
7:47 AM
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I was able to replace the broken reed with a Suzuki reed, that should tell you something.
If you look at the Easttop chromatic harps, you will see a strong resemblance to the Suzuki ones.
I am not a lawyer, and I don't manufacture harmonicas, but I do work for Suzuki USA as their harmonica tech, and I wouldn't be surprised if Suzuki Japan has contacted legal counsel.
I agree with you about the cover plates, but the reeds are very similar--how similar? They fit!
"My Hohner doesn't do that!"
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dchurch
61 posts
Nov 21, 2016
8:07 AM
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Rubes- Very cool. I've done a little ocean fishing in the kayak. But we don't get many days here that are calm enough for me to paddle out.
It's an "A" harp (key of fish?). You might try using a Special 20. I have one that has held up for about 2 years of surfing! I just rinse it good with my wet suit after every session. I know it's getting trashed over time but I figure it's well worth it.
Hey, I just used your link, nice work. I also did some reading about NSW, Gosford... That's a fantastic coastline, incredible variety of fish... I thinking you're darn lucky.
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It's about time I got around to this.
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dchurch
62 posts
Nov 21, 2016
8:21 AM
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Thanks Barley, I figured there would be a few fishermen here. Sit'n on the river bank... classic. Portability has to be one of the coolest things about playing harmonica. I just can't imagine packing my trumpet down to the river with a fishing pole.
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It's about time I got around to this.
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Estragon
20 posts
Nov 21, 2016
9:11 AM
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Is it lucky? Certainly looks that way as indeed do you! Looks like a good day out!
Happy to hear you play your SP20 when you surf. Yes you're probably doing it harm but it's there for playing in my view. Good to enjoy it.
I took my Thunderbird out on a long ramble today in very poor weather, not ideal for the harp but made that rain more bearable!
Blues with a (soggy) feeling.
Last Edited by Estragon on Nov 21, 2016 9:12 AM
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shakeylee
593 posts
Nov 21, 2016
9:13 AM
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I too am an angler ,and have played on elk creek banks.
I am bamboo and fiberglass through and through. I'm mostly a wet fly and soft hackle guy.
All the best to you.
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www.shakeylee.com
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dchurch
64 posts
Nov 23, 2016
8:51 AM
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Shakeylee,
Nice! I agree bamboo is not just for harmonica combs. :) I restored this 1920's 3wt for my wife. "Comet?" The coho fly is one that my brother tied for me. I don't know about the pattern. I just thought the color looked good (and lucky).
Tight lines and happy harp'n
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It's about time I got around to this.
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nacoran
9298 posts
Nov 23, 2016
10:40 AM
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The picture makes me think of those singing mounted bass... only this one looks like he's ready to blow some tunes on harp.
I doubt he'd think this particular harp was lucky though!
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Nate
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Brendan Power
536 posts
Nov 24, 2016
2:00 PM
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Great story and pic Dave. I hope the Lucky 13 brings you more fishing luck in future :-)
On the copying issue: I feel the Chinese cop unfair flak on this, because ALL the manufacturers are copying each other all the time. Recent examples:
1. The Hohner Rocket cover is suspiciously reminiscent of the Suzuki Manji cover.
2. The low-key Manjis adopt the flared lower Thunderbird-inspired cover to allow low reed swing. (So does my Lucky 13 ;-)
The Easttop chromatics look outwardly like Suzukis in covers and rounded mouthpiece, but inside they're not. If you examine the comb and slider carefully, you will see they are copying the Hohner 64 comb shaping and slider width (narrower than Suzuki), plus its inclusion of front screws.
You could call that a double copying infraction, or taking the best from both brands and combining them - depends on your point of view.
Manufacturers in all fields are constantly stealing/adapting/improving each other's ideas. That's how technical progress happens really, and it's good for us customers.
Important innovations can be protected by patents, and increasingly Western companies are taking out Chinese patents. For example the new Hohner ACE chromatic is protected this way, and I'm sure that will stop copies being made there. Suzuki should do the same for their ideas they want to protect.
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Gnarly
2015 posts
Nov 24, 2016
11:48 PM
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I bow to Brendan's superior understanding of the market and "borrowing" of design. I am hardly in the same league as he.
I am, however, curious as to what Suzuki Japan is doing--perhaps I will hear more when I see them at NAMM.
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