Re: Old Standby

["Steven D. Levine" <drsoul@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Wed, 15 Jun 1994, Thomas Lilleston wrote:

> > 
> > What's the word on the Hohner Old Standby? Is it just a cheap version of 
> > a Marine Band? I know that Charlie McCoy plays them, and I think a few 
> > other great players have mentioned using them. Being, on the most part, a 
> > Marine Band player, I'm considering trying out a couple. Anyone have any 
> > good or bad experiences they'd like to share with them?
> > 
> > -Steve
> > 
>  Charlie Musselwhite has been known to play them on occasion too. I've
> tried one or two in "C" and they just seemed like cheap Chinese plastic
> Hohners to me, similar to Pocket Pal harps. They look a lot like 
> Special 20s but they don't sound as good to my ears.
>  If you want to try a plastic harp and you're using a marine band now,
> I'd recommend the Special 20s. They have somewhat similar tone, IMHO.
> I've been using them quite a bit these days although I still prefer
> the ease of use of Lee Oskars. Lee's opted for the bright tuning,
> though, and I'm finding that the Special 20s sound better close-miked
> for blues playing. 
>  Obviously, that's an opinion. Please don't kill me.

So the Old Standby is plastic? I always thought they were wood. I've 
played a fair share of Special 20's (which Sugar Blue favors) and Lee 
Oskars but I prefer Marine Bands.