[Harp-L] Dead reeds and diatonic harp brands

[Roger Boyce <wader1@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello all

I have played Hohner Marine Band diatonics for decades - because that's 
what I started on in the 60's. Over the last year, because of a dinky 
financial windfall, I began to sample Suzuki Promasters and half-valved 
Promasters, Hohner Meisterklasse, Cross Harps, and Special 20's. I love 
the buttery articulation of the Suzukis, the big sound of the Cross 
Harps, the tonal variety of the 20's, and am still getting accustomed 
to the Meisterklasse - and I do appreciate the lack of "comb-burn" I'd 
get from a night of playing the wooden combed Marine Bands and slippery 
slurs possible with plastic and metal combs.

Here's the rub - the half-valved Promasters, although fluid as 
all-get-out would sometimes 'hesitate' before the reed would resonate - 
so I'm changing out the valved reed plates for regular Promasters. 
Special 20's, Promasters, & Meisterklasse seem to develop dead reeds ( 
3 in the last 3 months ) faster than the Marine Bands, although so far 
the Cross harps ( with the same MS reeds as the Meisterklasse ) don't 
seem to have the same propensity to develop dead reeds. The Cross Harps 
feel less airtight - along the lines of a Marine Band. Could the fact 
that the Meisterklasse, Promaster, and Special 20's feel more airtight 
than Cross Harps and Marine Bands be connected to the dead reed 
problem? Unfortunately I've never been one to repair, customize, or buy 
customized harps. Why do y'all think the Marine Bands hold up better?

By the way, I just ordered the $10. Big River ( Paul deLay's favorite 
diatonic ) to try out. If I like it I may get a set of Big Rivers and a 
set of MS reed plates for when the BR's blow out. I'm moving to New 
Zealand this winter where harps and music gear is an arm and leg, so I 
have been stocking up.

Thanks

Roger AKA "Wader" Boyce