Bass A

[Barry Schaede <barrys@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

For all of you folks out there that own Madcats Harmonicology you know 
that the tune entitled Dakota 400 features  3 harmonica parts all in a 
different range of the key of A.  The middle is played on a Fillisko'd 
Huang plate and the top part on a Picolo or Vest Pocket Harp.  The bass 
part was done using a Hohner 365/12 key of C retuned by Frank Huang to 
the key of A.  In talking to Joe Filisko I discovered that the harmonica 
had later been cut down to 10 hole version using a different comb.  

All this tuning talk got me itchy to do another total retune so last 
night I retuned a couple of Lee Oskar 10 hole plates to a bass A 
diatonic.  The first note is an A 2 octaves below middle C.  This 
harmonica is a bunch of fun.  Interestingly too is the fact that the 
heavy reeds don't tend to rattle and hit the cover plates like they do on 
the low Hohners or stock lower key Lee Oskars.  (yes I know that's been 
fixed)  The other benefit is the tone is totally different from that 
leaky, rattley sound you get from the 365's.  Strangely enough this 
harmonica is a monster overblow machine.  It sustains without a buzz and 
initiates easily.  The number 7 blow I broke doesn't mess me up much at 
the moment because it's the note I use the least on a harmonica and it's 
easily played around.  I do get the overblow on that hole because I taped 
the hole closed and the draw can be forced to sound on a blow.  The only 
downside is the enormous amount of time it took.  FJM