Underwhelming Manji Experience
Hi Kinya!
I bought a Hohner Crossover in A over a year ago. Right out of the box, it played beautifully. As of today I can hit all bend notes except 10 blow half step (It is WIP :). Even 4 overblow is easily obtained without any tweaking! I got curious about trying other harps/keys, ended up buying Suzuki Manji in C. I can't help but feel a little underwhelmed. Suzuki has near perfect reed slot sizing, minimizing the need for embossing. Reeds are laser tuned. Assembly appears pretty airtight with 8 screws for reed plates and 2 front screws for covers. And yet I feel that Manji requires more air pressure for playing single notes, chords sound quieter and I almost run out of breath bending! I know keys of both harps are different so it is not really comparable, but here are my questions:
1) Do C harps naturally require more air pressure as compared to A? (Shouldn't the lower harp need more air, as reeds would be heavier?)
2) Do you think performance of harps improve if you play it for a certain period of time, as reeds get more used to vibrations? Is there a hope for my Manji to be more responsive/loud over some time if I keep on playing it?
Please suggest anything that you feel will help me.
Thanks!
I too feel Manji is an improvement over S20, but my point of reference is no longer S20! It is Crossover, which plays loudly with lightest of breath! I believe it was Richard Sleigh who said (or probably wrote) something to this effect: If you can bend a note on harmonica with it making lowest of sound and needing little air, you've a great harp.
With Crossover I have that from day one! I don't think I'd want to spend money on Manji anymore when Crossover is only a little more expensive, if not of the same price, and proven. After all Hohner's best diatonic model is Crossover, but Suzuki has more high end harmonicas over Manji, like Fire Breath or Fabulous.
Thanks, though!
This should possibly be in the general forum but given it started here let me be brief with a reply.
My curiosity got the better of me and my Crossover in C arrived today. I dont want to start a brand war but was interested. Bottom line can’t tell the difference between the Manji and the Crossover. Build quality, playability, draw bends volume no difference with the C harps tested. In a blind test I doubt that the tone could be differentiated either (Crossover might be a bit brighter). Worth the extra money, it’s a personal choice but for me I will be sticking to the Manji. Durability would be interesting to see. Not scientific test but settles it in my mind. Yes the A for me is an easier harp to play and to bend.
Hi Snarula, good to hear from you.
The Suzuki Manji and the Hohner Crossover--two exceptional diatonic harmonicas indeed! I've had the privelage of touring both factories; Hohner in Trossinger, Germany and Suzuki Musical Instruments located in Hamamatsu, Japan. Maybe I even witnessed your harmonicas being built!
Let me ponder my response to your queries and I will get back to you shortly.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hello again Snarula,
Q1: Do C harps naturally require more air pressure as compared to A? (Shouldn't the lower harp need more air, as reeds would be heavier?)
A1: Mechanically and empirically, I have not found C diatonic harmonicas to require more air pressure. Mechanically, I can verfiy this when using the Master Harp Sjoberg tuner. Empirically, with proper embochure (tongue positioning, pitch tuning, etc.) I can only "feel" imperceptible changes in air pressure.
Q2: Do you think performance of harps improve if you play it for a certain period of time, as reeds get more used to vibrations? Is there a hope for my Manji to be more responsive/loud over some time if I keep on playing it?
A1: Yes. Regardless of the Manufacture's secret receipe (reed material), reeds are "spring metal"--and with anything that bends (expanding and contracting), fatigue (softening) of the metal occurs. During this molecular process, players will enjoy a different type of playability in their instruments. The downside, of course, the reed would have reached the tipping point of it's lifespan, with funeral arrangements in the near future. Tip: save your little Tic-Tac containers or trade up to Altoids cannisters, they both make wonderful little coffins for retired reeds ;o)
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hi, " reeds are "spring metal"--and with anything that bends (expanding and contracting), fatigue (softening) of the metal occurs." The alloys thet the reeds are made from are placed under stress of stretching and compresion not expanding and contracting. When the reed is loaded with stress and then unloaded at a high frequency, the reed will become brittle and fail. Softening is not what has happened to the reed.
MX
Thank you John, Kinya and MX.
John thank you so much for taking your time to reply and share your experiences. I really appreciate it. I hope Crossover will, over time, prove itself worthy of your faith.
Kinya, you are simply great and inspire so much to know more and more about the tech behind this wonderful little instrument. Your answer has actually given me hope and has helped me.
MX, I thank you also for contributing.
Have a good day, y'all.
Thank you Snarula
Hey MX, good call for clarifying reed metallurgy.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
I have a number of Manji M20 and love them. They do have their own characteristics. Compared to a Special 20 the lower register is not as loud the middle is about the same and the higher register is much louder. It takes less air to start a tone at any register. Bending is about the same with some variation dependent on the harmonica key. BUT the exception is the Manji in the key of C. I purchased a Manji in the key of C due to my experience with other Manji harps. What a dog. I decided to replace the reed plates and there was a great improvement. I use it as my go to harp in C. Having said that the C Manji is not as loud as the Spcial 20 but it's tuning is much more accurate. Yes it has improved as I got used to it with the same characteristics mentioned related to other Manji M20s. Like the others the sound if far nicer than the S20 for my taste.