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Lucky 13 Thoughts

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Fri, 09/22/2017 - 13:44
Alex Hall
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Joined: 09/04/2017

Hey Winslow,

I've seen you mention trying out the Lucky 13 on a few different forums/threads. Would you be willing to share your thoughts in a bit more detail? What are your thoughts on the harp in general? How about for a beginner working through the LOA? Would it really be a solid replacement for 2 harps (a regular and low)? Ignoring the extra holes, how does it play compared to the high end harps by other manufacturers?

Regarding my particular situation: I'm a beginner and tempted by these for their 2-harps-in-1 function (I like the reduced waste and space usage in addition to the cost savings proposition). My concern is that, even though the top 10 holes are identical to a regular richter tuned diatonic, the slight difference will somehow inhibit my learning.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

-Alex

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Fri, 09/22/2017 - 15:42
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Expert Winslow Yerxa
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Lucky 13 further thoughts

Hi, Alex.

On the Lucky 13, all your reference points for the 10-hole harmonica are moved 3 hoels to the right. Most players index from the left side of the harp, because their reference points are toward the left - Draw 2 for second position, Draw 4 or Blow 4 for third and first positions. Tha occasions some re-mapping of the landscape of the harp.

The advantage os separate low and regular harps are:

  1. Your refence points don't move somehwere else, everything is just an octave lower (or higher).
  2. The overall note layout likewise stays the same, just an octave lower. On the Lucky 13, the first four holes play just like a low harp. So do the blow notes in the fifth (i.e., Hole 2 as labeled) and and sixth (ie. Hole 3 as labeled). But the draw notes in those holes don't correspond with a low harp, and neither does anything else palst that point. You have to shift gears at that handover point between the low tuning and the regular tuning.

My suggestion would be to do your initial learning on a regular 10-hole, then add the Lucky 13, whether or not you buy separate low harps.

As to how well the Lucky 13s play, the build is very solid. Consistency of tuning and gapping is less so in, my epxerience, but with some basic setup skills (which everyone should acquire, though some resist the idea) you can correct any flaws in finish.

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