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

[Dennis Michael Montgomery]

 As far as I know, Adam Gussow has never played any other harp except for Hohner and more than 90% time it's the  Hohner Marine Band. Wheather they're the Cross Over, the Marine Band Delux, or the old 1896s I don't know. I understand he does get them from the box, but he does tweek them. He also has at least one set up by Joe Spires.
When I first started I found that the Hohners were harder to bend. I went over to the Suzuki Blues Masters and fell in love with them. I also like the Promaster Valves. You also might try the Suzuki Manji.

    On Sunday, May 10, 2020, 10:15:21 AM MST, Opus314 . <opus314 at xxxxx> wrote:  
 
 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