RE: [Harp-L] Lee Oskar

[Blunt White <playharp@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

An interesting technical observation, LO reeds are longer/wider than the Suzuki 10 hole harps.  I believe LO have the longest/widest reeds of all 10 hole harps.  One of the reasons they stay in tune and last so long.    If draw holes 2 and 3 are tight, reduce the reed gap on both the draw and blow reeds and performance should improve. Regards, Blunt   
 > Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2012 21:35:49 -0400
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Lee Oskar
> From: HarmonicaGallery@xxxxxxxxx
> To: bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> CC: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> 
> Bob is right.  The Lee Oskars do last a long time.  I had a set of Richter
> tuned LO's from 1992 until just recently when I gave the set to my daughter
> to play.  In 20 years, I blew only 1 reed on 14 Lee Oskars.
> 
> Bob mentioned the SUZUKI Manji.  It is a very very good harp right out of
> the box.  However, it has the edge of the metal reed plate that touches the
> lips.  I personally prefer the plastic comb which covers the edge of the
> reed plate such as the SUZUKI Bluesmaster/Harpmaster, SEYDEL Blues Session
> and Blues Session Steel, and Lee Oskar.
> 
> George
> -- 
> George Miklas, Harmonica Performing Artist and
> Entertainer<http://harmonicagallery.com/>
> Harmonica Repair Done Right by George <http://harmonicagallery.com/>
> Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica<http://spah.org/>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Thu, Apr 5, 2012 at 9:19 PM, Bob Cohen <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> >
> > On Apr 5, 2012, at 7:22 PM, Tony Stephens wrote:
> >
> > > I want some input on Lee Oskar harps, likes or dislikes. I have keys A &
> > G. They are hard to draw on holes 2 &3. That is most likely me, as a
> > beginner. I have been told these harps are tuned for country not blues, is
> > that true.
> >
> >
> > I used Lee Oskars for years before switching to custom Marine Bands. They
> > lasted a very long time before going out of tune. I don't do any
> > overblowing. From what I understand, LOs are not suitable for that
> > technique. If you're looking for good quality harps right out of the box,
> > I'd recommend them in a heartbeat. I also like Suzuki Manjis, which is
> > another Japanese harp. They're pricier. As far as tuning goes, the LOs come
> > in several different tunings. http://www.leeoskar.com/harmonicas.htmlMajor Diatonic, Melody Maker, Natural Minor, and Harmonic Minor. Do you
> > have the boxes? That'll tell you.
> >
> > Bob
> >
> > "The revolution will not be televised"
> > -Gil Scott Heron
> >
> >
> >