[Harp-L] MB Deluxe comb swelling?

["Billy James" <billyjames@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Comb swelling? Do you 'soak' them? 
Probably a silly question.
 I haven't noticed that issue with my MBD's.
However, I've whined about these harmonicas before and I got to say I'm still having issues with the notes sticking if hit slightly wrong whilst riffing.That's a bitch when your into it.
I purchased 'a full set' of these MB Deluxe [after using one, for a while, which was a prize from The 2008 Hohner Golden Harmonica Championships in Tamworth  Australia]. 
I was thinking I was purchasing a really 'great slightly' advanced harp, possibly the cheaper alternative to purchasing hand-doctored diatonics. 
I am still not very impressed quite frankly. Notes have had 'stuck and failed' during performance, which is very off-putting. Obviously I have a 'gapping issue' on some of them, but it peeves me that they are so fussy and I need to worry about doctoring them so soon after purchase, I expected them to be fully worked on out of the box. 
They haven't been played 'that hard' and I've treated them with kid gloves mainly for our acoustic tunes. 
HarpL members wrote back 'I was choking the notes' but I totally disagree, [I've been playing for nearly 40 years]. I use Special 20's usually [and will probably get back into them mainly]. I have three major key 'hot rodded' harps from Lawrie Minson [Australias Charlie Mc Coy] over here they get plenty of use and 'No issues'.. but the Marine Band Deluxe seem unreliable to me. I'm disappointed and frustrated, I purchased a full set basically $600.00 or so.
"Once bitten twice shy". 
I've also had duds with the Celebrative diatonics from Hohner, amazingly short life spans or prone to 'sticking'.
I wonder what other diatonic harmonicas are recommended by the guys 'in the know?
 I prefer advice from performers ' that play in public 'often' and perform  blues and boogie?

I want to try out a 'responsive dependable' brand [at a reasonable price hopefully]. 
I obviously have remained loyal with Hohner [and in the past Lee Oskars or Tombo's] for literally decades.
Years ago, even Huangs Back Pack with the lacquered comb was more dependable than the Marine Band Deluxe in my humble opinion.
I realize there are 'bouquet' diatonics appearing every week but which ones are worth spending that kind of money on? Back to the 'Titanium  reeds saga'...ha ha...as for 'combs' one of these days I'll find someone who's in the know and making them. I'm more 'arty' than crafty. Possibly the best 'combs' I can make are the sort people put in Afro hairstyles. It's a pain in the ass fiddling with reeds in my opinion, I just seem to make them worse.