[Harp-L] Best Out-of-the-Box harp for bends & overblows?

[The Iceman]

Hohner brand would be my first choice - I like the plastic combs and tend to favor Golden Melodies, but Special 20's are nice, too.
Lee Oskars = shorter but wider reedsHohner = longer but slimmer reeds
the short/wide reeds have a tendency to squeal when using an OB technique.


-----Original Message-----
From: Opus314 . <opus314 at xxxxx>
To: harp-l harp-l <harp-l at xxxxx>
Sent: Sun, May 10, 2020 1:15 pm
Subject: [Harp-L] Best Out-of-the-Box harp for bends & overblows?

I only get to occassionally play with my harmonicas but when I do I use my
Lee Oskars.

On my Lee Oskars I can, more or less, do bends on the lower half draw notes
but holding them at a half step lower is tricky. Double bends seem to be
out of the question. Ditto for overblows. Can't make it happen.

I'm considering ordering a few of a different brand but am unsure what to
get.

Years ago I tried a couple of Seydel Blues Solist harps but one of the
reeds blew out in no time on each one of them. I guess I over stressed it.
(Never seem to have to worry abut that with the Oskars.)

I also I think I've heard Adam Gussow say he plays Hohner Marine Band's
mostly... And I think I've heard that he plays them right out of the box.
(Could be wrong about that.) (And which Marine Band model?)

I'm (not yet) a harp mechanic so I'm wondering what out of the box units
are sturdy, bend relatively easily, and can be overblown?

Thanks