Subject: Re: [Harp-L] to buy new or to refurbish

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Hi Karl:
 
My take on it is of course, very similar to Winslow's (since he's probably  
one of the most knowledgeable posters here), but I'd like to add something. 
 
First, a 'hardly used' chromatic isn't 'aged'. Fifteen years put away in  
its box is practically new (to most chromatic players' minds) and actually 
adds  some appeal to the instrument.  As long as it wasn't ruined (i.e. 
exposed  to temperature extremes) during the time it was 'hardly played' and not 
put away  wet, it's likely to be in fine shape requiring nothing more than a 
general going  over, perhaps some wind-saver work, some gapping/tuning (to 
your personal  preferences) and perhaps a cleaning. Most of this could be 
done by you or a  competent harp tech. 
 
I don't personally know of anyone in your area, but you've already been  
recommended to one of the best: Mike Easton. You talk to him via email...if 
you  agree on a price you mail it to him...he mails it back. I believe he's in 
 Pa.
 
he's at: _www.harmonicarepair.com_ (http://www.harmonicarepair.com)   and 
on  this list. There are others, I'm sure..but you did ask for a  
recommendation. 
 
Most problems I find in harmonicas which have been stored away, is that the 
 person who stored it did play it a little at first, perhaps didn't realize 
that  saliva and simply moisture from breath is sticky and can gum up the  
windsavers...then when the chromatic is next played, didn't comprehend why 
they  rattled or didn't move. Valves (windsavers) are easily cleaned or 
replaced.  They're meant to be. 
 
15 years or so ago, most players also weren't as aware of the importance of 
 air-tightness with a chromatic. It can be as simple a matter as removing 
the  cover plates, very gently wiping down the windsavers and replacing the  
cover plates, weirdly enough...sometimes they're simply not on well. But do 
NOT  overtighten...put them back on carefully, lining everything up as best 
you  can.  There are videos showing this..I'd specifically refer you to a  
Youtube video of Brendan Power showing this in closeup detail. Very easy to  
follow.  I'm sure there are others...
 
IF the mouthpiece is sticking...occasionally it's screwed on too  
tight..coming back a half-turn with a screwdriver can be surprisingly  effective to 
free up the slide. 
 
To me, it makes no sense (unless you have the money to burn) to buy a brand 
 new (and very expensive) chromatic until you've figured out exactly  what 
'sound' you want. There's still the possibility of playing both guitar and  
harp together (if you're geared that way), a/la Enrico Granafei - who plays 
the  hands-free chromatic. He also has jazz youtube videos (played at last 
year's  GSHC Festival and at his Club Trumpets). 
 
I'd suggest you have your two cleaned, tweaked, and tuned...play them for a 
 bit  (many great jazz chromatic players DO play the 280 exclusively just 
so  you realize that there's probably nothing wrong with your 280 other than 
perhaps  a little air leakiness...e.g. if it has a wood comb and there's a 
crack in the  comb - there's your answer...but the 'tone' isn't going to be 
found in the  instrument), then decide if you need to purchase an amp, mic, 
other gear to  emphasize your sound and to record yourself.  Amps don't have 
to be  expensive at all...I have a tiny mini-twin Fender for my own home use.
 
Perhaps you're comparing your sound to that which you hear on  other 
players' videos...which is impossible. Some are using gear you don't have,  some 
simply have 'tone to die for'....and that's something you won't find in a  
$500+ chromatic. 
 
Suzuki does make some stunning chromatics...but before I bought one, or a  
Toots hard bopper, I'd make sure I knew which instrument 'fit' me properly. 
 
As a diatonic player who plays Seydels (I also like the Seydel chromatic),  
you might actually like the Hohner CX-12 series for jazz...(I play those as 
well  as the Hohner Super 64 - the equivalent of your 280 and love them 
both, but it  took me a while to decide). I've maintained for some time that 
the Cx-12  chromatic should be THE chromatic of choice for diatonic players 
adding chroms  to their arsenal...since the tone is so bluesy/jazzy and they 
come in different  keys, which I happen to like to play. I probably play my 
Key of A CX-12 more  often than any other.
 
BTW I also have several 280's and find them to be very nice instruments. I  
just prefer the mouthpieces of the Super 64 and the CX-12 for me. It comes 
down  to personal choice.
 
If you have the opportunity to go to SPAH or to come to the GSHC festival  
(held in New Jersey) in November, reps from some of these harmonica  
manufacturers will be there with a ton of their products in tow which you  can get 
to try out before buying the instruments...sometimes ordinary people  like 
me even allow others to try their instruments (with thorough cleaning  before 
and after, of course). ;)
 
Elizabeth
 
"Hello all:
> Here's my question:
>    Should I have  my Hohner 280 serviced or buy a new Suzuki SCX-48 or 
Toots Mellow Tone?
>  Here are the details:
>    My Hohner 280 is at least 15 years  old.  Hasn't been played much.  I 
also have an even older 260.   both play OK but I'm dissatisfied with the 
tone.  Both sound kind of "thin"  and are sluggish in their responsiveness, 
and are somewhat out of tune in places  I think. (My only standard of c
omparison is my Seydel diatonics which, by  comparison sound very rich and are very 
responsive.   Probably  not a fair comparison... and that's why I'm 
writing.)
>   
I've read reviews of the 280 that sound as positive as those for the  
SCX-48 and the MellowTone, but I wonder if aging might have irreparable effects  
on the reeds?  Also, I don't want to shell out the bucks and not have a  
significant upgrade.
> (BTW: I'm not attached to the extra range of the  280.  A smaller harp 
would be a plus)
> thanks in advance for your  responses.
> Karl
> PS: if you advise refurbishing, could you  recommend someone?  I live in 
the Syracuse NY area.
"
****************************
"Although I would categorize myself as a little beyond a beginner, maybe  
borderline intermediate, I'm working on playing in the jazz style.  As for  
"how much",That's a little hard to say.  My main instrument is  guitar.  the 
harmonica, as much as I love playing it, will probably always  be a 
secondary instrument for me. 
Hope that helps.
Karl

--- On  Wed, 3/24/10, Bob McGraw <harpbob@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

From: Bob  McGraw <harpbob@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] to buy new or to  refurbish
To: "karl sperber" <phdconga@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wednesday,  March 24, 2010, 8:58 PM

Depends on what you want to do with these  chromatics... 3rd position 
blues? Playing it like
Toots? How much do you plan  to play chromatic?
WVa Bob"