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beginner forum: for novice and developing blues harp players >
Maelstrom of Early Harp Confusion
Maelstrom of Early Harp Confusion
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MindTheGap
901 posts
Dec 28, 2015
1:04 AM
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Ian coined this phrase in a previous post, and I want to highlight it, as he hits a nail on the head. Certainly what I went through trying to work out what's what.
Questions around: since there are so many different harp makes/models on the market, there must be a difference. Right?
- Is one harp model better/different than another?
- Does on make/model bend easier than another?
- Do they sound any different to me/to a listener?
- Do I like the sound/feel/comfort of one or another?
- What does my favourite recording artist uses brand X?
- Wood combs, plastic combs, sandwich, recessed, custom combs?
- OOTB, custom, gapping?
- Brass reeds, bronze reeds, phosphor-bronze, steel?
- Legends that some harps last longer than others?
- Temperament: Equal, compromise, Just Intonation etc.?
- Alternative tunings?
Hohner alone sells, what, 10 or 15 different models?
Flavoured with the fact that unlike say a guitar, on the whole you can't them before you buy.
Too much choice is a cause of post-modern angst. When I learnt the piano I could only afford the one.
No wonder there's a maelstrom.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 28, 2015 1:07 AM
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MindTheGap
902 posts
Dec 28, 2015
1:16 AM
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I'll add that as I do my morning reading of MBH while practising, I'm enjoying playing a Lee Oskar harp key E.
All my new harps are Lee Oskar. There's a lot I like about them and THEY ONLY MAKE ONE MODEL.
(Well ok, four different tunings. And Tombo make other harps, but you know what I mean...)
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 28, 2015 1:17 AM
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Glass Harp Full
79 posts
Dec 28, 2015
1:40 AM
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I went through a similar process but I don't think there's anything wrong with a bit of researching and experimenting with different makes and models to find what you like. We do this with everything from test driving cars to buying insurance to buying a mobile phone etc. so why not harps?
I think it has to be done in the right spirit though. As others have pointed out, if you're looking for the perfect harp that will make you play like your harp hero you'll be disappointed. But if you're doing it to find what feels comfortable for you and what sound you like then I think it's fine. And it's a lot of fun.
There were some resources I found particularly useful, this site being one and Ian Chadwick's harmonica review page another (I think there's a link somewhere on this site).
If researching and buying harps gets in the way of actually playing, that's a problem, but otherwise enjoy yourself!
Last Edited by Glass Harp Full on Dec 28, 2015 1:43 AM
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MindTheGap
904 posts
Dec 28, 2015
4:16 AM
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Yes I agree it can be fun. Just like any equipment-based activity you've got 'doing the thing' and 'fussing about with the equipment'. Bicycles, anyone!? I've got no opinion on what the right mix is for other people, I do have a view on what I like.
There are some actual facts to be found, real hard facts rather than subjective likes and dislikes. Although I'm happy to read about them, I like to try them out for myself.
Wait 'til you get into amplification - there's even more of it. Well, I found it so. And it can get quite expensive if you take a wrong turn. At least harps are quite cheap.
Anyway the point of this thread was that we are all either about to go down this road, going along it, or have gone down it. As a beginner, I had no idea that this road was even on the map. We can do people a good turn not by giving answers but by pointing out the maelstrom awaits.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 28, 2015 4:23 AM
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Crawforde
31 posts
Dec 28, 2015
6:29 AM
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My advice would be to find something you like and that works for you and stick with it for a bit. Then as skills increase, try another occasionally. But take it slow, let the muscles and skills develop, then your test will be more meaningful. I have gone back to harps I bought early in the maelstrom, that I thought were miserable, uncomfortable, and hard to play. Some I really like now. We change as we learn, our styles change, needs,....
You don't need to figure it all out early, or ever.
Some of us started a bit too old, have little talent, don't practice enough or properly, but still enjoy it. Some may end up enjoying and being better at messing with the gear more than playing . That's a good thing. Pianos need tuners, harps need repairs and to be retuned, either for skilled players who need it to get the sound they want, or curious beginners.
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Ian
190 posts
Dec 28, 2015
8:46 AM
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Ha. I'm glad you appreciated my maelstrom...
I'm pretty sure there must be a good cartoon or graphic that would visualise this phase.
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Mirco
349 posts
Dec 28, 2015
8:55 AM
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As MindTheGap points out, there's a similar and more expensive learning curve to amplification. There, you've got mics, amps, and how they work with each other.
For harps, it's not just a question of what brand to buy, but what tuning. What setup is suited to my playing style?
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Marc Graci
YouTube Channel
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Crawforde
32 posts
Dec 28, 2015
11:32 AM
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Are you sure it's a phase?
I hope so. If it doesn't stop it will be expensive!
I Haven't really looked into amplification yet.
What do you guys prefer as far as mikes and amps? Bullet or not, SS or tube?
I heard that xxxxxxxx was the best without question.
Lol
Ducking and running away.
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Ian
191 posts
Dec 28, 2015
12:03 PM
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@crawforde lol.
Its funny though, I'm not sure if any other instrument has quite the same early days confusion in regards to the kit itself.
When I started guitar I don't remember thinking, oh maybe I need to try a fender now, or maybe the takamine would sound better.
I think it's because harps are individually pretty cheap so they kinda invite swapping and experimenting.
If a standard harp cost £200 then I guess we wouldn't have these questions at all?
FYI...
The xxxxxxxx amp happens to be my 2nd favourite, personally I think that the xxxxx amp has a fuller tone. ;)
Last Edited by Ian on Dec 28, 2015 12:04 PM
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Mirco
351 posts
Dec 28, 2015
1:27 PM
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I don't know if you guys are joking or not. The xxxxx amp sounds like shit.
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Marc Graci
YouTube Channel
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SuperBee
3138 posts
Dec 28, 2015
2:53 PM
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One thing with harps is...so many are set up poorly it does invite the thought that maybe it's not me...
I do remember when I really got into it. Pre Internet and harp forum times I don't think it really occurred to me that it might be the harp at fault rather than my approach...beyond the quite obvious crappy harp that was in the same key but impossible to play...I mean there is a slow process when you break one or it stops working and you replace it and find the new one is better or worse than the old one and begin to form opinions based on this experience and probably associate the brand or model with the experience good or bad...that's how it used to happen...or you play what the good players you see around the place are using...
But then Internet forums and opinions from around the world...and who knows, maybe that's right...so you gotta try it...
I longed to discover it was true the 1847 was a real step up. I'd be prepared to spend the dough if it was true.
Took me a long time to try one...they're not available in stores here and hard to justify buying one in a key already covered...
Anyway I did eventually get one. No complaints but I'm not gonna be replacing my existing kit.
I think the picture didn't really start to clear for me until I'd been doing repairs for a while. Sample size you know. Repairs gave me opportunity to get very intimate with harps of many types. I conclude they are all rubbish but some are easier to deal with than others. I prefer those types.
My late brother was a diesel fitter turned automotive mechanic with a special penchant for transmissions. I recall discussions with him when he'd have various vehicles on the hoist. Usually he'd be telling me about design issues which caused problems of access to various parts and complex layouts which created opportunities for problems.
I remember he had a Corolla (Toyota) up in the air one day and was telling me what a joy it was to work on. 'There's nothing to them' he said, by which he meant it was just simple efficient design which was straightforward to maintain and repair. The problems were predictable and once attended to the machine performed as it should.
That's how I feel about harps, and why I enjoy working on some and not so keen on others. Some harps may not be suitable for me because I can't take advantage of or really appreciate the special features they offer and those capabilities actually compromise some other aspects of their performance.
Another analogy...my guitar is a fat necked 335 copy. My friend told me what a wonderful guitar it is tonally. He said I should never sell it, leave it to my children, it was worthy of becoming an heirloom.
Chuffed with this assessment I was proud of my great guitar. I showed it to the guitarist in my blues band. A strat player and fan of dazzling speed guitarists...he was disparaging of my guitars fat slow neck. I'd never be able to play that guitar...try this...his strat neck was so thin I couldn't feel it for a while but eventually adjusted to it and could see what he meant. For a while I felt bad about my crappy guitar and even bought another...which I also felt bad about due to its floyd rose bridge...but the good news is that I've recovered the good feeling about the 335 and decided the strat man is entitled to his opinion
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New but determined
56 posts
Dec 31, 2015
10:09 PM
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I received an xxxxx amp for Christmas from a nice man who swears it's the Holy Grail of amps for harp players but the only way I can make it sound good is when I put it in his garage down the street and I'm playing in my bathroom with the door closed.
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Rontana
251 posts
Jan 01, 2016
3:52 AM
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My xxxxx amp has superb tone, especially when I don't plug it in.
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