Re: [Harp-L] A good harp to replace a marine band after45 years??

[philharpn@xxxxxxx]

Problem with harmonicas is that you can't try one before you buy it.

Your trial and error will cost you the price of a harmonica. Classic 
Marine Band lists at $43, Marine Band Deluxe $82, Marine Band Crossover 
$96 and the Marine Band Thunderbird $195. These are list prices; street 
prices vary considerably, so shop around. I've seen Classic Marine 
Bands listed on line for $32 (compared to the list price of $43). FYI 
the Thunderbird is a low octave harp; the others are usually in the 
standard range: low to high G-F#.

While I own several different brands, I can only speak about the web 
sites of Hohner and Seydel. Seydel offers three main tunings: just (the 
traditional tuning used for harmonicas for ever), the tempered tuning, 
which is like conventional tuning 440 A (on an electronic tuner) and 
the kind of tuning used by piano and guitar and horns and compromise 
tuning which is a blend of the just and tempered tuning. Also, Seydel 
offers a range of low tuned harps. Hohner does too.

If you like your old Marine Band, that is likely just tuning. Which is 
how most Marine Bands have been tuned over the years. Hohner now offers 
several models of Marine Bands, in addition to the Classic Marine Band. 
Such as Marine Band Deluxe, Marine Band Crossover and Marine Band 
Thunderbird. In addition, the Special 20 is a Marine Band with a 
plastic comb. If this is not confusing enough, the Hohner web site 
offers harmonicas that are specially set up to suit individual playing 
styles.

So if you walk into a reasonably well stocked music store and ask for a 
Marine Band, the answer could be: "Which one? We have four models of 
the 10-hole line."

Hope this helps.
Phil


-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Cohen <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thu, Jun 18, 2015 12:18 pm
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] A good harp to replace a marine band after45 
years??


> On Jun 17, 2015, at 6:19 PM, tommyespo57@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

So youâve had one harp for 45 years and need a new one? Or youâve been 
playing Hohners for 45 years and are curious about whatâs beyond your 
horizon? Either way, there is no shortage of good harmonicas: Suzuki, 
Seydel, Lee Oskar, Herring, Huang, Bends . . . buy âem and play âem. 
Like what you hear buy more. Donât like it? Move on to the next. I 
mostly play a set of Marine Bands customized by Joe Spires, with one 
instrument by Jimmy Gordon. Before that I played Lee Oskars. I also 
Like the Suzuki Manjis. Some people find the sound too bright. Shrug . 
. . you wonât know what works for YOU until you play the instrument 
yourself.

-Bob

Bob Cohen
Writer, Internet Consultant, Teacher
w: bobjcohen.com
t: #itsabobworld