Great to see you back Frank ! I’m a 66 well 67 iin 9 days but anyway I’m a raw Beginner on the harp I watch all these UA-cam videos on how to play the harp and it really gets overwhelming sometimes and I like your channel because you just sit down unscripted and give your honest opinion it’s all because you’re a good harp playerAnd I enjoy your perspective on the harp and the playing I know you don’t give lessons but I seem to get a lot out of what you’re saying if that makes any sense and it just seems by your video today that you seem to be doing a lot better you seem more upbeat and relaxedBut anyway I hope life is being good to you I can’t wait for your next video
@@rbking9296 unfortunately I am not doing better. Things only get worse. I just decided to stop complaining because it makes no difference and also nobody cares what Im going through anyway. So instead I will suffer in silence the way a man should
Thanks for another video! MBD and Crossovers are my favourites and after years of trying everything else, I find them to be the best value for money and they suit me perfectly. I have had very bad luck with Seydel - even the expensive ones have been almost unplayable, so I stopped trying them. The Crossovers can be a little 'toppy' in higher keys to my ears, so I prefer them on lower keys and Thunderbirds, but so far they have all been perfect out of the box and very easy to bend. I love the tone of MBDs in any key so they are my 'go to'. Remember that the harp will generally play better after a few minutes, when it is warmed up :) Cheers!
Great review. I totally agree with what you said about how a certain harp will just work for you. Does that mean the quality control at Hohner is just crap? Dunno. Love it when you play. Rock on!
Thank you Tim, always nice to see you in the comment section! I do think the quality control is not the greatest. But I also this these higher end harps are set up “delicately” for advanced players with a soft touch.
@@littledre nothings changed my man, I do not enjoy my life on this planet. I wish I felt okay to record more often. But I’m trying what you told me bro, Im gonna go on Sunday. I appreciate you man, thank you for watching!!
@@formansbasement2311 do not be shy there, talk to ministers there, explain your situation and be ready for the penance cause that is important to clear your mind! God loves you!
Forman, Good video, thanks. At 11 minutes, when you played pretty much the same licks on the Crossover and the regular Marine Bend, the Crossover sounded (to me) just a little brighter - good for fully acoustic playing but perhaps a tad harsher when amplified. Logically you said, "if you are paying more, you expect it to play a little better". I agree but, in this clip, you seem to refer only to playability in the short term, ie when the harp is new. I think the benefit of the bamboo comb is that is more stable and it is better able to maintain good airtightness. Although Crossovers are not my favourite harps, I have had a few for a long time and they have proved durable in humid Cornwall (far south west UK). Years back I bought a few Hohner MS Blues Harps in a shop that had nothing else, they played pretty well out of the box, requiring relatively little fettling. Recently I bought a couple more; they weren't as well set up when new and one is the worst Hohner I have owned, it was very tiresome to set up and somehow doesn't quite remain reliable on the draw 3 and 4 (but perhaps my harp tech understanding is missing a crucial something). In between I have bought Seydels with stainless steel reeds. Once I got used to the different feel of the reeds, a kind of different tension, I liked them (it took a while). Some of them played well out of the box and some needed handywork but once the initial work was done they have required less re-working than my Hohners. Until UA-cam presented your video to me I had decided to go back to buying Seydels. However, you have reminded me and convinced me that is high time I tried a regular Marine Band. Thanks, I had long meant to do so but had shied away from the nails. I am still to be convinced that nails won't become problematic but there's only one way to really find out.
Bought one of these some months back due to the positive reviews out there. Mind you, I only have experience with special 20's, lee oskars and a marine band deluxe. That said, it's my favorite harp to date. Feels and plays very premium imo! Edit: I believe Alan Wilson somersaults the reed in "on the road again".
I'm still a beginner. I guess I was lucky that my first harp was so airy (LO in C) it made me look into the harp tech rabbit hole. Feel deep inside. 😂 3 years later, I am still learning both playing and adjusting my OTB harps. Now, I could play an OTB harp ok but it is miles apart from how it plays when I am done adjusting it. Flat sanding, light embossing, reed profile (curve), gapping, fine tunning, making sure the covers front edges have no leaks etc. I am poor too. But rich in time. I feel sad for the players who are at the mercy of QC. That said I find the Hohners most consistent OTB. But still some need more work than others.
Loved the video and enjoyed the review. Here's 2 cents worth from an intermediate player. I think you just got a bad harp with your MB Deluxe. I'm pretty sure the reeds are the same in the MB and the MB Deluxe. And believe me, I know the frustration of paying top dollar and having a bad harp, looking at you Harmo! I have a hard time playing the MB, the raw wood dries out my mouth, and when I play over an hour or so the comb does swell and makes it harder to move. For me the sealed wood of the Deluxe and the Crossover make them superior to the plain old MB. I think the Crossover is a little brighter in sound, and I was having terrible luck with the any E flat harp. I just have a hard time playing that key, can't explain why. D is fine and E is fine, but I'm a mess playing the E flat regardless of the model. I know that sounds stupid, but it is what it is. However, I got an E flat Crossover and it plays great. I'm glad to discover someone else who has two sets of harps, I have several Special 20s that I consider my beater harps. Throw them in my pocket when I might have a few moments to play when out and about. I like the Special 20s, they bend really well for me. I know John Popper and Brandon Santini play Special 20s. I'm sure other "real" harp players do as well. Brandon Santini recommended a Rocket to me, so I was needing another G harp and got one. It also plays real easy. I've only bought the one, but I like it. Finally, on the Sydels. I do like them, but they are a little taller so my mouth doesn't fit as well. Also, they are slightly heavier and it makes me less agile. To me the sound is a little quieter but I like the sound, and they are a little stiffer to bend. Although I found like you, if I play them long enough I adjust. Anyway, thanks for the video. Keep up the good work.
Bb is my fav key as well. I like the crossovers but the cover plates dig into my hand when cupping a mic. Marine Band classic is my fav harp but I play special 20's for comfort. dig the videos keep it up!
Frank I’m gonna explain to you why you paid more money for the Crossover! It is promoted by a lot of people and great players to be the best out of the box harp. Bamboo comb is great. It is an amazing harp and bends really nice. I think we all want to try that better model for comparison so we spend extra to see what the harp is like But…….. The way I see it, all the greats played the original marine Band that has been around for decades. All the greats never had a crossover. I think a lot has to do with the player as well. Hohner makes great harps all the way Around. Your videos are great and you sound awesome. Keep doing what you are doing. 638 subscribers dude you are killin it!
Remember I am still learning and my opinion could be wrong! Sometimes I think maybe I’m not good enough to appreciate the higher end hohners. Does the video look super washed out to anyone else? I think I did something wrong with the lighting
Hello frank! You said you like the Bb harp because you like to sing in the key of F. Can you explain more about this? I like to sing too, I have two marine bands, one in G and the other one in A. How should i sing? Do i have to set my voice tone for a specific key? And how do i do that?
I have been playing "harp" for many years and there is an overwhelming percentage of harps that are bad right off the shelf. It's a bit like tubes. My advice is to buy another of the one you found defective. I dig you have a channel dedicated to this.
All the old school players played Marine Bands because that was the best harp at that time. Try a Lee Oscar or a Suzuki Bluesmaster (very easy to play). A Hohner Special 20 is all I want from Hohner or if you want a really nice comb get the Hohner Rocket. I open the back of the covers on my special 20s and replace the screws with nuts and bolts (M 2.5 x 12). Hang in there Frank and get some help for your depression.
customize your harps, set the zerozone on the reedbuttom to zero, do little gapping on your taste. no embossing no chamferring, no reedcurving needed. you'll get a harp that plays even OB hole 1, OD 7,8,9,and 10.. takes about 3 to 4 hours of work. i mean every guitar when new has to be set up, to play perfect. top customharps go from 450 € to even 1000(!) € ( Joel Anderson, sweden), so why not DIY?❤
Send the Deluxe back to Germany and ask for a replacement. And IMO you should open every harp and adjust the reeds to your playing style. (which is the problem with the nailed harp. After opening it a few times it no longer holds together) The Crossover has a different tuning.
@@sammakammanta4966 too late! I was trying to gap and emboss and I totally ruined the 2 draw. But either way, I never send these things back if they’re bad, I just usually live with it.
Try lee Oskars , heaps cheaper better quality control, lee Oskar's are almost equal temperament and are tuned to 441, which is a tad brighter, there worth a try 👍🙂🇭🇲
@@harpo9279 I absolutely am not. My life is in the worst point it’s been at ever. I just can’t complain anymore. It accomplishes nothing and nobody even cares. So I’m trying to just suffer in silence from now on. Who knows if that will work
Dude I know It’s a bummer cuz I love hohner so much! Maybe I really just got bad luck and got 2 bad ones. I also think maybe I haven’t leveled up enough as a player to appreciate the nicer models with the different set up on the reeds. Idk man, who knows! I really appreciate you watching Kyren, hope all is well. Happy Holidays and Happy Harpin’!
Give Sydel a pull. They use stainless steel reeds that is difficult to use in the beginning. Once you get, oh man you see the difference when blowing a harp with brass reeds. Since you hate it that much, fix it.
@@jamesgui3733 buddy I’m too dumb to fix it, I’m not a harp tech. I played seydel for about 2 months as I said in the video, I even spoke to the Seydel representative in the United States. Ultimately the delay in the response to the stainless steel reed compared to brass made it essentially worthless to me. The Seydel rep said if I stick with em it would be worth it, but I’m not gonna change my entire playing style and on top of that buy a set of overpriced seydels. I’m poor, I couldn’t afford seydel if I wanted, and im still upset about the money I paid for those 2 seydels that sit in my desk collecting dust
Already did. Too expensive and the reed response is terrible compared to hohner. If I was gonna play seydel I would have to not only shell out ridiculous amounts of money but I would also have to re adjust my entire playing technique. I don’t like Seydel
@@formansbasement2311 Too dumb? Dude you have a plethora of information at your fingertips. Change your style of playing? It's called evolving. I started with Hohner's and made my way to Sydel. Hard to pull but worth the money. Then I found 3 of 4 keys of a harp made by Brad Harris. I'm flying on it due to the Seydel. Stop complaining and take a chance and fix it.
Great to see you back Frank ! I’m a 66 well 67 iin 9 days but anyway I’m a raw Beginner on the harp I watch all these UA-cam videos on how to play the harp and it really gets overwhelming sometimes and I like your channel because you just sit down unscripted and give your honest opinion it’s all because you’re a good harp playerAnd I enjoy your perspective on the harp and the playing I know you don’t give lessons but I seem to get a lot out of what you’re saying if that makes any sense and it just seems by your video today that you seem to be doing a lot better you seem more upbeat and relaxedBut anyway I hope life is being good to you I can’t wait for your next video
@@rbking9296 unfortunately I am not doing better. Things only get worse. I just decided to stop complaining because it makes no difference and also nobody cares what Im going through anyway. So instead I will suffer in silence the way a man should
I agree, A and Bb harps are my favorites as well!
Thanks for another video!
MBD and Crossovers are my favourites and after years of trying everything else, I find them to be the best value for money and they suit me perfectly. I have had very bad luck with Seydel - even the expensive ones have been almost unplayable, so I stopped trying them.
The Crossovers can be a little 'toppy' in higher keys to my ears, so I prefer them on lower keys and Thunderbirds, but so far they have all been perfect out of the box and very easy to bend.
I love the tone of MBDs in any key so they are my 'go to'.
Remember that the harp will generally play better after a few minutes, when it is warmed up :)
Cheers!
You have awesome tone! I dig your wah wahs too I've had alot of bad hohner harps over the years
Great review. I totally agree with what you said about how a certain harp will just work for you. Does that mean the quality control at Hohner is just crap? Dunno. Love it when you play. Rock on!
Thank you Tim, always nice to see you in the comment section! I do think the quality control is not the greatest. But I also this these higher end harps are set up “delicately” for advanced players with a soft touch.
Glad you are back here! Love you, bro!
@@littledre nothings changed my man, I do not enjoy my life on this planet. I wish I felt okay to record more often. But I’m trying what you told me bro, Im gonna go on Sunday. I appreciate you man, thank you for watching!!
@@formansbasement2311 do not be shy there, talk to ministers there, explain your situation and be ready for the penance cause that is important to clear your mind! God loves you!
Forman,
Good video, thanks.
At 11 minutes, when you played pretty much the same licks on the Crossover and the regular Marine Bend, the Crossover sounded (to me) just a little brighter - good for fully acoustic playing but perhaps a tad harsher when amplified.
Logically you said, "if you are paying more, you expect it to play a little better". I agree but, in this clip, you seem to refer only to playability in the short term, ie when the harp is new. I think the benefit of the bamboo comb is that is more stable and it is better able to maintain good airtightness. Although Crossovers are not my favourite harps, I have had a few for a long time and they have proved durable in humid Cornwall (far south west UK).
Years back I bought a few Hohner MS Blues Harps in a shop that had nothing else, they played pretty well out of the box, requiring relatively little fettling. Recently I bought a couple more; they weren't as well set up when new and one is the worst Hohner I have owned, it was very tiresome to set
up and somehow doesn't quite remain reliable on the draw 3 and 4 (but perhaps my harp tech understanding is missing a crucial something).
In between I have bought Seydels with stainless steel reeds. Once I got used to the different feel of the reeds, a kind of different tension, I liked them (it took a while). Some of them played well out of the box and some needed handywork but once the initial work was done they have required less re-working than my Hohners.
Until UA-cam presented your video to me I had decided to go back to buying Seydels. However, you have reminded me and convinced me that is high time I tried a regular Marine Band. Thanks, I had long meant to do so but had shied away from the nails. I am still to be convinced that nails won't become problematic but there's only one way to really find out.
Bought one of these some months back due to the positive reviews out there. Mind you, I only have experience with special 20's, lee oskars and a marine band deluxe. That said, it's my favorite harp to date. Feels and plays very premium imo!
Edit: I believe Alan Wilson somersaults the reed in "on the road again".
I'm still a beginner. I guess I was lucky that my first harp was so airy (LO in C) it made me look into the harp tech rabbit hole. Feel deep inside. 😂 3 years later, I am still learning both playing and adjusting my OTB harps. Now, I could play an OTB harp ok but it is miles apart from how it plays when I am done adjusting it. Flat sanding, light embossing, reed profile (curve), gapping, fine tunning, making sure the covers front edges have no leaks etc. I am poor too. But rich in time. I feel sad for the players who are at the mercy of QC. That said I find the Hohners most consistent OTB. But still some need more work than others.
Loved the video and enjoyed the review. Here's 2 cents worth from an intermediate player. I think you just got a bad harp with your MB Deluxe. I'm pretty sure the reeds are the same in the MB and the MB Deluxe. And believe me, I know the frustration of paying top dollar and having a bad harp, looking at you Harmo! I have a hard time playing the MB, the raw wood dries out my mouth, and when I play over an hour or so the comb does swell and makes it harder to move. For me the sealed wood of the Deluxe and the Crossover make them superior to the plain old MB. I think the Crossover is a little brighter in sound, and I was having terrible luck with the any E flat harp. I just have a hard time playing that key, can't explain why. D is fine and E is fine, but I'm a mess playing the E flat regardless of the model. I know that sounds stupid, but it is what it is. However, I got an E flat Crossover and it plays great. I'm glad to discover someone else who has two sets of harps, I have several Special 20s that I consider my beater harps. Throw them in my pocket when I might have a few moments to play when out and about. I like the Special 20s, they bend really well for me. I know John Popper and Brandon Santini play Special 20s. I'm sure other "real" harp players do as well. Brandon Santini recommended a Rocket to me, so I was needing another G harp and got one. It also plays real easy. I've only bought the one, but I like it. Finally, on the Sydels. I do like them, but they are a little taller so my mouth doesn't fit as well. Also, they are slightly heavier and it makes me less agile. To me the sound is a little quieter but I like the sound, and they are a little stiffer to bend. Although I found like you, if I play them long enough I adjust. Anyway, thanks for the video. Keep up the good work.
Bb is my fav key as well. I like the crossovers but the cover plates dig into my hand when cupping a mic. Marine Band classic is my fav harp but I play special 20's for comfort. dig the videos keep it up!
Frank I’m gonna explain to you why you paid more money for the Crossover!
It is promoted by a lot of people and great players to be the best out of the box harp.
Bamboo comb is great.
It is an amazing harp and bends really nice.
I think we all want to try that better model for comparison so we spend extra to see what the harp is like
But……..
The way I see it, all the greats played the original marine
Band that has been around for decades.
All the greats never had a crossover.
I think a lot has to do with the player as well.
Hohner makes great harps all the way
Around.
Your videos are great and you sound awesome.
Keep doing what you are doing.
638 subscribers dude you are killin it!
Some of the greats blow Lee Oscar. And you can buy kits to replace the reeds, not the whole harp.
Actually, the best second position player I ever heard (H Levy, CHI) blows a Special 20.
Remember I am still learning and my opinion could be wrong! Sometimes I think maybe I’m not good enough to appreciate the higher end hohners. Does the video look super washed out to anyone else? I think I did something wrong with the lighting
just a bit because of the light from the window in some angles but it was not a problem while watching, only noticed in your commentary
Maybe do some research on the angle of lighting when you show the harps. The reflections are kinda harsh.
@ thanks for the feedback! Will do! I think you’re right
You have developed good tone and control, I reckon you can appreciate more than you think.
Hello frank! You said you like the Bb harp because you like to sing in the key of F. Can you explain more about this? I like to sing too, I have two marine bands, one in G and the other one in A. How should i sing? Do i have to set my voice tone for a specific key? And how do i do that?
I have been playing "harp" for many years and there is an overwhelming percentage of harps that are bad right off the shelf. It's a bit like tubes. My advice is to buy another of the one you found defective. I dig you have a channel dedicated to this.
All the old school players played Marine Bands because that was the best harp at that time. Try a Lee Oscar or a Suzuki Bluesmaster (very easy to play). A Hohner Special 20 is all I want from Hohner or if you want a really nice comb get the Hohner Rocket. I open the back of the covers on my special 20s and replace the screws with nuts and bolts (M 2.5 x 12).
Hang in there Frank and get some help for your depression.
@@harpo9279 lee oskar and suzuki bluesmaster are both terrible in my experience. Especially the lee oskar, what a terrible instrument
customize your harps, set the zerozone on the reedbuttom to zero, do little gapping on your taste. no embossing no chamferring, no reedcurving needed. you'll get a harp that plays even OB hole 1, OD 7,8,9,and 10.. takes about 3 to 4 hours of work.
i mean every guitar when new has to be set up, to play perfect. top customharps go from 450 € to even 1000(!) € ( Joel Anderson, sweden), so why not DIY?❤
Send the Deluxe back to Germany and ask for a replacement.
And IMO you should open every harp and adjust the reeds to your playing style. (which is the problem with the nailed harp. After opening it a few times it no longer holds together)
The Crossover has a different tuning.
@@sammakammanta4966 too late! I was trying to gap and emboss and I totally ruined the 2 draw. But either way, I never send these things back if they’re bad, I just usually live with it.
Ive always wanted to try the crossover, but the price point kills me. I play suzuki manji which i love, have you ever tried them?
Try a Hohner Stainless. Perfect tone. And you CAN bend the reeds. Once.
Try lee Oskars , heaps cheaper better quality control, lee Oskar's are almost equal temperament and are tuned to 441, which is a tad brighter, there worth a try 👍🙂🇭🇲
Meisterklaus is a perfect replacement.
I've been beating on a Sydel as I practice bending.
Frank, you seem to be doing better here.
@@harpo9279 I absolutely am not. My life is in the worst point it’s been at ever. I just can’t complain anymore. It accomplishes nothing and nobody even cares. So I’m trying to just suffer in silence from now on. Who knows if that will work
Didn’t like my Marine Band Deluxe, but maybe I’m just not good enuff to get the tone out of it…
the tuning on crossover is better
That's too bad you haven't had good experiences with the MBD and Crossover they are both my favorite harps
Dude I know It’s a bummer cuz I love hohner so much! Maybe I really just got bad luck and got 2 bad ones. I also think maybe I haven’t leveled up enough as a player to appreciate the nicer models with the different set up on the reeds. Idk man, who knows! I really appreciate you watching Kyren, hope all is well. Happy Holidays and Happy Harpin’!
10:05 that is because of high airtightness
Give Sydel a pull. They use stainless steel reeds that is difficult to use in the beginning. Once you get, oh man you see the difference when blowing a harp with brass reeds.
Since you hate it that much, fix it.
@@jamesgui3733 buddy I’m too dumb to fix it, I’m not a harp tech. I played seydel for about 2 months as I said in the video, I even spoke to the Seydel representative in the United States. Ultimately the delay in the response to the stainless steel reed compared to brass made it essentially worthless to me. The Seydel rep said if I stick with em it would be worth it, but I’m not gonna change my entire playing style and on top of that buy a set of overpriced seydels. I’m poor, I couldn’t afford seydel if I wanted, and im still upset about the money I paid for those 2 seydels that sit in my desk collecting dust
Already did. Too expensive and the reed response is terrible compared to hohner. If I was gonna play seydel I would have to not only shell out ridiculous amounts of money but I would also have to re adjust my entire playing technique. I don’t like Seydel
@@formansbasement2311 Too dumb? Dude you have a plethora of information at your fingertips. Change your style of playing? It's called evolving. I started with Hohner's and made my way to Sydel. Hard to pull but worth the money. Then I found 3 of 4 keys of a harp made by Brad Harris. I'm flying on it due to the Seydel. Stop complaining and take a chance and fix it.
@@formansbasement2311…mate, I’ve had shit harps ootb from all makes and models, …regardless of price. Sometimes I get lucky, sometimes I don’t…