Hohner Thunderbird Review (Low tuned Harmonica)
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- Lee Sankey gives an overview of the new Hohner Thunderbird, a range of low tuned diatonic harmonicas in the spirit of the Low C used by Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller) on "Bye Bye Bird". The Thunderbird was developed in conjunction with ace customiser and player Joe Filisko who designed the innovative cover plates that eliminate the reed buzz associated with low tuned diatonic models.
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Thank you for watching my UA-cam Channel. My name is Lee Sankey and here I post videos of my music, provide tips, tutorials and courses for playing blues harmonica. My content is mainly aimed at intermediate and advanced players. I hope you find my channel fun, informative and useful.
Excellent review Lee, you convinced me. I'm getting one but I'm going to do some busking to pay for it.
Can't wait to try Bye Bye Birdie on a Low C
Your videos are so helpful mate THANK YOU. Ivan
ivansaric33 Sweet comment! Thanks Ivan.
***** Hi Harris, good to see someone utilising the low harps. I don't use them enough myself. Joe Filisko is a master of tastefully and imaginatively using them. Saw him last weekend in the UK. He brought a couple of guests on stage on they did a Sonny Boy Williamson II tune where he effectively played bass on a low harp. Sounded terrific. Lee
I am very glad that I discovered such a wonderful musician and harmonica teacher Lee Sankey. Unfortunately, I do not speak English fluently, but nevertheless I understand a lot and I hope to understand a lot more intuitively in the learning process. I don’t understand how this happened, but in this video, Lee plays the LA. Sorry, am i right?
Just ordered my first low harp, a Thunderbird in F. Thanks for the review!
+Geetar2112 Nice one. The low sound adds another dimension to your bag of tricks
Hey Lee, thank you! It´s great to hear your professional opinion about the thunderbird-harp!
Thanks for posting this! I play around a bit with harmonicas, but never enjoyed higher pitched ones. I think this is one I'll be looking at.
Hi Lee,
thanks a lot for this nice presentation.
always nice to discover one of your video.
Thanks a lot :
Steph.
It's based on the Crossover harp, similar to the profile of the Marine Band. If you are looking for a low tuned harp and like Hohners anyway, seems to me that this is a good choice for you.
I love my low keyed harps. Latest on my thinking table is a Low C.
I usually use the low harps to play melody rather than in 2nd position. I like the other end harps such as the High G to play cross style in the key of D. thanks for sharing
Very helpful review, and fine playing. Thanks!
Good review man! I had a Marine Band 364 in G arrive today so I've been having fun with that :) I also now think I may take the plunge in the next month or so and get a low G - can't wait to do some brilliant chugging a la Rice Miller!
Can't go wrong with a bit of Sonny Boy
Man, you rock! Still looking forward to your Brainstrument book :) Cheers
I'm not sure Dylan used low harps. But the main point is to use the right key of harmonica for the song. So if you get the match right then of course you could use a Hohner Thunderbird. The low tuned sound might add something new and different. Lee
I've been thinking about getting a low F since I struggle with the regular F harp. Appreciate your evaluation...think I am gonna make the plunge. Had a low F Big River, but accidentally destroyed a reed while cleaning it. I love the sound and your demos and lessons are always helpful. Cheers!
Mark Webb Silliman Hi Mark, the Thunderbird is a terrific low register harp. Definitely work a try. If you have budget, consider trying a low A. Low F is cool but quite common choice for a low register. A low A or D for example is a bit more unusual. Lee
Lee Sankey I appreciate your thought here. I have been thinking a Low D would be cool too. Usually for my purposes a reg A sounds great and low enough for me, and there are budget considerations! I have found them for 98.00 USD.
Mark Webb Silliman that's a good price. Go for it.
Thank you!
Thanks for that Lee, love your vids by the way, very informative and great playing too. Just wonder if there's any chance of doing you one on vibrato, that would be great.
crossover's sound great. love' em
@VIOLA703 Thanks, check out Joe Filisko and Steve Baker who designed this harmonica. Both great players. Warm regards, Lee
@caracho1980 No problem, it's an interesting and very well built model. Worth a look if you are considering a low harp. Lee
lee,you are a great ispiration to me!
LibertasVeritatis ah that's very kind, cheers, Lee
your explanations are very clear and your sound so full and rich!!
have a great time!
You sold me to them:)
Hi Lee!
Thanks for your review. I have one in LBb...it's just great! Really easy to play. Maybe I'll do a video too.
Greetings
Konstantin
@navas015 good move, they definitely add another interesting option to a harmonica players sound
@arthur1062 Hi Arthur, which make was the low D in? I would definitely try the Thunderbird if you want a playable, responsive low harp without the reed buzz. Thanks for the comment about my playing. See you soon, Lee
It's not an MS harmonica. It's modelled on the Crossover. Best to look on Hohner's site for more details.
Nice review
@vvvultrasz2 Hi Konstantin, Bb is my favourite key so I will be tempted to get a LBb next. The one I tested here is in A. Good to hear from someone also using this harmonica. Kind regards Lee
Hi there, all good questions, but probably the best way to think about this is simply which key will you get the most use from? Do you play more songs in A and E or D and G? I would go on that basis. For me it would be A.
Have you tried overblowing those harmonica?
Question: Is this based on the Marine Band in terms of the size of the holes? I prefer Sp20s because the holes are bigger...great job with your introduction..really appreciated it!
pretty good harpin' m8!
Andy Mueller cheers Andy. ua-cam.com/video/U0c3WYs4MpA/v-deo.html
Love the sound of this Thunderbird! It reminds me of the old Gunsmoke show. Very warm and moody. All you harpers are welcome to add me on Facebook. :)
@freereed29 It must be, Ill try and find out for sure.
yes.
@eldorado303 Yeah I agree, an excellent out of the box harmonica.
What do you think it sounded like?
Lee, got the Low Bb....what i find, is this is not for stage and show...this is for playing QUIETLY in peace, by yourself or tiny group with CONDENSER mics. then, it is EASY to play, effortless, and easier to record. not for live....unless audience and band are dead quiet and u use condenser mics, abt 5 inches from harmonica....thanks
Low tuned harps, including the Thunderbird is are quieter than regular range harps. However, they can be used live. Joe Filisko uses them extensively for example. But yes, you're right, if the band is in 'rock' mode, you might get drowned out. Lee
How does this compare to the low Hohner Rockets?
A completely different harmonica. The Thunderbird is specifically designed for low tuning. The Rocket is a general purpose diatonic. If you are looking for a low tuned harp then the Thunderbird is a fantastic choice. If you want a regularly pitched harp then the Rocket would be a better option.
There are low-tuned rockets available now, though.
Ah I didn't know that. Well the Thunderbird was specifically designed by Joe Filisko for low tuning. The cover plates are specially contoured to avoid the reed buzz you get with standard plates. The other determining factor is whether you prefer plastic or wooden comb. For me, I'd go with the Thunderbird. But no doubt both are excellent.
Would you rather buy a thunderbird in the key of A or in the key of D? Do the higher notes like D,E, and F have more volume? I have a C and Im thinking of getting another but im not sure which to get and they are quite expensive.
parping starts: 02:10
Does it take more puff and air to make it parp
Do you know if the reed plates are ms or not
Hi there, thanks for the feedback, always nice to hear the videos are helping players like you. Vibrato is a great subject. I have recorded 1 video already, you can find it on my channel. Check it out and let me know if it's helpful. Cheers, Lee
nice vibrato mate, is that throat or diaphragm?
Shane Boylan hiya, throat
Lee Sankey hi Lee. I’m gonna get myself one of these. I’m a guitarist and very interested in harmonica playing. Is the vibrato on harmonica the same vibrato when singing?
what key is this
You reversed the video or you play with the inverted harmonic?
Ramom Martins I play the harmonica upside down. Low notes to my right. Lee
Uow! I've never seen it before. Congratulations, hehe.
Ramom Martins It wasn't intentional, I;ve just always played that way. So did Sonny Terry, Paul Butterfield and William Clarke by the way.
thanks bro...but...but...it seemeth...that you need FAR more power to push ?
very tiring to play, si ??
kisho bhar Lower keys have longer reeds so yes they take a bit more effort to play. However, not as much as you might think. The Thunderbird is well set up so plays sweetly without too much effort. But don't expect to bend them like a normal harp etc. They are perfect for laying down textures like chords and octaves. Lee
Hello lee , im a beginner what would you recommend for me ? Marine band or crossover ? Thank you
+Dilan Hewa Can't go wrong with either. Crossover might edge it, but a bit more pricey. Let me know how you get on. Lee
What about the low low f?
+Franco Pulcini what about it?
is it possible to bend efficiently ?
+Franco Pulcini no, low low tuned harps are hard to bend due to the length of the reeds.
Thank you.
I play Harmonica too . And I have many name of Harmonica too . . .all Harmonica the same !
and?
Just a little over $100.
Yeah sure, only a hundred and fifty bucks! Buy two, there small! Only kidding, but when I started playing the harp the diatonic Marine Band sold for exactly one dollar.
It's a pricey harp for sure. But worth it if you want to add low keys into your repertoire. Harps have become more expensive over the years. However, their quality has improved massively over the last 20 years or so. In the 90's they were so poor I would resent playing 1 dollar for a Hohner Marine Band. You had to buy 5 to find one that was playable. They would not be responsive, the comb would swell and they wouldn't last. Today, the instruments are of much better quality. The same goes for all the manufacturers. Today you have to be unlucky to buy a harp that's out of tune and unresponsive. Cheers, Lee