mickil
537 posts
Sep 24, 2009
6:23 PM
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Maybe those of you who are curious already know this. Still, I just re-checked the website, and Hohner have put up a lot more info, including a 16+ minute video with Joe Filisko and Howard Levy. You have to click on another link for the 16 minute version.
http://marinebandcrossover.com/
I imagine quite a few on here will be curious about this - if they've not seen it already.
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'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
YouTube SlimHarpMick
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jonsparrow
1082 posts
Sep 24, 2009
7:49 PM
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im not big into jazz but Howard Levy did some really impressive stuff there.
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Bluzdude46
205 posts
Sep 24, 2009
9:16 PM
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Ok maybe I missed it but I still haven't seen where it's stated when this will be available and how much. Anyone privy to this info?
Ok I'm hanging out with you Brits too much I can't believe I used privy in a sentence.
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Bluzdude46
206 posts
Sep 24, 2009
9:18 PM
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you have to wonder how much Harrisons new product and pricing is impacting this move by Hohner and How this is going to impact the pricing of their new product.
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oldwailer
902 posts
Sep 24, 2009
9:27 PM
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Musician's friend is selling them for $59.95--sorry, I'm not privy to how much that is in UK or Europe ;-). I think Hohner might have timed this release to kick Brad's harps in the teeth--weren't the B-rads going for something over $100?
If Joe Filisko says they are good, I'm ready to go with that. As for that Andoran dude that came on after Joe--he just can't be real!
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Bluzdude46
208 posts
Sep 24, 2009
10:04 PM
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at 59.95 I think Harrisons B-Radical at $180 may be in trouble unless people start getting bad mass produced crossovers. Interesting dynamics to this. Sorry I just can't see a mass produced Harp worth $180
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jonsparrow
1085 posts
Sep 24, 2009
10:20 PM
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"If Joe Filisko says they are good, I'm ready to go with that."
he has to say there good. hes endorsing it. an note how he said his favorite will allways be the 1896, but he'll have a "few" crossovers. meaning he will have a few in his case when he performs so he can show people.
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Aussiesucker
366 posts
Sep 24, 2009
10:34 PM
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There's the Suzuki Manji to also throw into the mix. Lots of brilliant players saying nice things however we have to look at who pays the piper? I'm not saying any one of them would say something that wasn't true however the reality is how they work for us. I think it's going to be interesting in the months ahead with new harps to play and compare.
I know what I currently like & what serves me best & this has led me to pre order a Manji which hopefully I will get in October sometime.
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jonsparrow
1088 posts
Sep 24, 2009
10:42 PM
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what i like about the manji is that is has a composite comb rather then bamboo. i donno its just something about bamboo comb that bothers me. like if i ever took a crossover to a zoo a panda would try an eat it.
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mickil
538 posts
Sep 24, 2009
11:30 PM
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Bluzedude,
Harmonicas Direct say they're due in October - it was going to be Septembter - price £43.99.
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'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
YouTube SlimHarpMick
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oldwailer
904 posts
Sep 24, 2009
11:31 PM
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Well, Jon, I don't know Joe Filisko well, but I do know him a bit, and I think he's a very genuine and straightforward kind of guy--I don't believe that he would say something he didn't believe just to get a free harp or a few bucks out of Honer--as far as I know, they don't pay endorsers much of anything anyway--Adam has been an endorser of Honer for about 30 years or something--and he just got a few harps out of them recently--(I hope I'm not distorting any facts with my lived-through-the-60's memory). . .
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GermanHarpist
621 posts
Sep 25, 2009
12:18 AM
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Couldn't open the link. It said: bandwidth exceeded. Probably a thread on the MBH-forum was too much for the server to handle... ;)
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germanharpist on YT.
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ness
59 posts
Sep 25, 2009
6:07 AM
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$180 isn't set in stone for a B-Radical. Prices fluctuate based on good ol' supply and demand and other stuff too.
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Bluzdude46
211 posts
Sep 25, 2009
7:31 AM
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Musicians Friend and Guitar Center say Crossover is in stock online price is $59.95 USD and sorry Ness but if you go to Harrisons site they are charging $180.00 with a $20 discount on the pre order. It may not be set in stone but it Damn sure is listed on their site. And for the record $59.95 vs $160.00 with the pre order discount, which you think I'm gonna try first??
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tookatooka
548 posts
Sep 25, 2009
7:44 AM
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"Harmonicas Direct say they're due in October - it was going to be September - price £43.99."
Is that for the Crossover or the Manji?
Don't worry. I see you were talking about the Crossover now.
Last Edited by on Sep 25, 2009 7:45 AM
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Bluzdude46
212 posts
Sep 25, 2009
8:11 AM
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Just an added remark. It may not be etched in stone but charging people $160.00 and then dropping that later to compete with hohner is not going to make the people that bought theirs first happy loyal customers.
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RyanMortos
329 posts
Sep 25, 2009
8:27 AM
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Ive talked to at least one pro who has played crossover & while I hear it is good I dont see it replacing the 1896.
That being said, Id like to & probably will try a crossover when theyre available, I have thought the deluxes were overpriced. I bet with the crossover you get nice harps that you can easily customize rather then spending your time with sealing/converting to screws/etc.
The Manji, well, I dont know I dont much like the sound Im getting from the suzuki I have. Maybe some day Ill check it out, reviews pending.
With the Harrisons I have to wait. Part of the charm is available replacement individual reeds & promise to never *have* to buy another harp (reed plates, covers, comb) again which overtime could make this a very economic harp that is supposedly set up right. (On the other hand, do I think any music store within a 2 hour drive of me will carry a 4 blow reed for a key of A (for example)? Nope!) This service doesn't exist yet & if sales dont last then this will never happen.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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Bluzdude46
213 posts
Sep 25, 2009
8:38 AM
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I see your point Ryan with this exception. The way I'm looking at it, it's slightly brighter sound then the 1896...which happens when you emboss, it gets a little brassier. The backs are open, so they are louder. By all accounts the tolerances are all closer so they are more airtight. The combs are laminated and will not swell, Don't get romantic on the pearwood they use it because it's plentiful and cheap not because of any tonal superiority. And with screw assembly so you can easily adjust the gap Why wouldn't it replace the MB 1897??? Isn't this everything we have asked for in an out of the box mass produced Diatonic Harmonica?? If they go far enough to garauntee (spelling always gets me) that they will replace the occasional bad one that slips through quality control How are we not sold? Don't they now have the best price for everything we've asked for?
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RyanMortos
331 posts
Sep 25, 2009
8:49 AM
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Yeah man, Im definitely not disagreeing with you. I really do look forward to ordering and trying a crossover harp. Did you say they were already available to buy?? I guess what I meant was dont expect everyone to stop buying 1897s or Hohner to stop making them. But yeah, this is everything I wanted improved on a 1897 & the price difference is easily worth the time saved of doing all that myself.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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Buddha
1017 posts
Sep 25, 2009
8:59 AM
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The crossover isn't much more than a MB Deluxe. In fact the Crossover I have has MB Deluxe plates in it.
It's an OK harp but nothing compared to a low end custom built by anybody who knows how to build.
The Manji is a better harp out of the box but again, no comparison to a low end custom.
The issue with Custom Harps as everybody is experiencing with all builders is the timeliness of delivery.
I can make a better OOTB harp in 20 minutes but it takes 30-40 hours to make a great harp and that doesn't include the time it needs to rest.
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"The truth may hurt for a little while, but a lie hurts forever."
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jonsparrow
1090 posts
Sep 25, 2009
9:00 AM
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every one keeps sayin 1897. its 1896. also note that the crossover is not set up for overblows. the b-rad is.
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Buddha
1019 posts
Sep 25, 2009
9:05 AM
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Almost all harps OB just fine if your technique is strong enough. Most people can't handle true OB harps, way too sensitive for most players.
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"The truth may hurt for a little while, but a lie hurts forever."
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jonsparrow
1091 posts
Sep 25, 2009
9:13 AM
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agreed. but im just restating statement from the companies.
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Bluzdude46
214 posts
Sep 25, 2009
9:56 AM
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1896,1897,1923, 1989 Oh hell y'all know what I meant
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isaacullah
364 posts
Sep 25, 2009
10:37 AM
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What Buddah says is the truth. At his house I played both the crossover, the manji, and a Buddah harp, and they go that way in terms of increasing quality.
The crossover palyed the same as ANY marineband, and IMO is not worth the extra money. The Manji was good, and would be worth $40, but not $59.96. The Buddha harp is worth more than what you pay for it.
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The magnificent YouTube channel of the internet user known as "isaacullah"
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RyanMortos
332 posts
Sep 25, 2009
11:11 AM
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Hadnt realized custom harps had anything to do with the topic of crossovers or even Harrisons, & manjis.
What I want to know is if customized harps will still be made by great customizers 35+ years from now cause I want to be secure in knowing if I get used to playing something customized I wont have to eventually go back to OOTB. Since there's no guarantee I think I might as well learn to do what I can myself on OOTB harps.
Back on topic, an OOTB crossover isnt expected to play better then an OOTB original marine band. What is expected is exactly what's offered, a marine band with sealed comb & screws instead of nails which is definitely an improvement & my 2+ hours to do the same is worth more then the additional $30.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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KeithE
31 posts
Sep 25, 2009
11:14 AM
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Buddha said:
>I can make a better OOTB harp in 20 minutes but it takes 30-40 hours to make a great harp and that doesn't include the time it needs to rest.
Given that I would worry about the customizers all burning out. Say that somebody with your talents could make $50/hour doing something else, that custom harp is $1500-$2000 of labor. If you only charge $100-$200 that's only getting you $5/hour.
It might make sense from a business perspective to produce far more of the quick 20 minute quick tune-up harps. At that same hourly rate it would only be $17 of labor.
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Buddha
1020 posts
Sep 25, 2009
11:30 AM
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believe me... I fully understand the money side of things. Nobody understands why custom harps cost so much but those same people have no idea the time it takes nor the skill and focus level needed.
I'm in this because I love the harmonica and want to help others.
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"The truth may hurt for a little while, but a lie hurts forever."
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Bluzdude46
216 posts
Sep 25, 2009
11:31 AM
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Ok, For me it breaks down to this. If I knew for certain I was going to be back in a situation where I would be playing 70+ nights a year there would be no more thought to it I would have all keys in Buddha Harps and back ups in The Crossovers gapped by me in case a harp blew a reed or went out of tune, got stolen off of my amp ect. As my schedule is dependant on finding 3-5 other guys to make that work I still want the major keys I play and sing in to be Buddha Harps. If I never played another gig I would still want them cause I enjoy them that much and playing what I now consider crappy out of the box harps for 25 years it's my money to enjoy and I just want them.
That being said until I find that situation where I'm gigging again The crossover interests me for the keys I play 1 or 2 songs a night. Does this make sense to anyone but me? What I cannot see is spending $160-$180 on a Harp that, I cannot see how, isn't as good as what the Customs that I like are I simply don't see it being possible. And if they are not that good I don't expect them to make it.
Last Edited by on Sep 25, 2009 11:34 AM
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Kingley
368 posts
Sep 26, 2009
12:55 AM
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The most interesting point to me is that Joe Filisko states that the 1896 (classic) is his favourite.
That is also pretty much the case for the majority of pro players.
Pro players use other brands / models, usually because they get them at a discounted rate as part of an endorsement deal. But if you give 'em the choice then most will choose the 1896 (albeit customised).
The 1896 is also the harp of choice for most customisers to work on.
In my opinion the 1896 has the best tone of any harp around.
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RyanMortos
335 posts
Sep 26, 2009
9:09 AM
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Another thing I just noticed is that musiciansfriend and guitarcenter only have listed for sale the crossover in 7 keys. It might be mentioned somewhere but will it be available in all 12?
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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mickil
540 posts
Sep 26, 2009
12:55 PM
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Ryan,
Yes. If you rummage around Hohner's website, you'll find a link where you can download their current catalogue as a PDF. If you're a Hohner man, you might a find it an interesting read.
On an aside - can 'aside' be a noun? - from that, I read Steve Baker saying on Harp-L that the parts are interchangable with the MB Deluxe, the upshot of which is that if you don't like the tuning (if you can tell the difference) then you can just shove in the plates from the Deluxe and have the bog standard tuning.
Oh yeah, while I remember, I read somewhere that it will be available in high and low tunings. I suppose that's obligitory for their 'next generation' MB.
EDIT: tooka, I wish I'd thought of doing that link piccy thing for HPC2. Neat idea. You're making a good job of the whole thing.
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'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
YouTube SlimHarpMick
Last Edited by on Sep 26, 2009 1:00 PM
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reed bender
1 post
Sep 26, 2009
1:05 PM
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In 4 hours I drill,sand,beeswax,and tune up an OOTB 1896 and end up with the best harp I've played in 35+ years of playing. Maybe if was more gainfully employed I would try a deluxe or a crossover but I like playing something that I had a hand in creating and also sounds and feels great.
By the way, greetings all... this is my first post
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scstrickland
257 posts
Sep 26, 2009
1:55 PM
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welcome reed
tell us about yourself here. We would love to get to know you.
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/427713.htm
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
249 posts
Sep 27, 2009
3:49 PM
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John, 1897 was the year the Marine Band patent was awarded. Hohner used that date for a lot of years... That's why everybody says it.
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www.elkriverharmonicas.com
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jonsparrow
1115 posts
Sep 27, 2009
3:54 PM
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oohhh. i learn something new every day.
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