Re: HARP-L Digest V95 #91

[ab477@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Timothy J. Schutte)]

Thomas Hinkle wrote:

>I'm but a poor unemployed harp player, so it bugs me when I try to
>experiment a little with the harps I buy and get screwed.  Anyways, as of
>now, I am dedicated to special 20's, of the harps of tried (Blues Harp,
>Silvertones(huangs), Lee Oskars, Special 20's) this is by far the best. 
>In addition, I love me old pocket pal, which is going flat, so much, that
>I bought a new pocket pal.  I feel kind of funny using a harmonica that
>says "pocket pal" on it for serious music, but hey, what can you do? 
>Anyways, it got me mad when I decided to save money and got stuck with
>these huangs until I save up some more money.  When do you discuss tone,
>how do you define it.  What are good harps in this area, I know this is
>highly subjective.  Somebody was talking about meisterwhatever as a good
>harp, but if I recall, they're pretty expensive.  I wonder why they even
>make thos huangs, it really sounds crappy to my ear.  Anyways, I'm just
>curious as to what has a decent sound.  Also, what chromatics have a good
>(special 20 like, as I define it) sound.  I'm hoping to buy one and start
>to teach myself to play as soon as I can find some money, but I don't want
>to end up with junk.  Thanks for any info.  Also if anyone knows anything
>about what it is that makes the sound of each harp so distinctive, I'd
>like to know.  It doesn't seem like there should be that much room for
>variation.

Hi Tom,

I own all of the harps that you mentioned except for the Hohner Meisterklasse,
which is grossly overpriced (IMHO ;)). The Pocket Pal is a perfectly accept-
able harp, as far as I can tell--I like mine. I was surprised to read that you
don't care for the Huang. I carry a Silvertone with me wherever I go. Granted,
it does sound a bit "dirtier" than most, but I think it is an excellent harp
to learn on, since the reeds seem to be "softer" and easier to bend than
my Hohner harps.

As far as finding a chromatic that has the same tone as a Special 20, well,
I think that would be a personal kind of choice. I own two chromatics, a
Hohner Super 64 and a Hering 501/48. Both sound fine, but the Hering cost
about half the '64 (of course, the Hering only has 12 holes, the Hohner has
16).

Good luck finding the harp of your dreams! ;) 

ttyl--
Tim

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