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Post by mindthegap on Jan 23, 2014 4:01:28 GMT -5
pitpony - re your comments about the manji, I've heard elsewhere that it's 'harder work' in some way. I think I heard Jason Ricci say that about it, but he liked that - maybe the upside is that you can play harder on it. I've not tried one myself. What do you mean when you say it needs more effort?
I agree it's one of the odd features of harmonicas that generally you can't try before you buy. You wouldn't accept that with any other instrument I think. Although I've read that at the big meetings e.g. SPAH in the US the manufacturers do in fact have stands where you can try things out, and they clean them between customers. Not so in shops though. In my nearest big music shop (Dawson's in Reading) they have a huge wall of guitars and basses, and a tiny cabinet of harmonicas. So there would be no scope for trying and comparing anyway.
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Post by sarge on Jan 23, 2014 10:57:07 GMT -5
I've played a manji, it was ok, but I wasn't highly impressed. I really like the seydel 1847 Gazell method harp, but the best production harmonica I have played is the Harrison, but I sure wouldn't pay what folks are wanting for a Harrison. If I need a new harp I usually buy a seydel solist pro. Every player has a different opinion on their favorite harp.
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Post by mindthegap on Jan 23, 2014 12:09:21 GMT -5
Re trying harps - I guess the problem is drawing/blowing rather than just blowing with horns and woodwind. It's probably based more on instinct than science. I think it's probably easier to disinfect a harp than e.g. a saxophone.
Re the manji and it's 'stiffer playing' - before Christmas I bought a 'Sonnyboy's Mojo' from Ben Hewlett's store in the UK. It has 7-limit Just Intonation tuning and I wanted to try one. It's good, and not leaky but the bends require more effort. The upside is that it has a nice rough tone which is a bit different. A bit of grit to it. When I tried adjusting the gaps a bit, I found that the reeds were the springiest and toughest I'd come across so far - they required brutal treatment to change the gaps!
In contrast I have a crossover, which is much lighter playing. It feels and sounds very refined. I play softly so actually this suits me better, but on the other hand I could use a bit more grit. So I might get on with a manji.
My fav is still the Special 20 though.
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Post by Admin on Jan 30, 2014 7:43:38 GMT -5
So, who makes the best harmonica today? I mean everything considered -
Playability Longevity Construction Materials etc.
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Post by sarge on Jan 30, 2014 10:32:07 GMT -5
That's all a matter of opinion. I like the seydel 1847 Gazell and also the seydel solist pro.
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Post by mindthegap on Jan 31, 2014 7:28:38 GMT -5
OK if it's a matter of opinion :-) then... the Hohner Crossover is a thing of beauty. Can't speak for longevity, but in terms of playability it's the best I've had. And it's the only harp I've not had to open up right away and adjust. In fact I've not had the cover plates off yet. That's a sample of one so far, and I may have been lucky, but it means something to me.
I know from other activities (traditional archery) that bamboo is a material with some excellent properties compared to wood, so I have high hopes for the comb.
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pitpony
Gold
Posts: 17
Musican: Harp
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Post by pitpony on Feb 3, 2014 16:39:52 GMT -5
mindthegap asks
pitpony - re your comments about the manji, I've heard elsewhere that it's 'harder work' in some way. I think I heard Jason Ricci say that about it, but he liked that - maybe the upside is that you can play harder on it. I've not tried one myself. What do you mean when you say it needs more effort? -
Being a novice i can only express my thoughts in a basic manner but here we go.
First thing i noticed was the extra weight. I borrowed the wife's kitchen scales & found that the Manji weighed in at 66 grams compared to the Crossover 59 grams. I will let you work out the % difference. Secondly the harp seems quite big in my hands & mouth. Again i must qualify this by saying that i am not a man employed doing manual labour so have hands more suited to picking daisies than chopping down redwoods. The first two points do point towards one heck of a sturdy instrument which would probably survive being run over by a truck.
I think what has surprised me is the extra effort needed personally to register the required note. Again however i must emphasize that when i hit the spot the sound is terrific.Its just much much harder work & i find, less responsive than others & certainly at the moment I do find the Crossover more novice friendly.However i will keep persevering with what is ultimately a very fine instrument. Possibly i am trying to run before i can walk?
Just my thoughts. Cheers
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