Nastyolddog
316 posts
Feb 27, 2010
11:08 PM
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Hi Bro's & Sisters my Default Harps HOHNER SP-20 i like the tone i don't want to switch Brands and not to sure about even swithching Harps,MARINE BAND i don't like the wood combs but i will be buying one to try out,i see the MARINE BAND DELUX Plastic comb why is the comb clear,MARINE BAND WC..MARINE BAND DELUX PC..SPECIAL-20 PC..Do they all use the same reedplates..i realy am comfortable in my life with the tone of the SPECIAL-20 but intrested in the Tone of the other Harps..
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nacoran
1279 posts
Feb 27, 2010
11:33 PM
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Don't quote me on this, but I think the reeds for the SP20, the Marine Band, the Marine Band Deluxe, and the Marine Band Crossover are interchangeable.
I think of all my harps my favorite is the Seydel Blues Favorite, but I've only played it in a Low Low key so I don't know how it sounds up higher.
If you are looking to try different tones you might give a Golden Melody a try. They are real nice for melodies, not so good for chords. I like Lee Oskars too, but I'm not an overblower and I hear they aren't as good for that.
My budgets always kind of tight, so when I try a new harp I try to get one that's as different from the others I have as possible. So far I've worked through 3 different cover shapes, 2 cover materials, wood, plastic, aluminum, and custom wood covers, half-valving and low low tuning. Try at least one other brand too. I've tried Seydel, Hohner, Huang, Lee Oskar (which is a Tombo), and a Blessing. I'd only rank Hohner in the middle of the pack, and of course, if you've got some bucks and are willing to wait there is Harrison and lots of customs.
I will never buy another wood combed harp unless it's a custom wood comb. I've got a couple Blues Harps, and I like the tone, but they shred my lips.
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Tryharp
282 posts
Feb 28, 2010
12:06 AM
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Nasty,
The marine band deluxe has got a partially sealed wood comb. It can still swell a bit.
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Nastyolddog
330 posts
Feb 28, 2010
10:18 PM
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Thanks for the info Bro's,,can more members offer more info thanks,i don't want to swap brands i can get Hohners for $45 bucks AUS $15 bucks cheaper than retail.i got a set of Lee oskars but preffer Hohner Harps i just sold a full set of Susuki Pro Harps so i don't want them either just looking for another Hohner that will be as same as th SP-20's tone
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Kyzer Sosa
154 posts
Feb 28, 2010
10:23 PM
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I picked up a delta frost this past week, incredibly similar to the Sp 20, as were my intentions for trying it...not sure it help you out but thought youd like to know, from a fellow Sp 20 player...
Kyzer's Travels
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Aussiesucker
562 posts
Feb 28, 2010
10:45 PM
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Nasty: contact Dane Clarke at MandoHarp at Nambucca Heads as he has a very large range of harps at good prices.
I was not a Marine Band fan because I hated the unsealed wood comb and the Sp20s I have had were not as long lasting or as good OOTB as Suzukis. But, I just received from Dane a Hohner Marine Band Crossover & wow I love it. Its expensive ie $85!
The reedplates for the SP20 , Marine Band & Crossover are not interchangeable. The Sp20 plates are much larger.
Last Edited by on Feb 28, 2010 10:48 PM
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Tryharp
286 posts
Mar 01, 2010
3:29 AM
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Actually the MB and SP20 are the same width, and the MB is slightly longer, I just had a look. At a glance the SP20 looks bigger because the coverplates are bigger than the MB. The reed spacing appears identical.
The main difference is that the SP20 is secrewed where the MB is nailed, also the SP20 has a notch for the cover plate support post.
If you wanted to interchange them for some reason you could possibly do it but you would have to do some redrilling notching etc.
The Marine Band Deluxe is different again as it is screw fxerd with a different patten to the sp20 and has 2 holes on each end of the coverplate, and same size as the standard MB
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HarpNinja
223 posts
Mar 01, 2010
6:19 AM
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The three Hohner harps mentioned all have the same reeds, but the actual reed plates are different. While I think Golden Melodies make great harps, I think the Marine Bands turn out best if you put some work into them.
My suggestion would be to try some Marine Bands and learn to seal the combs and maybe convert to screws. The alternate versions of the MB are so expensive when you can switch to a sealed comb and screws for only an extra buck or two.
Marine Bands and Sp 20's have the same tuning, so the GM might sound a little off to you. The Sp20 can be made into a good harp, but I find them too warm sounding. MB's and GM's seem louder and clearer. All can play fast and be tweaked to do overbends well.
If you are in the states, you can find customizers who will take a stock MB, seal the comb, convert to screws, and do some embossing/gapping for the price (or less than) a Crossover. Especially cool since the custom MB will play better than any OOTB harp and have all the pros of the Crossover as well.
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Mike Fugazzi
http://www.myspace.com/niterailband
http://www.youtube.com/user/NiteRail
http://www.twitter.com/NiteRail
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joshnat
40 posts
Mar 01, 2010
6:48 AM
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Hi Mike,
Can you recommend a US customizer who can do all that to a stock MB for a price close to a MBDX or Crossover?
Thanks!
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HarpNinja
226 posts
Mar 01, 2010
7:36 AM
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I am not sure who is/isn't taking orders, so maybe shoot me an email offlist and I will provide you with contact info for a few that I've found...I don't want to publicize for people who may or may not be taking new clients, but I am sure at least a couple on my list will.
mikefugazzi AT gmail DOT com
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Mike Fugazzi
vocals/harmonica
MySpace
YouTube
Twitter
Facebook
Album Ordering
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Nastyolddog
343 posts
Mar 01, 2010
11:21 PM
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Hi Bro's thanks for the info all good,thanks Ninja for your info,i might just try some MR-Bands not realy ready for full on custom Harps yet but i have been thinking of getting some custom combs to start with so I'm sure i could seal them wood combs myself and refasten with screws Thanks Brothers..
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sorin
152 posts
Mar 02, 2010
7:36 AM
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Mike, the sp20 is so warm because of the very close back covers, and no side vents ...I modified one with the open back and side vents and the sound is very very close to the Mb sound.
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congaron
594 posts
Mar 02, 2010
8:27 AM
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I wish I had more marine bands. The tone is my favorite. Special 20 is pretty hard to beat though. At the moment I am overstocked on harps of all the varieties i need for our band's sound. Spares and all. The marine bands will have to wait for me, but definitely try them if you haven't
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