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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > Improving Manji Response
Improving Manji Response
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Rhartt1234
263 posts
Dec 19, 2019
7:15 AM
I like Manjis, but like many, find the low end a little stiff.

What do you Manji guys do to improve the responsiveness of 2-4 draw?
dougharps
2048 posts
Dec 19, 2019
9:29 AM
I gap the reeds closer than OOTB and also loosen and realign the plates on the comb, re-seating the reed plates. That often helps some. They still are usually a little more stiff feeling than Special 20s, MBDs, or Crossovers. I have a few Manjis on Blue Moon combs that seem a little less stiff.

Mooncat likened playing Manjis to playing guitar with heavier strings. I found that when I played them exclusively for a while I stopped noticing the difference and they responded well. Manjis seem to hold up to loud hard playing better than my Hohners do. I think that with frequent use of Manjis you will adjust your attack and then get a better response through muscle memory.

However, lately I have been using my customized Hohners and some OOTB Hohners most of the time, and now the Manjis seem stiff to me again.

EDIT: Probably if you flat sanded the comb and draw plate you could improve response. I would only go there if I was really having trouble with response on a specific harp. I tend to be lazy about customization unless a problem is too big to tolerate.
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Doug S.

Last Edited by dougharps on Dec 19, 2019 9:34 AM
Rhartt1234
264 posts
Dec 19, 2019
9:48 AM
I'm pretty lazy about customizing harps too.

Exclusively Manjis might be a good approach.

Last Edited by Rhartt1234 on Dec 19, 2019 9:52 AM
jbone
3093 posts
Dec 19, 2019
1:28 PM
I play Manji's, MB's, and other brands/models. They all respond differently. Because the Manjis have a better response acoustically I have them in my all acoustic case.
Manjis do sound out better and they are different to play than most others. But plenty of times I have used any and all harps on an amped gig and it's worked out fine.
I have rarely tweaked a Manji's reeds.


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bublnsqueak
150 posts
Dec 19, 2019
2:07 PM
I play Manjis exclusively.

I play them stock but with the comb slipped forward between the reed plates (front centre screw removed)
Currently not an over blower.

I don't notice any stiffness or any problems with bends. It all feels normal to me.

I elected to stick to Manjis some years back, I think Jason Ricci was pushing them hard at the time.
I had a few different harps but bought a set of seven from Japan. The idea being that sticking to one type of harp would improve consistency and therefore learning.

When they arrived I couldn't get any sort of bend out of them. I had spent a fair bit so I took the C Manji with me everywhere. Left all other harps at home.

After about 2 weeks I began to get the hang of them. These new skills also transferred to the other key Manjis as well.

I have about 20 now and grow my collection as the opportunity arises.
Never broke a reed.

While this is quite a long post it probably doesn't help the OP as I think they are fine but have nothing to compare them with.

I would recommend sticking to one type of harp though. Probably not Manjis as more players might push the price up.
Gnarly
2735 posts
Dec 19, 2019
3:58 PM
I do the warranty service for Suzuki USA--and this, of course, is not covered.
Gapping always helps, and the individual using the harp is the best person for the job.
Airtight is king when it comes to harmonicas.
Embossing can help too--Wally Peterman wants me to remind you that there are six edges that can be embossed on a reed slot. Not that I go that far--unless I have to.
One thing is for sure, it takes time to get used to different harps--Herings are real easy to bend, since the brass is so soft, but you can break them if you aren't careful.
robbert
502 posts
Dec 19, 2019
6:40 PM
I gig with Manjis. I prefer Sp 20s and Xovers, but Manjis are very reliable, durable and a great work horse. I have flat sanded, gapped and embossed all my Manjis and continue to tweak them here and there, when necessary. I have done only a little tuning to bring octaves into alignment. I do like the tone of Sp 20s and Xovers, but Manjis seem superior in their reed durability. My next effort will be to work on their tuning. I think I mostly prefer the tuning of the Hohners compared to the Manjis.
robbert
503 posts
Dec 19, 2019
6:48 PM
An additional note: Manjis don’t necessarily need a bunch of work. They are pretty great ootb, but I tend to mess with all my harps.
dchurch
330 posts
Dec 19, 2019
11:13 PM
I would't describe the low end of my Manjis as being particularly stiff. I have noticed that the gaps on the low end are typically to wide for my liking. But that's true with a lot of OTB harmonicas.

To make 1-4 more responsive I #1 always adjust the gaps and #2 flatten the comb and draw plate. I do some embossing but honestly I'm more concerned with the 6 over blow than the low end.

Every Manji comb that I have seen has been about the same. Not perfectly flat or leak free but having no major defects. I use 220 grit wet for about 10-30 seconds then switch to 320 for 30 seconds, on each face. I like to polish the tines ends while I'm at it. Now the comb rivals a custom.

I read this post and happen to have a Manji that I had not improved yet. I drew some pencil lines on the comb to better show the need for standard flattening.



A bit of sanding shows most of the chamber ends were going to leak at the back of this comb.


The two middle chambers have a minor issue near the fastener hole.


The reed plate was decent but again not flat. I did about 10 seconds of wet sanding using 320 grit to show the low/high spots. The uneven surface of the reed plate is going to compound the problem with the comb. But the lack of rivet nubs makes flat sanding the draw plate a breeze.


Another 30 seconds created a flat plate. There is a small low spot in the upper right corner that will not interfere with performance.


The Harp Plane gives dead flat results.


OT- I like customizing the ends of the Manji sandwich.



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Last Edited by dchurch on Dec 19, 2019 11:30 PM
florida-trader
1479 posts
Dec 20, 2019
5:36 AM
Nice post dchurch. Some harps are airtight from the factory. Some are not. It is a pretty safe bet that if your harp is not as responsive as you would like, flat sanding the draw plate and the comb (or replacing the comb with a better comb, be that custom or just a better stock comb) and adjusting the gaps will make a big difference. Embossing the slots helps too - if you want to do the work. I have found that making a harp reach its full potential is not about doing one big thing or making one big change to the harp. It is about making a lot of small adjustments/improvements that cumulatively make a big difference. Unlike some of you who opt not to mess with your harps and play mostly stock harps, I "mess" with virtually all of my harps. It is just the way I am wired now.

BTW - Manji reeds are a bit stiffer than Hohner reeds. Not a big deal. Just a different feel.
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Tom Halchak
Blue Moon Harmonicas
Blue Moon Harmonicas

Last Edited by florida-trader on Dec 21, 2019 2:51 PM
dougharps
2049 posts
Dec 20, 2019
7:25 AM
@dchurch
What a wonderful post with clear and informative photos!

Your post convinced me I need to at least work over my least responsive Manjis, so I just ordered a Harp Plane in order to save my fingertips while sanding the combs and draw plates on those harps.

Of course, my several Manjis with Blue Moon combs do not need any improvement!
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Doug S.
Lou
88 posts
Dec 20, 2019
8:07 AM
Great post dchurch ! I had same complaint as the OP & gave up on em. Then I bought 2 combs from Blue Moon & it fixed that problem straight away ! Harps play & sound great.
Lou
dchurch
331 posts
Dec 20, 2019
10:19 AM
I guess maybe the slightly stiffer reed material is what makes Manji reeds so tough. If so that's a good trade off IMO.

Thanks guys, Custom combs are awesome! They will certainly improve any leaky harmonica. When I add a custom comb I always flat sand the draw plate because that can be half the problem. I personally don't use customs on my Manjis because after a bit of work on the original combs I love them.

Thanks Doug, Your Harp Plane is on its way from the west coast. I'm happy to help save your fingers and your Manjis with secure even pressure and dead flat results.

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Harmonica Mutes & Accessories
www.dBombMute.com



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