[Harp-L] New Improved Ergonomic Neck Rack - ENR

["Jim Greenwald" <staggerin@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi All

I've been having a ball messing with Chris Reynolds' new ENR - Ergonomic 
neck Rack http://www.builderofstuff.com/enr.html . The original ENR designed 
by Vern Smith offered extraordinary comfort, stability and adjustability 
with emphasis on supporting Vern's Hands-Free Chromatic Harmonica, but the 
clamping mechanism had a ways to go to be a go-to tool for diatonic. Rather 
than critique the previous system, I want to focus on the added versatility 
Chris' new clamp designs bring to the current top of the line ENR. Let it be 
known, I am in no way connected with Chris' business -  just a happy 
customer.

In general, the ENR has always had superior added adjustability beyond any 
other harmonica neck racks, and once I got a chance to try it, found that I 
could always bring the harmonica to a great playing position in comfort 
without the reaching and resulting tension I'd experienced with other racks. 
What's amazing to find is the great variety of harmonicas the system can now 
accommodate. You need to know in fron though, the system is not a quick 
change artist between differing models - that takes adjustment. But these 
are adjustments that have never been possible before, and be assured, quick 
change IS possible between keys of the same model or between models of 
similar dimensions.

The key is to get both sets of clamps, period. I know they're described as 
"Diatonic" and "Chromatic", but the diatonic player who plays a variety of 
harps will soon find the "Chromatic" clamps essential.

Here's what can be done with the "Diatonic" clamps mounted:
All of the standard sandwich with tabbed cover 10, 12, & 14-hole harps - MB, 
SP20, Oskar, Hering, etc.
(I've got a couple of Hohner 365s with Brass combs that Chris made for me 
and that heavy machinery now feels like a small harp in the rack)
Single sided tremolo harps with plastic combs like the Tombo Band 21 & the 
Hohner Echo Celeste, which is the tallest comb this clamp will work with and 
also the longest the spindle can accommodate.
That's kind of what most players would expect. The unusual thing with the 
ENR is that long harps like the Echo Celeste can be played more comfortably 
by moving the supports downward on the neck yoke - something not possible 
with other racks !

The really cool stuff happens via the "Chromatic" clamps:
Full-length covered diatonics of a good variety are supported, for example.
The Suzuki line of Promaster, Fire Breath, etc. and the Tombo Ultimo fit 
beautifully (these are harps with beautiful covers that you don't want 
scratched, and the neoprene lining of the gripping area handles them without 
a mark)
Hohner Golden Melody - FINALLY !!
Hohner XB-40 (which is taller than a 64 Chromonica and seems to be about the 
maximum in comb height supported)
Chromatics of the 270 through 64 Chromonica dimensions, Huang and Hering 
1248 type harps
Hohner Auto Valve (wedge shaped comb a little too tall for "D" clamps)
Hohner Echo 1494 (is gripped similar to the Golden Melody)
Even the Hohner 56/96 Echo - this is a trip, since I always found this guy 
awkward to hand hold. Get a close friend to play the other side 8;D

The key to the performance of the "Chromatic" clamps with rounded-cover 
harmonicas is the neoprene clamp lining, so you want to be careful to 
preserve or replace it as needed - it does take a beating.
Odd harps that I have that couldn't be currently accommodated or only 
partially include the Huang Star Performer and TurboLidded SP20s. Chris is 
apparently working on a possible third kind of clamp. BTW, I found that both 
clamp sets or for that matter two sets of the same clamp can be mounted if 
positioned at 90 degree angles on the spindle. But be aware that this 
imposes limits on the variety of harps that can fit simultaneously.

I'm really thrilled at the extraordinary versatility now provided by the 
ENR. I must admit I'm not at all  adept in playing my banjo or guitar at the 
same time as the harmonica, but I nevertheless do benefit a great deal from 
playing hands-free - seems to help my concentration not having my hands 
doing their thing in my face <g>. Now that I've got the ENR and all Chris' 
latest improvements, I should be able to put in longer, and more comfortable 
practice time.

It's kind of hard to believe that one system could work with the likes of 
14-hole MBs, Promasters, Ultimos, Golden Melodys, and XB-40s; but now we've 
got it! I'd give the new ENR system a 9 out of a possible 10 (the clamp 
screws are a bit tough on my fingers)

Cheers,
Staggerin' Jim