[Harp-L] Re:Chinese Bass harps & 48 Chord Harps

[Helmuth2849@xxxxxxx]

Hello, Maka McMahan.
 
Here's more information about the Chinese 2-deck bass harps and the Chinese 
 Compact 48 chord harps.The Chinese versions are considerably less 
expensive than  the Hohner or Suzuki models, 
 
Your description of the C-C range 2-deck bass harp could probably be the  
single reed per note Leo Shi bass (actually a baritone range, C in the bass 
clef  to C in  the treble clef). The Leo Shi bass was recently distributed by 
the  Golden Cup company:
 
_www.golden-cup.com_ (http://www.golden-cup.com) 
_http://jyjiyang.en.alibaba.com_ (http://jyjiyang.en.alibaba.com) 
 
The traditional 2-deck, double reed per note (octave-tuned) basses by  
Hohner and Suzuki have a range of E-E (E below the bass clef to the first E  in 
the treble clef, written range).
Both Suzuki and Hohner also make and extended bass, E-C.
 
For the price of the Leo Shi Bass, you could get another Chinese bass. The  
Victory-Huang-Swan 2-deck bass is octave-tuned, E-F, in the same range as 
the  Hohner and Suzuki models. The Swan, Victory and Huang basses are all 
made in the  same Chinese factory. They are identical, except for the covers.  
The  Shanghai General Harmonica Plant. 
Their most recent website isn't working:
 
_http://beijing.ndodo.com/detailed/30612.html_ 
(http://beijing.ndodo.com/detailed/30612.html) 
 
The Chinese Compact 48 Chord harps (Swan, Huang, Victory) are all made in  
the Shanghai General Harmonica Plant (see above). Swan, Victory and Huang  
products are available in the USA at:
 
_www.coast2coastmusic.com_ (http://www.coast2coastmusic.com) 
 
The Compact 48 chord harp is valveless, with 4 reeds per chord, no separate 
 bass note.The length of the Compact 48 is 13", about half the length of 
the  traditional 8-reed per chord Hohner and Suzuki 48 chord harps.The Hohner 
and  Suzuki 48s are valved.
 
On the 48 chord harps, the top deck has major chords blow, and seventh  
chords draw. On the bottom deck minor chords blow, and augmented and diminished 
 7th chords draw.
 
The positions of the chords are identical on the Chinese, Japanese and  
German 48 chord harps.
 
If I was to choose between buying a bass harp for use in your group, or  
buying a chord harp, I'd buy the chord harp. It's more useful in your 
situation  (no bass or chord player at this time).
 
However, the chord harp may be more difficult to learn for a  beginner.
 
John Broecker