Well, if the goal is to learn to play the diatonic chromatically (sorry, I can't listen to the vid right now), then I would stick to harps that are easy to overblow.
In general, Hohner's work better than Suzuki's like the Hammond. I've had really good luck with Golden Melodies out of the box lately for the 4, 5, and 6 obs. The Crossovers are solid as well.
Yesterday I opened up a C GM I got for Christmas. Using a gapping tool, I was able to set up all the obs/ods with no choking. Now there are obvious improvements that can be made, namely with the overdraws, but if you have a screw driver and toothpick, you're in business.
Pretty cost effective too.
There are other more expensive options, but as it pertains to overblowing and having quick access to the harmonica, GM's or Crossovers would work well.
Other harps and brands can overbend too, and I know some will disagree, but I don't see any benefit in using a harp that doesn't ob well to learn on just because it will pop the note (but squeal, not bend to pitch, etc). I think most decent harps can be gapped to bend well in all octaves fairly easily.
From what I've seen in the last couple of years, most makers have better arcing and gapping than a few years ago and getting the reeds to ob isn't too difficult. But again, just because it will technically ob doesn't mean the note will be useful. I also firmly believe every playing experimenting with obs should at least learn how to gap their harps to taste - which really isn't technically difficult...just time consuming.
Otherwise, there is the custom route... ---------- Mike Quicksilver Harmonicas
Last Edited by on Jan 06, 2011 7:16 AM
well I'd say it's not a matter of what model it is... say: 1) all sp20-type recessed combs are NOT for overblow setup. Including 1847silverPLUS.
2) the closer the blow rivets are to the edge - the better. That's why Herings are generally come to OBs faster (though being really average in building quality)
3) gapping.
1847s vary outofthebox - like all other models. BUt I can TESTIFY one thing - 1847 are the most consistent harps in tuning. All those that I've seen (and I've seen a lot) - are tuned well. ----------
@harpboy though I dont play harp in a band,I know someone who does and he considers his "return on investment" and does not play the more expensive harps-he does stop playing them when they become out of tune-he plays mb1896s and blues harps as he prefers wood combs
What are you playing now? List the Pros and Cons of you current harp and that will give you a starting point. You need to know what you are expecting out of a harp to suggest one to somebody. HarpNinja says above he prefers Hohner over Suzuki, I prefer Suzukis of Hohner. It is all a matter of personal opinion. They are both good but its what you like.
An investment harp for the money would be a custom harmonica. Some customizers will repair their product if it becomes damaged or will do tune ups. This makes it a smart investment.
I wouldn't go spending too much on a store bought harmonica otherwise. I haven't bought a new harmonica in a few years because I've amassed a stockpile of moderately priced harmonicas that I am able to revive by working on them.
