Re: [Harp-L] History of harp tuning

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hohner maintained many marginal models for decades and decades. Each has its disappointed devotees.

Re the XB40, I will say that physically it's extremely robust. Needs valve service from time to time, but you can play the hell out of it without fatiguing the reeds.

Hohner is quite capable of building alternate tunings on request. But they don't choose to publicize it. Not sure why.


 
Winslow Yerxa
President, SPAH, the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica
Producer, the Spring 2014 Harmonica Collective
Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
Resident Expert, bluesharmonica.com
Instructor, Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance


________________________________
 From: Music Cal <macaroni9999@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Steve <moorcot@xxxxxxx> 
Cc: harp-l harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2014 6:11 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] History of harp tuning
 

Steve


"Hoping they'll get all adventurous with new tunings is bit like asking for
moon."

Well Hohner did give us the CX12 and the new Discovery. And even though the
XB40 was a bust they did bring the innovation to the market (With all of
those reeds the XB40 didn't seem robust enough to me to become a stable
offering. Mind you I don't play the diatonic harp.)

The offering of alternative tunings would not require much from Hohner.
They already have all the reed stock they need. I know this because Michael
Timler (formerly of HarpOnLine) built and sold alternative tuned harps
without having to solder or scratch the reeds excessively.

But ... I am upset that they stopped offering the 260!

Daniel