[Harp-L] Re: SBS / Bye Bye Bird

[Steve Baker <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Michelle wrote:

I prefer my SBS (_S_teve _B_aker _S_pecial) in low C for playing "Bird"
and other tunes as it ~is~ Richter tuned. The SBS, for those who aren't
familiar with it, is a 14-holer (made from the 364 platform) and has the
lower 4 holes tuned like a low C Richter harp, and then holes 5-14 are
tuned like a regular C diatonic. [BTW, the other SBS's are not tuned in
low keys, and can get very squeaky on the upper end IMHO; why they're
not tuned in low keys like that low C model I do not  know, 'cuz that
low C one is made in heaven (well in Trossingen anyway, which is pretty
close in my book  8^). Maybe Steve Baker himself can comment and shed
more light on those other models than I. He probably has more to say
about the low C model, too.]

So, my advice if you want to play Bye Bye Bird is to get a low C SBS. A
low C regular Richter 10-hole will also work, but I am partial to that
low C SBS. It's got a thick wood comb with bigger than normal holes and
produces a tone to die for (I've sealed the comb and replace the nails
with screws on mine). It's my "desert island" harp -- if I was marooned
and had only one harp, that's likely the one I'd choose for its killer
tone and versatility. Thanks, Steve!

Why thanks Michelle, glad the SBS "strikes a chord" with you. The SBS  
models in D & F are tuned the same way, i.e. a low D / low F bottom  
end with the regular range in those keys above that. It's only G & A  
which are tuned high. I have a couple of these tuned one octave lower  
but rarely use them and personally prefer the SBS in keys C - F.  
Dunno what Sonny Boy would've thought though ;-)


Steve Baker
www.stevebaker.de
www.bluesculture.com