[Harp-L] Hohner XB-40 and Suzuki Manji questions

[Steve]

As far as I know you can't get XB40s any more, bar odd ones in unusual keys on stray websites...

I used my two, in low D and G, a lot. They are much louder than other harmonicas.  They do take a fair bit more breath than yer average blues harp.  I adapted very quickly to the larger size, though I did find them a bit unlovable initially (I got over it). Not a problem. They are very durable. My G is still going strong but my D is currently in pieces as I tried to resolve an issue with uneven response at the bottom end. They are a fair challenge to work on if you're just used to blues harps. I must say, I found their fantastic volume to be great in pub sessions and I was very upset when they stopped being available.  I haven't had Manjis. 

Cheers

Steve Shaw

> On 1 Mar 2020, at 11:39, Ronnie Schreiber <autothreads at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> If anyone has any experience with the Hohner XB-40, I have a couple of questions:
> 
> 1. How big is it, particularly how tall it is from coverplate to coverplate?
> 
> 2. Does the size of instrument affect playability? Does the fact that it is 'fatter' make it harder to get a good embouchure on the intstrument?
> 
> Regarding the Manji, does the size of the lower coverplate, that's expanded in the area over the bass reeds, affect playability?
> 
> 
>