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Post subject: Fender Harmonicas are Here!
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 10:08 am
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Hi all,

Just a reminder to check out our selection of Fender harmonicas available direct from the Fender Store! We're offering two new series of 10-hole diatonic harps—the Blues Deluxe and pro-grade Blues DeVille—in seven different keys. Each harmonica features replaceable reed plates for quick and easy repair, as well as moisture-resistant combs for longevity and tuning stability. They're available individually as well as in a handy all-inclusive seven pack. Check 'em out!

Thanks everyone!


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Post subject: Re: Fender Harmonicas are Here!
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 11:35 am
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Neat! A new project I am working on with a friend might just benefit from a harp on a tune or two and neither of us have any. This might be perfect timing.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Harmonicas are Here!
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 12:01 pm
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Hohner Blues Band and Hohner Piedmont Blues harps with a different logo and price?
Or are there other differences?


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Post subject: Re: Fender Harmonicas are Here!
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 12:46 pm
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As a Fender enthusiast and a harp player (I'm really a better harp player than guitarist, if the truth be told), I'm excited about these...

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I will have to play one and see what the sound/build quality is before I whole-heartedly endorse this venture. There are some crappy harmonicas out there...

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Post subject: Re: Fender Harmonicas are Here!
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 2:58 pm
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Yea! I'm going to buy one just to have it! :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Fender Harmonicas are Here!
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 10:07 am
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
As a Fender enthusiast and a harp player (I'm really a better harp player than guitarist, if the truth be told), I'm excited about these...

Image

Image

I will have to play one and see what the sound/build quality is before I whole-heartedly endorse this venture. There are some crappy harmonicas out there...


Screamin,
I also am a better Harp player than guitarist been playing them since 1971. At this point I use Lee Oskar as my go to harp, I do like them a lot as I find I can bend them till it sounds like feed back when not even mic'd. Any way if you do try a Fender Harp please do give a review
mud


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Post subject: Re: Fender Harmonicas are Here!
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 10:35 am
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The question is whether there's any compelling need to review them, if they're just Hohner Blues Band and Hohner Piedmont Blues with Fender logos?


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Post subject: Re: Fender Harmonicas are Here!
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 3:47 pm
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arth1 wrote:
The question is whether there's any compelling need to review them, if they're just Hohner Blues Band and Hohner Piedmont Blues with Fender logos?

Are they? Where did you get this data?
The "higher-end" Fender harp has a plastic comb, which means it can't be a Blues Band, which has a wood comb. The few pic I've seen look more like a Tombco derivative than a re-branded Hohner.
I'm not challenging you, I'm just asking where you got this information, especially since you've repeated it a couple of times.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Harmonicas are Here!
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 7:52 pm
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
arth1 wrote:
The question is whether there's any compelling need to review them, if they're just Hohner Blues Band and Hohner Piedmont Blues with Fender logos?

Are they? Where did you get this data?
The "higher-end" Fender harp has a plastic comb, which means it can't be a Blues Band, which has a wood comb. The few pic I've seen look more like a Tombco derivative than a re-branded Hohner.
I'm not challenging you, I'm just asking where you got this information, especially since you've repeated it a couple of times.


I haven't said that they are. i said "if". But just look at them - if those aren't made by or on license from Hohner, I'd be very surprised (and so might Hohner be).

As for plastic combs, the description from Hohner of the Blues Band says:
"Plastic comb produces a bright, clear tone"

The shiny one could be a Blues Bender variety too.

Looking again at the black "Blues DeVille", I now think it has more in common with the Pro Harp MS than the Piedmont Blues.
Here's what a Pro Harp MS looks like - compare this with the Fender Blues DeVille.

Image

The only difference I can see apart from the logo is that the Fender labeled one is stamped MADE IN CHINA and costs somewhat less. Otherwise, they seem as similar as two drops of water.

But I don't know for sure, which is why I'm asking.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Harmonicas are Here!
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2014 9:17 am
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arth1 wrote:
Screamin Armadillo wrote:
arth1 wrote:
The question is whether there's any compelling need to review them, if they're just Hohner Blues Band and Hohner Piedmont Blues with Fender logos?

Are they? Where did you get this data?
The "higher-end" Fender harp has a plastic comb, which means it can't be a Blues Band, which has a wood comb. The few pic I've seen look more like a Tombco derivative than a re-branded Hohner.
I'm not challenging you, I'm just asking where you got this information, especially since you've repeated it a couple of times.


I haven't said that they are. i said "if". But just look at them - if those aren't made by or on license from Hohner, I'd be very surprised (and so might Hohner be).

As for plastic combs, the description from Hohner of the Blues Band says:
"Plastic comb produces a bright, clear tone"

The shiny one could be a Blues Bender variety too.

Looking again at the black "Blues DeVille", I now think it has more in common with the Pro Harp MS than the Piedmont Blues.
Here's what a Pro Harp MS looks like - compare this with the Fender Blues DeVille.

Image
The only difference I can see apart from the logo is that the Fender labeled one is stamped MADE IN CHINA and costs somewhat less. Otherwise, they seem as similar as two drops of water.
But I don't know for sure, which is why I'm asking.

I stand corrected--you're right, the "Blues Band" does have a plastic comb.
I was thinking of the higher-end "Blues Harp MS", which has a wood comb.
Personally, I prefer a wooden comb for tone, but a plastic comb is better for durability, playability and smoothness...and plastic tastes better for a longer period of time (wood soaks up whatever you got going on breath-wise much quicker, which is why I generally chew gum when I play...mint-flavored harps!)

For years, I've used Lee Oskar harps (plastic comb) because of their durability, "slickness" and playability, but prefer the Hohner Marine Band and Blues Harp MS (both have wooden combs) for overall tone...as I periodically replace my harps, I'm going back with Marine Bands and Blues Harp MS's. The Lee Oskars don't sound bad (at all), but they're a bit brighter/less rich and growly than the latter two...I can get usable tones out of any of the three.

The Pro Harp MS is basically Hohner's version of the Lee Oskar harmonica (whether they admit it or not); Tombo makes the Lee Oskar signature harps, so your analysis is pretty good.

I've never played a "Blues Band", but their price point and construction tells me they're probably a mid-line starter/disposable instrument, good for the first-time dabbler to see if they (the player) has the knack for the instrument.
The Pro Harp MS is a pretty good instrument, the same good qualities of a Lee Oskar.

I'm hoping these aren't the cruddy harmonicas a body can buy at places like the House of Blues, the Grand Old Opry, etc., which are basically just poorly-made souvenir/toys to commemorate a visit to those venues. Those things sound like crap, taste like motor oil and fall apart if you look at them too hard. Fender doesn't need to put their good name on crap like that...but then again, they have put their name on some stuff I would label "dubious" a few times throughout history, so :?:

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Post subject: Re: Fender Harmonicas are Here!
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2014 11:29 am
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
For years, I've used Lee Oskar harps (plastic comb) because of their durability, "slickness" and playability, but prefer the Hohner Marine Band and Blues Harp MS (both have wooden combs) for overall tone...as I periodically replace my harps, I'm going back with Marine Bands and Blues Harp MS's. The Lee Oskars don't sound bad (at all), but they're a bit brighter/less rich and growly than the latter two...I can get usable tones out of any of the three.


I'm a Marine Band fan myself - the Marine Band Crossover is my go-to, because it sounds good, the lacquered bamboo comb feels good against the tongue, and being easy to clean. My only complaint is that they're not very durable - I have to adjust the bass reeds quite often, if I bend too much, or I get the dreaded "fwup" sound.

I used to play a double-row chromatic, but that takes two hands. :)

Yeah, I hope these are the better ones, but at a price point of $10, I don't think we can expect Marine Band quality. But hopefully they'll get more people interested in trying it out.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Harmonicas are Here!
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2014 12:08 pm
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I own a Hohner Chromatic harp, but honestly, I prefer diatonic harps while performing and recording...the chromatic was an anniversary gift from Lady Armadillo, and is a tool to goof around with when I'm feeling experimental.

I also really like playing the 12-hole Marine Band no. 364 and 14-hole Marine Band no. 365 for extended and deeper-register tones, especially to create an atmospheric droning sound for a song that calls for such...it makes for a cool solo, as well--kinda like having a baritone or Fender VI play a lead part in a song...

Ultimately, I'm going to try both the higher-end and lower-end Fender harps whenever I have a few bucks to blow (pardon the pun). Hopefully, they will be good...if not, they'll be a back-up conversation piece.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Harmonicas are Here!
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2014 1:08 pm
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cool give us a review when you get them
mud


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Post subject: Re: Fender Harmonicas are Here!
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2014 2:32 pm
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mud wrote:
cool give us a review when you get them
mud

Will do--although it might a while; out of a job right now, and that means no money to blow, period.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Harmonicas are Here!
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 6:43 am
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
mud wrote:
cool give us a review when you get them
mud

Will do--although it might a while; out of a job right now, and that means no money to blow, period.

Bummer, hope you get employment soon, or even better, hope you get a record deal :D
mud


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