RE: XB-40 Retunings

["Jr Bliggins" <JrBliggins@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

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Michael Peloquin said

>>
JR, I have thought that this would also be a cool reworking of the XB40. =
Do you prefer=20
the XB40 tone and response to valved diatonics?Why the trouble & expense =
if you can get the same result with valves?
Do you have any recordings available on valved diatonic? I only know of =
one other dedicated valver, that's Mike Curtis. As for XB40: I would =
keep a whole step bend on 7 Blow as it seems to flow better for Bb=20
(C XB40) than does the7 draw bend.

<<





>> Do you prefer=20
the XB40 tone and response to valved diatonics? >>=20

For myself I prefer the dual reed bend found on the XB-40 over valved =
bends - but the difference is minor and subjective.  I loved the way =
Larry Adler bent the valved reeds on the chromatic.  I like the XB-40 =
better than a striaght valved diatonic because I can use the opposing =
reed to force me to stop the bend at or near the correct pitch.  I agree =
with what Rick Epping said as someone mentioned in an earlier post - if =
you will allow me to paraphrase - (one should bend down to the correct =
pitch and not rely on the opposing reed because the opposing reed will =
not stop you spot on correct intonation).  That is true, and I strive to =
rely on my ears to keep me in good intonation.  Some singers are able to =
stay in pitch almost without realizing it; however having the opposing =
reed stop you if you do accidently bend to far can save you from some =
pretty embarssing clams.  At least your close.=20

 >>Why the trouble & expense if you can get the same result with =
valves?>>

As far as the trouble and expense is concerned it doesn't cost all that =
much to buy an XB-40 and it is a great learning experience for me =
regarding my favorite hobby.  It is intresting that extended bending =
techniques make up less then 5% of my playing, and about 90% of my =
discussion about harmonica. Or is that 4% and 91% I am not sure.=20

>> Do you have any recordings available on valved diatonic?>>

I do have some recording on valved diatonic on my website:

http://www.musicmakersnetwork.com/bligginsandgoines/

 Although I am not particularly exploiting the valved bends in those =
recordings, because I am playing a acoustic country blues style of music =
where they are not required.  For the most part I use valved harps =
interchangeably with standard diatonics because I like the fact that my =
attack can be more consistent across the entire harp.  Without valves =
the unbendable reeds respond differently to a sharp attack then the =
bendable ones.  I am not trying to achieve chromatic playing by using =
them except as an exercise during practice. =20

 >>I only know of one other dedicated valver, that's Mike Curtis.>> =20

 I have met and played with Mike Curtis and he is a real inspiration to =
me, he also is the reason I started using valves to begin with.  Mike =
knows me by real name Bob Liana  the name Jr. Bliggins is for fun.


>>I would keep a whole step bend on 7 Blow as it seems to flow better =
for Bb=20
(C XB40) than does the7 draw bend. >>

 That is a good idea with the Bb in 7-blow bend - particularly if you =
play in first position or flat keys a lot.

 Jr. Bliggins

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