Harp ratings

[<Randy.Lilleston@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 Because there's a massive blizzard outside and I'm bored silly, I've decided to
offer a personal review of a few
"tools of the trade" with which I am familiar. Yes, I'm always ready to talk
more about harps, so here's my opinions on a few favorites:
--------------------
HOHNER MARINE BAND: Fine harps that have a well-deserved reputation. Not my
favorite due strictly to personal tastes,
but good sound. Take a good look at the combs before you buy
one _ sometimes they're misaligned, I suspect due to the
rigors of shipping (Hohner has earned a rep for quality
instruments over the decades).

HOHNER SPECIAL 20/PRO HARP: My favorite Hohners. Nice 'n' loud, and the plastic
comb makes it easier to fly all over the harp when you generally use the lipping
style, as I do. Only difference between the two that I can tell is the black
covers on the Pro Harps. BTW, if you wear glasses and play on stage a lot, those
black covers can be nice: I've had stage lights bounce off chrome harps and into
my glasses, creating a rather unpleasant and unexpected "rainbow effect"
(grin).

HOHNER GOLDEN MELODY: Sounds good, long lasting. I'm not fond of the ones in the
low keys - they don't bend very well and aren't terribly loud, in my experience.
I don't like the shape but many people do. It's a good instrument by and large;
I'm just not terribly fond of it for personal taste reasons.

HOHNER BLUES HARP: Lots of beginners buy 'em for the name. Too bad. Not a good
harp. Allegedly easier to bend notes on this harp but I've never seen much
difference. Plays (too) quietly. Again, not good on low keys (something true, to
one degree or another on most Hohners, I have found). Save your money. If you
like wood-bodied harps, buy the Marine Band.

HOHNER BIG RIVER: A new Hohner, clearly aimed at people who like Lee Oskars. A
little bigger than any other 10-hole diatonic I've seen. Big sound chambers.
Very loud. Seems tuned a little more brightly than most Hohners I've used.
Replaceable reed plates, ala Lee Oskar. Nice, nice, nice.
I really like these and have been adding them to my "gig
kit," but I could do without the goofy word "Hohner" printed on the side of the
comb that faces the audience. Enough advertising already. Also, somebody at
Hohner needs to think
up better names for their harps.

LEE OSKAR: You can't go wrong with these harps. Nice sound, nice construction,
replaceable reed plates, good feel in the
hand. Highly recommended for beginners and great harps for pros. I like the
minor keys, too.

HUANG SILVERTONES/STAR PERFORMERS: These are Chinese clones (at least in
appearance) of Special 20s and Golden Melodys, respectively. I like these more
than most players, although they are very, very bright and I'd avoid the high
keys (E,F), which sound screechy. Recommended highly for beginners in particular
because they cost half as much as other pro harps and are of much better quality
than "beginner harps" such as the Hohner Pocket Pal. Notes bend easily; harps
don't last as long as Hohners or Lee Oskars. I still own piles of these but
they've largely been consigned to the "backup harp bag" now.

SUZUKI FOLK MASTERS: I kind of like these harps, too. They're more expensive
than Huangs but cheaper than Hohner/Lee Oskars. Kind of small but surprisingly
loud. Construction of covers seems a little cheap, but they seem to last OK. I
like their sound but they're ugly little suckers.