Re: [Harp-L] Re: Yellow Brass (was GM)

[MundHarp@xxxxxxx]

I've been playing harmonica most of my life so far... And that is a long  
time.
Back in the 1960s I got through diatonic (Hohner) harmonicas by the  
hundred. (As a pro performer).. Some wouldn't last even for one gig.
 
They would go flat, and out of tune. VERY quickly. And that was apart from  
the dreaded swelling pear wood comb!
 
I tried Tombo Lee Oskar harps when they first came out, and they lasted FAR 
 longer than Hohners.. But I preferred the tone of Hohner harps. So I went 
back  to using those.
 
Regarding chromatic harmonicas, I have tried most brands, but  always have 
gone back to Hohner, because I like the tone... They SOUND  much better!  
Even my ILUS Renaissance has Hohner "Mellow Tone" reed  plates.
>From time to time my chromatics have gone out of tune and needed repair.  
But nowhere near as often as my diatonics... I suppose that is because of   
note bending and overblowing on diatonics, and that wears them out sooner...  
With a chromatic harmonica, I simply press the button to get that  elusive 
note!
 
In so many years of playing, I have never had a reed break off... Perhaps  
that is just "luck"...
How many folks on Harp-L HAVE had a reed break off? 
 
I find that my harmonicas these days (mostly Hohners) last FAR longer than  
they used to.
But is that because my technique has improved over the years. Or that  
Hohner simply make better instruments now?
 
John "Whiteboy" Walden
Cebu City
Philippines