9000
282 posts
Jul 07, 2021
12:46 PM
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Who's tried these harps and what did you think? Are either of them compromise tuned?
Thanks!
Jay
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Music speaks where words fail.
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WinslowYerxa
1734 posts
Jul 07, 2021
5:47 PM
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I have some Nobles, and they're good harps. The tuning is closer to Equal temperament, and pretty accurate. I did give the make some feedback that ET was possibly not the best choice.
Here's a mostly improvised tune, Junior's Crawl, that I recorded recently with a maple-comb Noble in D:
Junior's Crawl
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Last Edited by WinslowYerxa on Jul 24, 2021 11:02 PM
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9000
283 posts
Jul 07, 2021
8:26 PM
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Thanks, Winslow. Great tune. What a workout!
Jay
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Music speaks where words fail.
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9000
287 posts
Jul 23, 2021
12:55 PM
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Apparently, there's not much interest in DaBell in this group at present. I did try a Contender because it is just tuned. It was excellent out of the box. I would prefer vented cover plates but the harp was very well made. Six overblow was fine OOTB. I felt no need to adjust gaps which is rare. Nice full bodied acoustic tone. YMMV
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Music speaks where words fail.
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dougharps
2261 posts
Jul 23, 2021
3:27 PM
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I have 3 Story harps from a SPAH. One I bought, two I won at the Saturday raffle. They all would overblow on 6 right out of the box. They play easily and sound good to me. The C and A harps I got are definitely gig worthy. The D is good if I play more softly and don't hit the 2 draw bend hard. If I hit it hard, there is a strange sound and reed response, perhaps the reed twisting.
I have used the Story harps around the house and have not used them for gigs. They would do if I needed a harp, but I have accumulated so many good harps while trying out new models and brands over the years. I want to be able to hit a bend hard if so inclined in the moment.
IMO the DaBell Story harps are pretty good. My Easttops are decent, too. My Lee Oskars in my opinion fall in this same group of gig worthy but not optimal for my playing style. These brands are better than many other brand and models I have tried that I won't mention.
Still, my favorite brands and models of diatonics grouped in order are Hohner Crossovers/MBDs/(probably Hohner Rockets, if I had any)/Special 20s. Then come Manjis/Olives that I like best for loud playing, because they can take hard use and not fail. I do have to use a different note attack than on the Hohners. Finally I like Seydel Session Steels and 1847s (which are pricey). Seydel steel reed harps are good harps and have their own feel and sound.
For loud playing I like Manjis and Olives and for finesse the Hohners I listed.
EDIT: I like the Story comb and covers more than LOs and Easttops.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Jul 24, 2021 12:08 PM
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SuperBee
6995 posts
Jul 24, 2021
1:41 AM
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I’ve seen quite a few favourable reviews but I don’t have any need for more harps. I bought some Kongsheng Nobel harps a while ago, and they were fine, not really my thing thanks to aluminium comb and ET and I knew that I wouldn’t use them so I moved them along. I’ve got plenty of harps in really comfortable and happy with, and more reeds than I will ever need so just not really driven to try different types at this point.
I believe the people who say they are good
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robbert
529 posts
Jul 25, 2021
6:36 AM
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I have not tried any newer brands/models, but completely concur with Doug. I, too, have found that Manjis are loud, reliable and very durable and that Sp 20s, Marine Band, Xovers, are very responsive, but require a lighter touch. I prefer the Hohners, but use mostly the Suzukis. I set up all my harps, which does somewhat level the playing field as it were, but those basic characteristics seem to remain. I, too, have enough harps that I’m satisfied with, at this point.
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nacoran
10359 posts
Jul 26, 2021
10:37 AM
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They are really good harps. I got the Story/Noble deal that Rockin Rons has. I haven't ended up playing them a ton, but that's because I was upgrading some of my less used keys, but they are really good.
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Nate
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9000
288 posts
Sep 05, 2021
6:55 PM
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I tried another DaBell Contender. Great harp out of the box. Plays well and I believe it's louder than comparable Hohners. This one will require a little tweak to improve the 6OB but I think that's it. My only real complaint is that this is the only model with compromise tuning and I think many including me would like to have vented covers similar to a MB rather than the full length covers that come standard. Not ready to convert my kit but I'll definitely try some more keys in the future. BTW if you're still wondering where to buy your harps Rockin Rons still has amazing service.
All the best on you journey,
Jay
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Music speaks where words fail.
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Philosofy
953 posts
Sep 07, 2021
1:59 PM
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I have a full set of the Story model that I keep in my car. I would have no reservations about gigging with them. I did notice that the DaBell models are larger in the front to back measurement than any other harp I own (and I own quite a few.) I think this might give an advantage playing in a rack (more harp to hold onto, and more harp sticking out of the rack for you to put your mouth on.) Also, if you have a tendency to really put a lot of the harp in your mouth, this gives you more to hold onto.
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jbone
3387 posts
Sep 19, 2021
12:19 PM
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I just got a Story, thought I'd give one a try. If it's as good as some people have told me the price is definitely worth getting a few more.
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Gnarly
3000 posts
Sep 20, 2021
5:59 AM
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Benny Yoon sent me an (unsolicited) Messenger post with YouTube videos attached about these harps.
Still haven't tried them, which I let him know. He replied, "I hope you try them someday."
That day will probably be when a customer sends one in for repair: Like SuperBee, I just don't need any new harps.
Which leads me to share with the class: I just recovered a pair of Meisterklasse (not MS) extensively repaired by Richard Sleigh--first time I had tried the original, nice harp! These are pretty beat up, and I didn't do much except clean them--they came in a batch of donors for parts, but these only needed tuning.
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jbone
3389 posts
Sep 23, 2021
1:49 PM
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I just got a Story the other day. seems to be a great harp ootb! Time will tell but I have a feeling.
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DS200
11 posts
Sep 23, 2021
3:16 PM
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Dabell Noble?
I don't understand how you can open a company and call your harp after your competitors harp (seydel)
"DS200 Marine Band" ....
Humor aside they look so cool, kind of like Manjis but at a great price.
Is this a made in korea harp?
Last Edited by DS200 on Sep 23, 2021 3:55 PM
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jbone
3390 posts
Sep 23, 2021
7:46 PM
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Well Benny Yoon, the founder, live in Seoul, so it's a good bet!
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