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

[Chris Reynolds <c_reynolds2571@xxxxxxxxx>]

thank you for the kind words Jim, and I'm thrilled that you are having so much good luck with the new clamp designs, I also can't thank you enough for taking the time to test out so many different models with the new clamps. 

 Chris 


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Just a man, his shop, and a long list of unfinished projects...


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