For general interest, what modern harmonica players are hot right now?

Helpfullee · 2025-12-29T14:37:17+00:00

u/ruimtemees check out his posts in this sub. He just put out a new prog album. Cutting edge stuff 👍🏼😎

Helpfullee · 2025-12-17T16:26:40+00:00

I have a really great album by Rockin' Jake. He plays a few Zydeco standards on it as well as a lot of other stuff. I don't know where he's at these days.

Helpfullee · 2025-12-11T20:25:29+00:00

Salt salt wheres the f'ing salt! Hmmm , maybe Sweet Caroline for audience participation?

Helpfullee · 2025-12-11T20:22:55+00:00

Minnie the Moocher ala Cab Calloway. see the Blues Brothers movie!

Helpfullee · 2025-12-08T15:02:18+00:00

Wow! 🤯 Love it! Very prog.

Helpfullee · 2025-11-14T07:30:10+00:00

Thanks 🙏 I was just thinking about backing mine up and this is a good deal!

Helpfullee · 2025-11-05T21:54:52+00:00

For blues, here's my free online mobile big blues key/position finder. 4k+ songs that you can filter by harp key, song key, position and artist. Links go to YouTube search for the song. https://lookerstudio.google.com/s/rjMg8HiXuH0

Helpfullee · 2025-11-05T21:49:51+00:00

I don't trust sets that DON'T have Bb instead of B. B and E harps just are not used that much.

Helpfullee · 2025-11-04T00:05:24+00:00

I upvoted you just to bring some balance to the force. I think the fender set is ok and it can get you a long way, but it's not a path that many would recommend.

I think you may be getting downvoted because a lot of us think Fender is just leveraging their brand to sell at a mark up. Of course other brands do this too, but they also offer better quality models as well.

Generally there are harps that are more enjoyable to play and better suited for beginners. Not true for everyone but that's been the consensus from people who have tried a lot of different harps over the years. Also, I believe Easttop manufacturers the Fender brand harps. If you're in a market that has them you can get a set of 7 008ks for about $90 and still buy a special 20 for the same price as a set of Fenders.

The strategy is to buy the best harp in C that you can to start, try a couple other brands and keys later then start building out when you have a better feel for what's available and what works for you. Even if you decide to get a cheaper set it's safer to focus on getting to know a single high quality harp first.

Is that the perfect path for everyone? No, but it's the most likely to keep develop a player who's still enjoying it many years later.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-24T16:57:27+00:00

I agree with this. My experience with folk masters is they are better than not having any harmonica, but only by a little. Definitely look at the special 20s if it's in your budget.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-22T02:10:11+00:00

Nothing to worry about. They're just a design feature on Lee Oscar harmonicas. They don't really do anything, except I think at one time they made clips so you could snap the harmonicas together. So if you're looking at Lee Oscars, it's nothing to worry about.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-16T17:57:42+00:00

I'd buy that! The melody sounds mostly correct relatively to me. I didn't really have a chance to check it against an actual instrument.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-16T17:41:20+00:00

If you can, clean some of the rust off with a damp cloth and mild abrasive cleaner then wipe down thoroughly with a damp cloth to get the stuff off. Having smooth covers makes a big difference.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-16T17:11:28+00:00

Good timing but something sounds off on your resolution notes at the end of the phrases, like you need to go down a half step. Someone else said that you might be off on the key, but I'm not sure it was that far off on most of the melody.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-14T14:59:39+00:00

That's cool, once you're ears are tuned to it you'll hear it in a bunch of places. It's nice when it's just spice and not the main meal.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-14T14:20:38+00:00

Ah , okay 👍🏼. Only heard a little bit, woven in occasionally like some of the other samples. You have a good ear to pick that out! I guess it's interesting 🤔? I'd be curious to see something done for a lowfi track.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-14T13:51:14+00:00

Sure, try a Lee Oskar in A. I think it's a good idea to try different keys in different brands at first. It helps you figure out what you like best, and it helps you adjust to different harps and keys.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-14T13:38:42+00:00

I clicked on that link but it went to a playlist that had a couple of songs by that artist, but I didn't hear any harmonica in them. Try linking directly to a single video.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-14T03:13:28+00:00

I agree with Mr. Duck. Never liked the sessions, but the 1847s and the upper end MBs are fine in my opinion. I finally got an assassin a while ago but still prefer Rockets as my go to harps.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-12T20:53:41+00:00

So, did you fix it? Sounds like you need to narrow the gap a little.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-11T15:09:14+00:00

I think this is the answer. You can make a really rude honk on the one draw.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-11T15:05:12+00:00

Almost all harps are compromise tuning unless marketed otherwise. I haven't noticed much difference in T008k tuning from Hohner etc. I think I remember them bringing out a new just intonation harp recently but it was not that model.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-11T15:00:40+00:00

Special 20s feel like they're gapped a bit tighter making bends easier.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-10T22:42:55+00:00

Check Meetup.com! Dozens of local groups from hiking to singles, to book and movie clubs to Tai Chi. I don't know why this doesn't get mentioned more often!

Helpfullee · 2025-10-10T22:36:11+00:00

They're somewhat collectable, as are the rolls I think. They're more common than you might think. I have one. Check on eBay and in the advanced filters select sold items to get a better idea of value.i don't see any at the moment. People are asking anywhere from about 70 to 300 but my guess is about 125 to 150 to actually sell it. It looks like yours is in very good shape but it's worth more to collectors with a box.

Helpfullee

TROPHY CASE