Special 20 and Rocket, both G
I received today my new G Rocket, that I could compare to my current G Special 20.
I was surprised that bending is different, and easier to get with good tone on the Special 20 without playing louder (a very recently acquired ability!).
Holes 4 and 6 are very similar.
Hole 2 bends to the same pitch, but weaker and with hissing, as if most of the air was failing at moving the reed (2 draw without bending is fine).
Hole 3 is worse. If I dip it the same way as for the Special 20, it fails. Without dipping, 3' is harder to find, and 3'' sounds raucous.
My hypotheses:
- Harmonica models respond differently, even same key and same brand (and same "series" in the brand). I have to take some time to "tame" my new Rocket before wondering about the differences.
- Rockets are more "pro" and difficult to master, and for example more sensitive to the "openness" of my throat (for example, on the chromatic I still can't get 1 draw to respond without a delay, so I know I still need to progress on that, even if low holes on the diatonic don't choke any more). Maybe I should keep to Special 20s before being ready for Rockets?
- Those models are set up differently, and what I experience is for example different default reed gapings, or something like that. If that was the case, I don't know if I should "correct" it using your lessons, or rather try to adapt to it if I can?
To make it short: what kind of reasons can make bending different on those two G harmonicas? And is it something I should correct (with your lessons), or tame?
NB: I have got a repair kit, now that I have a cheap Fender harmonica to experiment with ;^)
Hello All, the subject of mastering bending on the Diatonic harmonica can keep you up at nights ;o)
The Hohner Rocket is a louder harmonica than it's first cousin, the Special 20. The three reasons for this are structural: [a] the Rocket cover plates have extremely large side vents, [b]wide open rear projection, and [c] larger channels in the comb/mouthpiece. The player can literally pass more volume of air through the Hohner Rocket (that's why I luv this harp ;o)
The reason the Rocket and Special 20 models are similar is because their reeds and reed plates are IDENTICAL. If you like the muted voicing of the Special 20, I recommend you swap those cover plates onto your Rocket.
Please review, the Big Cover Up, Episode 5 of HARPSMITH Bench
https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harpsmith_bench
If after swaping cover plates, you find bending differences, then I recommend you review an earlier Harp Tech Study Video on Reed GAPPING
https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harp_tech_study_4_reed_gapping
Enjoy the journey!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hello, I finally made my swapping experiments.
I tried first to swap only the cover plates. I was surprised to see it does affect bending! Not because it changes the bending spots, but because the different sound make noises more or less prominent. The "hissing" effect, and differences of sound quality, are more audible with Rocket cover plates.
Then I swapped only the reed plates. The result was to make my Rocket more responsive to bending, so there is a difference in the reed settings, all differences was not my own flaws! However, the original Rocket reed plates on the Special 20 are only a bit less responsive; the difference is less audible that originally on the Rocket. Special 20 cover plates seem to result in a more forgiving sound and bending imprecisions.
Now that I confirmed that there was a difference in the original Rocket reeds setting, I watched your lessons about reed gapping, and I checked visually for differences. It seems the (original) Rocket low reeds had both a wider gap (only a visual estimation) and a different profile: it seems that the reeds start "arching" at the middle on the reed, while on the more responsive same reeds their gap becomes visible closer to the rivet. I could not check for sure the movement because I have no lighted plate. All I can say is that they are visually different.
My questions become:
First, should I try to "correct" the reeds or is it too soon? Maybe this setting (wider gaps and different profiles) were intended for the louder design of the Rocket? Should I wait for my bending skill to become more stable? Then maybe that if I swap reed plates back, I could find the original setting suits me after all?
Second, I was disappointed to see that my new Hohner Service Kit does not contain the required tools for reed gapping! Do you know the thinkness of the plinking and hook tool (at their heels)? Are they usable as feeler gauges?
Hi Eric, I commend you on your experimentation and self discovery!
The new harmonicas coming out of Trossingen, Germany these days are calibrated very well. My recommendations is to work on your bending techniques for awhile before tackling reed gapping.
Can you please send me a photo of the contents of your Hohner Service Kit?
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Is a photo necessary? It seems exactly the contents that you show in your lesson about kits.
As for example in this link: https://www.thomann.de/fr/hohner_service_kit.htm
There are no feeler gauges, but maybe it is a hidden feature that the thickness of the two flat tools is designed to make useful gauges?
Anyway, I will defer working on reed gapping my usual instruments, until my bending skills are better. Thanks for making that clear. I will begin by tinkering with other cheaper or less useful harmonicas.
Hi Eric, Germany's Seydel offers a nice Feeler Gauge set
https://www.seydel1847.de/Feeler-Gauge
The blade of your HOHNER reed wrench measures 0.15mm (.009”)
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
One more thing Eric, you can easily (soft brass) sand the edges of your Hohner tools to create the necessary .002" (.05mm) and .004" (.10mm) thicknesses.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Interesting topic…I feel that the Rocket needs more air to produce sound than the SP20, perhaps it makes me out of air more easily… I assume the cause is the size of the holes….or my poor technique.
The SP20 lets me play with less air, and become more responsive.
Same scenario with bending. I need more air, and feel that the bending steps are more difficult to control and to produce a good clear sound.
Maybe depending on your playing style, one model works better than others….