I use Lee Oskar harmonicas
for most of my harp work. I find the tone to be very mellow, but the harps will
cut through glass when I blow the higher end. This makes sense since the harps
are tuned slightly sharper as you go up the comb towards the higher notes. Also,
Lee Oskar harps are very responsive to overblowing, note-bending, blow-bending
and their plastic comb and tight plate cover lend to very quick playing (a
la John Popper of Blues Traveler). Their economic price, quality construction,
key availability and replacement reed options make Lee Oskar tops in my mind—the
UTILITY HARP. |
Coming in a close second in
my gig bag, are Huang Star Performers. These harps wail! If you are looking for
that ROCK HARMONICA SOUND that is so easily complemented by distortion and guitar-like
riffs, these harps will do the trick. They are extremely cheap, and
the quality varies from one harp to another, but when you have a good one, their
power and responsiveness does the job. |
MY GEAR |
Lee Oskars are available in these Keys |
I have also used Special 20s, Blues Harps,
Pocket Pals and found that they all have short life spans. I have heard great
reviews for the Special 20, but I may have had a dud with the one that I owned.
The reeds deadened before I knew it and the airtight reed chambers were never
the same after I opened the harp up. |
MICS Unfortunately, I have not been fortunate enough to try a microphone other than the Dynamic Crystal Shaker MIC. This mic is very responsive and fits nicely in the lower hand while the thumb and forefinger brace the harp. Perfect for that one-handed speed player. Shown left below. |
CARRYING CASE I use the HOHNER air-tight hermetically sealed carying case for my harmonicas. I fits 12 diatonic harps nicely and one chromatic harp up to 7 1/2 inches in length. These can be purchased through Kevin's harps. |
AMPS For pracitce purposes, I use the Pignose HOG 20 battery-powered amp. This amp has a clean powerful sound that compliments the Shaker Mic very well with its crunchy , yet clean distortion. I have never had the battery run out after a full charge even through a 8 to 10 hour practice session. |
