Re: Hohner Auto Valve

[Pat Missin <pat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

GP Grant  wrote:

>Besides the fact that it's an octave harp, is there any difference between the
>Auto Valve and the XB-40? If so, is there a non-octive-harp version of the
>Auto Valve - i.e. another fully valved diatonic? If not, why did it take so
>long to come up with the XB-40?

Aside from using similar reedplates, there is very little similarity
between the XB-40 and the Auto-Valve-Harp. The AVH uses pairs of reeds
simply tuned in octaves; the XB uses pairs of reeds that interact in a
unique way.

As for a fully valved diatonic, it is perfectly possible to add a set
of valves to a standard harp, although that won't make it play like an
XB-40. You may also find that it is more useful to add only a half set
of valves - ie valve the lower draw reeds and the upper blow reeds -
allowing the other reeds to work "normally".

 -- Pat.