djc227
1 post
Oct 21, 2019
7:03 PM
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I assume everyone has picked one of these up? I ordered the 7 harp set so my kids wouldn’t touch my good ones and it came with a legitimate case that fits special 20s. Does it seem like it’s almost impossible to make a harp this bad? ?? It seems like you’d have to try to make a harmonica that lets so much air through! The good thing is that if you lose a screw to your special 20 it’s cheaper to buy a BluesBand harmonica and rob the screws than it is to just buy the cover plate screws from Hohner!
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jbone
3029 posts
Oct 22, 2019
4:25 AM
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I got a deal on those with the case and they now hold a busking set. The harps were given away quickly.
Tell us, where are you from? And all the other good stuff. Good place here, good folks.
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Music and travel destroy prejudice.
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Last Edited by jbone on Oct 22, 2019 4:25 AM
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SuperBee
6219 posts
Oct 22, 2019
4:30 AM
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Somebody showed me the case last Thursday evening but ive never seen the harps. i have a Silver Star i worked on just enough to realise any further work would not be rewarded. its just about usable but would have to be desperate or showing off
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djc227
3 posts
Oct 22, 2019
7:15 AM
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jbone - I apologize, I didn't realize that was my first post! I've been reading the forum for a long time, I guess I just never posted! I live in the middle of nowhere in Kansas. Started playing harmonica 10 months ago basically so I could play solos in the rack with the guitar since there is nobody to play with around here, and I never learned how to improvise on guitar. I love harmonica. I'm better at improvising on the harp after 10 months than I was after 20 years on guitar. A lot of that is attributable to actually learning from online instructors and also the portability of the harmonica which allows me to practice at least an hour every day. Also, my kids can't come and grab my strings while I'm playing!
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jbone
3030 posts
Oct 22, 2019
7:46 AM
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Well pleased to meet you! Wife and I are full time wanderers, going place to place, me working here and there, getting gigs where we can in the duo. Sarge who posts here often in in southern Kansas.
I'm a long time dedicated improv harp player and singer. Used to be all blues but we do some other cool roots and Americana stuff too. A bit of gospel/spiritual as well.
So since you've been around you have a feel for the quality of our members here. I've been here for a long time and it has been a blessing. Even old dogs need to go at some new tricks here and there!
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djc227
4 posts
Oct 22, 2019
8:54 AM
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Funny you mention Sarge! I just discovered him yesterday while looking for old time harmonica tunes on youtube and I've been working my way through all of his videos! We've probably been at the same Bluegrass Festival in Winfield, KS before given the type of music he plays!
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Sarge
743 posts
Oct 22, 2019
1:56 PM
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Hey djc, glad to see that you have also joined the folk harmonica forum. I have never been to the bluegrass festival in Winfield Too expensive for me!
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Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives alone.
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jbone
3031 posts
Oct 22, 2019
3:06 PM
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Funny thing, Sarge, small world. I attended that fest in about 1983 or 84.
You can't go wrong for old time harmonica with Sarge.
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Todd Parrott
1509 posts
Oct 22, 2019
4:04 PM
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No doubt the old Bluesbands were pretty bad, but recently, a new factory has started making them for Hohner, so they've gotten a huge step up in quality. It's still a Bluesband, but at least it's playable and something that can used for teaching kids and such.
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agarner
61 posts
Oct 22, 2019
5:02 PM
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I teach middle school, and in between classes last week I took out my harmonica and played for a few minutes. The kids for the next class entered the room and had the same reaction most people do when you play the harmonica as an instrument, not a toy.
A few days later, and it must have made an impact. 3 kids showed up tooting the cheap Hohner harps that their grandparents gave to them years ago. Now I have the job of teaching then English, the blues, and harmonica!
Cheapo harps have a place, and the look on these kids faces when they get a note is awesome.
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djc227
5 posts
Oct 22, 2019
5:39 PM
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If you guys ever make it to Winfield we’re in the Pecan Grove at the Stillwater Camp. Just ask somebody...everyone knows where it is! Bluegrass and old time heaven! Worth every penny!
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djc227
6 posts
Oct 22, 2019
6:37 PM
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Todd Parrott: I bought ours a few months ago and they’re still bad. I can get the notes but someone trying to start playing would quit because of how hard they are to play. Harmonica is the cheapest instrument there is and I feel like new players should not be told that the BluesBand is a legitimate starting instrument when a special 20 can be had for under $30.
Last Edited by djc227 on Oct 22, 2019 6:40 PM
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Todd Parrott
1510 posts
Oct 22, 2019
7:09 PM
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The switch to the new factory is too new for you to have purchased the new ones. I'm sure the old ones will still be out there for awhile. Don't get me wrong, the new ones are still a cheap harp, but are at least playable. I taught 300 kids at an elementary school last month and gave them all new Bluesbands and they were good for that purpose. Of course, I always recommend that someone serious about learning to play should purchase a Special 20.
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djc227
7 posts
Oct 22, 2019
7:19 PM
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Agreed. I learned early how to retune my own harps, but never wanted to put in the effort on a Blues Band. Awesome that you are teaching kids! That’s really cool!
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