KingBiscuit
42 posts
Apr 30, 2011
9:12 PM
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@shaneboylan
Who gives a shit what you think about Lee Oskars? Do you think your thread is going to cause others to dislike them too? I don't like Marine Bands, but I don't complain to everyone how much they suck. I just don't buy them. Simple as that. If you don't like Lee Oskars, don't buy them. Is it really that hard to understand? Do you really sit around and think "man, Lee Oskars really suck"? From your opening comments, it sounds like this has been an obsession of yours for a while and you just had to get it out.
Try spending more time enjoying the music, you might find that it doesn't matter which harp someone plays. As long as the person playing it likes it, it's good.
Dan
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nacoran
4097 posts
Apr 30, 2011
10:48 PM
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Chromatic, they do have some other Tombo models. It's near impossible to get them in the States though. Todd Parrot has a review of one on YouTube.
KingBiscuit, check out the date on the original post. You are yelling at a two year old post. :)
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Nate
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Gnarly
27 posts
May 01, 2011
12:41 AM
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It may be an old thread, but thanks for continuing to unravel it.
I wanted to like LO harps but they don't overblow well (altho folks can do it) and they don't have the deep tone of some other harps (altho folks can get great sounds out of them!).
So I stopped buying them . . . but they aren't really bad harps, like some of those cheapos we all detest. I am definitely going to do what I said and convert some to just tuned major cross.
Any clues as to what that might entail? I can start by simply flatting the thirds, and using my ear--might try making a chart based on the marine band 7-limit table.
This just in--I tried it, not that great (the IV chord is NOT in tune)--I am leaving just for the amplified blues guys.
Last Edited by on May 02, 2011 10:58 PM
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chromaticblues
813 posts
May 01, 2011
2:57 PM
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@ Nacoran Yes I'm aware. They are short slot harps. If they don't sell them in the US it doesn't matter!
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groyster1
1021 posts
May 01, 2011
4:48 PM
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my take on lee oskars is that they are very durable I liked the idea of replaceable reed plates but they last and last and all 5 I own still play as good as new but I much prefer special 20s I just dont like the sounds of harps tuned to equal temperament
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slimjim
5 posts
May 18, 2011
3:52 PM
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My main gripe with my one LO, a D diatonic, is the taste of the comb. It's quite unpleasant. And being a beardy guy, I sometimes get stray hairs caught in it too. I like the sound though, and find it relatively easy to play. But MBs and SP20s are my preference by a long way.
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Rubes
317 posts
May 18, 2011
4:15 PM
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Custom combs do them a lot of good..... :~)
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Big Daddy Ray
17 posts
Jul 21, 2011
6:56 PM
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I had one back when I first started a couple years ago. Something about it made it feel like a toy to me. I never played it.
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MakaInOz
42 posts
Jul 21, 2011
8:20 PM
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I learnt on a LO. I've tried a couple of other brands but found it easier to stick to the same hole layout. I've only got majors, but all keys, plus a LoF and spares of G, A and C. I haven't had one that didn't work OK out of the box (as with all mass produced brands, they can be improved). They're reasonably easy to buy in Oz (too expensive in bricks and mortar!). They hold their markings better than the Hohners I've had, but you can take the markings off if you use a washing soda solution that is a bit too strong to clean harps. LOs do like to 'borrow' moustache hairs a bit!
Never blown one out.
Last Edited by on Jul 21, 2011 8:21 PM
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1847
86 posts
Jul 20, 2012
3:59 PM
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i have only own a few of these harps
but i will say this
wed nite went to see the 44s
tex nakamura is one of the best local players anywhere
pretty sure he uses lee oskars
then last nite the local blues jam
was hosted by billy watson another top player
once again pretty sure he was using a lee oskar
i think i'll stick to my seydels
but it is more the player than the harp
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Joe_L
1941 posts
Jul 20, 2012
4:44 PM
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Tex Nakamura is a fantastic player.
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nacoran
5991 posts
Jul 20, 2012
7:56 PM
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Lol! Old thread flash back! Until yesterday I only had three complaints about Lee Oskars. Now I have four. (That said, they are still, because of their intersection on the price/quality curve my go to harp.)
So, what don't I like? I don't like that their licensing agreement means it's really hard to try other Tombo's in the states. Second, I don't like those square cut-outs on the end. They catch my mustache, which is particularly annoying because the lip of the harp is really good at NOT catching my mustache, so these weird holes seem to just cause problems for the sake of causing problems. Third, the screws are a tad too short. You almost have to over tighten them to get them to stay on, which, combined with the slight arc of the cover plates (usually a good feature that holds the covers on firmly in the middle) instead turns into spring that launches the nuts and screw off into oblivion.
The fourth issue goes back to business model issues. That screw problem was really bugging me so I sent them an email, asking if they might consider upgrading it, or more likely, failing that, if they had any DIY advice (like screw #'s for screws that would work better.) It wasn't the first time I'd emailed LO/Tombo, and it wasn't the first time I hadn't gotten a response. It was, however, the first time they'd read my email, harvested my email for their mailing list and still not responded to the email.
I have had a similar problem with Time Warner Cable. I call with a complaint and they try to upsell me to a higher speed connection despite the fact that I was calling because they were failing to deliver anything close to the speeds they promised at the lower tier. I know businesses are always pushing to get more customers and get the customers they already have to spend more, but when you try to upsell at the same time you are ignoring them it's something that loses you customers. I'm going to send them another complaint letter, and the results may well determine if I switch brands.
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Nate
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didjcripey
341 posts
Jul 21, 2012
5:40 AM
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Love em. Long lasting (even for someone who PLAYS TOO HARD)
Easy to play, mellow tone, well priced
Black and chrome: say no more.
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Lucky Lester
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MrVerylongusername
2413 posts
Jul 21, 2012
6:11 AM
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The only time I wrote to Lee Oskar - about availability of keys in certain tunings - I got a handwritten reply from Lee, a full colour catalogue, a bunch of stickers and a handsigned photo. That all came very swiftly in the post in the days before email (and I live in the UK).
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Miles Dewar
1356 posts
Jul 21, 2012
7:59 AM
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"instead turns into spring that launches the nuts and screw off into oblivion."
LMAO! I don't have ONE Lee Oskar that has both of the screws!
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atty1chgo
410 posts
Jul 21, 2012
8:22 AM
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What is noticeable is that there isn't a Suzuki bitching thread or a Hohner bitching thread or a Seydel bitching thread. That tells me something. Won't waste my money on them.
Last Edited by on Jul 21, 2012 8:22 AM
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MrVerylongusername
2414 posts
Jul 21, 2012
8:46 AM
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Actually this very old thread came into existence, if I recall correctly, because the original poster was fed up with a thread that was discussing the failings and design flaws of the Marine Band.
My memory ain't what it used to be, but I can recall threads criticising just about every brand of harp there is.
"It is more the player than the harp" - wisest words in this thread so far
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atty1chgo
412 posts
Jul 21, 2012
8:49 AM
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Well, at least Lee Oskar is a top player that uses his harps.
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MP
2356 posts
Jul 21, 2012
2:05 PM
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"instead turns into spring that launches the nuts and screw off into oblivion."
hah!! you know, it's true. the cover plates were designed by a guy who fancied catapults or had an interesting sense of humor.
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MP
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Jehosaphat
268 posts
Jul 21, 2012
3:22 PM
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I get a new L/O
Disassemble
Gap
Adjust tuning
emboss holes 1. 2 3
open the backs of the cover plates
Drill out the cover plate and comb holes to accommodate a nice small chrome bolt.Gives them a nice 'industrial look (imo) and makes life much easier
No more losing the tiny bolts and nuts that come standard.
Together with a wooden comb these are very nice harps.
Takes me about 20 minutes max.
Last Edited by on Jul 21, 2012 3:23 PM
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