[Harp-L] Manji

[Matthew Smart <matthewsmart@xxxxxxxxx>]

I dont think there is ever going to be a "out of he box" perfect harp. The
B-rad may please a lot of people, but noy everyone. In the case of the
manji, in my opnion they did some things right:

1) Reeds are strong. If you gap them nice and flat, and just barely raised
up they play and over blow quite well.

2) The comb, composite a good idea, but not as dense or good as dymondwood
composite, and I think its an ugly coilor, but they are on the right track.
Stable woods like bamboo and composite are the way to go...I often talk to
Richard Sleigh about this and he feels bamboo is the wood of the future and
also likes the different colors or dymondwood.

3) Coverplates, screw in the front is good, just like how customizers like
Filisko, Sleigh and others do marine bands. Coverplates open in the back
also good. Problem, the coverplates a thin cheap metal. Marine band
coverplates are better and produce better tone. I take those solid brass
cover plates from the 1923 Hering Vintage (I have a whole box of them) and I
mod them to fit the special 20. Have not tried to fit them on other harps,
but the tone is bitchin'.
4) $45 for that harp, when it came out was an excellent price. Now they are
58, I would recommend the MBD deluxe instead.
5) I just don't get the welding on of reeds. I think it is so stupid.
Bushman and suzuki both do it. When the reed blows out, thats it chuck it
the trash. Unless you can get a new reed and weld it on. Now with bushman
they sold cheap cover plates replacements, but they stopped doing it. Also,
in my experience they make mistakes sometimes when they weld on the reeds
and they are not quite centered. I supposed you could do some filing (the
welded reeds will move slightly with a reed wrench). But I just send those
suckers right back and Suzuki replaces them.
6) Warranty of one year is awesome. After a month ort two Hohner will tell
you to piss off.

That is my experience! No offense to anyone.

On Sun, May 22, 2011 at 12:57 PM, <harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Send Harp-L mailing list submissions to
>        harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>        http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>        harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
>        harp-l-owner@xxxxxxxxxx
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Harp-L digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Re: Combs Combs Combs (The Iceman)
>   2. Blues Revue features harp players (philharpn@xxxxxxx)
>   3. manji quality ?? (david robbins)
>   4. take 3 minutes off for a smile.... (The Iceman)
>   5. Re: manji quality ?? (Mike Rogers)
>   6. Re: manji quality ?? (Gary Lehmann)
>   7. Fwd: [Harp-L] take 3 minutes off for a smile.... (The Iceman)
>   8. Jamming in Alaska (george sanders)
>   9. Re: manji quality ?? (Grant Walters)
>  10. Combs Combs Combs (John F. Potts)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 11:26:43 -0400 (EDT)
> From: The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Combs Combs Combs
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <8CDE6ABC9F69BD2-21CC-3D7C7@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> y'know, if the player perceives that his tone is better using a certain
> comb, his belief makes it so.
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: MARK BURNESS <markwjburness@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: Robert Hale <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; Matthew Smart <
> matthewsmart@xxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: Harp <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sun, May 22, 2011 4:16 am
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Combs Combs Combs
>
>
> I'm sure, well I know, that players all over the world have anecdotal
> stories
> like Matt's. Video recording the event wouldn't simply be a test of whether
> the
> benefits were tangible, but also a test of the recorder's abilities.
>
> Music & the tone poduced by musical instruments has traditionally been
> evaluated
>
> by human ears & experience. If you don't trust your ears should you be
> playing
> music in the first place? Music is more than having good relative
> pitch...what's
>
> the machine called that registers timbre, expression, virtuosity? Ever seen
> one
> at a gig?
>
> I have changed combs in harps, as have many people, to find that I
> preferred the
>
> sound of one "material" over another
> ...but whether that preference was purely down to the material or not, is
> very
> hard to say. Harps of the same key, of the same construction sound
> different...the human ability to hold one sound in the memory then compare
> to a
> sound heard, even a few minutes later, is not a skill that everyone is born
> with, it takes  lot of experience and even then you might only be able to
> focus
> on/detect one aspect that you find sonically pleasing, or otherwise. It is
> usually necessary to conduct instantaneous A/B tests, we're not good at
> remembering sounds as a species (unlike taste, or smell)...which point
> might,
> for some, might render the whole issue somewhat moot! ;-)
>
> I take Matt's account in the spirit in which it is offered, "this is what
> we
> did, this is what we heard, on this occasion"...I wasn't there (like
> Robert) to
> agree/disagree (in the same vein, Vern's data from his test is published
> and
> there is no reason to doubt the integrity of the responses he
> received...apart
> from the 2010 test, wher one subject seemed to misunderstand the test
> completely
>
> and influenced the other subjects), so the jury is still out out. I'm not
> in the
>
> skeptics camp, nor in the camp of the "true believers".
>
> I am always surprised however when skeptics try and point to a "machine"
> that
> will "prove" the decision for them. If a difference was to be percieved to
> be so
>
> small that it onlt registered on, say an FFT, then it can't be considered a
> tangible difference. On the other hand if people report a first hand
> acccount
> that cannot be backed up by a machine, then there is always the possibility
> that
>
> the machine is not up to the job, or that the test is flawed. Sometimes we
> can
> measure what we can hear, sometimes we can measure what we can't hear,
> sometimes
>
> we can hear what can't be accurately measured (not without significant
> resources
>
> and a universally acceptable test methodology).
>
>
> When you sit in a restaurant and someone asks, "how is your meal", "68
> degrees
> celsuis" is not really the answer they are looking for.
>
> Sensory testing is conducted every day, with thousands of test subjects
> around
> the world, it's big business and responses drive multi million pound
> markets &
> decisions...human senses/experiences are what the "data" is based on.
> Should a
> manufacturechange a product because it has been proven to them that this
> "right", whatever the mechanically arrived at data says, if units stop
> moving
> off the store shelves, then ultimately that change s "wrong". Musical
> instrument
>
> manufacturers build instruments to make turnover and profit (in short, to
> give
> people what they want), not to test the limits of scientific endeavor.
>
> Another thing to consider that most folks buy harps as they come from the
> factory, in most models you do not have the option of just simply changing
> the
> comb, if a player compared a Marine Band 1896 with a Special 20 and a
> Meisterclass, there is every possibility that he might prefer the "wood",
> "plastic" or "aluminium" harp...again whether the comb material is the
> issue is
> moot in this example as the harps are different in more than one respect.
> The
> idea of making bespoke combs to prove/disprove the point takes such a test
> out
> of the bounds of a "real world" meaningful test.
>
> "For the believers no proof is necessary, for the non-believers no proof is
> possible".
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Robert Hale <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: Matthew Smart <matthewsmart@xxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: Harp <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, 22 May, 2011 5:50:35
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Combs Combs Combs
>
> Hi Matt,
>
> I'm one of the skeptics.
>
> I wonder, if someone video-recorded a controlled A-B test (like your store
> experiment) do you believe we could hear the difference? Or is it
> best perceived live, and not so well noticed when recorded?
>
> A valid test could be replicated by another, and obtain similar results.
>
> The problem with "comb-wars" <grin> is that we discuss tone, but not often
> player comfort. I liked SP20s for years, and now play all Lee Oskars.
>
> But, I'm willing to be persuaded with good evidence.
>
> Stay well
> Play well
>
> Robert Hale is the DUKE of WAIL
> Distance Learning via Webcam
> http://www.dukeofwail.com
> Gilbert AZ (Phoenix)
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 11:53:02 -0400
> From: philharpn@xxxxxxx
> Subject: [Harp-L] Blues Revue features harp players
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <8CDE6AF7765108A-6BC-A720B@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>
>
> I you don't happen to subscribe to Blues Review, issue May/Jun 2011 has
> stories and interviews of interest tol harp players.
>
> Kim Wilson's
>  Journey in the Blues
>
> Charlies Musselwhite
>  From Memphis to the World
>
>  and
> Mr Supeerharp
>  James Cotton
>  Still blowing strong
>
> Kim Wilson is on the cover.
> Also David Barrett has a column
>
> Right on the number
> V-IV-I
>
> Later,
> Phil
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 12:15:29 -0400
> From: "david robbins" <drobbins5658@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] manji quality ??
> To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Message-ID: <3075B63FE8224191AC1F6D2F6A79619D@SamPC>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>  Well, I finally tried a manji. I have come to the conclusion that Mr Manji
> put his name on that harp just for marketing purposes and to make money.
> It's not that he feels so strongly about it being a fantastic harp. That's
> just pure bunk. It's not bad, but certainly no better than stock LO's,MB's,
> or GM's. It's just a matter of taste.
>  I think it's very unfortunate and an embarrassment, that the public can't
> get a "ready to gig" quality stock, outta the box instrument for 35-45
> dollars.
>  Unless you are really good at working on your own harps, you are going to
> have to spend even more money paying someone to make an already overpriced
> harmonica play at its full capability. Or you can send the harp back to the
> manufacturer, and if are really lucky, you'll get it back in a playable
> state.
>  I have not tried a seydel yet, so I may hesitantly try one.
>  Within the next year or two, with our current govt's "backward,
> non-business friendly, pro recession, pro inflation "  type way of doing
> things, you can be sure that the prices for these terrible sounding stock
> harps will rise at least another 25 to 50%.
>  Not to mention the extremely low pay that all gigging Blues musicians are
> getting paid these days. Most Blues musicians was making more money per gig
> 20 years ago and things cost half as much!
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 12:23:25 -0400 (EDT)
> From: The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] take 3 minutes off for a smile....
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <8CDE6B3B5BE2357-180C-1A127B@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=nGeKSiCQkPw
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 12:27:41 -0400
> From: "Mike Rogers" <bullfrog9@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] manji quality ??
> To: "david robbins" <drobbins5658@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Message-ID: <E51EAA82201544ACBEF8FF6E366D2D71@mrogers>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>        reply-type=original
>
> Not just blues musicians, when it comes to gig pay.  As to harps, getting
> customs was was one of the smartest things I've done.  They rarely need any
> work done on them.
>
> Bullfrog
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "david robbins" <drobbins5658@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2011 12:15 PM
> Subject: [Harp-L] manji quality ??
>
>
> Well, I finally tried a manji. I have come to the conclusion that Mr Manji
> put his name on that harp just for marketing purposes and to make money.
> It's not that he feels so strongly about it being a fantastic harp. That's
> just pure bunk. It's not bad, but certainly no better than stock LO's,MB's,
> or GM's. It's just a matter of taste.
>  I think it's very unfortunate and an embarrassment, that the public can't
> get a "ready to gig" quality stock, outta the box instrument for 35-45
> dollars.
>  Unless you are really good at working on your own harps, you are going to
> have to spend even more money paying someone to make an already overpriced
> harmonica play at its full capability. Or you can send the harp back to the
> manufacturer, and if are really lucky, you'll get it back in a playable
> state.
>  I have not tried a seydel yet, so I may hesitantly try one.
>  Within the next year or two, with our current govt's "backward,
> non-business friendly, pro recession, pro inflation "  type way of doing
> things, you can be sure that the prices for these terrible sounding stock
> harps will rise at least another 25 to 50%.
>  Not to mention the extremely low pay that all gigging Blues musicians are
> getting paid these days. Most Blues musicians was making more money per gig
> 20 years ago and things cost half as much!
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 09:43:38 -0700
> From: Gary Lehmann <gnarlyheman@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] manji quality ??
> To: david robbins <drobbins5658@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <BANLkTi=r8c-pt3vkAmkowSCoRv7KXFtxqQ@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> What didn't you like about the Manji?
> My complaint is that is that they are so bluesy sounding, even at low
> volumes. But I find them to be loud, aggressive, quick response time and
> easy to overbend.
> I don't even mind the covers--don't put them in your back pocket without a
> case!
> And by the way, I am the guy you will send your harmonica to
> (the"manufacturer"--that is actually Japan, we are in San Diego, if you buy
> in America, you send it to me) if you have a problem with it. I will make
> it
> right if there is something wrong--including (at this point, anyway)
> replacing a reed if it breaks. We currently have a one year warranty.
> Lots of people think these Manjis are OOTB harps.
> My number at Suzuki is 800-84-1594. Due to corporate belt tightening I am
> only there on Tuesday and Thursday, but you can leave a message and I will
> call you.
> Thanks,
> Gary at Suzuki (not "Joe Isuzu")
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 12:51:46 -0400 (EDT)
> From: The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: Fwd: [Harp-L] take 3 minutes off for a smile....
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <8CDE6B7AB965D67-14B0-2DBBC@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> link should have been all highlighted ....
>
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=nGeKSiCQkPw
>
>
> if it doesn't show up properly, cut and paste whole line into browser
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>
> To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sun, May 22, 2011 8:24 am
> Subject: [Harp-L] take 3 minutes off for a smile....
>
>
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=nGeKSiCQkPw
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 09:57:11 -0700 (PDT)
> From: george sanders <georgegsandman@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Jamming in Alaska
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <461362.54861.qm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> If you haven't been to Alaska know this, the people up there are extremely
> laid back. I spent 10 days in Homer fishing with a good friend recently,
> caught a lot of Kings including a rare White King Salmon. On the way back
> from Homer I had a 5 hour lay over in Anchorage. While having a beer and
> some clams at the Bear's Tooth a local helped me find their Sunday evening
> blues jam that happened to be a 3 block walk away down Spennard to a
> restaurant/bar called Taproot. The piano player/ jam master was a real laid
> back and talented gentleman, he ran a very smooth and harmonica player
> friendly jam, there were two other harp players besides myself. If you are
> in Anchorage on a Sunday evening hit this jam, you will have a good time.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 10:12:47 -0700
> From: Grant Walters <grant@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] manji quality ??
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <E2A095B7-07A0-4433-BE9A-77C4504F0E98@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> David:
> My heart goes out to you...and I can see why you might be disappointed ...
> however...
> > Within the next year or two, with our current govt's "backward,
> non-business friendly, pro recession, pro inflation "  type way of doing
> things, you can be sure that the prices for these terrible sounding stock
> harps will rise at least another 25 to 50%.
> > Not to mention the extremely low pay that all gigging Blues musicians are
> getting paid these days. Most Blues musicians was making more money per gig
> 20 years ago and things cost half as much!
> Dude...you are bumming me out.....This is not a harmonica issue...
> I play harp to get away from my this kind of negative space....
> Maybe you can sit down and write a good song about this...
>
> or spend the money on the Harmonica repair.../ adjustment
> kits...videos...etc...
> I personally am looking forward to a hands on class one day as there never
> seems to be enough time...
> I did buy the Richard Sleigh kit but it does not come with instant
> knowledge...unfortunately...still I love having it.
> If i sit and think about the price of gas ...I won't even want to drive to
> the gig...
> If someone will pay me to play harmonica....I have already won the day...
> Might I suggest, as others have, packaging a duo...if money is the
> object...downsize... worked for me.
>
> I don't know Mr. Manji but after meeting Brendan Power, I can say, he is
> very well represented...and while I don't play suzuki's ...my experience
> with them has been pretty darn good.
>
> "20 years ago"...I did not even know what an overblow was..
>
> Hope you do get a fair resolution here...as no body wants to waste money...
> You deserve better ...but in the meantime...hope things go better for you
> .....
>
> Grant Walters...
>
>
>
>
>
> On May 22, 2011, at 9:15 AM, david robbins wrote:
>
> > Well, I finally tried a manji. I have come to the conclusion that Mr
> Manji put his name on that harp just for marketing purposes and to make
> money. It's not that he feels so strongly about it being a fantastic harp.
> That's just pure bunk. It's not bad, but certainly no better than stock
> LO's,MB's, or GM's. It's just a matter of taste.
> >  I think it's very unfortunate and an embarrassment, that the public
> can't get a "ready to gig" quality stock, outta the box instrument for 35-45
> dollars.
> >  Unless you are really good at working on your own harps, you are going
> to have to spend even more money paying someone to make an already
> overpriced harmonica play at its full capability. Or you can send the harp
> back to the manufacturer, and if are really lucky, you'll get it back in a
> playable state.
> > I have not tried a seydel yet, so I may hesitantly try one.
> > Within the next year or two, with our current govt's "backward,
> non-business friendly, pro recession, pro inflation "  type way of doing
> things, you can be sure that the prices for these terrible sounding stock
> harps will rise at least another 25 to 50%.
> > Not to mention the extremely low pay that all gigging Blues musicians are
> getting paid these days. Most Blues musicians was making more money per gig
> 20 years ago and things cost half as much!
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 10
> Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 13:12:57 -0400
> From: "John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Combs Combs Combs
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <8CCFA8EF-0783-4C74-AFF6-DCE76AD4D8C1@xxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
>
> When comparing combs of different materials, a significant variable
> is how flat each comb is.  The flatter comb (no matter what material
> it is made of) will be more airtight. A more airtight comb will sound
> better and respond better. For example, I have come to really
> appreciate composite combs.  But all the composite combs I have are
> custom combs and are made very flat.  Do i like them because of what
> material they are made from or because they are so flat?  Hard to
> say.....
>
> FWIW
>
> JP
>
>
> End of Harp-L Digest, Vol 93, Issue 52
> **************************************
>



-- 
Matthew Smart
matthewsmart@xxxxxxxxx
678-851-1434