[Harp-L] Suzuki Fabulous

["John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx>]

Just got one of the new Suzuki Fabulous  Harmonicas.  Right now they  
are only available in the Key of C, Equal Temperament (which is okay  
w/me since i only play ET harps).  Haven't played it at a gig yet,  
but here are my first impressions:

 The first thing one notices is that this is a VERY heavy  
harmonica.  i prefer metal combs anyway, so I like the heft, but the  
silver plated brass comb is substantially heavier than the aluminum  
combs of the Hammond, Promaster or Misterklasse. This doesn't bother  
me, but it will be a very different feel for those used to playing  
harps with wood or plastic combs. Tonally, ithe Fabulous is not a  
bright as a Promaster or Meisterklasse , but it is different from the  
tone of a Hammond.  On the Fabulous, the tone of each note is  
slightly tighter or more focused than any of my other harmonicas--a  
little more precise.

I've never played a custom harmonica, but this instrument plays more  
precisely than any other harp I've ever played.  My blow bending  
technique is a work in progress, but on this harp i easily play all  
of the blow bends with no problem at all.  Also, it's relatively easy  
to hit all 3 draw bends on 3 hole accurately and consistently without  
much difficulty, which is remarkable. I'm not sure why this is so,  
but i am told that these harmonicas have longer reeds than the  
Promasters and Hammonds.   The Suzuki Firebreath also has longer  
reeds, however, the Fabulous can be played with more accuracy and  
precision with less effort than any of these other Suzuki  models or  
any Hohner i've ever played.  If one isn't bothered by the weight of  
the brass comb, this is an impressive instrument.
	
If you have watched the promotional video by Brendan Power on You  
Tube, he talks about how easily the silver plated coverplates glide  
through the lips.  I thought this was probably just so much hype.   
But, I was pleasantly surprised..  The coverplates DO move more  
smoothly across the lips.  It is a perceptible (though subtle)  
improvement.

One complaint, (the same complaint i have about ALL harmonicas):  No  
internal support posts for the coverplates.  I guess some custom  
harps have this feature, but I've yet to find a stock harp that does.

I like this harmonica.  Is it worth the price ($199+shipping as a  
special order from Harmonicas and Stuff)?  I suspect the answer to  
that question will be different for different people, but the quality  
and performance seems to be commensurate with the price.  But someone  
who has experience with custom harps may be in a better position to  
answer this question.
	
DISCLAIMER:  I regularly play Suzuki Hammonds for amplified  
performance and carry Suzuki Firebreaths as spares and to use for  
occasional acoustic performance. I really like my Suzuki harps, and  
since I have a strong preference for playing these Suzuki harmonicas  
I may be a little prejudiced in favor of higher end Suzukis  
generally. No financial interest, though.

	JP