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

[Wilbur Euler]

Right on the money Tom.

Sent from my iPad

> On Feb 27, 2023, at 08:22, Tom Halchak <info at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> 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*