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beginner forum: for novice and developing blues harp players >
XB-40
XB-40
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Malarz
10 posts
May 28, 2020
5:24 AM
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I’m new to learning and playing harmonicas and have picked up a good shape XB-40. Any recommendations you can give on blues harp players who mainly play and record on the XB-40?
Thanks.
Ken
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SuperBee
6656 posts
May 28, 2020
5:49 AM
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Good topic! I mean, not a topic which has been discussed much, at least not for quite a long time.
I am reasonably certain that Winslow Yerxa has spent enough time with that model to speak knowledgeably about it and has no doubt made some recordings.
Perhaps not readily available but Winslow is quite approachable and helpful.
There are others but it will take me some time to come up with names I expect.
The harps were unfortunately discontinued and I think now coveted by their fans, I’m a bit jealous myself. I did not develop an interest in the model until well after they had ceased production.
I remember someone talking about their collection and how they had pursued elusive keys. I think it was on this forum (main page), but not sure and so many members have stopped posting that it’s quite likely they’re not currently active.
So I’m not promising anything but I’ll have a look and a think.
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SuperBee
6657 posts
May 28, 2020
6:23 AM
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Joel Andersson (not quite sure of spelling) theHohner Affiliated Customiser (HAC) from Sweden has made some YT using the XB40 but you may have to contact him as the videos seem to have disappeared
James Conway has worked with the model, and Rick Epping of course.
Here’s Winslow using one:
https://www.planetharmonica.com/ph5/Sounds/windermere24.mp3
This video states it is using a ‘retuned’ xb40. No idea what that means but probably just means the video is not very helpful. FWIW though
https://m.youtube.com/watch?p=4E8B6A249437DEDF&index=0&v=Hbvh8-coLqw&feature=PlayList
Also found this comment from WY:
“The XB-40 is a unique instrument and you can't judge it by standard diatonics. If you do you will be unhappy.
If you take it on its own terms and explore its unique sound and capabilities, the XB has a lot to offer.
I'm sorry to hear it's being discontinued. I heard rumors to that effect last year, but had no confirmation until now.
The XB is great for celtic music and fiddle tunes, as it's very loud and flexible and can be played hard at high speeds.
The high pitched keys are rather bright sounding. The G seems like the optimal key.”
about the tune I linked to above, Winslow said “I'd like to point out one thing in Windermere that is totally idiomatic for tongue-blocked blues and totally impossible on a standard harp.
At about 1:31 I start playing Draw 4 over the I chord, alternating an unbent chord or split with a bend single note, moving my tongue on and off the harp. OK, nothing unusual about that.
But when the band goes to the IV chord, so do I, going from Draw 4 to Blow 6. On a regular harp, I wouldn't be able to bend Blow 6 down to emulate what I just did over the draw chord, but on the XB I can. I do the same Tongue-off/Tongue-on-and-bend alternation that I just did on the draw chord.
That may not sound like much, but I like the ability to sculpt what the harp does to more closely follow the harmony when I choose to do that.”
It may be significant that he was talking about the same song (Windermere) but not the same recording, so the time reference may not line up.
Here’s another mbh thread with Joel. Evidently he’s customised the harp and used the so called “easy 3rd” tuning in the first video here
https://m.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/5494899.htm
Ok, that’s enough.
I am off to bed.
Try a search of the forum using “xb 40” as your search term. There are quite a few discussions
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Malarz
11 posts
May 28, 2020
6:47 AM
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Thanks for your help. I’ll search.
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