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Forums :: Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

Favorite Affordable Diatonic

1 reply [Last post]
Wed, 12/30/2015 - 10:31
curciopaul@gmail.com
curciopaul@gmail.com's picture
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Joined: 06/09/2013

Hey Winslow (and Forum)

 

I'm playing Marine Band Crossovers in a weekend blues band, and I agree with Dave that these are the best.  I blow out reeds like the rest of us and have followed this site to learn to replace them.  My kit of Crossovers in seven keys is now about two years old.  I know hear them going flat and feel I'll be replacing more reeds shortly.  This really is not a permanent solution as the harps with replaced reeds just aren't the same.  At this rate, I think I'll be buying a new Crossover per month, which isn't really affordable.

I like Special 20's for practice in the car but not performance necessarily.  I think I prefer wood combs.  I like the brightness and responsiveness of the Crossover as well.

What's your thought on an affordable alternative?  Marine Band, Blues Harp.  

 

Thanks.

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Wed, 02/03/2016 - 19:38
#1
Expert Winslow Yerxa
Expert Winslow Yerxa's picture
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Joined: 01/16/2010
You're beating them up

You're killing your harps with too much breath force. Why not learn to play by not hitting hard? Most of the greats aren't hard on harps (there are a few exceptions, like Cotton). No harp will hold up under repeated hammer blows.

Not only will you save money, your tone (and probably your bending control) will improve.

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