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

[fjm <bad_hat@xxxxxxxx>]

I play both stock ans modified 365/364 series Hohners.  I also play the 
SBS harmonicas which share the comb of the 365.

I obtained several composite combs in the 14 hole size.  I bolted up a D 
SBS plate to one to try it out.  I only used the 2 end bolts that hold 
the covers on to hold the harmonica together.  6 years later that D SBS 
is still in my gig bag held by only those 2 bolts.  Just having 
something dead flat to bolt the plates 2 fixed most of my problems with 
the 14 hole body.

I have a couple of reworked 364's too.  Both on composite combs, both 
solo tunings.  One is in Bb the other is C.  They both play quite well 
but the reason I had them made is they're in configurations that Hohner 
doesn't currently make.  The 1 draw on the Bb is pretty much impossible 
for me to bend and I can get the 1 draw on a Seydel low low F.  I have 
no trouble with the 1 and 2 draw on a stock 365 in C.  Stephen does 
bring up a good point though.  Those are really long reeds in very large 
chambers.  I think the reason I can't get the 1 draw on the Bb is it's 
just too low for the comb.

There is a cheap way to experiment with this.  Get Randy Sandoval or 
Chris Reynolds to make you a 365 comb and just get some stock plates 
bolted to that and see what you think.  You can get custom work done on 
365's but it costs.  James Gordon used to do it.  Pat Missin is another 
good candidate.  In fact an optomised 365 from Pat might be another 
relatively inexpensive way to try this 365 thing out.

Here's another thought.  365/364 Hohners are different to play than any 
other harmonica I've ever run across.  They take some getting used to. 
I've always played them.  My first harmonica was a 365 in C.  My 
experience of the line has always been good.  I don't find them to be 
especially leaky or hard to play but again I started out on one.  I 
don't know the state of the current Hohner product.  365's don't wear 
out very often.  The 365 I have lying around is at least a decade old. 
Might could be the new ones are sieves but I doubt it.  I do have a 
fairly modern SBS and it plays just fine.  365/364's and SBS are the 
only harmonicas I play in their stock configurations.  I'm pretty fussy 
about tuning and I don't bother to tear down these harmonicas because 
for how I play they work really well out of the box. The better combs 
are nice though.  If I were more focused in terms of my time I would 
bother to marshal the resources to upgrade to composites.  They do get 
more airtight on flat combs.   As always your mileage will vary.  Hope 
this helps, fjm