Mustang
22 posts
Apr 30, 2019
1:54 PM
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Just got my first Hohner. I’m pleased with Suzuki’s but wanted to try Hohner so I went with the Marine Band Crossover. My first impressions: Nice looking but way smaller than I expected. Small in my hand comparably. Sound is actually much more responsive than I expected and yes even better than my Manjis. Bending notes on this Harp is unbelievably better than any harp I have so far and this is the first time I feel I’m actually getting bending since the sound is dramatically lower and in pitch with the videos I watch that do bending by pros. So since I’ve been bending better, or differently, the blues sounds so much better to me instead of just repetitive draws that repeat and repeat and get boring. I’m finding transitions more smooth and seem to just happen on their own.
Long story short......so far, I’m loving this harmonica! I hope it lasts a while. It wasn’t so cheap. Lol.
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SuperBee
5918 posts
Apr 30, 2019
3:47 PM
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the nice thing about the Hohner handmade harps (Marine Band and Progressive ranges ... The Crossover is part of the Marine Band line) is that they are repairable and these days many people are doing repairs. So if you break it, don't write it off.
it was in fact my decision to invest in Crossovers which led me to learn to repair harps; i couldn't afford to replace them.
but, you shouldn't break it for a long time in normal use. i can vouch for the truth of it being something which is really in the player's control.
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Mustang
23 posts
Apr 30, 2019
5:28 PM
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Thx SuperBee.. by “Repair”, you mean replacement reeds? I’m amazed at the ease of bending on #2 and #3 for me atleast. Seems to take less effort than even my Manjis which I love. I’m pleasantly surprised especially if the reeds are replaceable if need be. My only complaint is the size is much smaller than I prefer but besides that, I am impressed.
Last Edited by Mustang on Apr 30, 2019 5:29 PM
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SuperBee
5920 posts
Apr 30, 2019
9:44 PM
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Yes, it can definitely be done and although you may not want to diy, there are several/quite a few people around who do excellent work at reasonable rates. I’d expect you can get a Crossover mended for $15-20.
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indigo
560 posts
Apr 30, 2019
10:27 PM
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After years of trying every brand of harp known to man(and LBQ etc)The crossover is the best for my style(or lack of).
But the Harp I use most is the seydel Big Six .I just like the way that it fits into my 'cup' and they last forever.
I know,heresy, but who needs an extra 8? notes at a Jam?
But yeah Crossovers can be a nice Harp.
Last Edited by indigo on Apr 30, 2019 10:38 PM
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Mustang
24 posts
May 05, 2019
1:39 PM
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Superbee, If reed replacement is the issue I’ve done that before very easily. It’s the only thing repairable other than covers that I can see to fix? I tried to gap my lee Oskar and messed it up so I replaced the reeds on that one. I also damaged my cover on my Suzuki and replaced that. Thank god they make those parts replaceable. Not all do of course.
Indigo I never tried seydel yet but definitely want to. I wanna try them al to see comparisons. I started with a $43 Lee Oskar and it was all I knew until I moved up to a 3 set of Suzuki Manji. I was amazed at the loudness and ease of play vs. the Lee Oskar which is very blocked and muffled. I played them a lot but started getting a few flat notes on the C which gave me another excuse to try something different. I tussled with my choice of with the seydel or Hohner and decided on the Crossover C. It’s very small but very loud and extremely easy to play and even easier than The Manji. I was pleasantly surprised and still extremely happy so far. It cost me like $70+ but I find myself playing notes and bends that I could not seems to do on the others, especially the Lee Oskar. Not exactly sure why the Crossover makes it so much easier to play but it does for me and just sounds amazing. Less air, less fighting upper notes, and so much better on the low notes. I just love it.
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SuperBee
5940 posts
May 05, 2019
4:15 PM
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I mean individual reed replacement. You can buy complete replacement reedplates of course but it’s relatively expensive.
Hohner sell me individual reeds for 0.72 euro each.
For clients I do reed replacement repairs which includes cleaning and tuning and adjustments for $15 Australian
Costs me about $1 to mend my own. I collect broken harps, well I used to, there’s a point where you realise you have enough.
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jbone
2913 posts
May 05, 2019
6:10 PM
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About a year ago I looked closely at both Crossover and Deluxe because I wanted to give Hohner another try. Members here gave good appraisals of both and I opted for Deluxe. After one, I bought several more. They are part of my gigging kit mostly with amp. I can play them gentler than Manji and get very good results, the down side being they may flat a reed faster than Manji. The less I have to spend on repairs or new reed plates the better. So generally I play them a bit nicer than I do the Manjis.
Re Seydel, I got 2 last week, an 1847 and a Soloist Pro Blues. Both very nice harps. It's early times yet but I think they are good harps. Seydel does make harps with stainless steel reeds which are more durable than brass from what I've read. These two were a gift but looking at prices I think they are more pricey than some. But well made too.
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Mustang
25 posts
May 06, 2019
1:11 PM
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I see Superbee. never even thought about fixing just 1 reed. But I guess if there is that option available close to you then it would be worth it.
Jbone I imagine if the Deluxe is as good as or equal to the Crossover, then it’s a good choice. Like I said, I never expected to have this harp play so easily and bends even easier than the Suzuki Manji. It’s so much quicker for me, it’s allowing me to play chords and riffs I never though I could. (Still can’t master chugging speed )As a slightly better than a beginner, I’m very excited to continue thru my learning process 1 lesson at a time. I’ve gone back to slowing down and learning 1 thing at a time until its natural to me. Then I start something Else. I do go into a 3 minute jam every now and then when I get an urge but I will be trying other Hohners for sure. Maybe Seydel also. Curious about those also.
Last Edited by Mustang on May 06, 2019 1:15 PM
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groyster1
3378 posts
May 30, 2019
6:36 AM
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marine band deluxe is superior to crossoverIMHO......….but the bamboo comb on the crossover is great selling point
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jbone
2933 posts
May 30, 2019
11:52 AM
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A bit OT, the 2 Seydels I was recently given by a friend are both good harps as far as I can tell. We have not been out live with them yet but rehearsing here is a s close to live as I can get.
The 1847- in A- has a lot of resonance and is well tuned and well made. I have done stuff in both 1st and 2nd position and it has performed well. The Soloist Pro, in D, I can say the same except I also do some stuff with it in 3rd position as well. I like the build a lot. Good looking comb, well done reed plates, about the only down side for me is they will grab a mustache hair even if I keep them short!
Side by side comparison with Deluxe, I find the Deluxe just a bit easier to make the sound I want, while the Seydels will come out of the gate with a bit more air and stand out at a bit higher volume at the harp.
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SuperBee
5991 posts
May 30, 2019
3:44 PM
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It’s the covers on those Solist Pro, Jbone. The way they’ve made the tabs which fold out on the ends and bolt onto the harp is where they always grabbed me. There’s nothing can be done with them. I liked them fine as players (though I have doubts about Seydel brass, that’s a different matter) but I couldn’t tolerate that grab. I started tensing in anticipation and that’s no way to live. They just had to go.
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jbone
2938 posts
Jun 02, 2019
5:22 PM
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I'm thinking about what to fill those little gaps with Bee. Wax, JB Weld, epoxy. Glue.
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Last Edited by jbone on Jun 02, 2019 5:22 PM
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