RE: [Harp-L] re: Huang harps

[Steve Shaw <moorcot@xxxxxxx>]

Well, I've had one Silvertone (a reed died within a few days) and one Star Performer. Both needed considerable work doing apropos of tuning and gapping before they could be played, so I'd say they are unsuitable for beginners/non-tweakers. The plating on the coverplates of the Star Performer started to peel away shortly after purchase, meaning that you were at some risk from extremely thin and sharp flakes of metal.  That was a few years ago now. It would be nice to think that times have changed.
Suzuki Folkmasters are pleasantly raucous little beasts and they play nicely, but I doubt they'd last too long with hard playing. I use them a lot for practising. Stepping up a tad, I find Suzuki Bluesmasters to be good, long-lasting harps at an economical price. I believe they have the same reedplates as Promasters, another step up in price, but really good value for solid, comfortable and quite loud harps that come with good quality control.
I'm very disappointed that Hohner have discontinued their low-pitch harps at the more economical end. I'd love to hear why they think they can't continue to produce these, whereas Seydel have several models that cater well for those of us who need these admittedly somewhat specialist instruments. It seems I can't even get spare parts for my low D Special 20s, which is particularly cruel. 
In terms of getting what you pay for, I think there's a sort of minimum baseline for sturdy, playable harps that starts with Marine Bands, Special 20s, Bluesmasters and Lee Oskars. The two latter definitely last me a lot longer, but that doesn't necessarily mean I think they're better. You'll get lots of fun out of those whereas you might get hassle and lack of longevity for anything much cheaper. Not paying enough for your harps can be false economy. I have a veritable metal-and-plastic graveyard to prove it!

> Apart from a couple of awful misfires (e.g. a Star Performer with a twisted reed!) my experience of Huang -- I´m mainly talking Silvertones -- have been good to excellent as practice harps. A bit tinny in the tone but that´s no issue in my kitchen.
>   These have been some of my most long lasting instruments -- I´m a notorious harmonica Terminator -- and it´s a shame they are gone.
> 
> Cheers,
> Martin
> 
> 
> .............................................................................
> What do you guys think of these harps? Are they good for practice? Is this a good way to save your better harps for gigs?
> I have been using Big River harps for practice. Just wondering about Huang harps. Thanks for input on this.