Re: [Harp-L] Hohner low keys, Thunderbird

[MundHarp@xxxxxxx]

I used Echo Vamper 12 hole harps exclusively as my diatonic  harmonicas,  
when I was working 5 or 6 nights a week as a  young teenager,  with my band. 
Trying to make "the big time".. I am  still trying!. Overnight success is 
just around the corner.
I only changed to the cheaper 10 hole available on the British  market, 
"Echo Super Vamper". Which was exactly the same as the "Marine  Band", except 
for the engraving on the cover plates, when Hohner stopped selling  
harmonicas to me wholesale (by the dozen)..... And then I could no longer afford  the 
superior 12 hole instruments... Must have been 1964, 1965 or 1966? Not sure 
 exactly. Back then the 10 hole harp was 5 shillings (25 Pence) and the 12  
hole was 7 Shillings and 6 Pence (37.5 Pence) in British Sterling...
John "Whiteboy" Walden
English, but just now living in the Philippines.
 
 
In a message dated 3/15/2011 12:38:34 A.M. Malay Peninsula Standard ,  
steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

John  Mayall told me that Sonny Boy 2 got Hohner to give him a  
selection  of low tuned Hohner Echo Vamper harps in all keys down to  
low C when  they met in 1964 0r 65 during Rice Miller's tour of  
Britain. This  would indicate they were being manufactured at that  
time. Around  1970 when I started in London, they were only available  
there in C  and G.

The Marine Band Thunderbird shares some features with the  Crossover,  
most notably the case and the bamboo comb. However, the  covers are  
new and use the conical form pioneered by Joe Filisko.  Also, the  
reeds are profiled differently to ensure optimal response  at ultra  
low pitch. I have prototypes and they play very well for  such low  
tuned harps, loud and powerful without reed  rattle.

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