Re: [Harp-L] Big River - quality and some easy fixes

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Big Rivers have longer reeds than the Hohner "classics" (aka handmade) - Marine Band models, SP20, Golden Melody. This translates into a more robust (but less nuanced) tone that really shows up in a big way in the lower keys.

I spent quite awhile playing MS harps aand was favorably impressed with them. They customized very well. The "unplayable" factor that some folks have experienced may be due to sloppy assembly.

One easy thing you can do to improve a leaky harp: remove the covers, then loosen the reedplate screws. Make sure the reedplates are in alignment, then re-tighten the reedplate screws, but not beyond where the screwdriver resists finger pressure. Re-instal the covers, and you may find a significant improvement. (Gapping will help, but just re-tightening the reedplate screws is way up there,

MS plates are drilled or five screw holes, but only two or three are used on most models. By installing all five screws you can also improve airtightness. For the screws toward the ends of the reedplate, you may also need to drill through the comb. You can use the self-tapping MS screws if you have them, or American 0-80 screws (which have a compatible diameter and thread) if you don't.
 
Winslow Yerxa
Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
Resident Harmonica Expert, bluesharmonica.com
Instructor, Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance


________________________________
 From: Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" <mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
Cc: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>; "fssharp@xxxxxxxxx" <fssharp@xxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 6:47 AM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Big River
 
I think so and the leader certainly thought so.

On Fri, Sep 14, 2012 at 8:11 AM, mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <
mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> So Michael the BR was that much different ( better,bigger) sound then the
> 20 ?
>
> Mike Wilbur
>
>
>
> On Sep 14, 2012, at 8:32 AM, Michael Rubin <
> michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > I needed a low E for a recording with a band I regularly play with. (Kalu
> > James).  All the store had was a Big River.  The song became a favorite
> of
> > the audience and we had to play it nearly every show.  I knew I needed a
> > backup in case the BR broke.  I bought a low E Special 20.  I used it at
> a
> > gig.  The leader came up to me and asked what I did that was so
> different?
> > Don't do that again.  So, right tool for the job.
> > Michael Rubin
> > Michaelrubinharmonica.com
> >
> > On Thu, Sep 13, 2012 at 5:37 PM, <fssharp@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> >> Matthew Smart wrote:
> >>
> >> "The big river is a little underrated. 3 things you can do to make it
> >> swell.
> >>
> >> 1) Add an extra reedplate screw. They are often missing the one that
> comes
> >> in the center tine.
> >>
> >> 2) Flat sand the draw plate to make sure it is flat.
> >>
> >> 3) Slap a custom comb on it. You will not believe the volume and
> >> resonance."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I was lucky enough to win a custom comb for a Big River from Matthew at
> his
> >> SPAH seminar. I was not missing the extra screw.  I did only a very
> little
> >> sanding on the draw plate.  After putting on the custom comb, it made a
> >> huge
> >> improvement to the harp.  I know this was a free upgrade, but if I
> >> wanted/needed a new harp and had a Big River lying around, it is a good
> way
> >> to get a really nice harp.
> >>
> >>
> >> Fred S
> >>
> >>
>