[Harp-L] re: Does anyone know what's being done about Marine Bands???

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

While I may dispute the part about not being able to afford higher- 
end harps (if a $100 harp lasts five times as long as a $25 harp then  
you've actually saved money), one thing you can do to improve stock  
model MBs is learn to do some basic work on your own harps.  Just  
being able to gap your harp to your own playing style is probably the  
biggest single thing you can do to improve a stock harmonica without  
putting in too much time or effort--consider it the harmonica  
equivalent of learning to tune your guitar.

Richard Sleigh has just written a truly excellent new book about  
harmonica repair, particularly MB repair and I highly recommend both  
it and his toolkit:

http://customharmonicas.com/r-sleigh/

The book and toolkit are both inexpensive and will help you get  
started on the basics--and much more beyond that if you so desire.

As for the tone and price changing, there's not much that can be done  
about either--Hohner has reasons for both and they aren't going to  
change because sales are good.  As far as the unsealed wood comb,  
they aren't going to change that either on the stock model--that's  
what the new higher-end MBs are for (or Richard Sleigh's MB kit).

Another option is to try other models of harmonica and find one you  
like.  Last I checked Charlie Musselwhite has endorsed just about  
every brand at one point or another, and he always sounds like  
himself.  Hering (1923 Vintage Harp), Suzuki (Manji), and Bends  
(Juke) all make models influenced by the MB, without many of the  
negatives of the base-model MB.  Perhaps trying one of those might  
find the solution you want.

Hope this helps.



JR Ross