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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
A Beginner Returns
A Beginner Returns
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Jim Harris
1 post
Jun 04, 2010
8:05 AM
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Hi Folks! I just joined the forum and am happy to be able to post with such informed members.
I used to think I knew how to play some harmonica (Late 60's to early 80's honking). So, harpless for about 30 years. A quick look around You Tube and I found Adam and his awesome site -- I knew that restarting I had a long way to go.
So far, I've been fortunate to bounce from Adam and his great videos and interest in Hohner, to Brendan Power and his sauve handling of Suzuki, to Todd Parrott and his great overview of different brands. All three are accomplished players I wuld put on a favorites list.
I've also now found out about customized harps -- amazing!
In all the fields I've been in (mostly visual), I've been a techie type, so I'm interested in playing well, but also the guts of the harps.
Could I get an few ideas how to approach working on harps?
In buying used harps, and some new on eBay, I've found sticky reeds and sometimes rattly reeds that seem like they might be easy to adjust, if I only know how. I haven't gone through all of Adam's vids, but I say on his oldest, some adjusting by lifting reeds with paper -- he then filed to adjust the tone.
So far, I've got a Marine Bands A, which I sort of like, but still prefer the Blues Harp A, C & E. But recent introduction to the Sp20 in G has me liking those the best. The one Golden Melody I have is damaged, but another one in D is on the way. I have two Suzuki Hammonds coming, as well as a couple Bluesmasters, a Hohner Pro Harp, and a Steven Perry Signature A with thicker reeds. I'm working to fill in the holes right now, waiting for B and Bb, and F and better D. Besides that, I have a 364 in G, a 365 in C, and a 260 in C, with a 280 64 Chromatica coming. The point is, I'm not bragging -- a lot of these need adjusting, but you can see what I'm interested in. The plastic, resin and metal combs have my interest, because I remember swelling tines and hurt lips and poor seals.
It's a big harmonica world out there, as I'm finding out!
Anyway, glad to be here. Thanks to Adam for establishing and managing the site. Jim, AKA Gunzorro
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Todd Parrott
68 posts
Jun 04, 2010
9:08 AM
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Welcome to the forum, Jim! And thanks for the kind words. There are a lot of videos on YouTube that deal with customizing or working on your own harps, but I've heard that some of it's right, and some of it's very wrong. You should also check out Chris Reynolds' custom combs - blowyourbrassoff.com - I think you'd like his combs for the 364, 365, etc.
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Jim Harris
4 posts
Jun 04, 2010
10:00 AM
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Thanks Todd. I especially liked your Harrison Harmonica video demonstration -- it really showed the difference between a OOTB, custom tuned, and flat-out custom built.
I'd really just love to get these Blue Harps and Sp20s to hit their notes for now. I'll check Chris Reynolds -- thanks. Referrals and YouTube welcome.
It looks like I might have my best OOTB results when the Hammond arrives. Again, thanks for your video on those Suzuki models. (More videos please, especially the reviews and demos! Awesome work there.)
Last Edited by on Jun 04, 2010 10:01 AM
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OzarkRich
231 posts
Jun 04, 2010
10:06 AM
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Welcome to the Forum!
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Ozark Rich
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nacoran
1996 posts
Jun 04, 2010
12:46 PM
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Welcome aboard! I'd check out Richard Sleigh's videos on YouTube. There are some other good customizer videos out there, but he seems to have the best combination of good skills, good explaining, good camera angles and good resolution on his camera. Check out Chris Michalek too.
I've learned how to fix sticky reeds and stuff, and gapping. I opened up the back on a couple harps. I had less luck with embossing and haven't tried tuning yet. I'd suggest you get a handful of cheap harps to mess around with to get the basics down. Once you can play around inside a $5 harp without busting it, move up to better harps. Gapping and straightening reeds in their slots and opening up the back (at least if you don't mind the harp looking all scratched up) are all fairly safe if you are careful. Dave Payne (ElkRiverHarmonica) also has some very good videos.
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Nate
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Jim Harris
6 posts
Jun 04, 2010
3:54 PM
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Thanks for the advice folks.
Today the first of my decent harps arrived -- a Pro Harp in C, a better Blues Harp in D, an nice Golden Melody in D, and a brand new Suzuki Bluesmaster in Bb that I am really liking!
The Bluesmaster seems brighter and easier to bend than the Hohners I've tried. And it seems to have an extended decay on the vibration -- the covers, maybe?
I promptly started trying to adjust my older Golden Melody in D, and promptly broke a reed. Doh! A little learning curve and moderate pressure, huh? :) Obviously, there's no IQ test required to try.
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nacoran
2002 posts
Jun 04, 2010
4:23 PM
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Don't worry, there are videos for replacing reeds too! I'm not set in my ways on one harp or another yet, but I like the tone on Blues Harps. They chew my lips up though. I've found most of my favorite harmonicas turn out to be Lee Oskars, but I'm not an overblower. I've been told they aren't as good for that.
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Nate
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