Suzuki Manji M-20 Diatonic Harmonica: Part 1
Brendan Power demonstrates the all-new high performance harp from Suzuki: the MANJI. Every component has been designed from scratch: comb, coverplates, reeds and reedplates, for the ultimate in response, tone, durability and good looks. The comb is a specially formulated wood/resin composite which simulates the structure and sound of natural wood, but without the problems. The light but strong stainless steel covers have fully open backs, vent holes at the sides, and front-mounted single …
fisherdoc, I own nearly every well known diatonic made today and lots of antiques too I have only broken 2 reeds ever, both on hohner Meisterklasses
I most commonly play Delta Frost and Suzuki with the welded reeds.
I have not had a single failure on either Brand necessitating a reed replacement, and I play with LOUD bands.
So , replacing the reeds is not a problem if they do not fail .
If reed replacing is a problem, it usually means the player has a problem, not the harmonica.
Comment by frogafone — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
This guy is promoting spot selded reeds. a cheap and inexpensive method of reed attachment - NOT because it’s better, because it’s CHEAPER. Try and replace a reed on one of these! Be smart - stick to Hohner. The price is outrageous also.
Comment by fisherdoc — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
This harp is off the f%cking hook for $40.00. I tried it at spah. Gonna put a hurting on the crossover.
Comment by harpo10 — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
Quinocat, so you in fact have changed your tone? At first you asy ” because typically even non-musician can easily hear the difference” Do you still believe this? Is my question to Brendon legit?
Comment by kayaks41 — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
I sent to an article to read. i will be happy to provide you with further documents about the matter if you still need help.
Comment by quinoacat — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
The Kinya Pollard Article sheds interesting light (definite pun intended) on the question of combs. It is a respectable technical overview with regard to comb differences in choosing materials.
Comment by quinoacat — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
Sorry, not trying to brag because I am not that great, I just have my Savant moments between making noise that could slay a dragon I can also make people wanna hurl their cookies, lol….
Comment by quinoacat — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
And I have memorized the circle of fifths. If I ask what key a song is in I don’t need to guess to know what position I have to play for the harp in my hand, but I still have a long way to go to make some of that positional playing come out sounding killer.
Comment by quinoacat — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
I have ears that hear and can identify what pitch a guitar is tuned to and if it is an alternate tuning like DADGAD or some others can often identify that as well. I can listen to a guitar player switch styles of finger-picking and tell you what styles they are picking in. I can frequently guess what will be the best Harmonica to harmonize 2nd position with listening to the music not knowing the key but guessing. My ears are pretty highly trained BY EAR.
Comment by quinoacat — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
…Subjective Judgemental Factors that come into play depending on your point of reference. In other words, most people can easily be tricked with tonal shaping tricks that a professionally trained ear might hear as a MARKED difference that can be seen in a mere sound wave while editing and filtering to prove out what they hear. You would be baffled at what I have observed in the way of recording tricks.
Comment by quinoacat — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
Sir I hear marked difference in all the samples in the Pat Missin article. The most beautiful tone to my ears is the wood combed Marine Band. All the Lee Oskars sound SICK to me no matter what comb and I can tell you blind folded which is which between the 3 comb materials too. I prefer the brightness of the Promaster for some music and the subtle qualities of the Marine Band for others. Tone is much more complex than you would think. It has Objective Measurable Qualities AND….
Comment by quinoacat — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
Get a bunch of harps for yourself and try it live. Don’t rely on a recording. I am not a normal hearing person. Research experiments have shown me to be in the paranormal range for ability to accurately translate rapid speech. I repeat, I have freaky hearing and I hear subtle differences other are NOT capable of hearing. I am a documented research freak with exceptional hearing for someone my age with Diabetes also. I hear better in the high ranges than most men.
Comment by quinoacat — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
The comb is obviously only a contributing factor. Like Anabolic Steroids help contribute to muscle development, Judges still have varying opinions as to what looks best in an over-developed comic book character of a body. You need to find out which sounds best to your ear for your playing style to determine what makes the sweetest sound to your own ears or there is no point in trying to sound good if your own ear is not in tune to the vibrations.
Comment by quinoacat — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
I have read the Pat Missin to which you refer. What sounds good to one person, may not sound so good to another. That pretty much sums it all up.
Comment by quinoacat — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
Can you share some concise research regarding tonal qualites on comb construction? You hear a marked difference?
Comment by kayaks41 — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
I can’t post the link so search this article.
Does a wood bodied harp sound better than a plastic bodied harp?
Comment by kayaks41 — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
For those of you want to learn something about wood verses plastic here in an interesting article describing an actual experiment that took place several years ago at SPAH and the Buckeye convention. Those untrained musicians couldn’t hear the difference in timbre between comb materials.
Comment by kayaks41 — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
Harpmaster is the bomb for a cheap harp from Suzuki. It is comparable with a Bushman Delta Frost for 2/3 the cost.
Comment by quinoacat — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
OK Brenden, I will have to try these out to see how they stand up next to my 1847 silvers. They look very stylish like a Seydel 1847. If they play as good or better then I am sold on saving 40-50% on my harp costs. I have only 2 Suzuki Harps and I dig both of them (Promaster and Harpmaster).
Comment by quinoacat — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
I would not expect you to get an answer to such a question on a YouTube video by a famous busy guy like Brenden, when the web is loaded with information on wood versus comb….I will tell you Metal makes an interesting comb but so far my favorite comb for tone and projection-volume is Corian. Feel free to message me with questions and I would be happy to pull together some concise info about anything related to Harmonicas.
Comment by quinoacat — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
You are correct that tone is greatly affected by your playing but I say if you play a Chord in the same fashion on a Special 20 and then a wood combed harp like a Marine band, then you had better hear the difference or give up on ever “getting it”, because typically even non-musician can easily hear the difference. On single notes the tonal difference can be less distinct unless you have a trained ear. I hear a marked difference even in single notes on wood vrs. composite.
Comment by quinoacat — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
what’s your other model(s) recommended (made in japan), for a 10-hole diatonic that I can carry on a trip outdoor, good value still with good sound ? tks.
Comment by unclevit — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
Compromise tuning for reasonable chors and ability to play easily in all keys.
Comment by SuzukiHarmonicas — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
Please explain the difference in sound between a wooden and plastic comb. I hear no difference, I’m not sure I hear the warm timbre you are referring to. I am comparing a Special 20 to a Standard Marine Band. I thought the difference in the tone is how you play it not the wood vs plastic so I’d prefer the composite to the wood. I no longer swear by Marine Band wood combs, the plastic simply feels better and reduces wear on your lips.
Comment by kayaks41 — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
Looks really interesting! Let’s hope prices are reasonable.
It’s good to see manufactures actually listening to customers and customizers.
Comment by aerospacepat — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 pm