SMOKEY
9 posts
Dec 17, 2008
7:30 PM
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Hey guys,
I'm now looking for a harp that sounds as close to a Marine Band as possible but has better quality. I love the sound and feel of the MB, and by feel I mean the shape of the harp in my hand and on my lips. I understand that lots of people feel that comb material does not affect tone all that much, but I FOR SOME REASON AM PARTIAL TO WOOD COMBS. Call it "heart", looks, soul.. I dunno.
I am wondering what harps you guys could suggest that have this criteria?
1. Tone like a Marine Band
2. Sealed wood comb, preferably rounded "teeth" and corners.
3. Tone like a marine Band LOL*
4. JI tunning or as close as possible (see 1 & 3)
5. Cost no more than 50 bucks (or so)
6. Screws NOT nails.
Jeff, I put your name on there cause I've been reading some of your posts and It seems like you know and have played quite a few harps in your day. I have heard you talk about he Marine band deluxe and the seydel (blues?) Solist Pro among others. If you got a few minutes, could you help a brother out>? THanks !
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oldwailer
379 posts
Dec 17, 2008
7:49 PM
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You need a custom MB, brother! I think Chris Michalek could help you out--might be a little over 50 bucks--but I'm going for it on my next harp. . .
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TylerLannan
33 posts
Dec 17, 2008
9:00 PM
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I believe what your looking for is a harp made by hohner. It's called the marine band. LOL. No but seriously I don't think that you'll find a harp with a tone like a MB without gettng an MB. Old wailer is right chris Michalek makes some phenomenal harps is what I'm told. I ordered one recently and expect it soon. He charges $85 for the lotus model harp, $10 to seal the comb, and $5 for screws instead of nails. I know $100 is pricey for a harp but you get what you pay for (see Jason riccis YouTube video on custom harps). If you get one don't expect it to sound like an out of the box marine band though. Instead it will sound like the best harp you've ever heard on steroids. You'll get better responsiveness, more air tight, BETTER tone, a sealed comb, longer life, and screws instead of nails. So kiss those days of the inherent marine band problems good bye cause it'll be the best harp you've ever played. Expect this of any custom work. Think of it this way, if people do that for a living and they weren't good at it or the product wasn't worth the price would they get good business? Don't cheat your self man. If you want the MB tone but not the problems, save up and go custom.
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*you can only keep what you have by giving it away*
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SMOKEY
10 posts
Dec 17, 2008
9:20 PM
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HA HA I like the way you guys think!!
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SMOKEY
11 posts
Dec 17, 2008
9:20 PM
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HA HA I like the way you guys think!!
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Jeff
172 posts
Dec 17, 2008
9:29 PM
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Smokey, sadly there really is no equivalent for under $50. The only diatonic harp on the market that sounds extremely close to the Marine Band yet is ultra-air tight and just-tuned is the new Suzuki Fabulous harp which is well over $200. Regardless of what people say about the 1847 or a Hering, a MB sounds like a MB. There's a reason the MB is the best selling harmonica model of all time.
If you haven't tried a Special 20 out, I would go that route and see what you think. It's a tad bit more air-tight with virtually the same MB sound (uses the exact same reeds). But if you tried a Suzuki, you'll be just as disappointed with the leakiness as you are with the MB. My biggest bit of advice is buy Rupert Oysler's DVD's and learn how to make your Marine Band into a $300 professional custom harp.
Until you take the step in working on your own stock harps, you'll always get stuck with the "luck of the draw" (which isn't even that good) or paying high prices for somebody else to do the work for you.
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True Blue
Guest
Dec 18, 2008
1:27 AM
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What utter crap!! Just about any harp on the market at around the same price is much better than a Marine Band. If you want to spend half your life fiddling with harps,and not playing them, then go ahead and get your beloved Marine Band otherwise do as the smart buyers do and get a decent harp that was designed and made with materials in this century!
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Andrew
26 posts
Dec 18, 2008
1:56 AM
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I think True Blue is overstating it, but he/she may not be far from the truth - I just closed down all the gaps in my new Golden Melody and it plays much better now and it's hard to decide what the difference is between it and the MBs. The GM is fatter so the lips come into it far more when I'm bending notes. I do prefer the thinner MBs in that respect, and there is a difference in sound, but I can't put my finger on what it is. As I said elsewhere, I had a Lee Oskar which I hated, but maybe if I'd had more experience and closed down all its gaps, I'd have liked it more.
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MrVerylongusername
62 posts
Dec 18, 2008
4:18 AM
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@True Blue
Amen.
Less time tinkering = more time playing = developing your embouchure/breathing so that you can get all the basic notes and bends (OK not OBs/ODs) easily on a stock harp.
@Andrew
The biggest difference between the GM and the MB is in the temperament. GMs are equal tempered, so the chords will sound a little harsher, but for single note melodies it will be more in tune. The MB is (very close to) Just Intonation. Chords are sweeter, but some notes sound a little flat.
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ramclean
9 posts
Dec 18, 2008
4:40 AM
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The Seydel Soloist Pro is as good as I have found. I like to rinse my harps; and, there has been no swelling with any of my Seydels. You might give them a try,
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Anonymous
Guest
Dec 18, 2008
7:01 AM
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My third post as a guest, and all three about Seydel harps!! LOL.. i'll get around to joining soon and getting a real name, i promise.
ANYWAY.. i have special 20s in a buncha keys and think they're great. BUT, if you really want wood (i know whta you're saying.. there IS just something nicer about them), then i'd agree with "ramclean" above -- Seydel's Solist Pro is absolutely AWESOME. sounds great, and also looks and feels very nice. nobody could possibly be disappointed with one of those. the sealed comb and rounded holes make it as comfortable to play as any plastic or stainless comb that i've tried so far.
one line summary: Seydel Solist Pro
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Jeff
174 posts
Dec 18, 2008
9:59 AM
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Ramclean, the Soloist Pro has a fully sealed comb. You would achieve no benefit from soaking your harp other than corroding and destroying your reeds. Soaking only temporarily works by making unsealed wood combs swell and form a more airtight seal.
Though, I like the Soloist Pro, it doesn't sound like a Marine Band. So I don't think it's what Smokey's looking for. The Soloist Pro has the same tuning but its tone is far more full-bodied and sweet. It doesn't have the crunchy honk of the Marine Band whatsoever. The styling of the harp is simply gorgeous though. It uses the same comb as the 1847.
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ramclean
10 posts
Dec 18, 2008
2:56 PM
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Jeff, I don't soak my harps; but, I do rinse them out. It seems to keep the smutz down.
Last Edited by on Dec 18, 2008 2:56 PM
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