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Featured Products
Lee Oskar Major Diatonic Harmonica
£31.49
16 Keys available
Lee Oskar Major Diatonic harmonicas are part of the Lee Oskar range of modular blues harps, made by Tombo in Japan to Lee's specifications. The Major Diatonic is the most popular tuning in the range, as it follows the traditional Richter note layout, familiar to all ten hole harmonica players. If you want to play traditional blues tunes in first or second position, this is the harmonica you need. It will also work well for folk, pop and country, although players who wish to use minor keys, or are interested in playing country or Eastern tunes, should check out Lee Oskar's Melody Maker, Natural Minor and Harmonic Minor harps, which share the same basic architecture as the Major Diatonic, but feature different tunings. Lee Oskar harps are renowned for their dark, raspy tone, and the ease with which they can be maintained, making them ideal for beginners and experts alike. The traditional brass reeds are responsive, and the ABS comb is comfortable to use and offers excellent swell resistance. The bolted together construction facilitates cleaning and maintenance, and replacement reeds plates are available in all tunings at significantly less than the price of a new harmonica. All over the world, professional players use Lee Oskar Harps as their first choice harmonica. "Standard" Richter tuning Available in 14 Keys (Listed low to high): Lo F, G, Ab, A, Bb, B, C, Db, D, Eb, E, F, F#, Hi G Model: 1910 - Orange Label Manufactured by Tombo in Japan ... Read more
Hohner Marine Band 1896 Classic
£32.99
32 Keys available
The Hohner Marine Band 1896 Classic harmonica is the original blues harmonica. Today it is still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first introduced in 1896. Its uniquely authentic sound has defined the role of the harmonica in the blues tradition and made it the benchmark by which all others are judged. Like the original Marine Band, the current 1896 model uses traditional long slot brass reeds, an open back and a pearwood comb to provide the warm and raspy tone beloved of blues, folk and country players throughout the world. Unlike older models, however, it doesn't use 7 Limit Just Intonation, but instead utilises a modern compromise tuning. This is closer to Just than many of Hohner's other harmonicas, such as the MS range, but still allows single note melodies to sound pure and sweet. The Marine Band Classic is one of the few Hohner diatonics that is available in a full range of natural and harmonic minor tunings. For low tunings, we recommend the Hohner Thunderbird, which has been designed from the ground up as a low tuned harmonica, but still has similar tone and feel to the classic Marine Band. Should you wish to replace reed plates on the Marine Band Classic, we recommend upgrading to the Andrew Zajac Marine Band Conversion Kit, which replaces the stock nails with a bolted setup, and makes the process of changing reed plates significantly easier. Original cover design from 1896 ensures the classic blues sound Greatly reduced swelling behaviour through double-coated pear wood comb Reeds: 20 Brass Reed Plates: 0.9mm brass Comb: Pearwood, brown Mouthpiece: pearwood lacquered Cover surface: Stainless steel Made in Germany Check the Key for additional tuning options: Natural Minor & Harmonic Minor ... Read moreLatest Products
Andrew Zajac Flatness Tool and Reed Plate Claws
£45.99
Andrew Zajac Flatness Tool and Reed Plate Claws - Use these tools to flatten the comb and reed plates.
Straight, flat reed plates fitted to a flat comb are the best framework for the reeds. Even a thousandth of an inch of space between the comb and reed plate means the reed will be less efficient at converting air flow into decibels.
With a good frame, the reeds can function the way they are supposed to. Want even more power? A good frame also means reed work becomes much simpler because all sides of the slot are at the same level and are well supported. A good foundation is mandatory for best results when doing reed work.
The Flatness Tool™ is used to measure flatness. It is an extremely precise straight edge reference. It has a reed groove so that it can be used on both reed plates as well as the comb. One you find where the comb or the reed plate is not flat, you can correct it.
The Flatness Tool™ can also be used to make combs extremely flat. My method of flattening combs is very easy to learn with a little practice. There is no guesswork involved since you are using a proper reference as your guide.
My Dark combs are the flattest combs on the market. Use this tool to make any other sandwich-type comb just as flat as mine.
Use the Reed Plate Claws™ on both the blow and draw reed plates. Straighten the draw plate before flat sanding it. On the blow plate, the reeds get in the way of flat sanding so all you need to do is straighten them using the reed plate claws.
You may use the edge of a reed plate to check the flatness of the other plate. However, I do not recommend using a reed plate to gauge the flatness of a comb.
You will likely get false measurements which will lead to over-sanding the comb as you try to correct what you believe is a defect. It's not easy to undo oversanding - this type of feedback loop can be fatal.
The Reed Plate Holder will help you hold the reed plate steady as you straighten it with the Reed Plate Claws. Once you get comfortable with the claws, you may no longer need the Reed Plate Holder.
It has two slots to accommodate many different sizes of reed plates. Use the smallest
slot that fits.
The Reed Plate Holder ships with a sticker on the under side. The adhesive will help hold the plate in place. Once it loses its stickiness, you can peel it off and replace it with any kind of tape you have on hand. If you no longer need the additional help from the adhesive, don't bother replacing it.... Read more
Andrew Zajac Extended French Tuner
£25.99
Andrew Zajac Extended French Tuner - You don't need bulky, expensive and complicated equipment to tune your harmonica with great precision. The French Tuner™ helps you use your mouth and ears to quickly tune the blow reed plate of a diatonic harmonica. The French Tuner™ helps you eliminate beating and provide smooth chords.
Perfect tuning can only be achieved with both reed plates are attached to the comb and with a lot of attention to detail. But for most players, the French Tuner™ provides excellent results after just one pass. It's the quickest and easiest way to improve the tuning of the blow plate.
Its precision design allows the French Tuner to work on all major brands of 10-hole diatonic harmonicas including Seydel (which have wider spaced holes) and many 12-hole harps. It will not fit the larger Hohner 364 and 365 harmonicas but contact me if you are interested in a French Tuner that is custom made to fit these harmonicas.
The French Tuner is not just for tuning! Use it to speed up other important tweaks:
- Use the French Tuner to help adjust reed profiles. The French Tuner will isolate a reed while the plate is off the comb and allow you to play the reed to assess and make fine-grained changes to reed shape. Pucker or tongue-block embouchure can be used to best help you adjust your reeds to your playing style.
- The French Tuner will help you with embossing. If you are a player who doesn't like the sound of a tightly embossed harmonica, make fine-grained adjustments to the slot while using your ears. Gradually emboss the slot until you reach the sweet spot where you get maximum responsiveness without making the tone too bright.
- The French Tuner is perfectly flat and can be used as a reference to improve air seal. Use the French Tuner and a source of bright light to look for uneven areas of the blow reed plate.... Read more