CJames
14 posts
Nov 11, 2009
12:04 AM
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Has anyone made any decent custom harps using parts from the MS range? like mixing a blues harp with some Big river parts etc.? does changing up these parts alter the sound significantly as well?
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Gwythion
7 posts
Nov 11, 2009
1:47 AM
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I use the silver covers of old Big Rivers and Special 20's to replace the black laquered Pro and Cross Harp covers. The black covers seem to go slimy after a while and this swop-over makes the harps playable again.
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scstrickland
296 posts
Nov 11, 2009
2:56 AM
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Yeah, most of my harps are from the MS series. I mix and match all the time. I like the combination of a wooden Blues Harp comb with Big River covers. Big River covers are easier to open the back and have sound holes on the side. I sand the combs, sometimes dye the wood a different color and remark the key with a silver Sharpie and seal the whole thing in Bees wax. I believe the replacement reed from the MS series to be of higher quality than the stock reeds. I don't do any arching, gapping or embossing. Most of my work is for aesthetic purposes and "feel".
As for sound, MS reeds are MS reeds! Changing combs and cover plates is going to make minimal difference. I believe you will get better sound from woodshedding than customizing.
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Buddha
1147 posts
Nov 11, 2009
4:21 AM
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I have a pro player customer that loves MS Blues Harps. They are not as nice as Marine Bands when finished but they turn out pretty good.
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"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." - Joseph Campbell
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OzarkRich
39 posts
Nov 11, 2009
5:12 PM
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My favorite knock-around is just the opposite of scstrickland: Big River comb and Blues Harp Covers (key of A). Don't really care for the fat cover plates on the Big Rivers, LOs or newer Promasters. Recently broke (literally) the 10 blow reed practicing "Whammer Jammer". Still don't have it down.
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nineveh_harp
10 posts
Nov 11, 2009
8:15 PM
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I really like the MS Big River harps. Other than adjusting some gaps and occasionally some tuning in the lower register, I find them to be surprisingly good for the price. I am a wood comb guy though so I picked up a few MS Blues Harps and found them to be pretty good as well. I held off for a long time because I heard AWEFUL things about both of those models, but I figured "what the hell... I've always liked Hohners!" Turns out I like 'em just fine! I really think it's just a matter of what you get for your money... if you buy a $20 harp, don't expect a $150 harp!! I normally play Seydel 1847 Classics and those are always great right out of the box.
One thing I learned from being a professional guitar tech is that no two people like their instruments setup the same... AT ALL! In other words, what works for me may be horrible for you and vise-versa! Example: I like my electric guitars with 11 gauge strings, tuned to standard pitch (440), .010" neck relief (@ 7th fret w/ capo on #1 and fretting #17) and 1/16" for string-clearance (@ 12th fret). None of my friends can play my guitars, but for me, they play like butter. Go figure!
Just my two (or more) cents.
-Sam
Last Edited by on Nov 11, 2009 8:23 PM
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oldwailer
943 posts
Nov 11, 2009
8:22 PM
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With customizing, I find the BR harps to be good--my favorite thing about them is the shape of the covers--they just seem to fit my mouth better than anything else I've tried. I want to try to get BR covers on a MB--but I haven't gotten around to it yet.
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nick67
21 posts
Nov 12, 2009
7:14 AM
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This is great ive often wondered about this stuff myself.
Some of you guys out there like Buddah who customises harps can teach us guys al the tricks.
I own lots of differnt types of harps but the feel of a marine band is legendary.Ive got one in keys b eb and f sharp but they are not user friendly for customising if they were wed all be ripping them up
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