Hoolines
1 post
Oct 21, 2009
4:06 AM
|
I am a complete beginner but I like to learn harmonica as a hobby. My local store has some Suzuki Harmonicas and I narrowed it down to HarpMaster and BluesMaster. I tried to get what's the difference between them but I couldn't. I heard that BluesMaster has a more mellow sound but I really didn't get it. Can you send a sample for me? I heard the one that Brendan Power sent on youtube it didn't have enough actual playing parts!
I really appreciate it if you can help me.
Thanks
Hoolines
|
tookatooka
666 posts
Oct 21, 2009
4:36 AM
|
Hello Hoolines, welcome to the forum.
Either would be good. The only real difference is that the Bluesmaster coverplates are different and some people prefer that. The plastic combs and reedplates are the same and there shouldn't be much difference in the way they sound. Which ever one you decide upon, I'm certain you will be pleased with it. You can also buy replacement reedplates from your Suzuki dealer.
I use both types of harp and have been very pleased with the quality of manufacture.
----------
|
mickil
574 posts
Oct 21, 2009
4:56 AM
|
Hoolines,
If I were you, I'd just buy one of each, but in different keys; you'll need several keys anyway.
I think that most of us on here go through about a million different models before we finally settle on our instrument of choice. As for myself, with all the different harps I've tried, I could have bought a small airline.
Good luck with your progress.
----------
YouTube SlimHarpMick
|
sorin
89 posts
Oct 21, 2009
5:07 AM
|
tooka , there is actually a difference between the two ,other than the covers , the Harpmaster has brass reeds , the Blues master has phosphorbronze reeds .
Hoolines , you are lucky to have this harps in stores , there are the best beginner harps , my advice is get the cheapest one , the Harpmaster.
|
Hoolines
2 posts
Oct 21, 2009
5:27 AM
|
sorin; actually the funny thing is they are at the same price in my store. Maybe 2$ difference and it doesn't make a lot difference. Can you please help me which one is better for a beginner? Brass reeds or phosphorbronze reeds? Which one has a better response and needs less skill to play?
Thanks
|
tookatooka
667 posts
Oct 21, 2009
5:47 AM
|
@ Hooliness @ said "Which one has a better response and needs less skill to play?" I concede that sorin is probably correct regarding the reed material but I don't think it makes a great deal of difference.
They will probably respond much the same. Regarding skill, they will both need skill to play properly, there will not be much difference between them. It will only be after you have played one for a length of time, that you would be able to determine any difference when you pick the other one up.
All Out of the box harps (even if they are the same model) will have there own little differences, it can't be helped in a mass produced product.
If the difference is only $2.00, just choose the one that looks the best to you and get some experience playing it. Then get the other one later and make a comparison.
----------
Last Edited by on Oct 21, 2009 5:49 AM
|
HarpMan Freeman
77 posts
Oct 21, 2009
5:49 AM
|
I learn something new from this...
I had never heard of phosphor bronze so I checked out Wikipedia and it is interesting to learn that it used in several other wind instruments.
Phosphor_bronze
|
Hoolines
3 posts
Oct 21, 2009
6:00 AM
|
Great. I will probably choose the HarpMaster but as a final question, does the shape of cover plates matters in the matter of being easy to play? The cover plates in Bluesmaster run the full length of the harp, is it just a style difference or it means something like being easy in the hands or on the lips?
Thanks
|
ness
90 posts
Oct 21, 2009
6:00 AM
|
Welcome Hoolines,
As others have said, it's about a push between those two models. I'm a beginner too and have a Bluesmaster that I really like. I think you'd really like it as well.
Here's a couple recommendations from somebody that's in your same position:
-Just buy one and get started learning.
-If you're planning taking lessons (online, book, other), they often require on a harmonica in the key of C.
-If you hang around here much you'll hear a lot of folks saying this one is best, that one is best, get a customized harp, etc. Don't get caught up in all that; either of the harps you're considering will be *excellent* for a beginner, and they're used by some pros too.
Do you have a particular type of music in mind? Lots of the stuff here centers on the blues or performing with a band, but there's lots of other good info too. I'm more interested in playing Bluegrass, Country and Irish melodies solo.
John
|
Hobostubs Ashlock
47 posts
Oct 21, 2009
6:03 AM
|
Ness if your interested in Irish music you should check out Harmonica academy by Tony Eyers from Australia its a great school and over half is Irish music and Bluegrass
|
tookatooka
668 posts
Oct 21, 2009
6:05 AM
|
Hoolines said "does the shape of cover plates matters in the matter of being easy to play?" It could be argued that the BluesMaster is a better fit in the web between your finger and thumb and can make it a little more airtight when you cup it but, unless you play with an airtight cup all the time, it doesn't make much difference. I use both types and the Bluesmaster is slightly more comfortable. I like both. Go and get one now and then come back here and tell us what you think of it.
----------
|
ness
91 posts
Oct 21, 2009
6:07 AM
|
Hobostubs -- I'm there, man. I'm a sophomore.
John
|
Hoolines
4 posts
Oct 21, 2009
6:17 AM
|
I found a very interesting link which compared them in a way with a DF. Here is the link:
http://www.harp-l.com/pipermail/harp-l/2007-August/msg00319.html
Oh yeah he said that Blues Master is more comfortable, smoother and less loud. I practice at home and it's much better not to be loud. I prefer smoother sounds unless you have another opinion I choose BluesMaster over HarpMaster (I know I said otherwise in my last post but it's the matter of more knowledge you gave me).
Hoolines
|
tookatooka
669 posts
Oct 21, 2009
6:28 AM
|
The Delta Frost is manufactured by Suzuki and is virtually identical to the HarpMaster except for the shape of the openings (where the sound comes out) at the rear of the harp. The Delta Frost, HarpMaster and BluesMaster will all take the same replacement reedplate.
----------
|
tookatooka
670 posts
Oct 21, 2009
6:32 AM
|
Hoolines listen to this soundfile sample. The second bit is what your HarpMaster or BluesMaster will sound like through an amp with a little bit of reverb. Go and get one. Now!
----------
Last Edited by on Oct 21, 2009 6:35 AM
|
sorin
90 posts
Oct 21, 2009
6:55 AM
|
Tooka , again you are wrong :p , the Delta Frost it's actually a Bluesmaster ( phosphorbronze reeds) with a harpmaster style cover .
|
Jaybird
88 posts
Oct 21, 2009
7:01 AM
|
The Bluesmaster is much more comfortable in the mouth than just about anything you will ever try.
It is my preferred harmonica.
----------
www.Youtube.com/Jaybird33066
|
tookatooka
672 posts
Oct 21, 2009
7:26 AM
|
@sorin@ OK but you will not find much difference if any with the sound they produce. I Have always used DF, BM and HM's and there is no discernable difference in the sound that I can detect.
----------
Last Edited by on Oct 21, 2009 7:28 AM
|
congaron
190 posts
Oct 21, 2009
8:07 AM
|
I made a blues master from a harpmaster comb and promaster covers and reedplates. I eventually decided i preferred the harpmaster in stock form for volume and tone. The promaster is a slightly different animal with the aluminum comb and phospor bronze reeds on nickel coated plates..tjhe tone seems "warmer" to me ..less gritty. As for comfort..I like them all. The promasters i have are in low F and Eb so they are used to lend tonal variety to my band. I probably won't buy any more of them at the price. I think bluesmasters would be essentially the same, but lighter weight.
I have 5 harpmasters and use them all the time to play out. Suzuki harps rock.
|
Hoolines
5 posts
Oct 21, 2009
3:49 PM
|
Wow this forum rocks. Thank you all. I will pick the BluesMaster asap. Thanks all.
|
tookatooka
676 posts
Oct 21, 2009
4:17 PM
|
Let us know what you think when you get it Hollines?
----------
|
528hemi
48 posts
Oct 21, 2009
5:50 PM
|
I have both and perfer the harpmaster. As someone pointed out the bluesmaster is more mellow sounding and is thinner. The harpmaster is louder. Both are OK.
|
jawbone
133 posts
Oct 21, 2009
7:14 PM
|
The only thing I don't like about any of those harps is the ET tuning - but that won't be a big concern to you right now. I love the feel of the Bluesmaster but I have got so used to the other covers that my mouth always jumps one hole to the left - damn muscle memory!!
----------
If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
|
Gwood420
57 posts
Oct 21, 2009
9:40 PM
|
never played the harpmaster, but i love my blues master.. as a matter of fact, i modified(opened up) the cover plates last night, and i swear it sounds louder.. as soon as i have some time(working alot) i will post up a new thread about it...
but anyway... you really cant go wrong with either im sure.. i really dont think that any harp will really help you learn better than any other(aside from customs) cause all stock harps can easily be modified to bend better, or OB better ect, with a little study on the subject..
Last Edited by on Oct 21, 2009 9:41 PM
|
DanP
94 posts
Oct 22, 2009
3:06 AM
|
The Bluesmaster and Harpmaster are both very good harps for players of all levels. You are on the right track by choosing a quality harmonica as your first harp-it's cheaper in the long run. As mickil said, I would buy one of each. A Harpmaster in the key of C and a Bluesmaster in the key of A. You will be needing another key anyway. But if you have to pick just one, go with the Harpmaster. It's a very responsive harmonica and would be great for a beginner.
|
congaron
193 posts
Oct 22, 2009
7:23 AM
|
I also opened all the covers on all my harpmasters..they are very loud! I haven't opened the promasters..can't bring myself to do it..they have a different tone I want to keep for variety.
|
Jim Rumbaugh
96 posts
Oct 22, 2009
10:40 AM
|
I have played Harpmaster, Bluesmaster, and Promaster.
I say go Bluesmaster. For me it lasted longer that the Harpmaster.
I respect the Promaster, but don't care for it for blues. It has good intonation, and plays easy, but it doesn't feel quiet right when I play the blues on it. I'll use it for my straight harp tunes. If you get a Promaster, I say get it without valves.
|
Hoolines
6 posts
Oct 22, 2009
10:42 AM
|
@tookatooka@
I will. Most definitely I will send you updates in one or two weeks after I test the BluesMaster. I really appreciate all your help and I will send you a beginner reaction to a BluesMaster :D
Hoolines
|
nacoran
274 posts
Oct 22, 2009
2:59 PM
|
I haven't played either, but here is what I've learned from playing other harps.
I personally like harps with a smooth front like this:
\
|
/
Opposed to one like this:
\_
|
-
/
But that's just me. I don't like wooden combs; they are rougher on the lips, although I've never played a high end wooden combed harp. A good think cover won't bend if you keep it in your pocket without a case (although you still may occasionally get pocket link in it. Always check your pockets for lint.) Most learning books are for the key of C. I think a lot of people on here like lower harps. A seems to be really popular; it's a good choice for a second harp.
The tuning, just, equal or compromise is a matter of whether you are going to be playing with instruments and playing chords. Wikipedia can explain that better than I can. It's particularly important if you are one of those guys who is going to be using this to accompany yourself playing guitar.
|
