Re: [Harp-L] The new Suzuki MANJI: Closest Reed/Slot Tolerances Ever Achieved

[Garry <harp@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bill Hines wrote:

> This looks exciting (depending on what the price is, can't wait to 
hear that) but I'm disappointed
> that Suzuki put all of this progressive technology into the insides 
yet stuck to an obsolete and
> non-ergonomic design for the harp itself.  Human hands just aren't 
shaped like that and I find
> playing harps shaped like that annoying.
...
> There is a lot of time spent here talking about the sound of the wood 
comb versus plastic as well.

i agree with you.  i love the suzuki bluesmaster and the seydel blues 
session designs; they fit
my hand beautifully.  but i'd guess this is a question of style over 
ergonomics in this case.  this
harp looks just like a marine band, which seems to be what most people 
play, or at least they
play other harps that also look just like this.  there is a very strong 
sense of traditionalism
in this market, and i'd guess they wanted it to seem like a better 
marine band, rather than
some newfangled thing that people would dismiss because it "didn't look 
right".

> I think the latest consensus seems to be that the comb material isn't 
distinguishable to human ears?

i doubt there will *ever* be a concensus on this issue.