CJames
24 posts
Nov 25, 2009
9:28 AM
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I was just thinking about getting a Promaster (not the valve one) but heard that it doesn't draw bend as well, or as easy as other harps. Is this true? and would it perform sufficiently in a blues band? also, is it much different from the bluesmaster? i know one is metal combed and the other is plastic combed but in terms of feel and tone - much difference?
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Jim Rumbaugh
117 posts
Nov 25, 2009
10:00 AM
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I have 6 of the Bluemaster, 2 of the Promaster, one valved, one not valved. For Blues, stay with the Bluesmaster. The phosphor-bronze reeds seem to work better for me. The valved Pro-master was a gift from another harp player that did not care for it. Nor did I. The non-valved was won in a competion.
This may seem strange, but the Promaster is easy to blow. It has good intonation. I like it for straight harp/ 1dt position tunes. But to wail the blues, I prefer my more economical Bluesmaster. (or a special 20)
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walterharp
129 posts
Nov 25, 2009
10:30 AM
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i like my promasters. they are the nicest shaped harps around, and are quite brassy and bold sounding. they feel really solid because of the weight of the metal comb, and do just fine with the blues. they easily keep up to the other more expensive harps that are comparable. they bend just fine for me. i would encourage trying one.. it is a bit more than the options jim mentioned, but you may just love them
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harmonicanick
473 posts
Nov 25, 2009
11:09 AM
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you should have at least one promaster non-valved.
Fairly heavy harp and metal comb makes the tone well, 'raspier' and they play loud as do the bluesmaster.
They feel really good in the hand and look cool and when I put mine in the sonic cleaner it came up like new and its quite a few years old.
Nothing turns me away from my harp of choice though Golden Melody
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snakes
401 posts
Nov 25, 2009
12:18 PM
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I have a couple Promasters and while I like my Fire Breath's and Manji's better the Promasters are a fine harp. I would have to disagree with the bending being hard statement. I have a key of A and a key of C and they bend just fine. That is one of the traits that has made me a loyal Suuzuki customer is that all of the harps I've purchased from them bend very easily.
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hepcat
6 posts
Nov 25, 2009
1:29 PM
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I have several promasters and love them. But I am a Manji convert now. Manji overall is more responsive and easier to play and the price is the same as Promaster.
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Aussiesucker
450 posts
Nov 25, 2009
2:02 PM
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The Promaster looks great! I have an A & Bb.
For playing though my preference is always the Harpmaster then the Bluesmaster ie half the cost of a Promaster.
The Promaster plays OK. Good to have one in your pocket for the more formal occasions ie a little bit of 'bling'.
Am yet to make my mind up re the Manji ie I have one in C & it's a nice clean loud crisp harp but it's hard to beat the comfort and playability of a Harpmaster.
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CJames
25 posts
Nov 25, 2009
6:03 PM
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cool, thanks for the help fellas, i'm definitely going to try promaster, but i think i'll get a bluesmaster as well.
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ricanefan
34 posts
Nov 26, 2009
2:55 AM
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I only have one of each of the ProMaster (A) and BluesMaster (Bb), and have as comparison a large box of Hohners, mostly Blues Harps and Marine Bands.
It's also my understaning that both of my Suzukis use the same reedplates, so why they have different answers to this question escapes me...
My BluesMaster bends slightly easier than a Blues Harp, similarly to Hohner's Cross Harp.
My ProMaster is the only harmonica that ever begged me to start bending it right away, "break-in" be damned. Easiest (by far) bending harp to ever touch these lips.
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nineveh_harp
16 posts
Nov 26, 2009
8:54 AM
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I have 3 Promasters, one in G, one in A (valved), and one in D. I pulled the valves off of my A because I don't like taking care of them! I did leave hole 1 valved though because I like to be able to blow bend down to G or even F#! I must say that I find myself reaching for them even more than my Seydel 1847s in the same keys recently. They have an aggressive tone, they are VERY comfy to hold, they look cooler than any of my other harps, and the tuning is spot on. I use them for all styles and I've never, ever had a problem bending all the way to the bottom on all the bendable notes. Even before the break-in! What more could you want from a harp?
That's my two cents anyway!
-Sam
Last Edited by on Nov 26, 2009 8:57 AM
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OzarkRich
42 posts
Nov 27, 2009
7:27 AM
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I have set of twelve Promasters. Two of them were valved but I didn't like them as well so I ripped the valves off. Promasters are loud and raspy as stated above but also "tinnier", or maybe tuned slightly sharper than my Hohner Meisterclasse. Both are of similar design but I prefer the Meisterclasse for blues.
Happy belated Thanksgiving everyone!
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528hemi
54 posts
Nov 27, 2009
7:51 AM
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Ever try a Hammond HA-20. I have Promaster and a Hammond bought the same time and the Hammond is so much better the then the promaster I got.
Was told they are exactly the same. Guess it is due to inconsistant manufacturing but boy the Hammond feels good.
528hemi
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rbeetsme
39 posts
Nov 27, 2009
9:58 AM
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I've played a lot of harps over the years, currently playing Promasters. I bought the six key set about 10 years ago and played them a lot. Bought an 8 key set of Oysler tuned Promasters about 4 years ago and play them exclusively now. I like the feel, the volume and the tone. Cleaner sound than some harps, but still great for blues. If your looking for a deep down dirty sound dial that in with your amp/mic set-up.
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CJames
35 posts
Nov 27, 2009
7:34 PM
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I've decided on getting a Promaster in A, and Bluesmaster in Bb
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tookatooka
805 posts
Nov 28, 2009
4:55 AM
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Let us know what you think when you get them CJames. I'm sure you'll be impressed.
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congaron
311 posts
Dec 01, 2009
9:19 PM
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I have one in low f and one in Eb. I took the covers off the Eb and swapped them with a harpmaster in G..i guess that makes it a bluesmaster now....lol. I like them both, but prefer the marine band for a variety of reasons now. It turns out, I like any harp that isn't too leaky or stuck to play music through. Even plastic covered piedmont blues will make nice music in a pinch.
The promaster is a nice instrument, no doubt about it.
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hvyj
6 posts
Dec 01, 2009
9:43 PM
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I prefer Hammonds to Promasters. To my ear the Hammonds have a darker tone. They also have better response because the Hammond combs are machined better (flatter) than the Promaster combs. Both bend very well. Both have the same reeds which are shorter than Hohner reeds and for this reason can be a little more challenging for getting precision bends on the 3 hole draw. But they have much better compression than Hohners.
A certain imprecision is part of the aesthetic of the blues and for blues playing the Hammonds and Promasters are fine. Getting precise 3 hole bends required for playing certain jazz heads is a little more challenging, but for single note blues playing, these harps are very responsive and extremely functional. Also extremely durable. Far superior to ANY non custom Hohner, IMHO. I absolutely love my Hammonds.
Last Edited by on Dec 01, 2009 9:53 PM
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Ant138
196 posts
Dec 02, 2009
1:13 AM
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I have a Promaster in A and to be honest i was dissapointed with it at first. The 3 hole just would not bend well at all. All the other holes were fine but i left it in a drawer for 4 month's anyway. Recently i decided i was gona try and gap it which seemed to work and it plays really well now.
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ness
119 posts
Dec 02, 2009
6:36 AM
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I have a Promaster in G that was giving me fits on 2 blow and draw. I'd given it a go, but just couldn't seem to get it working. I met up with Preston Monday night, we sat down, talked harp and he opened it up. He gave me a great lesson on gapping, and fixed that 2 for me. Really nice to have somebody take the time and show me -- it saved me a lot of trial-and-error time.
Anyhoo -- I have a few of them, and they all seem to work pretty well out of the box. But, they're not perfect.
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Preston
552 posts
Dec 02, 2009
7:11 AM
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I wondered how that 2 hole turned out for you once you got it all put back together. Glad I could help!
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ness
120 posts
Dec 02, 2009
7:16 AM
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Well -- it's the best hole on that harmonica. Now I know what I'm shooting for. Thanks again!
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