Re: [Harp-L] Hohner Blues Harps/MBs same in '69? When was SP20 born?

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

When the Blues Harp was introduced about 40 years ago, Hohner's advertisements claimed that it had thinner reeds that were easier to bend.

It was all nonsense, yet even now you occasionally hear players complain that the Blues Harp has "paper-thin" reeds and a tinny sound. Amazing, that, the power of words to influence perception, even decades later in people who never experienced the original ads.

Dave F., could it be that in the innocence of youth you uncritically internalized some of Hohner's hype?

I agree with Dave P. that cover shape plays a role. Not only the side vents, but also the lower clearance on the Blues harp covers, can influence the perceived sound.

I first encountered the Special 20 in the early 1970s - maybe '72 or '73? - shortly after its introduction, and bought one (which I think I still have).  The main difference, aside from subtle changes in cover graphics, is that the early models were fastened to the reedplates with long pins that went through both reedplates (the same thing was used on plastic-combed chromatics at the time) instead of the machine screws now used. I recall that I didn't much like the one I bought, because it seemed unresponsive (I didn't care about the plastic). Nowadays I have some SP20s in my kit, though I usually open out the backs of the covers and do all the usual stuff to the reeds that I'd do to any other harp (embossing the slots, lowering the reed base, setting the arc, tuning and tempering to taste).

Winslow

--- On Thu, 7/10/08, David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
From: David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Hohner Blues Harps/MBs same in '69? When was SP20 born?
To: "Harp L Harp L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thursday, July 10, 2008, 10:12 AM

They were the same, Dave, but you know how subjective and full of variables
these things are, the biggest difference would be lack of a side vent on the
blues harp, which would make a big difference in perceived sound, or could have
been comparing a D Blues harp with a C Marine Band, or maybe you got different
years on the plates... but who knows. I know that the old Old Standbys and
Marine Bands were the same except for the covers and I knew it back in the
day, but I liked the Old Standby more. So, who knows?
That difference in tone would have been from the side vent on the Marine Band,
I'm sure.
Dave
__________________________
Dave Payne Sr. 
Elk River Harmonicas
www.elkriverharmonicas.com 

----- Original Message ----
From: David Fertig <drfertig@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 12:56:29 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Hohner Blues Harps/MBs same in '69? When was SP20 born?

Winslow, you state in '69 the Hohner MB & Blues Harp was the same item,
but for their covers.  I started blowing in '70, and tried the blues harps
& Marine Bands available then, probably including '69 stock,  I got
the distinct impression that Blues Harps were (tonally) bent more easily, and
had a slightly thinner tone, I never liked them, compared to MBs or the later
SP20s, but maybe it was just the cheesy logo that made 'em seem different
for me?  or the cover shape? Or the reeds?

And I don't remember when I met my first SP20, which, once I got past the
plastic, I've been wedded to ever since.  When did they come out?

Thanks oh Solon of Sonority, and the rest of you hard-headed harpsuckers,

-Dave Fertig
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