Okay so the two half valved diatonics i have heard of are the Promaster valved by Suzuki and The Xb 40 by Hohner. If I was to buy one what would you recommend?
The XB-40 is not a half valved harmonica, it is it's own unique type of harmonica (which hohner has a patent on). On a half valved diatonic you are able to play all the normal bends just like on a regular diatonic (those are double reed bends), but you are also able to play blow bends on holes 1-6 and draw bends on holes 7-10 (these are valved single reed bends). The single reed bends made possible by the valves are different than regular bends and they require different technique.
On the XB-40 you are able to bend all the blow and draw notes, and all these bends are regular double reed bends. This is possible because the XB-40 has an extra set of reeds in it (which is why it is larger than a regular diatonic).
Last Edited by on Aug 03, 2010 3:19 PM
Yep, the XB-40 seems to be like two diatonics in one harp. It's like having one set up for 1-6 draw bends & 7-10 blow bends plus another set-up for 1-6 blow bends and 7-10 draw bends and both integrated as a one single harp.. ;)
Actually it is pretty easy to half-valve some standard diatonic yourself. So if you want to experiment prior to further investments, just buy some valves and glue..
"The single reed bends made possible by the valves are different than regular bends and they require different technique."
I don't see which "different technique" it should require. I play Promaster V and I don't play the draw bends differently on 7-10 than on 1-6. Same for the blow bends on 1-6 holes. These "extra" bends seem as much controllables as the others, with a little training. I still have a hard time with holes 9 and 10, though.
I totally agree with "The Gloth" the technique we all use to blow bend holes 8 9 & 10 and well as conventional draw bends apply to valved bends. There is a lot of mis-information about valved bends. The biggest hurdle is to forget that we normally can't blow bend holes 1 2 5 and 6. Likewise draw bend 7 8 and 10. I will be at SPAH in a few weeks and Seydel will have about 4 dozen 1847s there that employ the same valve material that I use. Make sure you stop by and say hello and try one out. Check out this clip of me playing a song in 5th minor using a half valved harmonica as well as other clips at http://www.youtube.com/gazell
@bluesharper: I bought those from harponline.de (I bought the 26e set). I tried out partially valved approach with 2,3,8 holes. They made some improvements but they also changed the sound so I ditched the 2&3. I have set-up that harp for OB's too so that's the reason I didn't valve other holes..
@bluesharper hello irishman-been to your country 3 times-love it-my take on XB-40s-I only own one in key of A-you can bend hell out of them but thats how they are manufactured as EXTREME bending-otherwise they are only normal at best in other playing
Bluesharper...I would recommend either a Bb or a C. Jim, yes the Saxony valves are great for the chromatic but do not eliminate issues that plastic valves have for diatonics. Buzzing and rattling on longer reeds (i.e. from C down) and they are also sensitive to moisture and temperature. The material that Seydel has outfitted in the 1847s that will be available at SPAH in a few weeks all but eliminates those problems. It took me several years and lots of testing to come up with something that addressed those issues. As far as sound goes, I agree that the sound of the harmonica is indeed different than a non- valved harmonica. I personally like the tone given the type of music I play. Much like anything else...it won't be to everyone's liking, I think it is indeed a viable alternative to Over Blowing. If you are coming to the SPAH show make sure to say hi and let me show you the 1847s with my valve material in it.
