RE: [Harp-L] recommended harps

["Bradford Trainham" <bradford.trainham@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Since you've already 'fessed up to a curiosity about the Steve Baker
Specials, I can observe that...
About four years ago, I found out that SBS harps existed.  I wondered if I'd
get one, hate it, feel foolish...  But finally, I took the plunge and
ordered my first SBS in c. 
 
It worked for me right off the bat.  I over-reacted to liking it so much...
And schemed to have 14-hole monsters in every key of the aural rainbow. 
(I should probably add that all my experience before then had been with the
Hohner Marine Band or the Hohner Blues harps.)
After I played the SBS for a while... And ordered a couple more..., I hit a
few situations where I missed the "succinct" feeling of the ten-hole
diatonics, so I started bringing them back out again. 
I'm (hopefully) more balanced now about a given harp for a given situation,
but I'd say try what ever you're the most curious about and see if one such
harp works for you. 

 Another foray into the unknown which wasn't as immediately rewarding for me
was the Hohner XB-40.
The description sounded like just what I'd want, but I've never cared for
the feel of that harp, so it does sit in my harp drawer most of the time,
doubtless beaming jealousy at the others... But at least I know now...
Good luck!
Brad Trainham


-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Tom Halchak
Sent: Friday, May 08, 2009 12:59 PM
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] recommended harps

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

 

_______________________________________________
Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l