harp honkin
62 posts
Jul 24, 2010
9:31 AM
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You always hear about short reed life on some harps.Just courious whats the longest a harp has lasted you without a reed failing, and what brand harp? Ive been playing my Seydel 1847's for a little over a year of steady playing with no problems.
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Kingley
1334 posts
Jul 24, 2010
9:39 AM
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Some of my gigging Hohner Marine Bands (self customised 1896 models) are over 4 years old and have not had any reeds fail.
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Paul "Kingley" Routledge
My YouTube Page
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barbequebob
1038 posts
Jul 24, 2010
11:20 AM
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The main reason for reed longevity, truth be told, lies with the player and his/her playing technique and when you use too much breath force all the time, especially during the note bending process, it will always shorten reed life, be it the cheapest, crappiest stock instrument or the most expensive custom and FAR TOO OFTEN the average player tends to blame the harmonica for EVERYTHING, essentially passing the buck because they too often don't want to look at where the problem really lies, and that's their playing technique and many players don't want to face up to that at all. Blaming the instrument is the easy way out and for many players, admitting to bad playing technique, the biggest real cause for reed blowout is often something they don't want to face.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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hvyj
485 posts
Jul 24, 2010
1:17 PM
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Although I've recently started to use Buddha harps for performance, before that I had been using Suzuki Hammonds as my performing set, playing them out 2-3 nights most weeks for about 2 1/2 years and haven't had a reed go bad yet.
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bonedog569
36 posts
Jul 24, 2010
1:52 PM
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I am experimenting with a lighter approach to playing - we'll see how that goes. Be that as it may - there are more and less robust harps out there. Bushmans blew out way quick for me and my playing style for instance. Perhaps the reeds wher lighter in some way? They where responsive - but too dlicate for this oaf.
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hvyj
486 posts
Jul 24, 2010
3:40 PM
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@bonedog: It's not necessarily just how hard or forcefully you play. HOW you produce the airflow/air stream is also a big part of it.
If you keep an open and relaxed airway and oral resonance chamber, and produce all air pressure FROM THE DIAPHRAGM you put a lot less stress on the reeds (and get better tone) than if you create air pressure with the mouth and lips.
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bonedog569
37 posts
Jul 24, 2010
5:00 PM
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I believe most of my breath control is from the diaphragm - I know that's where my Vibrato comes from. I don't know that my airway is "open and relaxed" however. I'm experimenting with that stuff now. Buddha suggested I practice with my right hand in my lap because he thinks it will keep me more relaxed - and he notes tension in my shoulders.
Bluesmasters can last for a long time - though occasionally a reed will go out 'early'. I'm trying a bunch of new different harps now , Hammonds and Manji's, got a Dudeharp on order and ---a Buddha. I am psyched but hope I can play without blowing out these pricier instruments.
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MrVerylongusername
1148 posts
Jul 24, 2010
5:18 PM
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I still have, and regularly gig with a pre MS Hohner Proharp (Bb - gets played a fair bit), I also have two Suzuki Promasters that have rivetted reedplates (although admittedly they get less use). Those harps must be well over 10 years old. I'm sure at least half of my Lee Oskars are over five or six years old.
Lee Oskars - whatever else you might think of them - last a very, very, very, very long time.
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wolfkristiansen
27 posts
Jul 24, 2010
5:55 PM
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To answer your question, harp honkin', I've had a Hohner Blues Harp, key of A, that's been playing sweetly since 1972. But-- it sounds so good that it's in a drawer, pulled out only once in a while when I want to hear its beautiful sound.
Regularly used harps last me about one year. Like so many have said, Lee Oskars last longer than any other brand.
BBQ Bob, I've heard you advocate for not using too much breath force, and I agree. It's not needed to get a good tone.
Sometimes, however, I just dig into a note (usually draw 4 or draw 5)and give it all I've got. I want to flat out wail sometimes. Think James Cotton on stage in his hey day. As some have said, he practically sucked the reeds out of the harmonica. His use of tremendous breath force was a conscious, artistic decision, I think. It is for me.
Bottom line-- I'm happy to have my harps wear out quickly for the sake of getting that long, drawn out wail once in a while.
Cheers,
wolf kristiansen
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boris_plotnikov
175 posts
Jul 24, 2010
9:42 PM
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I blow out reeds very rare. No broken reeds for last 2-3 years. However my honer harmonicas need to be slightly retuned every 2-3 gigs. Seydels do not need retuning.
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groyster1
261 posts
Jul 24, 2010
10:45 PM
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I have killed many marine bands and blues harps,1 special 20,never a lee oskar,just started with suzuki and hope they outlive me because they have become my fav-hammond,manji,promaster
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