Full set of harmonicas and a harness...[NHD]

[robroy]

I have four of those stainless steel Seydel 1847 Lightning harmonicas and they are incredible. And expensive but I think they will last a lifetime. The orange Seydel Blues harmonicas are also very nice for about half the price but I have had to replace them after four years or so.

You mention the magnetic holders that I think are a big advance for those of us who play guitar and harmonica and sing so liberating not to have to wear the harness contraption. cheers

[rmp]

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

That's pretty cool!

I have thought of doing the same thing in buying a set of harmonicas. I might just have to do it one of these days! So much of the early Beatles music used a harmonica...

- Glenn

I've found it's hard to do a lot of Dylan tunes justice with out it too.

I don't have the first idea about it either.

But I do know, if you're going to buy harps don't cheap out. they don't last and sound like poop. The guy who sings with us plays, so I've watch him go thru a lot of crappy ones. the good ones, work all the time.

[SpruceTop]

I bought a 7-piece set of Blues Harps with a hard carrying case and a carrying belt back in 2008 for $149.99 from Musician's Friend and I've never used them--still brand new! In my early days (1977), I was a genuine imitation Bob Dylan, and often used harps, but I got away from that after a year or so when I found out that my audiences just wanted me to rock their alcohol-infused (+/- 'nuther stuff) presence with whatever genre and tunes did it for them in that venue to have a good time.

[stevo58]

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

That's pretty cool!

I have thought of doing the same thing in buying a set of harmonicas. I might just have to do it one of these days! So much of the early Beatles music used a harmonica...

- Glenn

This article might save you some headaches:

https://www.ksanti.net/free-reed/ess...lebeatles.html

Steven

[Guitars44me]

OP, did you invest in one of the Sydell/Farmer magnetic harp racks?

https://www.footdrums.com/product/gecko-harp-holder/

They are expensive, but work great for me. Very liberating to be able to swap harps with one hand. Although I do add an extra rare earth magnet to make the harp stay where it is supposed to.

As a result of this thread I have invested in a couple Sydell session steel harps to see if I prefer them to my usual Lee Oscars.

Honk on, gang

Paul

[catndahats]

an update?
How's it coming along?
Been wanting to buy my wife a set of harmonicas, not too expensive, but aside from looking online, have no clue where to start.

[Coler]

Originally Posted by catndahats

an update?
How's it coming along?
Been wanting to buy my wife a set of harmonicas, not too expensive, but aside from looking online, have no clue where to start.

Hey there, thanks for your interest!

It's going well - I'm enjoying myself. I'm following a beginner course I bought on harmonica.com and I've integrated some playing into a few songs I do. Next tuesday I'm playing in a local pub session and will try it out in public for the first time.

I havn't done anything structured with the chromatic harp. I like to just play around and pick things out by ear though. On piano and guitar this was my approach and ultimately helped me learn where the notes are by ear while having a lot of fun.

I'm not knowledgeable enough to reccomend any purchases. I will say that I really enjoy having the full set available to me, and I bought an excellent harness (a Gecko made by Seydel which gives a perfect magnetic fit to the harps I bought) and this has made playing with guitar very accesible.

[catndahats]

Thanks for replying, Coler.
Glad you are enjoying ... sounds like fun!

[Guitars44me]

One note on the Gecko rack from Sydel/Farmer, which I really like a LOT.

It won’t work with non steel bodied harps. So the Sydel or Lee Oscars or Hohners all work but any brass or plastic /composite bodies will not attract the magnet .

Ah, well. Stuff….

Paul

[Pine Cone]

Originally Posted by catndahats

an update?
How's it coming along?
Been wanting to buy my wife a set of harmonicas, not too expensive, but aside from looking online, have no clue where to start.

The Fender Blues Deluxe 7-harmonica set is a great starter set
https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Blues-.../dp/B00L0VGMRS

EastTop makes good mid-priced harmonicas
https://www.amazon.com/Easttop-Harmo...NrPXRydWU&th=1

EastTop also makes great chromatic harmonicas. I have both 12 and 16 hole EastTop chromatics, and the 12-holes come in several keys.


I started out with Hohner Marine Bands and Blues Harps in the 1960's, like them a lot still. I have had mixed results with the Lee Oskar's I have bought.

EastTops are probably the best value harmonicas on the market today.

[Coler]

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

One note on the Gecko rack from Sydel/Farmer, which I really like a LOT.

It won’t work with non steel bodied harps. So the Sydel or Lee Oscars or Hohners all work but any brass or plastic /composite bodies will not attract the magnet .

Ah, well. Stuff….

Paul

Paul - very true good point - also my Seydels mate to it perfectly as they are clearly built to fit each other. Other metal harps may not sit quite as perfectly.

[catndahats]

Thanks for the info PineCone!
Appreciate the experienced tips.

Originally Posted by Pine Cone

The Fender Blues Deluxe 7-harmonica set is a great starter set
https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Blues-.../dp/B00L0VGMRS

EastTop makes good mid-priced harmonicas
https://www.amazon.com/Easttop-Harmo...NrPXRydWU&th=1

EastTop also makes great chromatic harmonicas. I have both 12 and 16 hole EastTop chromatics, and the 12-holes come in several keys.


I started out with Hohner Marine Bands and Blues Harps in the 1960's, like them a lot still. I have had mixed results with the Lee Oskar's I have bought.

EastTops are probably the best value harmonicas on the market today.

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by Coler

Paul - very true good point - also my Seydels mate to it perfectly as they are clearly built to fit each other. Other metal harps may not sit quite as perfectly.

My Lee Oscars and Hohners fit the gecko fine.

I have three Herring harps (from Brazil). They have a very nice warm tone, but the covers are brass of some kind, and will not adhere to the Gecko rack.

I was kind of disappointed, as I am big on the Gecko. And I rarely play harmonica by itself. Almost always my retro one man band.

Just a cautionary note.

Play on

Paul

[Coler]

So I have worked up some slow Irish trad tunes (e.g. Planxty Irwin) on diatonic which I would be happy to play in a session. I’m trying the same on the chromatic and making some good progress on that too.

And I also have a couple of numbers I'm happy to use harp on with guitar. Nothing crazy - heart of gold, lady franklins lament but I think it’s working for me.

I'm delighted though it's great fun.