Hi. Currently I am looking at a new set of Hohner Harmonica’s and was researching the standard Rockets and SP20’s which I already have. However, I see the Marine Band and the Crossover has 4 hole cover plate clamping and the Rockets 2. My engineering background tells me that 4 hole clamping would provide more even pressure however it doesn’t tell me if the acoustics is any better. So, anybody got any input? I would really appreciate it. Thanks.
2 Likes
If I understand your question right, you are concerned about the number of fasteners on the cover plates.
The sound primarily comes from you and the Reed plates, not the cover plates. The cover plates do affect playability some, but mostly as long as your reedplates are screwed down securely, your set.
I used to really like Suzuki Manjis, which only have 2 screws on the reedplate. Honestly one of the best sounding harps in my opinion. The problem (among a few) is that the cover plates did not have supports, and crushed easily with normal play. My particular harp had other issues too with corrosion, and Suzuki refused to back me up, and fought over a replacement for 2 years 
. Ugh.
I now only get Lee Oscar, Seydel Session Steels, and a stray Special 20. All have excellent cover plate supports, are airtight, and have plastic combs. The build quality is best on the Lee Oskar, and Seydel Session Steel. Both last a LONG time with a lot of play.
Honestly Lee Oskar is the best in my opinion, but I overblow and LOs tend to squeel.
Hopefully this wasn’t too long….kind of went on a tangent….
2 Likes
I don’t think you can get anything better than a Crossover. I have a Special 20 and it plays well. It is the quality of the notes a Crossover plays that puts it in first place. I am not a fan of wooden combs as moisture and wood are a bad combination I/M/O. Out of the box. any harp made need some adjustments as I have had reed plates that need to be adjusted flat and reeds that need to be adjusted. I feel the Crossover is a bit harder to hit single notes on but once you get used to it the sound is great. I also lightly sand the reed plate edges and corners with 1,500 wet and dry as the plates protrude out of the comb a bit and can rough up the lips. The four hole hold down is better and can help avoid air leaks. My Special 20 does not have openings on the side and it helps me play with less effort. Either one will due but my 20 and Lee Osker do not get played as much. This is just my opinion and I do agree about the four hole design. I have a tech, HARPSMITH, go over any harp I get as he can adjust them to play the music you like and when he finishes a harp its always been great. He sets mine to play bends and easily and every reed is tuned as it should be. Notes are easier to play as they requites they need less air pressure to sound the reed. Other guys on this forum have favored harps and I respect their selection. Many have forgotten more than I know about harps. Like a fishing lure the more confidence you have in the harp you play the better you play it. I love converting air to noise and a little music but adjusting harps and dealing air leaks are not fun, even evil, but a necessary evil. If you are now getting started a C, G and B flat are not a bad selection. My 20 is an A. It sounds like you want a good harp out of the block and I feel this is the way to go. Cost less money over the long haul.
1 Like