Re: [Harp-L] Comfort blanket harmonica

["Tim Moyer" <wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Capt Ron wrote:
> Tim, why is Golden Melody your choice?  
> Out of curiosity, because i respect your experience, what 
> is your  fav. brand and model of harp, and why, if u have 
> time.  Some posters, me  included, are asking about tweaking 
> stainless reeds - u have not chimed in  yet.

Harp selection is all about personal preferences.  There are a HUGE 
number of harmonicas on the market that differ from each other in 
subtle ways.  I prefer a harmonica with full length covers, not the 
tabbed design of the Marine Band, et. al.  I find those 
uncomfortable over time, particularly when working at the highest 
and lowest ends of the instrument.  I prefer plastic combs to wood 
or metal, only because of the comfort factor.  I prefer equally 
tempered harmonicas because of the style I play.  I nearly always 
play single notes, sometimes an octave or a double-stop, but nearly 
always single notes, so the chord quality isn't critical to me.  I 
often times double or accompany chromatic instruments and need to 
reflect that instrument's intonation.  

I have a Seydel 1847, and think it's a great harp.  It overblows 
well out of the box, though not as well as a well-setup customized 
instrument.  Overdraws don't work as well, though I don't realy use 
them much anyway.  I tried to make some adjustments to mine recently 
and found it difficult to manipulate the shape of the stainless 
steel reeds in the way I am acustomeed with my brass reeded 
harmonicas.  I am pretty easy on harps (I've blown out one reed in 
the last 10 years), so the longevity of stainless steel is not a 
critical issue for me.  The price and availability of the 1847 (four 
keys currently), combined with issues like temperament, cover design 
(those pesky tabbed covers), and the fact that I'm not really in the 
market for a new set of harps right now means I probably won't be 
replacing my Golden Melody gig set with 1847s.  

I haven't tried the Suzuki Fire Breath or Pure Harp yet, though I 
probably will before too long.  I'm a fan of the Promaster for it's 
size and ergonomics, but I'm not thrilled about the welded reeds.  I 
don't like the idea of a high-end instrument that can't be easily 
repaired.  

-tim