paul45
41 posts
Aug 16, 2010
9:09 AM
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My favorite is the Seydel Solist Pro.
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groyster1
340 posts
Aug 16, 2010
9:51 AM
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I think this is a great thread-some of the harps mentioned here are ones I own-it has all been interesting to me
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Silvertone
38 posts
Aug 16, 2010
2:36 PM
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Lee Oskars I started playing just before Hohner let there quality control dept drink during lunch and just never went back.
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groyster1
346 posts
Aug 16, 2010
2:47 PM
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@silvertone
you might be right about hohners quality control-I have some concerns about their attitude also
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harmonicanick
845 posts
Aug 16, 2010
2:55 PM
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@silvertone
There's nothing wrong with a liquid lunch, and thats got nothing to do with Hohner's down period.
They lacked investement in machinery and also cut corners in their reed plates.
Hohner was taken over by Jupiter Brass who have state of the art machinery and consequently quality has improved
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LIP RIPPER
275 posts
Aug 16, 2010
3:12 PM
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Silvertone, I started on Lee Oskars. I also learned to work on harps with the same. Good harps. I have done what you do to make harps better to them and it made them very easy to play. It wasn't until I first met up with Adam, that I realized the low volume of the LO's. This was last summer so I was a about a year into the Harp experience. I was fortunate enough to spend a little time with Adam before a show while he prepared his harps. The shear volume of the Marine bands and he himself blew me away. He asked me to play him something and in trying to reach a level of volume that was close to his choked the life right out of my LO's. I had never experienced this before but it opened my eyes for sure. I still play my LO's every day, their in my truck so they're my road harps. I have since gotten into Seydels, Suzie's and Marine Bands along with a B-rad.
P.S. The only harp in my case that I haven't opened up is a Firebreath in the key of "F". I've told myself I would just play the thing as it is and that is what I've done. I'm sure that eventually I will but I don't play the "F" harp much. Adam has mentioned before that you take what you have and make it happen. My words but the point is valid. It ain't the wand, it's the magician that makes the magic.
LR
P.S.S. There is another harp in my case that I have not massaged and that is one of Chris Michalek's Buddha harps. I know this is about stock harps but I do have one of his in my case and all I have done to it is play it.
Last Edited by on Aug 16, 2010 4:09 PM
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groyster1
347 posts
Aug 16, 2010
3:52 PM
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take what you have and make it happen-thats pretty deep and is being taken into account by me
@harmonicanick
was not aware of what happened at hohner being taken over by jupiter brass
Last Edited by on Aug 16, 2010 3:54 PM
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Hobostubs Ashlock
965 posts
Aug 16, 2010
6:32 PM
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Lee Oskar, built like a Tank
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jim
311 posts
Aug 16, 2010
11:04 PM
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@groyster1
they sill use unsealed combs and nails, so nothing changed very much :D
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www.truechromatic.com
Last Edited by on Aug 16, 2010 11:04 PM
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N.O.D.
106 posts
Aug 16, 2010
11:23 PM
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Hard Core Hohner SP-20 Muther:)
i think the biggest Challenge is to get an OOTB harp
learn to play it be happy with your sound 1st:)
then if you think there is a need to try a custom Harp do so, why take the easy way out 1st learn to ride stock:)
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Then off to the Custom Shop:)
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scrybe314
82 posts
Aug 17, 2010
1:34 AM
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Now, I'm significantly broke, so I can't plop down $50 on a harp (or $25, for that matter...) but the best harp I've ever played out of the box only runs $15; a little number called the Huang Star Performer. They're big, clunky suckers, which I like, they've got a great full sound to them, and the quality seems consistently good with every Star Performer I've ever bought. Also, they take a tweak-job like no other, and they last FOREVER; it takes me at least a year of nonstop hard playing to noticeably flatten a Star Performer reed, and then tuning it back up is no issue at all. I've had my Star Performer in Eb for going on two years now and haven't killed it yet.
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ness
274 posts
Aug 17, 2010
6:04 AM
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For me it's the Suzuki Promaster. I was first drawn to them for their aesthetics, build quality, and availability of replacement reed plates, but I've stuck with them for a number of other reasons: slick, full-length covers, mellow tone, ease of care, good quality/tight tolerances and durability. I like that they're a long-term investment, not a throw-away harp.
I place some value in having consistency in the line up too, so when I recently rounded out the set I filled the gaps with Promasters.
Just got a valved in C, and I've also re-tuned one to Paddy Richter -- just for fun. Now if I could just find the time to learn how to play all of them.
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John
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hvyj
536 posts
Aug 17, 2010
6:11 AM
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@ness: yes...I like consistency in my instruments, too. My performing set are all the same make and model. My spare/backup set may be a different make/model, but they are all the same different make/model.
So many harp players seem to perform with an aggregation of different harps. I find something I like and stick with it.
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groyster1
350 posts
Aug 17, 2010
5:50 PM
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@hvyj
many harp players perform with different harps-yep,I own hohner lee oskar suzuki and johnson which are pretty decent for a 6 dollar harp
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strawwoodclaw
96 posts
Aug 18, 2010
9:12 AM
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Crossover, Deluxe, Marine Band, special 20 , Manji : )
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bluesharper
100 posts
Aug 19, 2010
3:00 PM
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@ LIP RIPPER
I would never even think about opening a buddha harp!
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MIKE C.
26 posts
Aug 26, 2010
10:38 AM
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Hohner Marine Band 1896
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MP
776 posts
Aug 26, 2010
2:39 PM
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hohner crossover.
i have two- an A and an F. i have no idea why anyone would say that all stock harps, every single one of them, sucks. that is simply not true. a player could suck, but the average oob harp is just fine if you know how to play.
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MP
hibachi cook for the yakuza
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superhero emeritus
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groyster1
403 posts
Aug 26, 2010
3:19 PM
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amen MP
own a crossover and 3 new manjis-if I cant cut it with these 4 fine harps,then I cant cut it-they satisfy number 1 and thats all that matters
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jonlaing
68 posts
Aug 26, 2010
3:30 PM
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I just got a promaster and I LOVE IT! I like it better than the Manji, personally, though the Manji is a close second. Something about that aluminum comb just feels right. Overblows out of OOTB too, which is nice. Still needs a smidge of tweaking to be perfect, but DAMN it's a nice one.
Suzuki has top notch harps. Has anyone tried their Folkmaster? It's about $15 or so on ebay. You'd be surprised how well it plays for a harp of that price range. I got one while I was wetting my feet with harmonica way back when, and it played really well up until I first tried my hand at customizing.
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groyster1
407 posts
Aug 27, 2010
8:41 AM
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it only stands to reason that custom harps will be better than stock harps they are handcrafted instead of mass produced just like micro brews are far superior to mass produced american beers they are hand crafted and I offer a toast to all customizers in this forum with my petes wicked ale I am now sipping
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JohnnieHarp
46 posts
Aug 27, 2010
12:26 PM
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>Has anyone tried their Folkmaster?
I have a couple that I've customized ... locally Folkmaster cost C$13.45 ... are hand assembled in China .... have a lot of external sharp edges ... tricky to work on as reeds very thin and fragile so easy to accidentally damage ...
Harpmaster C$22.45 ... definitely worth paying a bit more for the Harpmaster all things being equal (assuming no personal preference in playability/sound) ... Harpmaster more robust sound ...
Harpmaster high quality components as per Bluesmaster, Manji, Promaster etc; high quality reeds and reed plates; spot welded with excellent tolerances like the better Suzuki diatonics; much better ergonomics; much better external finishing ... and easier to do reed work on/customize ...
Last Edited by on Aug 27, 2010 12:32 PM
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harmonicajoe
10 posts
Aug 27, 2010
4:03 PM
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Marine Band key of A.
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DanP
130 posts
Aug 27, 2010
6:35 PM
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My 3 favorites: Suzuki Bluesmaster, Harpmaster, and the Bushman Delta Frost.
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jonlaing
75 posts
Aug 27, 2010
7:12 PM
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@JohnnieHarp I was just mentioning the Folkmaster because it's surprisingly good for its price. I wouldn't buy one again now that I've been spoiled by the higher priced Suzukis.
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rpoe
201 posts
Aug 27, 2010
7:24 PM
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Favorite is my OOB Marine Band in Bb. Tight, and well gapped from the get go. Can't say the same for my MB in A. Will be as good after some tweakin' assuming I don't screw it up.
Love the consistency of my SP-20's followed closely by my Seydel Solist Pro's. Both of these are a piece of cake to gap.
I have a couple of Suzuki Harpmasters that are pretty damn good as well.
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Rob
Rob's Tube
Last Edited by on Aug 27, 2010 7:25 PM
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Gwood420
246 posts
Aug 27, 2010
8:13 PM
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"edit: 2500 posts! Woohoo! I have no life"
nate, you rock..
you can get the bends harps in the states from , crap what was that site.. i will look in a minute.. but they didnt sell that harp.. i am thinking about trying one of there lesser harps, just for the hell of it.
if i had to pick my fav, it would be my seydel noble.. but i have been playing the snot out of my bluesmasters lately, it seems like there is less effort to hit the bends.. hmmmmm.
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Marty we're no GOD
how i make a living
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Aussiesucker
662 posts
Aug 27, 2010
10:54 PM
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See some mention of the humble Folkmaster. Not in the same league as Seydel 1847s, Manji's , Crossovers and Lee Oskars or for that matter even SP20s, Bluesmasters & Harpmasters. But, and a big big but, they are a really nice little harp for the pennies outlayed. With minimal tweaking they are pretty good. Not loud but sweet of tone and small in size like an MB.
I only like them in the lower keys & have one in an Ab which is a little beauty. At 5pm I enjoy my beers and crisps so out comes a Folkmaster which because of its low cost is usually treated very rough but I cannot destroy them. Rinse 'em out in fresh water & they are good as new. My Ab Folkmaster is always in my pocket when not in my mouth. Stretch apart the covers at the rear and flatten the rear edges of the cover plate + remove the supports and volume increases.
Don't knock the Folkmaster until you have tried them. They are great for the price and they can take some abuse. And, if you are a fan of the MB you will like their size.
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DutchBones
384 posts
Aug 28, 2010
12:57 AM
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Delta Frost (Bushman) and HarpMaster (Suzuki) all the way (I'm using some of them more than 5 years... how's that for "milage"?
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DutchBones Tube
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mrdon46
51 posts
Aug 30, 2010
8:45 PM
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My favorite is the tried and true MB 1896, but then I haven't tried much else--haven't seen the need to. I got a Lee Oskar in low F, but it just feels too big and clumsy. I am curious about the Bends harps (mostly because Natacha Seara is so friggin' hot as well as being a very good player--I guess that's as good a reason as any, and probably better than most of the reasons for the things that I do). Anyone besides Barbecue Bob had experience with them?
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groyster1
417 posts
Aug 31, 2010
9:43 AM
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this thread was started by bluesharper from the emerald isle and has got miles of responses-it all reflects the huge variation of opinion-I have come to the conclusion that if you blow harp well you can do well with ootb stock harps-that being said all you customizers there is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that your harps are superior as they are hand crafted and quite sure very well
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exdmd
1 post
Aug 31, 2010
10:14 AM
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MB Deluxe followed by Manji. I prefer the tone and feel of the Deluxe.
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nacoran
2653 posts
Aug 31, 2010
12:15 PM
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Gwood, thanks. If I've got any money left when I've finished paying my bills I may give them a try.
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Nate
Facebook
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isaacullah
1151 posts
Aug 31, 2010
4:42 PM
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The best stock harp I have ever played was a Marine Band. Ironically, one of the worst stock harps I've ever played was also a Marine Band! I think that speaks to Hohner's quality control issues.
The Manji that I played about a year ago over at Buddha's place was pretty damn good, but he had re-gapped it (nothing else), so it wasn't completely stock.
I really did love my Seydel Soloist Pro's, but they didn't last (alas!).
For various reason, I stick to Marine Bands and Special 20's these days. The main work I do is to sand the reedplates/combs flat and to carefully reset the reed gaps. All other work is ergonomic/aesthetic.
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