[Harp-L] crossover harmonica

[Trip Henderson <trip.tunes@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Wayne,

Though it seems counter intuitive I have found that playing fiddle tunes is
far harder on reeds than most other styles.  I believe the reason is
because unlike blues, rock or pop where one plays leads and fills, in the
playing of fiddle tunes in bluegrass and old time you are on the reed
throughout the tune, especially in old time. Add to that the increased
efficiency of the Crossover and the result is more wear with less effort -
a recipe for some sour harps. I found that years ago when I started
playing Sleigh and Filisko harps that they went out of tune faster than
stock harps, but they are so friggin' awesome that its well worth the
solution.  Ultimately the way I dealt with this was to learn how to work on
my own harps using Richard Sleigh's methods and tools (he's a GREAT
teacher!). The catch here is you need to be able to replace reeds and have
the stock to do it. I use the excellent Farrell tools that are no longer in
production and reed stock from 25 years of dead harps that occupy a very
large box. Though I find working on my harps rather tedious I also love
having control of my instrument. You might check with Richard - he offers
an excellent set of tools for reed work and may be able to recommend a
process whereby you can either swap reeds from old stock
or install individual reeds from some other source. A question to the
group, does Hohner sell individual reeds?

IMHO, Marine Bands have the sound and tuning that blends best with the
other members of a string band.

Trip



Message: 4
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2012 07:27:02 -0400 (EDT)
From: Wayne Childress <wchildress6112@xxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] crossover harmonica
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <8CF62DE7E3500BC-748-55895@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


Friends, I bought Crossover "D" harp thru an online supplier and paid 70
bucks for it. I was motivated by a desire  to play fiddle tunes with
greater ease and the testimony of a pro player I admire. The 7 blow reed
went flat within the warranty period. I returned the harp and Hohner sent
me a replacement. The 4 draw reed broke on the replacement in  less than a
month. I returned that harp to Hohner and they sent me a quote for 39
dollars to recondition the harp. I sent them a letter two weeks ago asking
that they return the harp to me unrepaired. I have not received my harp or
a reply from them. I think Hohner made a souped up harp using the same
reeds they use in the Marine Band and and they're fragile. I am not a blues
player and I do not play hard.


I love Hohner harps but they're not as durable as the Lee Oskars and they
have gotten expensive. I was quoted by Hohner 47 dollars for a set of
replacement reeds for a Special 20. That's another fragile harp.


Wayne C.



-- 
Trip Henderson
www.myspace.com/triphenderso <http://www.myspace.com/triphenderson>n
www.youtube.com/user/tripharmonica
<http://www.youtube.com/user/tripharmonica>
www.reverbnation.com/thewhistlingwolves
www.youtube.com/user/TheWhistlingWolves
www.myspace.com/thewhistlinwolves
<http://www.youtube.com/user/TheWhistlingWolves>