[Harp-L] Re: New Suzuki Diatonic Harmonica - OLIVE

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The fact is that it's VERY difficult to identify significant tonal differences between makes and models of harmonicas on a recording.  Once a harmonica passes a relatively low threshhold for quality in materials and build quality, I doubt that anyone could tell for sure on a recording whether it's made by Suzuki or Hohner or LO or whoever.  You can double down on that if the recording is of an amped setup.

The real differences in harmonicas are experienced by the player, not the audience.  Those differences relate to the capabilities and playability of the instrument--how quickly and smoothly it responds, how loud it will play, how easily it will overblow, how controllable the pitch and timbre of bends are, etc.  In these respects different makes and models of harmonicas are indeed noticeably different.

All this by way of saying that I'm genuinely interested in checking out the Suzuki Olive, but I don't expect any Youtube video, or any other recording, to tell me much about how much I'm going to like it. Playing it is the only way to tell.  Given my experiences with Suzuki harps to this point, I'm certainly willing to give the Olive a try.

Regards, Richard Hunter  




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