ZackPomerleau
788 posts
Mar 17, 2010
5:02 AM
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I was just wondering if anyone had compared one to say a Special 20 or Marine Band. They are pretty cheap and I could use a new G harp...
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toddlgreene
1042 posts
Mar 17, 2010
5:05 AM
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Good question...been curious about them myself. Adam has/had a banner for them on his page, although I don't know if he's ever actually played one to vouch for it. Either I'll try one of those or a Delta Frost, which I've read nothing but good things about.
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Todd L Greene. V.P.
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ZackPomerleau
789 posts
Mar 17, 2010
5:14 AM
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I'm looking at Suzuki's, too. I need a G harp and I can't decide what to get.
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ZackPomerleau
790 posts
Mar 17, 2010
5:35 AM
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Or maybe Seydel Soloist? Decisions...Or a Harpmaster?
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easyed
17 posts
Mar 17, 2010
5:40 AM
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Currently, the Suzuki Bluesmaster is my favorite.
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Oxharp
221 posts
Mar 17, 2010
5:52 AM
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Zack.
I know they are not cheap but I think the Manji is one of the best OOTB harps around.
I am amazed at how they sound and play.
Have you tried one yet?
Say do you use your harp attack all the time now you have had it a while?
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Oxharp
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ZackPomerleau
791 posts
Mar 17, 2010
6:02 AM
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I have not, and since everyone says it is awesome, I think that may just be the choice. If I totally hate it, which I usually never hate harps, I can always gap it.
All the time? Depends. Do I ALWAYS use it through the PA? No, but a good amount of the time I do. If I am going to jams with a band it is all I use. I have done a gig with it, also. If I'm not using it through the PA it is on my pedal board acting as a distortion box of sorts for my amp, it makes it have this trebley punch that I REALLY like. All in all I think the pedal is extremely versatile. The Lone Wolf Delay is great, too. I know Randy had mentioned that he just upgraded the HarpAttack with some new kind of tone control and a new tube, so I'd ask him about it.
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Ant138
370 posts
Mar 17, 2010
6:11 AM
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Hi Zack, i've just got my new Seydel Solist Pro in G the other day and i gotta tell ya its a quality harp.
I'm slowly replacing all my harps to either the Solist Pro or the 1847. I've never had a bad Seydel.
I've recently got my first custom 1847 from Ben Bouman and it plays amazingly well.
Seydel is now my harp of choice, and at £32 the Solist Pro is a great harp.(not sure what you guy's in the states would pay in $$)
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Last Edited by on Mar 17, 2010 6:13 AM
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toddlgreene
1044 posts
Mar 17, 2010
6:45 AM
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Oxharp-I've got the new version of the HarpAttack. I've played it thru a PA several times, and I'd be comfortable with it at a gig, provided proper setup time was done with the soundman, especially to get a good monitor level, since whatever comes from the monitor is all you got, unless you also run the HA to an onstage amp to act as your monitor. Randy put a much-less microphonic power tube in it, which basically means the tube won't easily pick up noise when the pedal gets kicked, bumped, etc. onstage. He also changed the tone control, which he says is more of a true tone control now. I haven't played side by side with an older model to note that difference, however.
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Todd L Greene. V.P.
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Elwood
401 posts
Mar 17, 2010
6:49 AM
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Zack, I never played a Blues Bender myself (the dumb name was just too off-putting) but Wilf Taylor reviewed it here: Product Review: Hohner Blues Bender Harmonica
Snip: "...instinct tells me this is an honest harmonica which actually is easy and pleasing to play compared with other budget models." -> but it comes with some caveats, so proceed with caution.
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Murray. The smartist formerly known as Elwood.
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HarpNinja
287 posts
Mar 17, 2010
7:59 AM
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The Manji are not good for overblows, IMO. You can set up a Hohner to get them with much less work. But if you aren't going to ob with it, the Manji is a nice harp. I find the reeds too springy, but other than that, I really liked the harp.
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Mike Fugazzi
vocals/harmonica
MySpace
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Kingley
1038 posts
Mar 17, 2010
8:05 AM
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Zack stop being so lazy! Buy a Marine Band and customise it yourself. You know how to do them! :-)
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nacoran
1430 posts
Mar 17, 2010
8:17 AM
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I'm in love with my Seydel Blues Favorite, but then again I'm not a big fan of wooden combs and I don't overblow. It's the harp that made me realize I shouldn't hate protruding reeds on principal. Most comfortable harp I've ever played and it sounds great. And you can get it in just, equal or compromise or just about any other tuning.
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Nate
Facebook
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harpinonfire
29 posts
Mar 17, 2010
9:36 AM
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I have two blues benders, one in A and C. They are like the planetone. I bought them tried them and now they sit in the closet. They would be okay for a carry in the car harp. They are just a cheap,(well around 17.99 plus shipping or tax)copy of the special 20. That would be a better choice by far or one of the other choices above like the bluesmaster or harpmaster. Just my humble experience with them.
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Joch230
28 posts
Mar 17, 2010
10:01 AM
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The Harpmaster is a really nice harp for $25. I have several of them. I have several Manji's. They are nice as well. The only other Suzuki I have is a Firebreath which has a real nice feel to it but it has a warmer tone from rosewood comb. Not always the tone I'm looking for. And it's almost 3 times the cost as the Harpmaster.
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Joe_L
92 posts
Mar 17, 2010
11:21 AM
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The last time I went into Guitar Center the Blues Bender and the Big River were about the same price. I bought a Big River.
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jonsparrow
2585 posts
Mar 17, 2010
11:26 AM
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"I never played a Blues Bender myself (the dumb name was just too off-putting) "
same here. the name just made me embarrassed to even consider trying it.
"The Manji are not good for overblows, IMO. "
i think they are after some gapping. OTB the gaps were pretty wide, but after adjusting them they overblow just fine.
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Blackbird
134 posts
Mar 17, 2010
11:38 AM
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Bought a blues bender in C when they came out, since they were inexpensive, and I was curious about the hype (or lack of it). For what it's worth, I wasn't impressed. I mean, it's playable, but so is nearly any harmonica. Nothing remarkable or worthwhile about it. As for 'bending' per its namesake, it wasn't any more or less responsive than other harmonicas. I'm not going to buy a second one short of ever being in a harmonica emergency and that's all they've got.
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Stickman
262 posts
Mar 17, 2010
11:44 AM
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I find mine more like a BluesBand than a more expensive harp. You get what you pay for. Go for the Manji
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The Art Teacher Formally Known As scstrickland
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geordiebluesman
281 posts
Mar 17, 2010
1:42 PM
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Honer Blues Bender----TOTAL PILE OF SHIT! nuff said.
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ZackPomerleau
792 posts
Mar 17, 2010
2:08 PM
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Kingley, I have NEVER attempted to seal a comb or put screws in. But, I do have one lying around that has no bottom coverplate (no idea why) so maybe I could mess with it. I kind of stopped this summer when I tried to do one for someone else and I got exasperated and quit, finally sending it to him with a harp I did previously because I felt bad. Maybe it is time to open up a harp again since I'm not angry anymore!!!
And, Joch, do you overblow? I was just wondering if they were set up at all for overblowing or if I'll need to dive right in.
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