[Harp-L] Hohner XB40

["Aongus MacCana" <amaccana@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I am disturbed to hear that Hohner are considering giving ?the kiss of
death? to the XB40, having had the pleasure and privilege of hearing its
designer and patentee Rick Epping and also Mick Kinsella play it live. I had
one in G, which unfortunately someone ?disappeared? on me.

I had not played it much because I regarded it as so special that I ?needed
to spare it? for some special occasion. All the valves/windsavers
intimidated me a bit as I figured beery breath would gum up the works.
However Rick Epping demonstrated to the class at Willie Clancy School one
year that maintenance was not too much of a challenge when he carried out
quick repairs to a student?s instrument.

Notwithstanding that an XB 40 is of the same order of cost as a base model
chromatic, I guess I had better treat myself to a G and a D while they are
still to be had.

Beannachtaí

Aongus Mac Cana