Last July, I think there were some posts on here regarding Bends harps from Brazil. If I recall correctly, their "Juke" model is priced in the same range as the Suzuki Manji.
For those of you who purchased them, how are they working out? What brand/models would you compare them to?
WestVirginiaTom, Bends are something that I'm almost sure no one here has tried yet. AFAIK they use phosphor bronze on some of their models, which means their reeds are already not the same as Hering's which is good.
You've got good chances to be the first to find out. ---------- www.truechromatic.com
The only review I've seen was over on Pat Missin's site. Some of the models sure look pretty. I know from a couple articles that they had, at some point, some supply issues with their U.S. distributor. I think they've switched to someone else since then. I signed up for their news letter, but it's in Portuguese, which would be fine if it was text, but they embed it in their photos so it's a pain to copy to a translation program. I sent them a letter (translated in Google) asking for them to just send text, but I never got a response.
Well, I just ordered a Bends Adagio in Bb from NewHarmonica.com. $32.95 plus $5.95 shipping. The website implies that they won't have them until early November.
I'll keep you posted. I'm sure Buddha will be eagerly awaiting my review! :>)
Danny G of NewHarmonica.com played last week at Central City Days here in Huntington, WV . He brought some of his harps. He had a box or two of Bends harps. I do not know if any were Bd. It is an atractive harp. I did not get to play one. ---------- intermediate level (+) player per the Adam Gussow Scale, Started playing 2001
Bend Harmonicas will be at the NHL Bristol this year. I have spoken to the Santos rep called Ian and he has said that if you register on the Santos site giving your NHL member number you automatically get a 12.5% discount. There will be better prices at Bristol I suspect. ---------- Oxharp
Gah, they're so pretty. Do you think you can just buy cover plates from them? I know they probably won't fit, but I haven't heard any reviews that make me want to buy the whole thing.
The Bends Tonica chromatic in the 16 hole series is the only one being manufactured not only in C, but in Bb as well.
The Bends Juke is a decent harp with a fully sealed wooden comb and they're tuned to 19LJI. They're clearly not set up for overblows. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
Jim, can you explain what you are referring to??? ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
Herings have used a tighter slot tolerance than most Hohners had been using for a number of years and their harps are not recommended to players who use a lot of breath force, especially when it also has a thicker reed plate as does the 1923 Vintage Harp uses.
The one I have hasn't blown out at all yet, but I tend to not play anywhere near as hard as the average player tends to do so mine tend to last longer regardless of the manufacturer, which often can't be said of the average player. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
