RE: [Harp-L] Low Eb XB

["Steve Shaw" <moorcot@xxxxxxx>]

jazmaan wrote:

> Just got my low Eb XB-Melody from Pat Missin.   Pat warned me that the low 
> Eb XB-40 seems to have
> problems right out of the box even before any alterations are made to its 
> tuning.   The deep bends
> from hole 4 on down are very difficult to initiate and even more difficult 
> to sustain.
>
> If anyone out there has a low Eb XB-40 that doesn't have this issue, I'd 
> like to hear about it.
> But until then I'd have to warn off anybody from buying the low keyed 
> XB-40's.   I think that
> below G you're probably asking for trouble.

I have a G XB40, that I'm beginning to rather like (having spent time 
retuning - and I mean out-of-tune retuning - and gapping), and a low D that 
I'm going to have to grapple with big time before I can even consider taking 
it out of the house.  On the low D 2-blow is extremely weak, and the whole 
low end is breathy (and I'm not even talking about bends here).  Around 
about holes 6 to 9 the response is very inconsistent from note to note.  I 
sent a post in a while back complaining about incorrect tuning and gapping 
(fixable by me, fortunately) of my G.  This is a good harmonica, but I think 
what we're talking about here is rotten quality control.  If I spend £53 
(that's not much short of $100 these days) on an out-of-the-box harmonica I 
expect to at least be able to play a few tunes on it without having to 
resort to the kind of corrective surgery that most harp enthusiasts 
shouldn't have to carry out.  End of rant!

Steve

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/trad_irish_harmonica
http://harmonicapics.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk
Hear clips from my CD at http://www.gjk2.com/steveshaw/cd.htm