Oisin
73 posts
Jan 10, 2009
2:03 AM
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Ok...anyone tried it yet? Not really sure what makes it different from the description that Hohner gives (got to say I'm not very impressed with the Hohner website...it gives very basic info about it's harps)
The only good thing I can see is the price.
Adam...did they send you few to try out? What do you think?
Oisin
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tookatooka
69 posts
Jan 10, 2009
6:19 AM
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You find info about it here.
http://www.hohnerusa.com/index.php?1799
Sounds interesting but as Oisin says, only scant detail.
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kudzurunner
234 posts
Jan 10, 2009
8:41 AM
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I haven't tried it. Basically I have an arrangement with Hohner where I include their banner ad on my homepage for a certain (modest) fee and every 4-5 months they change up the add. I paste in new HTML code.
So no, I haven't tried it. I'd be interested in hearing from folks who have.
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oldwailer
434 posts
Jan 10, 2009
9:47 AM
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I haven't tried them either and they kind of tic me off--here's a quote from the site:
"A professional instrument designed for those learning to play the blues.
The Blues Bender features:
• Airtight construction for easier note bending
• Patented Acoustic Cover plates that allow for greater volume and projection. The shape of the cover increases the volume of the air between the reeds and cover plates which, when thrown into vibration and vented through the special side vents improves both volume and projection.
• Thicker reed plates for consistent tone
• Long lasting reeds"
Then, of course, later on--when you have learned to play better, I guess you would want to get a leaky piece of crap which plays at lower volume and bends harder and won't last very long. . .
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superchucker77
123 posts
Jan 10, 2009
12:44 PM
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It looks like a special 20 with blues harp cover plates vented at the sides. Why make a blues hap with a plastic comb? I will have to try one to know how bad it really is.
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Brandon Bailey
Superchucker77's Youtube
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isaacullah
19 posts
Jan 13, 2009
2:30 PM
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Hmmm... Seems like someone at Hohner has heard all the grumbling about the increase to the $30 range of all their baseline harp models (spec 20, Blues Harps, Marine Bands, etc), and instead of rolling back the prices of those harps, decided to make a "new" product to fit the original price range of their other standard harps($25). Now this is interesting becasue it tells me a few things about Hohner: 1) They actually ARE listening in on the various harp list serves and boards. 2) Even though they are listining in, they either are unable or are unwilling to capitulate to the customers, or they still really just don't get that most of us have a very clear idea of the fair price/quality ratio in a given product.
Now, it could be that the Blues Bender is a decent harmonica, or it could be a glorified Bluesband--I don't know yet. I do know that a SP20, a Blues Harp or a Marine Band is worth $25, not $30. I also know that a Bluesband is worth $10. A plastic-combed Blues Harp is worth $20, and already exisits: it is called a Big River. Now, a Bluesband with Blues Harp coverplates does not exist, but if it did, it would be worth $15. Where does the Blues Bender fit in here? I have to assume they are using a Bluesband comb with soemthing very similar to a Blues Harp coverplates. What are the reedplates like? They have to be lower quality than MS or SP20 reedplates, or else Hohner would be also selling this thing for $30. They can't be as bad as Bluesband reedplates or they'd be selling this thing for $15 (but probably closer $20 knowning Hohner). We'll just have to wait until someone on the board takes the plunge and buys one! I'm not gonna be the first one to do so, I can tell you that much.
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The magnificent YouTube channel of the internet user known as "isaacullah"
Last Edited by on Jan 13, 2009 2:33 PM
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MrVerylongusername
107 posts
Jan 13, 2009
2:52 PM
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The best meal I ever had was free.
The most expensive one was mediocre and left me hungry.
The most fun I ever had cost me nothin' - except a meal out and bottle of wine ;-)
The best mic element I own cost me £2 ($3)
Quality does not always equate to material cost. I have no doubt that this is a mass produced, Chinese made harp. That in itself is not a bad thing, plenty of other models that people consider to be "quality" brands fit those criteria.
My interest is raised enough for me to shell out for one of these along the line. Vented MB style cover plates on a plastic bodied harp - sounds good to me. The financial equivalent of two rounds at the pub isn't going to break me.
I'm going to reserve judgement until I've actually played one.
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Patrick Barker
162 posts
Jan 13, 2009
8:30 PM
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According to the website the harp officially comes out on the 15th at the Namm show (a famous musicians show where a bunch of companies' new gear is shown off) in Anaheim- If only I didn't have finals next week I'd go to the event and try one out...
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"Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
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danielbs
35 posts
Jan 14, 2009
2:43 AM
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It looks like Hohner are trying to cash in another way by mass producing another harp insted of focusing on improving the quality of what they make now.
I just received the three MB in ordered. All of them need to be re-tuned. they just sound BAD.
The only reason i bought them was because i have small hands.. (-:
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Blackbird
32 posts
Jan 27, 2009
10:13 PM
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I couldn't resist. I just ordered one via Amazon for $17.99. Expected to be here the first week of February. I'll let you know if it lives up to the bendability it promises.
I've still got a long way to go to master the technique of bending notes, and based on other harp bending responses, I'll use its out of the box condition to benchmark the ease or difficulty of it all.
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mdbct
2 posts
Jan 29, 2009
10:55 AM
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Just got a C and a Bb... plastic comb like the SP20 is nice (if you want a plastic comb), screws instead of pins could be handy if you're into going in there for anything, the covers are open on the sides like the MB which, I guess should give you better airflow / volume or whatever, but... somehow didn't end up with "the best of both." I still prefer either the SP20 or the MB to this new model. (sorry, Hohner!)
I didn't find it noticeably easier (or more difficult) to bend than any of the others, though there may be some technical difference in the quality of the reeds...? dunno, not really my thing as I haven't been playing long enough to blow out a harp and kind of don't expect that I will anyway.
All that being said, I should add a disclaimer to mention that I really don't hear all THAT big a difference in tone between most of the harps I have. My biggest "thing" about them is mostly how they feel when you hold/play them. (Kinda silly, but it's about all I've got at this point) With that in mind, the slightly wider front of the BB (like the MB vs SP20) feels kind of awkward without the MB's flare out in the back, and the covers don't quite feel as stiff/sturdy as the others somehow.
So, again, I like the SP20 and the MB better than the new Blues Bender, but don't really see anything wrong with it. If you're into having one of everything, give it a shot. If you already have a favorite, I doubt this will take its place.
.02
-Mike
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Axident
13 posts
Jan 30, 2009
4:39 AM
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mdbct,
If you are all about the feel of a harp, you should try a Susuki Bluesmaster. Many will agree that they are one of the most comfortable harps. I just got my first one about a week ago and I love it! So much smoother on the lips than my Golden Melody. Just my two cents (with todays economy making it less than a whole cent)
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DaDoom
34 posts
Jan 30, 2009
5:17 AM
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@Axident
I must agree that the Bluesmaster really has a nice feel on the lips. It's so thin that no one should have a problem sticking it deep inside his mouth cavity. The more I play the more I discover that this is actually one of the big mistkes I do (and I suppose that other beginners do as well): I tend to loose contact with the harp when I move to the upper holes. Having a harp that slides well and fits well into your mouth sure does help.
Still I'm not a fan of the Bluesmaster. It has a very thin sound compared to other harps - but maybe it's just me...
I'll try the Blues Bender if I can get one. Not easy to buy harps here.
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Blackbird
35 posts
Jan 31, 2009
4:00 PM
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I picked up the Blues Bender today, and my official (and early) verdict is: Disappointment.
What I see in construction is a Special 20 comb with hybrid cover plates taking elements from the Special 20 and Marine Band 1896 models. The disadvantage of the design is that the harp is thicker and doesn't fit into my mouth as well as the lower profile covers of many other models do. This made it feel more airy in trying to get a good seal, or caused me to strain a bit to bend.
Oh, yeah! Bending! That's what this was marketed to do easily! And it does. Possibly not as well as a harp hand set up to bend by someone who knows what they're doing, but it bends as well out of the box as my other harps that have simply been broken in and played for a while, regardless of model.
The tone isn't anything remarkable. Not distinct like a MB, or a Lee Oskar, etc. The 3 draw, when bent hard, does have an unattractive ring to it that suggests the reed isn't centered correctly. Ugh.
Bottom line: Playable harp for the price, but no advantages over anyone else's harp for a few dollars more, and some play time to break it in. I'll work with this one for a while to see how it does over time, but I'm not anticipating buying many (if any) more. Maybe the lower harps, that are harder to bend could be an advantage to this model. I bought mine in C, because I know that tone and response the best.
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scstrickland
1 post
Feb 04, 2009
1:12 PM
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I got one today, and I got what I paid for. A cheap harmonica. Looks cheap and feels cheap. It has more in common with a Blues Band than the higher quality Hohners. I find nothing special in the way it plays. I'll stick to Blues Harps and MBs, they are worth the extra $10
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DanP
20 posts
Feb 06, 2009
11:26 AM
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Thanks, Blackbird. I quess that's why it costs less than $20.
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