[Harp-L] Meisterklasse

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Steve wrote:
>I am thinking of getting a  Hohner MeisterKlasse.

Diatonic or chromatic?  They make both.

Bullfrog wrote:
"I have three of these that I bought in the mid eighties.  I found  
new reed
plates, left over at Hohner and had them customized.  I've had no  
problems
with them at any time."

Those were great harps (I assume they are the diatonics you mean in  
the above, since three of the same chromatic would seem excessive).   
Sadly, they have almost no relation to the current Meisterklasse  
except the name.  The reed-plates, combs, coverplates and reeds are  
all different.  A shame, as the current instrument with the name is  
no better than any other MS harp from Hohner, IMO, and thus not as  
nice as the old MK was.  If Hohner reissued the original design  
Meisterklasse diatonic I'd buy those in a second--the current MS one  
is of no interest to me.

Frankly, if you want a nice aluminum combed harp (with slight  
electrolytic action, but not corrosion that I've experienced) I'd  
advise getting the Suzuki Promaster.  They are very nice, and closer  
to the original Meisterklasse in many ways than the current MS one.   
Also, I haven't played them by the new Seydel aluminum combed harps  
might be worth checking out.

If it's the chromatic Meisterklasse, that's a whole different issue.   
A nice harmonica, but a few design flaws and they can be very hit or  
miss quality wise from my experience.  Also, the one I had was very  
much a jazz harp, and the tone and playability didn't veer into other  
genres enough for my taste.  If you want to play like Toots or for  
standards it's a great choice.  I veer more towards Stevie and funk,  
so need something more versatile.



 ()()    JR "Bulldogge" Ross
()  ()   & Snuffy, too:)
`----'