RE: [Harp-L] re: individual Huang's?/Mama's Boys?/Suzuki

["Steve Shaw" <moorcot@xxxxxxx>]

 I needed a Bb so that's the Folkmaster
> I bought.  The only Bluesmaster was an A, so...
> I much prefer the Folkmaster.  Sound, feel, just about everything.   Don't 
> care much for the Bluesmaster at all, at least in A.  Other than the Hering 
> Vintage (I have a C) the Folkmaster has come the closest to feeling like a 
> harp that was designed for me.  I know they are relatively cheap, but i'm 
> looking for the lowest price, out of the box harp that still can sound like 
> (even with my relatively poor intermediate playing skill) the sounds I 
> prefer, which right now is acoustic since I don't have a mic and until I 
> get a lot better probably won't spend the money on one.

> Bry (Indiana)

Those Folkmasters are great little (and I mean little) harps to just have 
lying around or shoved in the pocket when you need a spot of harp therapy.  
The only tiny drawback I found was, because they're small and skinny, they 
tend to block up quickly unless you can train yourself to play dry.  The 
only Bluesmaster I bought needed a ton of work doing to get it playable, but 
it was OK once I'd done that.  I'm dubious about those spot-welded reeds 
though.  Folkmasters have the usual riveted reeds.  If you have to remove 
the Folkmaster covers for any reason, getting them back on in line is just 
about the fiddliest job on the planet.  It's interesting that you like both 
the Suzuki and the Hering as the former is in equal temperament and the 
latter is in Just intonation.....

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