[Harp-L] Re: Question for all you Marine Band Customizers

[HTownFess <Spschndr@xxxxxxx>]

Brad, with all the 364/5s, even after serious customizing, isn't
bending on the bottom two holes largely up to the player?  You may not
be able to get a proper 2Dbb no matter how well the harp is done,
because that's outside most players' physical resonance range; you'll
have to work at it (I haven't and can't do it).  Fixing the leakiness
doesn't change that.  That problem might be prohibitive, in fact, for
your playing style in some styles of music--if you can't play a good
2Dbb and 1Db on a low D 1896, you likely won't be able to do it on a
365.  Smaller chambers like Dave suggests would no doubt help, but you
will have to find out the hard way.  If anything, that might be why
you don't see more use of 364/5.  I would think about that one before
you spend the $.  You should also plan $ for serious reedwork, as
large-platform harps like 364/5, MS or chros need that even more than
handmade-size reeds do.  IMO a NOS or clean used yellow-brass one
would be better to start with than the current dumbed-down red brass,
if you're really building a wonder harp.

Stephen Schneider