Need some harp advice

I want to get a few harmonicas in different keys, along with a holder so I can play guitar at the same time a la Neil Young or Bob Dylan.

Any advice into which harps I should be looking at? I've owned Hohner Marine Band before... is this what I should get again? It'll be that folksy/bluesy sound, mostly. Advice would be appreciated.

- Jeff

A guy I've shared a couple bills with has a harp mic/neck rig that sounds really good... none of this whiney, naked reedy bleating... it sounds like a good player cupping a harp with his hands (to a certain extent, anyhow).

The first time I heard it, from out of sight of the state, I really thought he had someone sitting in with him. When I got around the corner and saw a neck rig I was floored.

I'll see if I can get the brand/model.

Blue, I'm less concerned with the mic/sound reinforcement aspect for the time being. Just really want to focus on which harps to buy, and which neck holder will work well with a basic 10-hole diatonic harp.

I'll probably start with G and C and add on from there as needed.

- Jeff

Well... I'm NO kind of harp whiz (in fact not even barely competent) but the harmonica that worked out best for me was the Lee Oskar (from Tombo). But I suspect it's a highly personal choice.

The Lee Oskar is much easier for me to bend notes on both draw and blow. (In fact, it may be the first harp I've been able to get blow-bends on halfway usably.)

I suspect you're right.

It really comes down to Lee Oskar versus Hohner. It's the harp equivalent of Fender versus Gibson, or Martin versus Taylor. I'm sure both make some great instruments.

One of the nice things about harps (unlike guitars): at least in the price range of $20 or so, it's okay to make a mistake and rectify it by just buying another one.

- Jeff

The harp is going to be a personal preference for sure.

The keys needed are going to depend on what keys you're going to be playing in and if you're going to play straight or cross harp.

For straight harp you'll use a harp in the same key you're playing the guitar in.

If you're playing cross harp take the key you're playing in and count up three. So, for the key of "A", count Key-A, one-B, two-C, three-D. You'll choose a "D" harp. "E" will get you an "A" harp. Or, you can count down four steps. I find it easier to count up.

Right, Dak... I'm familiar with that, as well as which harp to use for relative major/minor. That's one reason I'm leaning toward getting a full set that has all the natural keys (A, B, C, D, E, F, G). I'd like to be flexible.

If I had to prioritize, I'd get a C and a G harp.

- Jeff

Different kind of axe, but this is good advice....along with the diatonics you're gonna pick up, get yourself a 280/64. Cost you maybe $125, but you can thank me later.

Hi,

Don't mean to barge in here but as a harp player I'd highly recomend harps with plastic combs rather than wood. The wood will swell with moisture and the tone isn't that much different IMO. The Lee Oskars are great harps for the money as well as the Honer special 20's. I'm sure you can get many different opinions here.

The Best of Luck

You didn't barge in at all, and thanks for the advice. And, I totally agree abut the plastic combs. I learned that the hard way.

I ended up buying a package from Musician's Friend that includes seven Hohner Special 20s in all natural keys (A, B, C, D, E, F, G). It also includes a case and a belt. Excellent deal. And I got the Hohner neck holder as well.

- Jeff

The only ones I ever used are Hohner Blues Harps,... I have them in every key available.

I must have bought about a 100 up until now,..

My problem is I blow them to pieces the 2nd gig I do with them,.....

The wooden things just break off inside.

But they're still my favorites.

I had a marineband once but switched back right away. But at the end it's the same as guitars,beer and women,.. you have a favorite brand and model and that's it.

Don't forget the Butterfield-style bandolero for all those harps.

PS... apparently the pickup/kneck thing was actually two pieces... but the pickup is a Strnad: http://www.soundexchange2.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=523

I don't play the harp much but I swear by the Lee Oskar ones. If you wear out a reed you can get replacement reed plates - much cheaper than buying a new harp. They have plastic combs as well.

Here's what I ended up getting:

$149 at MF.

- Jeff

Nice, a harmonica cummerbund for black tie evenings.

What about "bandolero" sounds like FANNY PACK?!?

:D

I learn something here all the time, this time the plastic comb thing. Check out this guy. He uses some kind of adapter for a 57 running thru a tube amp, then also uses his vocal mic with cupped hands. When I first walked into the club, the band was on break. I thought someone was dinking around on guitar until I saw he was playing harp.

He also has a hot guitar player in his band.

I own a few of the marine band ones. If Im careful about micing I can get a decent tone recorded from them.

I must say getting proficient at blowing a harp is much much much harder than i ever expected it would be.

I've owned a chromatic harp as well. (somehow it went "missing"). Thats a whole nother ballgame.

Maybe you've left it on a parkbench?

A friend of mine is a real blues harp monster ... lee oscar is his harp of choice. rat

Yeah, I have one too. Unless I spontaneously grow a third arm, it's kinda hard to operate the button while I'm playing guitar.

- Jeff

What about "bandolero" sounds like FANNY PACK?!? :D

It was FREEEEEEEE, man! I'm not gonna be a fashionista about it.

Of course, I'm not gonna actually wear it. A man has to draw the line somewhere.

- Jeff

Here's what I ended up getting: $149 at MF. - Jeff

that looks pretty cool

dont wear that thing in public

uh you might get shot

im thinking airports

that belt looks a bit suspect

just to let you know

a bandolero?

looks like your strapped with C4

maybe crowd control?

You're going to have to get yourself a better stage name. Neil Young and Bob Dylan have some character. Tony Joe White works. Bruce Springsteen is kind of on the border. Doc Watson doesn't count. But Jeff Klopmeyer? Nobody would believe that's really you.

How about Weasel Meyersteen? How about a contest?