[Harp-L] Hohner low keys, Thunderbird

[Steve Baker <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

John Mayall told me that Sonny Boy 2 got Hohner to give him a  
selection of low tuned Hohner Echo Vamper harps in all keys down to  
low C when they met in 1964 0r 65 during Rice Miller's tour of  
Britain. This would indicate they were being manufactured at that  
time. Around 1970 when I started in London, they were only available  
there in C and G.

The Marine Band Thunderbird shares some features with the Crossover,  
most notably the case and the bamboo comb. However, the covers are  
new and use the conical form pioneered by Joe Filisko. Also, the  
reeds are profiled differently to ensure optimal response at ultra  
low pitch. I have prototypes and they play very well for such low  
tuned harps, loud and powerful without reed rattle.

Steve Baker
www.stevebaker.de
www.bluesculture.com