Re: [Harp-L] Steve Baker Special

["Michael Polesky" <m.polesky@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi All,

I actually also have a full set of the SBS specials.  I started out 35 years 
ago on a regular 365? in G and I also hated the layout in the upper 
register - which made it that much more easy to switch to chromatic and 
forget about the diatonic for years.  Anyway, 25 years later I took some 
diatonic lessons with Dave Gage here in LA and I learned to play a small, 
often maligned, smattering of diatonic licks.  I took to the SBS specials 
like a fish to water.  I found their layout to be very easy to adapt to as 
well as them having great playability right out of the box.  I haven't had a 
reed go bad on me since 1996 - but then I have never played any diatonic 
long enough to wear out a reed - so what do I know?

One thing I really like about the 365 body is that the holes are actually 
wider than the standard diatonic.  I think this is one reason that I, as a 
chromatic player, found them easy to work with.  Some players find this 
unique hole width hard to deal with, but it was closer to a chromatic than 
any other diatonic and you could really pull a lot of air through them.

As far as the low holes . . . I have to work for a while on my low C to bend 
hole 3 a whole step down and I can't bend hole 1 at all.  However, no one 
ever asks me to do that so I can't complain ;-).  I wholeheartedly recommend 
the SBS special to beginners and experts alike.

Michael

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <rgwebber@xxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: 04/22/2008 7:33 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Steve Baker Special


> Have any of you tried the Hohner 365/SBS?
>
> How do/did you like it?  Was it difficult to bend the low range?
>
> Thanks,
> Ron
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