Non-customized harps
Mark,
In watching all the interviews on this site, I heard that everyone interviewed plays Marine Band harps. I've been playing seriously for about a year and at 50-plus years of age am getting a late start. I've played mostly Lee Oskar harps mostly due to the fact that I found them much more comfortable than the wood combed Hohner Blues Harp. I like them alright, but they do seem hesitant randomly on certain notes while playing.
I've experimented with Suzuki Bluesmasters, Hammonds and Firebreaths and they seem nice and comfortable to play, but on the brighter side. I recently picked up a couple of Seydel 1847's, one Silver and one Silver +. I really like thie response and their tough build. In your interview you seemed pretty happy with your experience with the Seydel 1847 classic. In your opinion, for someone unable to pay $200-300 for customized harps, what are the routinely the best brands out of box that would require the least amount of adjustment. Any advice or opinion is welcome. Cheers, and keep tearing it up.
Rick
Comments
check out bushman's delta
check out bushman's delta frost. very responsive and easy to bend.
check out bushman's delta
check out bushman's delta frost. very responsive and easy to bend. and durable, too.
sorry for the multiples.
sorry for the multiples.
Thanks, I have a Manji coming
Thanks, I have a Manji coming and plan to try a Delta Frost as well.
Delta Frost and Harpmaster
Some knowledgeable harp techs tell me that the Delta Frost is the same harp as the Suzuki Harpmaster. I haven't done the comparison myself and have never played a Delta Frost. But I have played aa Harpmaster, and for about $25 it's quite a decent harp. (While his job with Suzuki involves touting more expensive harps like the Manji and the Fabulous, Brendan Power also thinks the Harpmaster is a good value.)
harps
I only am playing Seydel 1847 wood combed harps at this point.
Seydel 1847
Mark, I have become a HUGE fan of the 1847 wood combed harp. I've tested the Special 20s, Crossover, Manji, and Marine Band harps, and I just love the playability, feel, and sound of the Seydels.
I probably wouldn't have tried them had I not been nudged in that direction by Winslow. I had a hard time getting my arms around a stainless steel reed plate. But he convinced me to give it a shot, and I've been hooked ever since.
I assume you get your harps customized. Who does your work? I've had a little trouble with a couple of the harps out of the box and did some reed work myself. I wouldn't mind having someone balance the reed action on a few - particularly the high key harps.
Seydels
I have Rupert Osyler do my customizing before he ships them to me-makes a HUGE difference!
Bushman Delta Frost
I love these harps and they are inexpensive. Also- if a reed flats out or something you can order reedplates which are fused to the comb, all for about $17 bucks.
Seydel 1847 customized
jjudson - check out Jon Harl (who is a member here). He customized Seydels - I've had a couple from him and have been more than pleased with the service. Good guy and easy to talk to. http://www.customseydels.com/blog/jon-harl/welcome
Thanks Hank
I'll check him out. I think, though, for my first custom job, I'm going to look at the Powerbender. I'm trying some weird stuff right now with my harps, and I want to get it tuned and configured a little differently - and Powerbender sounds like it might be the setup I need for what I'm doing. After I discover that this is a stupid experiment, I'll check in with John for something more mainstream.