Rocket vs Rocket AMP
Good evening and a Happy Eastern,
I am a beginner and have bought several models of harps to try.
One of them being the Hohner Rocket. I must say i like it a lot but i heard that it is not good for beginners.
1. Is it true that the rocket is not good for beginners and if yes then why?
2. I also bought the Rocket AMP but it felt not very airtight and not as responsive as the normal rocket model. Is it defect or does the AMP feel different from the normal Rocket?
3. Should i choose one model from my shelf and pratice with it only beacuse switching too often in the beginning would ruin my training or doesnt it make a big difference and am i allowed to switch from day to day?
Thank you so much!
Kindest regards, Erin
Kinya,
thank you very much!
i have now watched your tech videos about tubing and gapping which were extremely helpful!
Should I get a Hohner Service Kit or the Seydel tool kit? Or is that too much for the beginning?
And just one question about the reed gaps: With all harps I had problems with so far, I think the gaps are too big.
Why do the producers do that? Is here an advantage for pro players I don’t realise yet because I am just a beginner playing too
quiet? Or do the pro players need bigger gaps for bending or overblowing? I had very few problems with Hohner models, only he Seydel 1847 and the Session steel and Manji seem to be adjusted a little weird for my taste. Is that due to a bad quality control or do they more Fokus on pro players? Many thanks and best regards, Erin
Ps: if I want to send you harps for service or tuning. How can I reach you and what is your address?
Erin, just my limitted, less than a year expereience:
I have 2 Rockets, 2 MB Classic, 2 Special 20, 1 Crossover, 1 Manji and 1 Suzui Bluesmaster. I have also found the Rockets to be the easiest to play and bend, very responsive and very comfortable to hold. I like them very much.
BUT they have significantly larger holes than any other models, which makes switchng between the Rockets and other models rather difficult, at least for me as a beginner. I achieved the best results, when I played the Rockets for at least a couple of consecutive days without mixing them with other harps.
Switching between haprs with the same hole size is OK and actually can help you (or helped me) to learn some techniques, because some of them are easier on one harp and some of them on another.
Marek,
thank you for your answer! Very useful information. Then I do not have to feel guilty for my beginner collection of harps :-)
Marine Band Classic A
Marine Band Deluxe A
Marine Band Crossover C,A,G ( because David said so)
Special 20 C
Rocket C
Rocket AMP C
Rocket Low C
Suzuki Manji A
Seydel 1847 A
Well, buying a new harp is easier than buying new mouth ;-) Unfortunately, the mouth is what matters.
Thanx Marek for your input!
Hi Erin,
Q1: Should I get a Hohner Service Kit or the Seydel tool kit? Or is that too much for the beginning?
A1: I think you should invest in the Hohner tool kit first (almost 80% of your inventory is Hohner)
Q2: And just one question about the reed gaps: With all harps I had problems with so far, I think the gaps are too big. Why do the producers do that? Is here an advantage for pro players I don’t realise yet because I am just a beginner playing too quiet?
A2: Experience has taught us that, on balance, beginner harmonica players tend to breath and salivate heavier than others. Most harmonica manufactures discovered that if they set their "out-of-the-box" reed gapping slightly higher, they don't receive nearly as many "go-backs" or warranty claims (i.e. sticking and clicking reeds).
Q3: Do the pro players need bigger gaps for bending or overblowing?
A3: No. Quite the opposite ... for overblowing type of playing, the reed gap tolerance would be very shallow (you would swear there was no gap at all!). I remember being back stage at the San Francisco Blues Festival, and a record producer/intermediate level harmonica player remarked to me that the custom harmonica he received from Jason Ricci (a maestro performer known for his overblowing type of playing) was impossible for him to play--all the reeds would "get stuck". People are surprised to learn that Jason Ricci does NOT breath heavily through his harmonica.
Q4: if I want to send you harps for service or tuning. How can I reach you and what is your address?
A4: Hi Erin, currently my "day job" monopolizes my calendar; therefore, I stopped taking new orders. I recommend you contact our friend and student of Master Harp Tech, Richard Sleigh--Jon Harl jonharl@mac.com (408)531-5755
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Kinya, many thanks!
i will get the Hohner Kit. Your example with Jason Ricci showed me that I (being the player) should do the adjustments of the gaps myself. I will start my tech training with the cheaper models in the beginning. :-)
When you are ready to tackle "overblow bending" type of playing (and harp setup) make certain you interface with Ross Garrens--our resident OB expert on this Forum.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hi Erin, welcome to the harmonica version of the Pleasure Hut! Once you enter, you'll never want to leave.
Q1. Is it true that the rocket is not good for beginners and if yes then why?
A1: False False FALSE. The Hohner Rocket is one of the best out-of-the-box harmonicas coming out of Germany (admittely better when set up by a skilled Harp Tech ;o)
Q2. I also bought the Rocket AMP but it felt not very airtight and not as responsive as the normal rocket model. Is it defect or does the AMP feel different from the normal Rocket?
A2: Nah, it simply has to be set up by a Harp Tech. If you have a nack for tinkering, I recommend watching our Harp Tech Series--where I will teach you how to become a Harp Tech. At the top of your screen, select EQUIPMENT, then scroll down to HARMONICAS and select the topic that piques your interest.
Q3. Should i choose one model from my shelf and pratice with it only beacuse switching too often in the beginning would ruin my training or doesnt it make a big difference and am i allowed to switch from day to day?
A3: Switching harmonicas is more about you, and your muscle memory--the harmonica doesn't care. And remember, if you break it--a skilled Harp Tech will fix it for you!
Check in with us from time to time Erin, I want to hear back from you.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya