mankycodpiece
24 posts
Dec 16, 2009
8:12 AM
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Mrs Codpiece has asked me what i want for Christmas from her.A bit of a rarity is this.We don't usualy buy each other anything for anything other than our Wedding aniversary.I said a new harp would be nice.She said "what make",i said"i'll think about it".
I've been on Harmonica's Direct site but can't make up my mind.
So,what do you guys think i should go for?
I like the SP20s a lot and i have a valved Promaster which is growing on me a bit more,but i wouldn't say no to something top of the range,just to find out the difference.
I know it's what the player does with the harp thats important,so,as i think i'm not too shabby,a top quality harp wouldn't be wasted on me.
over to you.
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mickil
716 posts
Dec 16, 2009
8:39 AM
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I'm trying to get out of the habit of using harps that, in all probability, I won't always be able to afford.
Seydel Soloist Pros are good - slightly muted tone, if that's your taste - and quite reasonably priced.
The Crossover's not astronomically priced, and, you can get replacement reed plates.
Those are my suggestions.
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YouTube SlimHarpMick a.k.a. HarmonicaMick
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Buddha
1206 posts
Dec 16, 2009
10:03 AM
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can't go wrong with a custom harp
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"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." - Joseph Campbell
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nacoran
547 posts
Dec 16, 2009
12:43 PM
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Every time someone offers to buy me a harp I use it as an opportunity to try something I haven't tried before. You can mix and match and find a harp that fits lets you try something new.
Low or low low tuned, high tuned
Wood/Plastic/Metal/Composite Combs
A different shape (like a Golden Melody)
A Chromatic, tremolo, or chord harp
Something valved or 1/2 valved
A different big brand
-Hering, Hohner, Tombo (or Lee Oskar), Suzuki,Seydel, Harrison, Bends, etc.
A custom harp
A different tuning (Spanish, Circular, different minors, soloist)
Something in a key you don't have.
For my last birthday I added a few cheap BluesBands to tinker with, a Chromatic, a tiny little Hohner Puck, and (on back order) a Low Low F.
I hope next year I can get a custom. I still need to add a B and a Db.
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Honkin On Bobo
95 posts
Dec 16, 2009
1:39 PM
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I would go with a Buddah custom harp if it fits her budget. This is kind of a weird thing for me to say, as I don't own a custom harp, have never played through a custom one, and at one point argued on this very forum that unless you're of a certain playing level it would be a waste.
So what changed? Well after reading Buddha's rebuttal to my argument I started doing a little digging on the internet and some people who have secured one of his harps have made videos and reviewed what he sent them. The reviews were good. Additionally, there was his argument regarding beginners buying one, which I thought was impressive. The man can play and build. I think of him as the Les Paul of the harmonica. The only negative I can think of is that, based on some of the posts I've seen, it could take a while (Buddha, please don't sic the dogs on me).
So why don't I have one? I set some goals for myself on harp and promised myself I'd order one if I hit the goals. Needles to say, the goals haven't been met.
But look at it this way, if you order a Buddha custom, you'll at least know in your own mind if it made a difference for you.
Last Edited by on Dec 16, 2009 1:41 PM
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barbequebob
229 posts
Dec 16, 2009
1:49 PM
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You gotta remember that with a custom, nothing is being chwed up and spit out on an assembly line like they do in the Hohner factory, for example, which puts out over 1000 harps in a minute. Everything that's being done is all by hand labor, and if the factories every did everything like this with all the detail work involved, the price would skyrocket to just as much or more than a custom because hand labor, pulling someone off the assembly line, is a huge business expense, and customizers all have fairly long waits, and the longest I know of id Joe Filisko himself, who hasn't taken on any new customers in over 5 years (his client base is largely big name pros), and at last count, his waiting period was 18 months and when pros don't complain, you know their stuff is worth the wait. I play mainly customs and a wait of anything shorter than 2-3 months is really quick, and many of them are 2-7 months long based on their work load and several stop taking orders for as long as 6-8 months so they can catch up on the work orders they already have.
Good quality custm work isn't something done in a few minutes, it's HOURS of hand labor and the kind of exacting standards they do thing with, an out of the box harp doesn't even come remotely close to.
Most all customizers seal combs well, but the difference between them and what takes the greatest amount of time is the reed work.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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rpoe
50 posts
Dec 16, 2009
2:19 PM
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If you don't have a Solist Pro, I think it worth a try.
I got mine from Dave at Elkriver Harmonicas. Love it. Seems as airtight as my SP20's.
http://www.elkriverharmonicas.com/start.html
That said, I do what I can on my own harps as needed but will be getting a custom sometime down the road.
I'm planning on going to SPAH in Minnesota next yr. Maybe to pick up a Buddha custom + lesson? :-)
Last Edited by on Dec 16, 2009 2:20 PM
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tookatooka
877 posts
Dec 16, 2009
2:50 PM
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You could always try the Manji or Hohner Crossover.
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Buddha
1207 posts
Dec 16, 2009
2:56 PM
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ya you betcha, SPAH in MN will be fun. I'm from there so I'll have one of my parent's cars and I still know all of the cool places to hang, not to mention I still have a ton of music friends there.
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"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." - Joseph Campbell
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CJames
74 posts
Dec 16, 2009
6:52 PM
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Suzuki Hammond, I've been dying to try one for a while and all the reviews i've seen suggest it's a top notch instrument. Definately my next purchase
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rbeetsme
79 posts
Dec 16, 2009
7:29 PM
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Seydel Saxony, a nice chromatic.
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Ant138
218 posts
Dec 17, 2009
12:08 AM
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Try a Seydel Solist Pro, you wont regret it.
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mankycodpiece
25 posts
Dec 17, 2009
6:34 AM
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thanks for all your input lads.
i won't go the chromatic route,i have 8 of those,including the saxony.
no,i want to stay with the diatonic.i've started this journey and it's been great.
my favorite harp is my SP20 low F,so i'll go for something low or low low.
i can't see i'll be performing again as things stand right now,but never say never.
i'm trying to talk one of my grandsons into busking with me next summer.he's not having it up to now.again,never say never.
a custom harp would be wasted on me right now.
so,i'm leaning toward the Seydel.i'd like to hear one played,so if anyone knows where i can hear one maybe on you tube,let me know.
for future reference,what does a custom har cost?
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Fredrider51
94 posts
Dec 17, 2009
6:51 AM
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I just bought a new Manji and i like it alot.It has nice tone and does not leak.My faverite harps is that and Solist pro for now..OTB of course.. Merry New Year and Happy Christmas
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Fred
HARP (Harmonica Assn 'Round Philly)
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toddlgreene
260 posts
Dec 17, 2009
7:01 AM
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@ manky-prices vary from customizer to customizer, but even one of the lower-priced(under 100$)ones will generally beat anything out of the box. Some of the very best customizers are on this forum!
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~Todd L. Greene, Devout Pedestrian
"listen to what you like for inspiration, but find your own voice"
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
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mankycodpiece
27 posts
Dec 17, 2009
7:26 AM
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thanks fred.
toddle,i'm just a little confused about harp customising.
i see customising as a tailor making a suit for me needing my mesurements.
if i went for a custom harp from one of the guy's on this board who,it seems come from the USA,how does a harp get customised for me here in the UK unless i go to someone in the UK.
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toddlgreene
261 posts
Dec 17, 2009
7:45 AM
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Contact Buddha(Chris Michalek) on here or here
http://www.buddhasgarden.net/purchase/
(one of his harps is on my wish list; hopefully soon I can order one!)
I'm sure he ships, as well as others. I'm sure there are customizers in the UK as well.
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~Todd L. Greene, Devout Pedestrian
"listen to what you like for inspiration, but find your own voice"
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
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Kingley
541 posts
Dec 17, 2009
7:51 AM
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If you want a custom harp made in the UK, then either go to Steve "West" Weston or Jon Vaughan. Jon is on this list and Steve has a MySpace page for his harps.
Also if you can find contact details for him, you could try Al Price from Glasgow.
If you're going to get one from the USA then I'd suggest contacting either Joe Spiers or Chris Michalek.
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Rick Davis
14 posts
Dec 17, 2009
9:24 AM
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I'd suggest the Hohner Marine Band Crossover. I reviewed it on BHA blog and found it to be "almost perfect."
Custom harps are great, but IMHO there is no need to wait months for a custom harp unless you are a) a top-level working pro or b) insufferably pretentious. The Seydel 1847 Silver, the Hohner MB Crossover, and the MB Deluxe are all excellent right out of the box.
Adam plays the standard Marine Band. The Crossover and Deluxe are handmade versions of the same harp. I'd be delighted if somebody game me one of these harps for Xmas.
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-Rick Davis
Blues Harp Amps Blog
Roadhouse Joe Blues Band
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Ant138
223 posts
Dec 17, 2009
9:51 AM
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i use seydels in almost all my videos on youtube. u can find me by typing fiendant or im on the harpfriends channel. im the tattooed one.
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mankycodpiece
28 posts
Dec 17, 2009
10:07 AM
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thanks Rick,i've decided on the 1847 silver.i'm not sure about putting it in the dishwasher though.
Ant,have you done anything with gapping or suchlike?
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Rick Davis
15 posts
Dec 17, 2009
11:58 AM
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Manky, no gapping at all, it does not need it. Also, it voids the warranty.
If you have any problem with the harp (blown reeds, etc.) send it to Rupert Oylser for repair at SeydelUSA. He does oustanding work, and it takes days, not months. When I blew a reed on an 1847 he fixed it for free. That is good service.
The Seydel 1847 Silver is a GREAT harp; a very smooth player with big full sound. Your wife can walk into Guitar Center and find one in the key of A for about $89.
Happy Holidays and happy playing with your new harp.
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-Rick Davis
Blues Harp Amps Blog
Roadhouse Joe Blues Band
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MrVerylongusername
712 posts
Dec 17, 2009
12:12 PM
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If I recall Manky is in the UK, so I think that's a hell of a shopping trip for Mrs Codpiece!
Try Peter Blyth at Harmonicas Direct or order straight from Seydel Never seen one in the shops here, though other Brits might know places.
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Ant138
224 posts
Dec 17, 2009
12:32 PM
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Ive never had to gap any of my seydels. they play amazingly well out the box. ive got 2 1847's(wood comb)and i love them, ive heard rave reviews with the 1847 silver. you'll love it.
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robbo
8 posts
Dec 17, 2009
3:27 PM
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manky try this guy out,
http://www.southx.biz/dannecker/shopcustomdiat.htm
Hes UK (Lincolnshire) based with exellent prices. Hope this helps.
ps.where abouts you from? im dorset
Last Edited by on Dec 17, 2009 3:36 PM
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Buddha
1209 posts
Dec 17, 2009
3:43 PM
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don't buy a custom harp based on price nor location. Stick to the guys that are the best and you will be happy.
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"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." - Joseph Campbell
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barbequebob
235 posts
Dec 17, 2009
3:46 PM
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I agree!!
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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Ant138
225 posts
Dec 18, 2009
12:01 AM
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Im in the U.K and i get my Seydels either from Harmonicas-direct or Eaglemusic.co.uk both have a massive selection.
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MrVerylongusername
714 posts
Dec 18, 2009
12:30 AM
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I wouldn't touch Eagle with a bargepole after my first and last order with them. An item listed as in stock took 3 months to get to me. Stick with Harmonicas Direct.
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mankycodpiece
29 posts
Dec 18, 2009
8:48 AM
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Thanks for your input lads. I live in sunny Wolverhampton in the UK.
I've dealt with,and complained to Eagle
Music in the past,so i deal with Harmonicas Direct now.
Mrs Codpiece won't be buying the seydel until after Christmas,she's afraid it may get lost in the post.
I think she's hoping to get it cheaper in a sale maybe.just kidding. The Promaster lost avalve today,so not having sent one back,i'm not sure if it can be changed.any ideas?
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