[Harp-L] The New Golden Melody and Overblow Harps from the factory

[Tom Halchak]

I wonder what percentage of harmonica players use overblows and overdraws
in their playing.  My guess would be about 1-2%.  I could be wrong.  Maybe
it is 10% or 20%.  But whatever it is, players who use overblows and
overdraws are clearly in the minority.  A similar question would be, what
percentage of harmonica players subscribe to harp-l.org or participate in
any of the harmonica-centric groups on Facebook?  Again, my guess is that
it is a very small percentage of the overall harmonica playing population.
Most harmonica players have never even heard of overblows and have no idea
what they are.  Even many who have been in the middle of these
conversations for years reject overblows out of hand because they are
either too difficult or because “Little Walter never used them”.  The
notion that Hohner or any of the other major harmonica manufacturers should
be setting up the harps they produce for overblows and overdraws is a bit
silly.  Overblow harps are set up much tighter than stock harps.  The
average harmonica player would hardly be able to get a note out of an
overblow harp.  They play too hard and force too much air though the harp.
The reeds would choke.  Hohner has no choice but to set their harps up for
the average player.  If a skilled player requires a tighter harp to
facilitate overblows and overdraws, he will need to figure out how to
adjust his harmonicas himself or find someone who can do it for you.  Or,
perhaps, find a small company that caters to that particular  niche of
harmonica players.

Tom

-- 
*Tom Halchak*
*Blue Moon Harmonicas LLC*
*P.O. Box 14401 Clearwater, FL 33766*