[Harp-L] Original Hohner Pro Harp/painted covers

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

JR writes: “The side vents on the Marine Band may influence the tone,  
or at least my perception of it by redirecting the sound. Aside from  
that, no significant tonal differences when I play different  
diatonics-- certainly none I would expect a listener could detect.”

I always thought the LOs sound a little brighter and sharper than the  
others, even to a casual listener.

JR writes: “The side-vents do make a difference, but block those and  
my answer would be yes. And even with the side-vents, I don't think  
there is a great difference outside of their usage in playing.  
Manipulate the vents with hand movement and you are no longer really  
talking about the innate tone of the instrument but how you can shape  
the sound.”

IMHO, the tone of harps with side vents is a little more diffuse than  
those with unvented covers. This is consistent with the recognition  
that the tone does change somewhat when the vents are blocked.

JR writes:
“To sum up, I would say that yes, different models, brands and  
designs of harmonicas have different timbres, but this variation  
resides within a very small set, and is usually overwhelmed  
(certainly within similar designs, ie all Richter diatonics, all  
slider chromatics) by what the player does to shape the tone when  
they play.”

One of the things some of us do when we play is to hold the harmonica  
in very close proximity to a microphone element surrounded by a tight  
or loose cup formed by our hands. Among other things, this can and  
will magnify (amplify?) those very small differences in timbre and  
make them, perhaps, not quite so small.

IMHO, it’s the little things that cause experienced players to prefer  
one model over another.  The beginner prefers that harmonica which  
most easily enables him to play that which he CAN play.  But those  
players who can make the instrument do what they want it to do will  
play better on harmonicas that have those little different  
characteristics which, for one reason or another, that particular  
player finds appealing.

Also, some models are more airtight than others, and it’s hard to  
deny that better compression always makes a difference in how good a  
player can make the instrument sound.

And, even roses come in different colors.

JP