MEK
1 post
Sep 14, 2010
3:44 PM
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Hi, new player here, looking for a good model with a comb that sticks out past the reed plates like a Special 20 or Suzuki Easy Rider. Background, my kids bought me a Suzuki easy rider for fathers day. I always wanted to learn to play and quickly saw the limitations of the easy rider so I upgraded to a Special 20. Very nice but I wanted to try some more models so after some reading I also bought a Manji and a Golden Melody. Both the GM and the Manji have reed plates that stick out and the comb just in a little. All my progress was made on the ER and SP20, with these two new models I'm constantly hitting multiple notes by accident (still weeks later). However the Manji sounds so good I want to keep playing it even though I sound bad.
My question, is there a harmonica that sounds as good as the Manji but has a comb like the Special 20?
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MEK
2 posts
Sep 14, 2010
3:48 PM
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Can I just pull the Manji apart and draw file it?
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MP
831 posts
Sep 14, 2010
4:00 PM
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don't hurt the Manji!!
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MP
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tookatooka
1704 posts
Sep 14, 2010
4:21 PM
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Maybe you could fit the manji plates into a Suzuki Bluesmaster or Harpmaster comb. Should fit.
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nacoran
2725 posts
Sep 14, 2010
4:24 PM
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I think a lot of the customizers file the front of the reed plate to smooth it out a bit. Make sure you do it in a way that won't bend the reed plate (or damage the reeds). I have some Blues Harps and a Golden Melody. The protruding reed plate bothers me a bit, but I also have a Seydel Blues Favorite with a protruding reed plate that feels like butter. It's got an aluminum comb. If it's just a matter of hitting two holes practice should help it. If it's tearing up your lip then filing it is part of the solution. You can also try making sure that the cover is clean. I use a polishing rag that came with my Seydel harmonica, and craft sticks (heavy duty tooth picks). Make sure you get all that gunk that builds up on the covers off. That dried on flakes of dead skin and spit actually gets kind of crusty and can rough up your lip too.
Lee Oskars have a comb like the SP20s and they seem to have slightly wider holes. Seydel Blues Sessions seem to have similar combs, looking at the pictures, and they have covers that run the whole length of the harp, which I think makes them more comfortable in the hand.
If you are trying to explore different models, you might also want to try a Seydel 1847 and a Hohner Marine Band (they come in basic, deluxe, and crossover). They have protruding reeds, but they are probably the harps most people play.
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Last Edited by on Sep 14, 2010 4:28 PM
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DanP
134 posts
Sep 14, 2010
5:37 PM
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Welcome to the forum,MEK. The Bushman Delta Frost also has the cover plates recessed into the plastic comb like a Special 20. It looks a lot like a Suzuki Harpmaster. The Harpmaster would be a good choice for a new player because it's a very responsive harmonica. It takes less wind to play a Harpmaster than any harp I've ever played. The Harpmaster has a sharp, bright tone that may not be as suitable for blues playing as a Marine Band would be but it's easier to play.
Last Edited by on Sep 14, 2010 5:48 PM
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MEK
3 posts
Sep 14, 2010
8:46 PM
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Thank you for the responses, I decided to practice the filing on the Golden melody. I sat down at the kitchen table and took it apart with a file beside me. My wife asked what I was doing. When I explained I was told "You just bought that, you practice more first"...
Guess its a job for night shift without prying eyes.
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MEK
4 posts
Sep 15, 2010
5:07 PM
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Well after practicing for an hour today I decided to break out the file. I filed about 1/32 to 1/16 off each reed plate. I mounted the first one to check an realized I took a little much off the top plate. The second reed plate went smoother once I got the technique. For me being a rank beginner it really improved the playability of the Golden Melody. I am hitting clear single notes again like I am playing my Special 20 and I still sound rough on the Manji. I'll try it for a week or two and then maybe do the Manji.
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SuperBee
15 posts
Sep 16, 2010
12:55 AM
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blow enough slobber into a Marine Band and you'll get a protruding comb, no worries:)
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Brendan Power
98 posts
Sep 16, 2010
6:15 AM
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@MEK "Both the GM and the Manji have reed plates that stick out and the comb just in a little. Can I just pull the Manji apart and draw file it?"
The issue with the Manji is the reedplate screw hole in the front of the middle of the comb (the one with the small bulge in the comb tine around it). It is smaller than all the others, which allow some play for fine adjustment.
To make the reedplates sit back flush with the front of the comb you can:
1. Reassemble without using this front middle reedplate screw. There is enough play in the rest of the comb holes to allow the reedplates to push back till they're flush.
As long as the covers have a small convex bend in them pressing down on the middle of the reedplates the harp should be airtight enough. You can ensure that by putting a convex curve in the reedplates too.
2. If you want to keep that extra screw at the front middle, extend the hole in the comb towards the rear a little. I do this by using pressure on a rotating drill bit (about 2.1mm - 2mm will do). Once it is extended back by a few mm the harp will assemble with the reedplates flush with the front of the comb.
I always use option 2. Hope that helps,
Brendan
Last Edited by on Sep 16, 2010 6:18 AM
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MEK
5 posts
Sep 16, 2010
8:13 AM
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Thank you for sharing the customizing tech on a public forum. I just tried your mod with just removing the screw for now. It's almost perfect now with no modification. I think I'll still give it a light sand to lose another 1/64th when I disassemble to elongate the front hole but still keep the grove for the cover plate. On mine after the mod the bottom is just a hair further out than the top and as a beginner I like to feel (like braille) the holes on my lower lip as I pass over them. Hence wanting to sand a hair more.
Thanks Again,
Mike.
PS, your review was excellent and sold me on the Manji.
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chromaticblues
186 posts
Sep 16, 2010
8:29 AM
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Mek I wouldn't file the reed plates of a Manji down because they are chrome plated! So what you did was open the plating up on the end were your lips slide back and forth. Be careful! I did what Brendon said with the drill. Its real easy and SAFE! When you put it back together place the harp with the mouth piece down and put a little pressure all three at the same time and they should line up pretty good.
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MEK
6 posts
Sep 16, 2010
8:57 AM
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Thank you Chromatic, you saved me from making a big mistake there. Not much sharper than a chrome flake. I'll elongate all the holes a hair to the back then to get some slop in it for a bit extra movement.
What a great forum for taking care of the new guy, thanks.
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MEK
7 posts
Sep 16, 2010
4:28 PM
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Used a 5/64 bit and elongated the holes in the comb. Very easy material to work with on the Manji. The comb face on mine is slightly angled but I am now flush on the bottom and slightly protruding on the top. The key part is it feels right to me now. Funny such a small change makes a big difference to a beginner like myself.
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