Is the Manji that difficult to play?

Hey guys,

Needed to put this out there because im utterly confused…
Playing a Marine Band C and an Olive A and I recently purchased a Manji C. I had no problems bending on my previous two harps, but the draw 3 bending on my Manji seems impossible. Draw 7 is also really tricky. Getting all sort of squealing sounds. Generally, it seems to need more air as well.

I’m pretty new and never experienced anything like this before and wanted to ask if the Manji supposed to be that hard to play or something is off with my harp? I was so excited trying a Manji after loving my Olive so much.

Thanks!
Geri

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Not at all!

The Manji is maybe a hair more challenging than other harps because of the smaller holes, but the tone is fantastic!

I only stopped playing them because Suzuki wouldn’t honor a warranty claim when my less than 1 year old Manji corroded. Suzuki blamed me for it - and finally after 2 years of emails they have sent me another Manji.

Remember that the player more than the harmonica matters most. Solid technique on a Hohner Blues Band is going to sound better than a newbie on a Seydel Lightning.

I play Lee Oscar and Seydel Session Steels now, both companies have great customer service, and the harps I get are good quality.

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I love my B Session Steel. I don’t play it as much, but I love the deeper tone that comes out it.

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The action and gapping may just need adjustments.

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Seydel makes great harps - I have a Session Steel with a cracked comb on the 7 hole (really not sure how, but it was under warranty), and Seydel sent out another one no problem.

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Tightening the gap on the blow reeds significantly improved the playability!!
My draw 3 bend is still jumpy but ill keep working my bends…

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@gericsapo That’s always been my complaints with the Manji’s! Not sure why they set them up like that. Weird to me. I guess some people like it? Glad you were able to get it working for ya!

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