RE: [Harp-L] Looking for a good overblow harp

["Chris Michalek" <Chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

from www.customharmonicas.com

Overblow Setup w/composite comb- $200

I have tried most "customized" harominicas.  Some are better than
others many are not.  Just because a customizer has not sent one to
me doesn't mean I've not tried it.  I stand firm that nothing
compares to the harmonicas from the Filisko guild.








>
>
>
>---- Original Message ----
>From: wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Looking for a good overblow harp
>Date: Fri, 08 Oct 2004 22:02:53 -0000
>
>>
>>Chris Michalek wrote:
>>> There are no good custimized harps for under $100.  Your best bet 
>>> is to go through Jimmy Gordon.  www.customharmonicas.com If you
>are
>>> going the custom harp route you need to use a guy that can
>actually
>>> overblow with proficiency. 
>>
>>Interestingly, both Jimmy Gordon and Richard Sleigh sell a 
>>customized harp for less than $100 (Jimmy's start at $95, Richard's 
>>at $93.50).  
>>
>>I also agree that you should use a customizer who is proficient at 
>>overblowing.  Learning to overblow changed my playing dramatically, 
>>and thus the harmonicas that I build.  I don't think Chris has tried
>
>>one of my harps, and if so, not recently.  I think they overblow 
>>pretty damned nicely, if I do say so myself.  At the very least, I 
>>will stand behind them 100%, and guarantee satisfaction.  
>>
>>> Your other option is to learn to set them up yourself.
>>
>>One of the problems with setting up harmonicas for people learning 
>>to overblow is that to facilitate developing the technique the harp 
>>should be set up to maximize the overblow response.  As technique is
>
>>developed and overblows become easier it's possible to move the 
>>setup closer to "normal" while still permitting overblows while not 
>>being so suceptible to choking when they're played hard.  
>>
>>When you get good enough at it, like Chris, you can overblow just 
>>about anything, although by that time you're so used to a responsive
>
>>harp that you don't want to go back to those out-of-the-box things. 
>
>>
>>My point is that you really *have* to learn to set harps up for 
>>yourself to at least some extent to learn to overblow, or else your 
>>customized harp is going to spend a lot of time in a box going back 
>>to the shop for readjustments as you get better.  
>>
>>-tim
>>
>>Tim Moyer
>>Working Man's Harps
>>http://www.workingmansharps.com/
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
>>Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
>>http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
>>

Chris Michalek
Get ready for the Global Harmonica Summit 2005