Re: [Harp-L] MB Deluxe?

[Fernando Bresslau <ferbress@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 10/28/05, Mojo Red <harplicks@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Hi John,
>
> Yeah, I've got two of the Marine Band Deluxe (in A
> and G) and I very much agree with your assesment.
> Not much to write home about playability wise
> (about the same a good stock MB). I did my own
> reedwork on mine, however, and came away with a
> ~very~ playable harp.
>
> Hugely disspointed with the half-fast job they did
> sealing the comb. My A harp now has white
> air-pockets creeping under the sealant on the front
> of the comb tines where moisture got underneath.
> When my G har arrived, I went ahead and sealed the
> rest of the comb on that harp.
>
> Very disspointed that Hohner didn't take that last
> step. I can understand why they don't want to spend
> time hand-arcing reeds, embossing chambers and
> setting them up for overblows at the factory, but
> cm'on guys! If you're gonna sell a wood-comb harp
> that's sealed... well, ~SEAL~ it!
>
> Harpin' in Colorado,
> --Ken M.

  Hi Ken,
 you have surely gotten a defective comb. It happens, unfortunately. We call
it baby disease in new production lines. Please contact me about that, we
stand behind our warranty.
 It might be necessary here to make two points clear once more:
 1) Marine Band Deluxe harmonicas are deluxe production instruments.
Although some players have given very favourable reviews about them, even
comparing them with custom instruments, we at Hohner are very much aware
that we are not competing with customisers. Customisers have a very
important role in professional harmonica performance, and we hope that they
appreciate the excellent platform that the MBDLX offers for a custom
instrument.
 2) There is a good reason why the comb is not sealed on all surfaces. The
aim was to make a wooden body which works great, trying to mantain it as
"wooden" as possible. We have found out that it is not necessary to seal the
two surfaces where the plates come in contact with the body. The Marine Band
Deluxe bodies work very well this way, continuing to be wood, and not being
turned into plastic.
 All the best,
Fernando. WHF is almost here!