Re: [Harp-L] Gregoire Maret or Sirius and tweaked 270 comparison

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Did you look at my detailed reviews of the CX-12 Jazz and Gregoire Maret (G-48) models in recent issues of harmonicasessions.com?

I find that for tongue blocking, a mouthpiece shaped in either an unbroken curve (CX-12, G-48) or an extended wedge wedge (CBH, CX-12 jazz) work far better than the traditional curve-then-STEEP-bump of the Herings and the 270, because they don't interrupt your embouchure seal.

As for comparisons between the CX-12 and the G-48, to me they are very different. The reeds respond differently, and they sound different. The Jazz has easy response and a fat sound that's pretty loud, and like other CX models is very pliable for note bending. The G-48 is stiffer feeling to me but has more power to deliver both volume and nuance. Also, to me the G-48 not as fat in sound as the CX â which is not bad, it has its own distinct tone
 qualities. 

The Sirius models aren't available in the US yet. They resemble the G-48 in both appearance and construction, but one big difference for the 12-hole model is that while the G-48 is cross-tuned with a long throw slider, the Sirius 12-hole and 14-hole models are straight-tuned with a short-throw slider and very narrow slider holes (the 16-hole model is cross tuned).

Winslow Yerxa

Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5

Resident expert at bluesharmonica.com

Harmonica instructor, jazzschool.com

Columnist, harmonicasessions.com

--- On Sun, 4/4/10, Bill <bill.eborn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

From: Bill <bill.eborn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] Gregoire Maret or Sirius and tweaked 270 comparison
To: "Harp-L" <Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sunday, April 4, 2010, 7:26 AM

Hi everyone
Can anybody pass judgement on the differences between the new Suzuki GM and
Sirius models - I'm in the process of debating whether to get one of them or
a tweaked 270 from Harponline. It would have a clear acrylic comb,
seperately dismountable plates and covers with extra plate screws and
mouthpiece adjustment for air tightness. I'd probably also go for the round
holed mouthpiece, as in the 270 mark 2.

Part of the trouble with this is that I'm having to work out what to get
without a chance to try out the harps at first hand. At the moment I'm
playing a CX12 Jazz, which is ok and I prefer the jazz mouthpiece to the
standard CX12, I've read reviews that suggest the Gregoire Maret model is a
bit like a supercharged CX12. The thing is I've also got an almost dead
cheap Hering (if I can find a reed to fit, it will be alive again) and I
think I prefer the size of it but more importantly i find it easier to
change from a tongue block to pucker embouchure with the Hering mouthpiece,
which kind of leads me to the 270 as it is kind of similarish.

Thoughts welcomed

Bill