Worthwhile inexpensive recordable harmonica?

[fingerpicker]

I am looking for a harmonica just to add some feel to some of the folk/blues songs I have recorded. I'm not interested in learning the instrument inside out, but just to go with what sounds right and getting some pierced sound through the mellow guitar.

I want to spend about £20-£30 but will go up to £50 if the difference in quality is very noticable.

As I said, I am not planning on spending lots of time on learning the intricacies, so I am lead to believe that a chromatic harmonica is the one for me. I will start with a 'G', but should I like the results, I will expand the collection. Also, I'm not interested in a harmonica-specific mic (like the bullet) right now, as I'm sure some of you would like to mention it, I just want to get a decent harp.

Any ideas at to what harmonica I should buy?

[Steve Hill]

The classic is the Hohner blues harp for about £20... but you have to buy a different one for each key.

This is probably the industry standard which everyone uses.

Chromatic harmonicas, which are not key dependent, are for a different style (think Larry Adler), and cost a lot more.

[fingerpicker]

but you have to buy a different one for each key.

Chromatic harmonicas, which are not key dependent, are for a different style (think Larry Adler), and cost a lot more.

Sorry, my bad. I was thinking Diatonic but wrote Chromatic for some unbeknowst wonderful reason.

Those look great, thanks as always Steve.

[The Bunk]

+1 for Steve's suggestion. I'm a harmonica cheat in that I can't honestly profess to be a player but I've got three or four of these in different keys and use them to record when I'm having a Neil Young / Steve Earle moment and they do the job wonderfully.

[* User requested deletion 2 *]

Ditto! If the Blues harp isn't available for any reason, you can't go wrong with the Marine Band, which is pretty much the same design. Certainly the same sound.

[fingerpicker]

Bril, ordering one as we speak.

Thanks guys.

[moo the magic cow]

I'm a fan of the Hohner Marine Band. So is Neil Young. They cost $20 for either of us. Great sturdy wooden comb and lovely sound.

Harmonicas aren't very expensive - even the Lee Oskars only run about 30-40$. Chromatic and other, I dare say, 'gimmick' harmonicas are what start to cost you.

[Dale Campbell]

A slight tagent but does anyone know any cromatic Harmonica players? Someone I know is looking for one.

[Studio Support Gnome]

ROFLMAO

I'm sorry, I could swear someone said recordable and harmonica in the same sentence...

Coat and hat got..... door hitting my backside on my way out.....

(FWIW the marine band and blues harp do in fact sound slightly different...... the core block material seems to have some influence on the tone.... marine band is , to my ears slightly sweeter (but still bloody annoying ) )

[Sam Inglis]

I'd love to learn chromatic harmonica, in the right hands it's a beautiful instrument. But I lack both the talent and the time.

[fingerpicker]

I'm sorry, I could swear someone said recordable and harmonica in the same sentence...

Come on Max, you (surely) can't be saying that the piercing sound that Neil Young gets from his harp that cuts so beautifully through his already haunting tunes does absolutely nothing for you?

[Studio Support Gnome]

yeah it does

it gives me earache.

[fingerpicker]

I understand.

Once more revealed the beauty of difference of opinion.

[The Bunk]

A slight tagent but does anyone know any cromatic Harmonica players? Someone I know is looking for one.

Some time ago I went on a blues harmonica course and the tutor (guy called Joff Watkins) was pretty good. I Googled his name and came up with this:

http://www.harmonicas-direct.co.uk/tuition/tuition.html

(OK, so it's a list of tutors but it might get you what you want.

[Studio Support Gnome]

a friends father was Ken Howell , a rather well known player of ye olde "Gob iron"

I have something of a soft spot for it being played "well"

and no room left for much tolerance of 99.9% of the rest of the attempts made by the talentless.

.like the violin, played well it's fantastic, beautiful and emotive.

the rest is just noise.

and no, Neil doesn;t really qualify as playing "well" IMHO.

[The Bunk]

...Max, you'd love my stuff then. I just get one in the right key, suck and blow depending on how out of breath I get, and you can't play a wrong note. Perfect. Let me know if you want to hear any of my stuff.

[Studio Support Gnome]

are you related to Alanis Morrisette by any chance ??

[fingerpicker]

...Max, you'd love my stuff then. I just get one in the right key, suck and blow depending on how out of breath I get, and you can't play a wrong note. Perfect. Let me know if you want to hear any of my stuff.

Ditto.

I think you might find my 17 minute Harp-opera/progressive Nu-Jazz solo quite up your alley.

[moo the magic cow]

a friends father was Ken Howell , a rather well known player of ye olde "Gob iron"

I have something of a soft spot for it being played "well"

and no room left for much tolerance of 99.9% of the rest of the attempts made by the talentless.

.like the violin, played well it's fantastic, beautiful and emotive.

the rest is just noise.

and no, Neil doesn;t really qualify as playing "well" IMHO.

Sounds like the ability to make toast 'just right.'

[Studio Support Gnome]

which our aged toaster does perfectly... gawd help me when it dies... i'll have to trawl thrua dozen models to find the right toast

[The Bunk]

are you related to Alanis Morrisette by any chance ??

whooaahh, easy tiger. I'm quite happy to accept that I'm talentless: but related to Alanis Morrisette?? I'm not having that. Pistols at dawn.

[fingerpicker]

are you related to Alanis Morrisette by any chance ??

whooaahh, easy tiger. I'm quite happy to accept that I'm talentless: but related to Alanis Morrisette?? I'm not having that. Pistols at dawn.

Shame. I thought this thread was going quite well. Who's next, Chris de Burgh? Chris Rea?

Oh wait, did I miss the bandwagon?

[Studio Support Gnome]

sorry, HandM , your description of the gob iron style reminded me of a donkey braying...

which in turn reminded me of Ms Morisette's live performances with said instrument of mass torture.

no actual offence intended

apparently

[The Bunk]

no worries, none taken. I don't actually fancy getting up at dawn tomorrow in any case.
I once saw advertised at my local an Alanis Morissette tribute act called...cringe...."More Alanis Set". I honestly can't think of a worse night out. I really can't.

[Studio Support Gnome]

something on which we nearly agree.....



I CAN think of worse nights out.... but I'll grant you that the one you highlight would be pretty darn grim....