JoetheMagician
15 posts
May 04, 2009
5:43 AM
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So I blew out my C harp Marine Band. It is probably about time. I have had it for a year now. I am too rough with my playing.
Any hoo there is a reason for this post. I remember Jason Ricci saying something about the Suzuki Fire Breath being able to overblow right out of the box. I have found one here http://www.musicianswebstore.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MR500 for about 100 dollars.
I know that there are custom harm makers out there, and was wondering what would be my better choice.
I need to know what would be a better investment for my self. I would need to be able to get replacement reeds for the harp eventually.
Do Suzuki Fire Breaths have replacement reeds. If so where and how much. Who should I look at for a custom harp.
I don't want to spend a ridiculous amount but replacing harps is expensive. I see myself playing for years to come and at 30.00 a pop for Marine Bands I think that I should quit whining and get a custom or high end harp.
I look forward to your responses.
:)
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Joe Jesse
Last Edited by on May 04, 2009 5:44 AM
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Grillslinger
53 posts
May 04, 2009
6:08 AM
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Your best option: Get one from Chris and get the lesson that comes with it. If you don't change the way you play, you'll never stop blowing out harps....including customs. That would be your best investment.
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Buddha
350 posts
May 04, 2009
6:13 AM
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Thanks Grillslinger!
www.buddhaharps.com
here is the most recent response from a customer who received his package over the weekend.
"I got the package in this morning. The quality and workmanship is unbelievable! The response of the harps is what I've been looking for. I want to thank you for a job WELL DONE. I will be doing some extensive playing on these harps for the next couple of days. My first response is
AWESOME!!"
Last Edited by on May 04, 2009 6:15 AM
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oda
92 posts
May 04, 2009
6:28 AM
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Joe, I was wondering the same thing. I think Grillslinger is right -- harp + lesson is the best deal.
For out of the box I'd recommend Seydel 1847 as opposed to the firebreath. I think the 1847 is the best out of the box. Then there's that B-radical harmonica and the Marine Band Cross over coming out soon -- lots of interesting things to try out.
I haven't gotten my Custom harp from Buddha yet, but based on the reviews I'm looking forward to it, and you should too :)
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harper
18 posts
May 04, 2009
6:38 AM
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Joe, I would like to echo what both Jason Ricci and Yogi Gussow have said in past videos. Part of building your chops is learning to do advanced techniques on out of the box instruments. Both Jason and Adam have said that they learned to do overblows on out of the box marine bands. If you do not learn how to do advanced techniques on these "standard" harps then it might be a sign that you need to work on your breath control, and no harp can sound that good no matter how much you spend if you do not have proper breath control. Plus, if you're blowing out your harps that fast then I would recommend that you buy a cheapie that you can really beat the crap out of and experiment with; and save one that you really like and play it very conservatively until you feel comfortable with your overblows and those difficult intermediary bends.
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Buddha
352 posts
May 04, 2009
6:51 AM
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building chops on the out the box is not a good idea if you want to progress. Seriously other than harmonica players who does that?
I learned OBs on out of the box harps just like jason and adam and HEY Ya know what? custom harps didn't exist back then but they do now.
Everything is easier, better and more precise on custom harps. I posted a lesson with one of my student Roberto. He's been playing for about a year and look at how advanced he is. That's what a good harp and good instructor will get you.
simply put playing out of box instruments is a fool's game.
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chromaticblues
47 posts
May 04, 2009
6:59 AM
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budda makes a good point. Thats why I learned how to do it myself(well after someone showed me some stuff that pointed me in the right direction).
Budda I know your trying to make a living and respect that, but I also believe that learning to work on your own harps will make you a better player!
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Buddha
353 posts
May 04, 2009
7:02 AM
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chromaticblues,
I help people with setting up their own harps. It's not about money with me. There are many people on this forum that I have helped with tips on setting up harps. I believe a well set up instrument is key to forward progress.
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jaymcc28
38 posts
May 04, 2009
7:16 AM
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"Seriously other than harmonica players who does that?"
Chris makes a great point. I'm not a musician of any sort. I'm addicted to playing the harmonica but I'm not that good. Prior to picking up the harp I picked up an electric bass on the cheap on EBay. I had fun with it and learned a few licks but didn't put the time in. A good friend came over who happens to be an excellent guitarist. He picked up the bass, plucked a few notes, then proceeded to 'set it up' for me, tightening/loosening the neck with the allen wrench, etc. What a difference it made. In this example I was trying to play the bass "out of the box".
Chris, I'm hoping to convince my bride and kids to hook me up for Fathers Day. I was thinking about getting a lesson from a local pro. However, your custom harp with the lesson sounds like a GREAT deal so I hope to contact you soon about it. We'll see if I "hit a home run" on Mothers Day that might incline her reciprocate appropriately!
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tookatooka
214 posts
May 04, 2009
7:25 AM
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Joe. Not sure but the Suzuki Promaster MR350 plates may fit the Firebreath. I've had plates before from Suzuki and always found them to be fine Out of the Box.
I can get them in the UK but not sure about where you are.
Customs are fine if that's the way you want to go but it's nice to be able to get a replacement for your harp by return of post instead of being put on a waiting list for months.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
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JoetheMagician
16 posts
May 04, 2009
8:10 AM
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Wow. Thanks for all the input. I understand the value of a "properly set up instrument." After beating my guitar for the first few years I had a guy set it up. Lowered the action and changed the plastic nut to ivory. BIG DIFFERENCE.
I know that technique his a big part as well. It usually takes a few months to blow out the reeds. I would like the ease of just replacing the reeds if need be.
I have a pretty busy performing schedule and getting time to learn how to set up a harp on my own it hard. I have watched some clips on youtube on how to set up the harp. I DESTROYED 3. HEHEHE. I don't mind though. It was a learning experience.
Chris Call me. 843-251-2219 Your site isn't fully set up and I would appreciate the talk. I have a couple of questions.
Thanks again guys.
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Joe Jesse
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lumpy wafflesquirt
50 posts
May 04, 2009
9:06 AM
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"Seriously other than harmonica players who does that?"
I think you'll find very few brass player do anything to their instruments, certainly none I have known in 20+ ears of Big band playing. And I have heard of pro players who will occasionally play a 'student' type instrument to prove that they can still get a decent sound out of one. unfortunately I forget who said that.
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jonsparrow
240 posts
May 04, 2009
10:10 PM
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i been wanting a firebreath for awhile. they sound real nice.
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Andrew
270 posts
May 04, 2009
10:23 PM
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Reminds me - I haven't checked my lottery ticket yet from Saturday night.
Last Edited by on May 04, 2009 10:23 PM
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oldwailer
716 posts
May 04, 2009
11:18 PM
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"I think you'll find very few brass player do anything to their instruments, certainly none I have known in 20+ ears of Big band playing"
Well, Lumpy--I think Chris was referring to musicians--not bass players! HYUK! HYUCK! (just joking, honest--duck--cover--bob & weave--)
My advice on the question of Out of the Box vs. Custom is probably well-known by now and I won't say much--just that if ye ain't tried one--you don't know--and you can spend a whole lot of bucks trying more OOB harps than a Chris harp--The Lesson he gives with a harp is worth more than he charges for the harp, for chrissake.
There ain't no rocket science here--Chris delivers in about three to four weeks--so there ain't no long waiting list. He also guarantees that you will love the harp--all the harp stores do for you with harps is guarantee that you are just plain fu*ked if the harp isn't any good after it touches your mouth. . .
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harpnoodler
59 posts
May 06, 2009
10:02 AM
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Buddha,
Did I understand correctly that you'll include a lesson with a custom harp purchase? How does that work?
By the way, I bought a Firebreath a while back and it is easier to OB out of the box than any other harp I tried. However, I can OB the 4,5,6 on all my SP 20's now, though they need gapping to be reliable and the 4 is still iffy on a couple.
I can't afford a stable full of FBs, but if I'm going to incorporate OB's into my solos, I think i need at least one reliable OB harp to learn on.
Last Edited by on May 06, 2009 10:06 AM
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Buddha
362 posts
May 06, 2009
10:07 AM
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yes harpnoodler,
I offer a lesson/session with every harp purchased. If you are local we can do it in person otherwise I give most of my lessons via skype. Skype is a very effective way to do a lesson.
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jonsparrow
245 posts
May 06, 2009
10:35 AM
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ya skype is awsome. the sound clarity is better then a phone.
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harpinonfire
6 posts
Aug 06, 2009
2:18 PM
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I have a firebreath and one day I drew in on the 4 hole and nothing. Thinking there might be something blocking the reed I took it apart and the reed had cracked near where it is connected and laying cockeyed in the slot. I contacted suzuki in san diego and they said there was no replacement plate that the MR350's didn't interchange. They gave me an order # I sent it to them and they fixed it. My only cost was shipping to them. Hope this helps.
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528hemi
22 posts
Aug 06, 2009
9:25 PM
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Here is my take on this subject as a new harp player. I had sold some of my toys and had some extra cash so I got caught up in the "Which is the best harp and more money must mean a better harp"
I bought a C harp Suzuki Harpmaster,Suzuki Blues master, Suzuki Promaster, Suzuki Firebreath, Hammon, Lee Oskar, Special 20, Golden melody and a Seydel 1847
First off my Lee Oskar C and a B flat out of the box was/is so crappy. Very leaky, I put them right in the draw and never use them. Now that I know how to adjust them I will see what I can do with them but I do not like the shape of the cover plate anyway.
The suzuki Firebreath out of the box was aweful. I recently adjusted it and it sounds better. It was also gapped too wide. I adjusted it and it sounds alot better now. The Seydel 1847 is nice but also expensive. It played good out of the box and still not setup for easy overblows as advertised. I can overblow some of the other harps even know I am still a noob so it might be my technique. The Promaster and Hammon have a nice heavy feel to them. Feel good on the lips but are not as loud as the Harpmaster or Special 20 but very nice for chords. I also found that the Promaster and Hammon buzz with some draw bends and need some adjustments
The bottom line is don't buy on price unless you by a customized. After all the testing I found for me I like the Special 20 (except the corners are abit sharp but can be rounded) or the cheapest of them all the Suzuki Harpmaster. The golden Melody is also good and plays loud.
After all the comparison and at a beginner level, I would not get caught up in thinking the brand of harp will make a big difference.
For sure I do not feel the Seydel was worth the big price.
The harps I am playing now are fine for me but I have never compared them to a customised for ease of play and bends.
528hemi
Last Edited by on Aug 06, 2009 9:34 PM
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jonsparrow
742 posts
Aug 06, 2009
9:54 PM
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i have a $3 hohner pocket pal that can over blow just fine. being able to over blow has alot to do with the harp but i think it has more to do with the player.
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