My first harmonica was a special 20... I had it for well over a year before I really put deep concentration towards playing it properly. A few months back, I decided to diversify, just to be sure that I had what felt most comfortable to me. I bought two other hohner brands, a blues harp, and a marine band... I could immediately tell a difference in sound, but as I played it more, I came to a different conclusion about both models: Its the position of the comb I just dont like... The brass reed plates sticking out a bit, and the comb recessed much further into the harp than my special 20, overall, after 15-20 minutes or so, my lips were ragged... I redrilled the coverplates and reedplates, as well as a minor adjustment in the comb itself so that the comb sits flush with the brass reedplates, but it still doesnt feel as good as the SP20... I guess it's all in what youre used to, I just dont want to miss out on that famous sound. Anyone here know professionals who endorse the SP20?
i dont know if he is endorsing or what not but harmonicarl on youtube uses sp20's. hes got the famous 3rd pos slow blues. you get used to the reed plates on the marine band eventually. they dont bother me anymore. there were times were my lips were real fucked up but i think i subconsciously adjusted to it. but any who heres carl useing a sp20.
Jon Gindick (more of a teacher) and J.P. Allen are both on record as endorsing the SP20.
As far as pure playing professionals, I don't know off hand. Every pros gig case that I have had the privelege to see inside was an eclectic mix of brands, models, styles and keys...
i am no professional but years of experience have taught me a couple of things- today's market keeps changing, so i keep trying different harps. since i can't afford customs or really high end stock harps, and i don't work on my own, i find i have to adapt to what's available off the shelf.
i favor delta frost, i have 5 LO's, just got a hohner bluesbender for free, there's a 365 in there along with a hering 5148 and a hohner comet and a sp20 or 2. i have not used a wood combed harp for a few years now and am considering trying to get hold of some prewar 1896's and having them worked on- when i can afford to! meanwhile i do pretty well with stock mostly plastic comb harps.
