Other web Sites
Harmonica Blues  Harmonica Amps
Harmonica Links Harmonica Pages
• Archives Home
• Years
 · 1992
 · 1993
 · 1994
 · 1995
 · 1996
 · 1997 		 · 1998
 · 1999
 · 2000
 · 2001
 · 2002
 · 2003
 
Web HarpL
Ebay Searches:
Amps:
Microphones:
Effects:
Harmonicas and Gear:
Harmonica Music and Instruction:

 

 

Harp-L Archives

[Previous Message] [Next Message]
[Next in Thread]
[Start of Thread] [End of Thread]

From: Benoit Felten
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 10:29:12 +0200
Subject: Bendable harps

Tomaz,

Concerning the most 'bendable' harp, it is essentially a matter of taste
and adjustment. A well adjusted harp in most any model will bend well.

In my experience, LOs tend to be easier to bend for beginners but they
have a tendency to squeal when bent if the technique is not perfect.
Also as a rule, plastic bodied harps tend to be slightly more airtight
and thus bend easier. Again this won't guarantee against buying a
Special 20 that's leaky as hell...

Essentially, if you buy a harp and find it harder to bend than another
harp, you can do several things :

adjust the gaps on the reeds is the easiest : usually the reeds are
gapped way too high. By reducing the gap you will improve playability
and bending ease. Don't adjust them too low though because if you do the
reeds won't sound when you blow too hard.

> I recently read on the archive that Hohners bought in Germany are
> better. Is there any truth to this. I can try them out since I live in
> Slovenia (Europe). Does anyone want any particular hohner comparison?
> I am still quite a begginer so tell me what I should be looking for
> (bending, playability,...)

I'm not sure that there are any differences between Hohner's bought in
Germany or elsewhere. For a start, US production is manufactured in the
US (I believe ?) but Europe production used to be manufactured in
Germany. Ever since Hohner were bought over this has been moving towards
Asia so I'm not sure that there would be any specificity to harps bought
in Germany...

You can check out a page on my site devoted to choosing a harp for
beginners :

http://www.xhuan.com/Music/Harmonica/harpchceuk.htm

Hope this helps,

Ben Felten
Lille, FRANCE
http://www.xhuan.com