[Harp-L] The new Suzuki MANJI: Closest Reed/Slot, Tolerances EverAchieved

[Tony Eyers <tony@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've watched Brendan's video's on the new Suzuki Manji, it looks 
interesting. In terms of dimensions and cover plate layout it appears 
similar to the very decent mid priced Suzuki Harpmaster.

I'll certainly try it out, just as I've tried almost all the other new 
models from the various manufacturers in recent years. I can't help 
myself in this regard, and am usually pleased in differing ways by the 
new models. As players we've never had it so good.

Suzuki have been pushing the envelope, but so have the other makers. The 
new Hohner Crossover will be along soon, and I look forward to trying 
it. Similarly I like the high end and medium range Seydels. My regular 
instruments are custom diatonics from Neil Graham in Australia, based on 
Australian hardwood combs and Hohner Meisterklasse plates. As Brendan 
says in his videos, the customisers have taken the harmonica to new 
levels. Much as I like the various new models, they do not nearly match 
my custom instruments for volume, speed of response or tone. Neither 
should they. Neil, a master craftsman, spends about a day preparing each 
instrument. I'm sure other top customisers are the same, and produce 
instruments of similar excellence. No factory instrument can match this 
attention to detail.

Brendan suggests that customisers may be interested in the Manji. I 
suspect not, for a simple reason. The welded reeds seem an excellent 
innovation, but they can't be replaced (Brendan, correct me if I'm wrong 
here). Hence once a reed goes, as it eventually will, then so does the 
instrument along with all the work the cusomiser has done on the other 
reeds.

In contrast to this, riveted reeds can be replaced. Most customisers 
provide this service for their instruments, hence restoring an otherwise 
useless instrument to as good as new. My main set of Neil Graham custom 
diatonics are 7 years old, each of them has been serviced several times, 
each time with new reed replacing the one gone bad. These instruments 
are still as good as new.

This is not to detract from the new Suzuki Manji. Most of us replace 
instruments when reeds go bad, so the Suzuki is essentially no different 
to its competitors. I look forward to hearing the price for this 
instrument, and getting hold of one. Similarly for the Hohner Crossover.

A final note. Suzuki are definitely ahead of their competitors in terms 
of web presence, particularly with Brendan's YouTube promotional series. 
It would be great if the other manufacturers posted similar videos of 
A-list players showing off new models.