[Harp-L] Re: Hohner Price Increase



Hohners do tend to have a distinctive sound. What a particular player looks for and appreciates in tone is a subjective matter. So, within rather broad limits, there's no good or bad. I am under the impression that the sound of MBs that many players find attractive probably has more to do with the vented covers than anything else.

The custom harps i have are made with GM plates and covers. Superior precision and response as compared to OOB GMs, but they do retain a recognizable Hohner sound. Whether that's a good or bad thing is a subjective determination. i do think Hohners, in general, have a more "open" tone with more overtones than the Suzuki Hammonds and Firebreaths which, to my ear, have a tighter more "focused" tone. Which you like depends on taste and playing style.

If players like MBs, that's great, and I'm certain custom MBs are terrific instruments. But I just find it difficult to accept that in the 21st century a major manufacturer is making a harmonica put together with nails using unsealed combs that swell. To me, it indicates a deep disrespect for the consumer and a PT Barnum business philosophy. But a whole lot of players like them, buy them and play them. I don't.

JP


On Jan 22, 2010, at 8:04 AM, fjm wrote:


On 1/22/10 5:17 AM, John F. Potts wrote:
As i understand it, the entire harmonica customization trade originally
developed from the need to make MBs more playable.


One way of looking at it. I believe Joe Filisko started out making Lee Oskar customs. I tend to think that the reason the Hohner handmade plates are the platform for many customised harmonicas is that they have a lot to offer and not in terms of deficits. Kind of the same reason so many people use 350 Chevy engines for hot rods. I have a tweaked Seydel. It's not the same as a hand made plate. In general the pattern is if the reed profiles etc resemble the MB plates then I am happy with the results of a customisation of the plate. I have several MB knockoff customs that I adore. There is a certain style of playing that is facilitated by the MB plates.

You can look at it at least 2 ways. Virtually all customs are based on a Marine Band plate because the stock product has so many deficits or you could think that the other brands just don't end up in the same place once they are customised. And by the way I have no love for Hohner. fjm





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