RE: [Harp-L] recommended harps

Jonathan Compton <jofjltn4@xxxxxxxxxxx> · Fri, 8 May 2009 15:27:19 -0500

This is like asking what food you should always order at a particular restaurant...everyone is going to have their opinion, but only one answer is going to be right *for you* *at this time* in your harp playing career.  The only way you're going to figure out the answer is on your own.  Sure, others can give their opinions of different manufacturers/models, and while potentially helpful, you won't know if the answer is right or not until you try it.  The good news for you is that you *have* tried a few different harps, and you have been playing long enough that you should be able to discern what matters most to you in a harp.  The other good news is that it seems like almost all harp on the market right now are fairly priced.  (I'm not aware of a ~$40 harp that is complete garbage, nor am I aware of a $5 harp that is phenomenal.)

My advice is to keep buying them one at a time as funds allow until you find a harp you just absolutely love.  Then buy that harp in a different key.  If you love that one too, congratulations, you have *probably* found the harp for you so stock up on them and enjoy the music.  I say "probably" because it could just be a fluke that a particular harp is a "good" one...and could be a fluke that *two* harps happen to be good ones.  Also, you might love a particular harp in certain keys and despise it in others.  If you try them all and don't find one you love, start the process over w/ custom harps.

When I first started playing, I hated...no, *HATED* marine bands...all of them...any key.  I would rather play a $2 plastic harp than play a MB.  Fast-forward a couple of years later and the marine band is my definite harp of choice...(and no, I am not a Hohner endorsee...in fact, I'll go so far as to say that Hohner doesn't even know I exist).  It isn't even an issue w/ a particular bad or good harp...because my C harp of choice, a MB, is the very harp that I first hated when I started playing.  (Yeah, I'm apparently not particularly hard on harps...and this is with practicing an hour+ each day, and playing out a few times a month.)

The harp-l experts have probably already answered your question far better than I have...but it's a Friday afternoon, a notoriously slow time on harp-l, so I thought I'd jump in on this one.  Good luck on your quest for the perfect harp.  Meanwhile, could someone tell me where I can find a great amp and mic for less than $300 total?  ;P

(No?  Dangit...I guess I'm still on my own personal quest for just the right low-budget amp and mic.)

Jonathan "JC" Compton

> From: Pic2318834@xxxxxxx
> Date: Fri, 8 May 2009 15:40:26 -0400
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] recommended harps
> To: thalchak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> CC: 
> 
> How about playing the ones you have and work on getting better at the harp  
> not getting better harps.
> Someone who buys a $500 pool cue can shoot just as well with a $100.   Just 
> a though.
>  
> Pic
>  
>  
> In a message dated 5/8/2009 2:00:23 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
> thalchak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
> 
> As I  continue to further my education in the wide world of harmonica, I
> would  like to get some advice about future purchases of harps.  Like most  
> of
> you, I continue to add to my ever increasing collection of harps.   However,
> since I now have all the keys covered, moving forward I would like  to focus
> on quality vs. quantity.  To give you a frame of reference,  late last year,
> I got a great deal on a complete set of Golden Melodies so  I have one of
> every key made.  That is my foundation.  However,  due in large part to some
> of the conversations on Harp-l, in December, I  treated myself to a 
> Christmas
> present and purchased  a Bb Suzuki MR330  Pro Master, an A Seydel Blues
> Favorite and a C Marine Band DeLuxe.   Each of these harps cost me about $50
> and I have been very pleased with  them all.  As I add to my collection, I
> would prefer not to go through  a trial and error process at $50 a pop.  I
> would like to add a couple  of harps a month in what would be the most
> popular keys (ie - the ones you  will most often play with other musicians)
> and brands that give me the best  bang for my buck.  For example,  I would
> like to purchase a Steve  Baker tuned harp.  I know that Hohner makes them 
> as
> does Seydel.   Where should I invest my money?  The Seydel A Harp I got in
> December  plays a lot easier than my Golden Melody A, but would a Suzuki A 
> be
> even  better than the Seydel?  You see my dilemma.  I have been playing  
> harp
> since the early '70's when was in college, but I'm not a  professional.  
> Like
> most amateurs, I just love to play and would like  to make sure I invest my
> money wisely in quality  equipment.
> 
> 
> 
> I would welcome your input and I also understand  that most of you have a
> certain bias towards one brand or another so don't  be shy about 
> recommending
> a specific  brand.
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> 
> 
> Tom Halchak
> 
> Clearwater, FL  33763
> 
> 
> 
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