Marine Band Crossover and Suzuki Manji questions
Dear Mr. Pollard.
First question. Does the Crossover have the same reeds than standard (1896) Marine Band?
Second question. I've been working in may Manji during two days (embossing, gapping) and I don't think this Suzuki is the best harp in order to get overbends. What do you think about?
Thanks in advance for your answers.
Stupid question, but when you say reed profile do you mean gapping the reed?
Hello Jacob,
Gapping yes, but profiling also refers to:
[1] from a side view, is the angle of the reed set up properly so the reed swings in/out of the reed slot evenly (like a door)?
[2] is the gap between the bottom of the rivet end of the reed and top of the reed plate calibrated properly?
All this and more will be covered in a future Harp-Tech study. Stay tuned!
Your Harpsmith,
Kinya
Awesome, For such a long time now I have been interested in trying to optimize my manjis which are already quite impressive as they are, but as I am more a visual person I need to see it to understand it, i patiently look forward to your lesson.
Thanx Jacob
"good things await those who demonstrate patience"
~Kinya
I've found that simply checking the profiles of the Manji's to be beneficial. The tolerances are tight enough without embossing for standard playing and bending. They respond differently to gapping, so you'll have to be patient, especially with the 3 draw bend gapping.
When optimizing for overbends, I've found them more difficult to work on than Hohner's. Namely, the torsional vibration produced when setting them up for overdraws. There are a few ways to tackle this, but full slot embossing, for a number of reasons, is a good start. One difficulty in doing that with the Suzuki's is the inability to really swing a welded reed. One work around, that is very effective is the UST tool Kinya wrote about a couple of months back.
I've found that the Manji and Seydel 1847's respond to many of the techniques used on Hohner harps BUT are made of materials that are harder to work with. Meaning, they are literally harder than Hohner's brass.
FWIW, I try to avoid things like wax and polish on reeds and reedplates, but both with help with any overbend squeals.
Hi Mike,
Good to hear from you Brother. We all appreciate your input.
Your Harpsmith,
~Kinya
Hello Sergio, thanx for your questions ...
Q1: Yes. Although the tuning varies, the Marine Band Crossover reeds are identical to the Marine Band 1876, Marine Band Deluxe, Marine Band Special 20 and Golden Melody.
Q2: I have found the tolerances on the Manji to be bloody tight. In fact, if you don't clean them after a heavy gig, the harmonicocus will coagulate between the reeds and reed plate slots, causing the reeds to stick and/or click and clack. Sizing (embossing) the reed slots should not be necessary to build an agile OB Manji harmonica. Focus on the reed profile--that's the key (particularly 1~6 blow reeds). As an aside I maintain the Manji harmonicas for Suzuki endorsee, Andy Just. Not an OB player on the bandstand or recordings, but he can hit 4,5,6 with relative ease when he visits me at at the Harpsmith shop.
Your Harpsmith,
Kinya