oda
207 posts
Feb 20, 2010
10:59 AM
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So I want to get into modifying my harp after being inspired by the sweet custom I got from Preston.
From here I want to know
#1) What are the best harps to practice customizing on? I mean, I can get a $5 crappy harmonica, but that's not really going to make a difference, eh? I was thinking about getting the "Hohner Piedmont Blues Harmonica Set". Are those good harps?
#2) Do I need special Harmonica Tool Kits like R. Sleigh sells? if I do, who else sells these specialized kits?
And finally, any tips? There is so much info out there it's hard to choose where to start. I'll start with Oysler's DVD, probably... but in the meantime I'd love some recommended links to some good literature.
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Kingley
885 posts
Feb 20, 2010
11:09 AM
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Oyslers DVD would be a great place to start.
No you don't need any specialist tools for basic customising.
Any harp will do for learning on really.
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HarpNinja
192 posts
Feb 20, 2010
11:19 AM
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Yes, buy Oysler's DVD and go from there.
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Mike Fugazzi
http://www.myspace.com/niterailband
http://www.youtube.com/user/NiteRail
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oda
208 posts
Feb 20, 2010
11:21 AM
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cool. you guys know which harps are best to practice on? price-wise, and quality-wise?
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Luke Juke
139 posts
Feb 20, 2010
11:24 AM
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My tip would be for you to "BE PATIENT" when you're working on them. Do a tiny bit at a time and take your time. One slip can ruin a reed. It is very addictive and I think you'll end up modifying them to how you want them to play.
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Kingley
887 posts
Feb 20, 2010
11:28 AM
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Yep I second the patience thing. That is very important.
Harp wise I would see if you can get some old Hohners off people to learn on. If not then maybe buy some used cheap ones off ebay (Marine Band, Special 20, Golden Melody).
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HarpNinja
193 posts
Feb 20, 2010
11:41 AM
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Work on old Hohners like the Sp 20 or GM. MB's are fantastic but require much more work.
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Mike Fugazzi
http://www.myspace.com/niterailband
http://www.youtube.com/user/NiteRail
http://www.twitter.com/NiteRail
http://www.facebook.com/mike.fugazzi
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congaron
547 posts
Feb 20, 2010
11:47 AM
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I have the piedmont blues set. The reeds are noticeably thinner, both in width and thickness. The reeds are also less springy than special 20s or MB. I did some work on all three models, and on suzuki harpmasters and promasters. For me, the piedmont blues models didn't really help me learn much because the metals and thicknesses were so different from the better harp. I, of course, lost interest in other mods quickly when i found out how much difference simple gapping makes on a marine band.
Last Edited by on Feb 20, 2010 11:58 AM
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jonsparrow
2332 posts
Feb 20, 2010
11:54 AM
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i would say work on what ever harps you plan on playing. that way your used to working on that type of harp. if you like marine bands work on those, sp20's then work on those. what ever.
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apskarp
135 posts
Feb 20, 2010
12:05 PM
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I'd recommend buying the drawscraper. You can buy it at least from R.Sleigh or Buddha. It's a wonderful tool for tuning and you can do lot's of other stuff with it too. Good tools make a difference.
If I had to select just one harp to customize, that would be Special 20: no combwork needed, you can use turbolids while working on it, easy to get replacement reeds/plates, reedplates are attached with 7 screws...
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oldwailer
1077 posts
Feb 20, 2010
12:18 PM
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I like the Big Rivers to practice on--they are a little cheaper, and they're regular MS harps--pretty much the same to work on as most other Hohners--and they have the potential, with the right work, to sound great. I also prefer the cover shape for me--so it's the perfect one to practice on--because, if I don't screw it up, I have a good playable harp out at the end of the process.
When I was just starting to mess with customizing, before I studied with Buddha, I used Blues Band harps. I made one that was fair--but I think you need a better sow's ear to make a silk purse--and the BR's are the best I have found for a cheaper price.
As for tools, You could probably collect up everything you really need at Home Depot--and just get your instruction from the YT videos that are available for free. But, with the kits that Richard Sleigh and Buddha sell, you get instructions that are well worth the price of the kit--plus you get the really good tools for the job.
The Oysler DVD's shows you how to make some of the tools. . .
Last Edited by on Feb 20, 2010 12:24 PM
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nacoran
1163 posts
Feb 20, 2010
6:05 PM
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Piedmonts taste terrible for the first few hours you play them. Like all cheap harps they are hit or miss. I've got a couple that play really well and a couple that are nice. You can improve them with some tinkering and they are cheap. I've tried washing the covers but they still taste awful for a few hours.
I think what harps you practice on has a lot to do with your budget. Go with the best harp you can afford to destroy! For me, that's BluesBands.
I've done some gapping successfully, and I've opened up the back on a couple harps. I should have probably used soft tipped pliers so I didn't scratch the cover up, but since it's on the back edge it's mostly cosmetic.
I tried embossing and improved a couple holes, but managed to destroy at least one reed on each harp I tried on.
With the Piedmonts plastic covers opening up the back would involve cutting instead of bending, and I liked having the same key for each harp.
Congaron is right about the reed thickness. For me, just getting an idea and making the really obvious mistakes on them was better than destroying a good harp.
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