[Harp-L] Original Hohner Pro Harp

["John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx>]

Ryan,

The original, old style, non-MS Hohner Pro Harp was the same design  
as a Special 20 but with Greblon coated covers. I used to play these  
exclusively. Greblon is a coating used for kitchen utensils.  Like  
paint, it dampens the resonance of the cover plates which produces a  
slightly darker, slightly fatter, slightly smoother  tone than shiny  
or uncoated/unpainted covers.

Like the Special 20, the original Pro Harps had a compromise tuning  
closer to Just Intonation than the tuning used on the MS models.   
Hohner stopped making the original Po harp when the MS models came  
out, but music stores had NOS for several years afterward. But i  
haven't seen any original Pro Harps in a store for at least 8 or 9  
years.

 I never did like the MS Pro Harp as well and became increasing  
dissatisfied with them which eventually led to my switching to Suzuki  
Hammonds  (which have painted covers).  Love my Hammonds,  Some  
players say painted overs don't move as smoothly across their lips,  
but that was never a problem for me.

While on the subject of cover plate materials, it is pertinent to  
note that chrome plated shiny covers, which are HEAVIER than  
unpainted shiny covers  will make the tone of a harp louder  brighter  
and brasher (for example, Suzuki Promasters and Hohner MS  
Meisterklasse).   So, the distinction is not just between painted and  
unpainted covers.  Unpainted PLATED covers also have a different and  
distinctive effect on tone.

Not everyone may agree with me about this, but i am reasonably  
confident about what i an saying.  i have a long standing strong  
preference for harps with painted covers.  i like the darker tone.

JP