[Harp-L] Re: Crossover

We'll have to await reactions. I'd be most interested to hear what a bamboo chrom would sound like,

SB

On 08.04.2009, at 02:46, Arthur Jennings wrote:

Thanks for the information, Steve. Very interesting.

Can we expect to see bamboo comb versions of any other harmonicas? How about a Golden Melody Crossover?

On Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 5:17 PM, Steve Baker <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I'd like to provide some background information on the forthcoming Marine Band Crossover and answer some of the queries raised by Sunnyside and Jonathan Compton. As Hohner's harmonica consultant, I've been closely involved in this development from the word go and have been playing prototypes since 2007.

We've been looking for alternative high quality renewable natural materials suitable for harmonica combs for years and I've tested loads without finding anything that worked better for me than the pearwood traditionally used in Marine Band combs. Bamboo seemed a suitable candidate, as it's been used in Asia for millenia and grows really fast while requiring no aging, unlike pearwood.

About 18 months ago I got the first fully sealed laminated bamboo combs to test (on the basis of an MB Deluxe) and immediately fell in love with the playing feel and response. I've been playing them ever since and as I got more stuff to test, I began replacing the pearwood combs in my Deluxes wth bamboo. Now I rarely play pearwood any more except in the case of custom MB1896s. I recommended Hohner to use this material in a 10-hole model and tests continued. Last autumn we ran a series of blind tests on reed profiles with myself, Howard Levy, Joe Filisko and Michael Timler from Harponline. As a secondary issue we also compared identical instruments with different comb materials (pearwood, solid plastic, bamboo), in each case giving points out of 10 for volume, tone, response, bending, overblow and general playability. The results were analysed by the Hohner R&D department. Interestingly, all the above test players independently (at different times and places, without collusion and without knowing the others' preferences or the materials tested) gave the bamboo comb the highest overall rating by a significant margin.

Hohner decided to use this material in a new Marine Band model, the Crossover, which was unveiled at the Frankfurt Fair last week (and which Sunnyside got to play, hence his enthusiasm). The comb is completely water-resistant, with bevelled corners and channel openings, and the laminated construction makes it very stable. The sharp edges of the reed plates are de-burred. The "new compromise tuning" lies between the traditional MB tuning (itself a compromise between just and equal temperament) and 12TET. It's basically how I tune my own harps - all thirds (2, 5 & 8 blow, 3 & 7 draw) are tuned only 6 cents flatter than the root note and the 7ths in the draw chord are tuned equal. This still gives good chords, but allows you to play in more than just the first 3 positions and still remain reasonably in tune with other instruments. All parts are fully compatible with the Marine Band Deluxe. The Crossover will come in a semi-soft zipper case.

To Jonathan Compton's points:

Price: US$60 isn't cheap, but I share Joe Filisko's opinion that it's the best harp Hohner have ever made, at least for my purposes. The current reeds are extremely durable and my prototypes have lasted very well despite heavy abuse.

I won't comment on the comb thing except to refer to the test results mentioned above, the excellence of the players involved and their undoubted probity. For whatever reason, we all independently had a clear preference for the harp with the bamboo comb.

Launch date: I wish we could get series production running sooner, but I've got mine ;-). We're looking at a US launch in time for SPAH.

Hype: I wrote the Crossover promo myself and tried hard to avoid hype and dubious claims.

Reed plate thickness: 0.9mm reed plates are the standard thickness used on all Hohner Classic models. They are currently exceptionally airtight, bright and responsive. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Consistency out of the box is hard to guarantee but Hohner is engaged in active measures to further improve quality control including teaching employees to play so they are better able to judge quality. We're also working on improving tuning accuracy and consistency. These harps should offer anyone who works on their instruments an excellent starting point as well as being good out of the box,

Steve

steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.stevebaker.de
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--
Arthur Jennings
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Steve Baker
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Steve Baker
steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.stevebaker.de
www.bluesculture.com
www.youtube.com/stevebakerbluesharp
www.myspace.com/stevebakerbluesharp


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