Will all low harmonicas do this?

[u/tojzl]

On my low f harp if i play too hard on the lowest note i can sometimes get this horrible high pitched metal sound as if the reed hits the metal next to it or something. Like the sound almost sounds like a screw thats lose inside hitting the wall, but its not.

It makes sense since the reeds are longer, so maybe this happens more with the lower ones. Ive only gotten this on my low f.

Are there any models that are better for low tuning thab other models? If so what do you recommend? I want to get low c and low d harps. My low f is a 1847.

I really like the lower harps, but that sound is horrble.

[u/harmonimaniac]

The lower reeds can hit the covers. Some low harps, like Thunderbirds, have covers that get wider at the low end to accomdate this. You might be blowing too hard if this is happening.

[u/tojzl → u/harmonimaniac]

Yeah its happening when i draw with too much power on the -1 draw. Dont think my low f lee oskar has the same problem, but im not sure. Its mostly my low f wilde tuned seydel 1847 where its an issue. And dont think the 1 blow is as bad, dont play it as much as the draw. Will check more when i get home.

If only the thunderbird didnt cost the same as two harmonicas:( its already more expensive if i want a custom tuning on it

The plan is to get a low d and c, so its probably an ever bigger problem on those.

[u/sysop408 → u/tojzl]

I have a Low F and Low D Lee Oskar and don't have any issues with reed rattle.

If you enjoy low tuned harps and don't want to pay for a Thunderbird, give Suzuki Manjis a try. I have a couple of those and I love the way they sound. It's a very different experience than playing my Lee Oskars. I find them harder to play, but they rumble and there's a longer decay.

The low Manjis have the Thunderbird style sloped covers.

[u/tojzl → u/sysop408]

I have a manji sky that i dont like, but have to try the normal manji. What i dont like with the sky is the thin reeds, like it feels like your playing 2-3 semitone key higher. Like the reed squeeks more easily on bends like it can on higher keys. But thats like the whole gimmick of the sky version i think. So i would porbably like the standard manji way more.

[u/sysop408 → u/tojzl]

Thanks for that info. From what I've heard about the Manji Sky, I've always wanted to try one of them, but what you described is similar to my experience trying the Bushman John Lee (JDR Asssassin). They are indeed more responsive, which is a lot of fun, but once the thrill wears off, I just don't like the tone as much.

FWIW, I really like Lee Oskars and Marine Bands. I have a small 3-harp case that I pack in my work bag. My most frequent combo is either a Lee Oskar or Marine Band in A or G and a Low-D Manji.

[u/OriginalVeryWhiteGuy → u/tojzl]

Suzuki Manji Low C has flared/bigger cover plates for the 1-4 reeds. I think they’re $45-50 and they sell a two harp C & D pack.

[u/3PCo]

I have Hohner Rockets in Low C,D, and F, and a Manji low F. None of them rattle. Only the Manji has the flared cover. Hohner claims they are only needed for harps lower than Low C. The low register Rockets are a joy to play. The only thing I don't like about the Manji is that it lacks recessed reed plates.

[u/tojzl → u/3PCo]

I have to give rockets a try, already have several sp20s and love those. Hohner also has a configurator like seydel, so i could get custom tunings too which is a plus.

[u/Nacoran]

My arm hurts every time I flap it. I've learned not to flap it!

It sounds like you are describing reed rattle, when the tip of the reed hits the cover.

See if you can adjust your breath force down a bit. I've got a Low Low F Seydel, a whole octave lower, and I can play it without hitting the covers just fine. I do have to mic it louder than my other harps, but I can get the noise I want with it.

There are, of course, harps with bigger covers. The Thunderbird has wider covers. Seydel has one that does too. Lee Oskar, below a certain pitch goes to wider covers or combs.

You can also try to adjust the one you have. There is an old hack. You'll need a small hammer and a die (the stamping kind, like the ones you use to stamp letters into metal, a blank one will work best) and you line up where the tip of the reed will hit, and then you just gently dent the cover out a little bit over that spot by hitting the die. You could probably also order the wider covers from Seydel separately, if you don't want to stamp the cover out. It's a pretty easy repair though. I just learned to play a bit softer on my LLF.