Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

Questions regarding harmonica models, styles, technique, history... pretty much anything!

Bending using different harmonica

Posted Fri, 05/04/2018 - 20:33 by anton_andriyano...

Hello Winslow,

I learned to bend with the Hohner Marine Band. Recently, I got the Yonberg D2 Typhoon and it is like I never even bent before. After several days of practicing I still can't bend.

Both harmonicas are in the Kay of A .Yonberg has steel reeds vs bronse reeds of the Marine Band. Yonberg is also a well airtight harmonica whichi thought should help in bending.

The question is, how much influence does it make a diferent brand and whether it is worth fighting the new harmonica and is better to stick the one that works? continue reading...

2 comments

Rattling Chromatic

Posted Wed, 04/25/2018 - 00:27 by Finnegan

Hallo Winslow,

I have got the problem that my new chromonica 280 rattles on some of the holes. SomeIt sounds like buffering plastic. I have read that the valves can be the problem. Now I don't know what to do. Should I send it back to get a new one? Can I do something without opening the harp? I' m not confident in my ability to repair it and afraid of destroying it.

Can you please give me an advice what i should do?

Thanks and kind regards

Finnegan

1 comment

Steel reeds harder to play as steel is harder than brass?

Posted Sun, 04/15/2018 - 22:19 by Erin303

I bought a Seydel 1847 and a Seydel session Steel and for both of them I have the feeling that I have to use more ‘pressure’ to get out the tones. I think the reed gaps are ok. None get stuck and no tone comes late like with a too big gap. Is it possible that it just feels heavier because steel is harder than brass and therefore harder to move or is it indeed a gapping problem?

12 comments

Sonny Terry with Brownie McGhee

Posted Sat, 04/07/2018 - 12:01 by mainmark

Hello Winslow;

I was wondering, as I don't have any of their music yet, (Sonny Terry with Brownie McGhee), if Sonny played acoustic or amplified harp or both, both performing and/or recording. Also when Sonny recorded solo.

Thanks

2 comments

Larry Adler Signature 64 vs. Hohner 280/64

Posted Thu, 03/22/2018 - 05:11 by raifaamin

Hi!

I think this is the place where I can ask about harmonica models.

Hohner 280/64 and Larry Adler Signature 64 - apart from covers and may be the outer box, they are pretty much identical in dimensions. Hohner C-shop says they use identical comb, mouthpiece and slide parts. Do you know if there's any difference in reed work between those two harmonicas? Like Crossover and MB Deluxe have interchangable reeds but they're still different. Is that the case in LAS 64 and 280/64 reed plates?

Thanks!