Aussiesucker
6 posts
Jul 21, 2008
2:14 PM
|
On youtube Brendan Power has a series of videos on the release of the "Fabulous" range of Suzuki Harps. I note on previous threads that much discussion was about the new JI tuning. The "Fabulous" diatonic offers this. Looks good but I reckon it might be a bit pricey for everyday use? www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmLx2CBVu_A
|
Patrick Barker
91 posts
Jul 21, 2008
10:41 PM
|
looks interesting... I wonder how expensive they'll be.
----------
"Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
|
Jeff
134 posts
Jul 22, 2008
7:23 AM
|
A site selling it in Japan already has it listed at 14,000 yen = $132.
|
AW
1 post
Jul 22, 2008
7:32 AM
|
Prices for Japanese products in Japan are often more than in other countries (go figure.)
Looking at the prices for other suzuki harmonicas, the promaster and overdrive were cheaper and the hammond was actually more expensive in the U.S.
Doing the math, the price range for the Suzuki Fabulous would be 94-135.
I'd bet they price it under the psychologically important hundred bucks.
Last Edited by on Jul 22, 2008 8:06 AM
|
Jeff
135 posts
Jul 22, 2008
8:07 AM
|
Yeah, I calculated out the ratio differences and the Fabulous came out to $101.
Regardless, I think we can all see that this is going to be much more expensive than even Suzuki's other high-price diatonics.
I'm still getting a few, though, lol. Bb, A, D will be on order.
|
Jeff
136 posts
Jul 22, 2008
8:51 AM
|
On another board, Joe Spiers stated that the Fabulous is so good, that it's going to weed out the wannabe customizers. This harp is going to be the hottness - definitely worth $100.
|
AW
2 posts
Jul 22, 2008
10:47 AM
|
Which tuning did you order?
|
Jeff
137 posts
Jul 22, 2008
11:35 AM
|
I haven't ordered yet. But Just-Intonation hands down. It's one of the main reasons I'm even buying the harp.
I can't stand Equal-Temperament for Chicago style blues. The chords sound horrible.
I absolutely love Suzuki's air-tightness. But because they always used short-slot reeds and Equal Temperament tuning, I continue to put up with the sub-par'ness of Hohners. This new harp is what I've been dreaming Suzuki would make. It plays on the same level as a professional custom harp. And that's coming from the mouths of customizers!
Last Edited by on Jul 22, 2008 11:46 AM
|
DutchBones
15 posts
Jul 22, 2008
11:56 PM
|
Played one last weekend... heavy, small, smooth, stylish and a great feel to it (also in the mouth)... never knew that bending could be so easy.....out of my price league though, but if I had the money I would buy a whole set and throw my other harps away.....
oh yeah...and I looove the sound....but you guessed that already I'm sure...
|
oldwailer
124 posts
Jul 23, 2008
8:58 PM
|
Maybe I'm missing something--or I'm just being dumb--but isn't a Bushman Delta Frost a customized Suzuki in Just Tuning? The reeds are the same length as a MB--and they are great harps for about $30.
What is better about this new Suzuki--besides the 3x price tag?
This might sound like a challenge--I don't mean it that way--I just don't understand the differences here???
|
AW
3 posts
Jul 24, 2008
4:56 AM
|
I have no idea about the reed differences. Obviously there is the significant cost difference.
There is the metal comb which some may prefer.
There are the suzuki coverplates which would also be a preference thing. Personally, I like the sooth to the end coverplates of the suzkuis. Some of the plates that flatten down on the comb before the end (the more classic harmonica look, MB, DF, Lee Oskar)have cut into my lips when I'm playing a lot a repetative 1-2 hole riffs. (especially the Lee Oskar)
So the interesting quesion is: if you can put Delta Frost replacement reeds on a Promaster comb and plates, is it much different than the Fabulous?
|
Jeff
138 posts
Jul 24, 2008
7:44 AM
|
There's a huge difference.
A Delta Frost is simply Bluesmaster reeds in a Harpmaster's coverplates: it's Equal Temperament tuning with short slot reeds. Short slot reeds make the Delta Frost and all Suzuki's have a very bright and buzzy tone. The deep, darker and crunchier tone the Marine Band is famed for is because it has long-slot reeds. Long slot reeds also make overblowing *much* easier.
Suzuki has never offered any of its harps in just-intonation tuning. This harp will sound completely different for the rest of its line. Essentially it will sound like a Special 20/Marine Band but with the amazing air-tightness of a Delta Frost/Suzuki.
|
AW
4 posts
Jul 24, 2008
7:54 AM
|
Hey Jeff,
On which board did Joe Speirs comment about the Fabulous?
|
Jeff
139 posts
Jul 24, 2008
8:03 AM
|
This board and Bushman's - he's ChoppaJoe over there.
|
Jeff
140 posts
Jul 24, 2008
8:07 AM
|
Here's the post where he states it's going to weed out the wannabe customizers:
http://deltafrost.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4352&PN=10
|
oldwailer
126 posts
Jul 24, 2008
5:41 PM
|
Hey, Jeff,
What does it mean, "short slot reeds?" I held a Delta frost reed plate right up next to a MB classic plate--they look to be the same measurements to me, but maybe you mean something else?
The Delta Frost does sound good to me with the kind of harp I play--maybe I just don't have a good enough ear--I thought they were just tuned--but I sure could be wrong about that. . .
|
Aussiesucker
11 posts
Jul 24, 2008
7:21 PM
|
Too technical for me?? I dont have any Delta Frosts but have a swag of Suzukis and a few MB's. If the Delta Frost is supposed to be Bluesmaster reeds with a Harpmaster cover plate then the Bluesmaster reed plate is very different (larger) than the MB. The closest fit would be the Suzuki Folkmaster which is almost identical in size to a MB.
Too much information!!!
----------
|
oldwailer
128 posts
Jul 24, 2008
8:54 PM
|
Yeah--me too, Aussie! I think my head is about to explode--maybe I'll just go play a little. . .
|
Jeff
141 posts
Jul 25, 2008
7:51 AM
|
Hey guys,
It has nothing to do with the size of the reedplate. We're talking about the literal length of the reed and the slot that the reed vibrates in. The longer that chamber is for the reed to vibrate in, the deeper, richer and darker the sound is going to be.
But a lot of players out there (especially folk, bluegrass, country, jazz) love the brighter cleaner sound of short-slot reeds. I think most blues guys would rather have the darker crunchier sound of the long-slots. I'm just grateful to see Suzuki finally catering to both camps as they're the most technically sound and reliable harps out there IMHO.
|
oldwailer
133 posts
Jul 25, 2008
10:08 PM
|
OK Jeff,
I did some further research, and I finally got it--the reed slot on the 1 blow of a Marine Band is about 1/16th of an inch longer than in the Bushman.
This doesn't sound like a lot--but we harpists deal in a microcosm where a single stroke of a file on a reed can make it go sharp. The smallest motion of the tounge can bend a note and make it wail--and ten holes in 4 1/2 inches can make thousands of sounds that are always new and exciting. In this universe, 1/16th of an inch is a virtual chasm.
Thanks for being patient with me. I now see the light--I'm gonna go throw my bushman's away. . .
NAHH! I still kind of like the little scuppers!! Maybe I can us 'em to make a hat band!
|
Anonymous
Guest
Aug 19, 2008
10:41 AM
|
The "Fabulous" diatonic harps sold at SPAH 2008 for $199. They will be in production Dec. 08. Should be in the $195 range. Check Harp-l post for details.
|
Jeff
151 posts
Aug 19, 2008
10:18 PM
|
I finally got an answer from Suzuki, the Fabulous is being released in September. They said the American price is STILL being worked out....
|
bluesnut
31 posts
Aug 20, 2008
8:42 PM
|
are suzuki's really all that? also which models are tuned like hohner mb's
Last Edited by on Aug 20, 2008 8:42 PM
|
MD1032
7 posts
Aug 23, 2008
9:07 PM
|
I have a Suzuki, a Bluesmaster in Ab. It's really not a bad harp. It came well-tuned and extremely well spec'd (no adjustments required on my part at all), has nice construction (although the holes are bigger and offset to the right) and is really, really easy to play, but I personally do not prefer its tone. Like the marine band, it's brighter and has more of an edge than other harps, but IMO, there's too much edge and buzziness to the sound for my taste. There's a good amount of lower-end harmonics and crunch that the MB really shows that just isn't there in the Bluesmaster. Also, this harp is already showing some signs of wear after about 10 hours or so of playing. I think they use thinner reeds more prone to wear and tear.
That's really interesting, oldwailer. That is an absolutely humongous difference in length, especially for such a small instrument.
|
oldwailer
155 posts
Aug 24, 2008
2:23 PM
|
Yeah, it's a weird thing, I like my LO's a lot--and I love my Bushman's with the great gritty bends--The blues harps are good but not loud enough for acoustic--even my Big Rivers are pretty OK when I'm jammin. But, somehow, in spite of all this, when I want to really wail and the blues got me good--I reach for a Marine Band or Special 20--screw everything else.
Of course, I still want to try a Seydel--and anything else that comes along!
|
