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| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner |
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| Johnson harmonicas | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Sat Dec 17th, 2005 12:08 pm |
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1st Post |
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Philj200 Approved 
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I just took a chance and purchased a set of 12 Johnson harmonicas on ebay. They arrived in two days (midwest to east coast). $32 cost + $10 s&h. Came with a MelBay booklet I don't need but is interesting. Each came in a plastic box. Sweet sound. I've never played on anything except Hohners. I have a feeling they are not very durable. Anyone have any experience with them? The price certainly justifies the opportunity. A dozen Johnsons cost lest than two Hohner's.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Sun Dec 18th, 2005 02:46 pm |
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2nd Post |
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davebough Approved 
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Here's the review s from Coast2coast music. Restrictions from the manufacturer restrict them from advertising their price, but single keys are a little under $3. Good place to get harmonicas. dave http://coast2coastmusic.com/cgi-bin/cart/MLBK520.html
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| Posted: Sun Dec 18th, 2005 04:05 pm |
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3rd Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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Now that's interesting. Compared to Hohner, I still saved. Compared to this source (and thanks for sharing), I did okay. I paid 32/12=$2.66 +plus S&H each for the twelve I got on ebay. Looks like it was worth the experiment. More so since I've used the A harp in a session already. And it was fine. They still don't feel as substantial as my Hohners. But they work. For $2.66...what more could I ask for.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Thu Dec 22nd, 2005 07:15 pm |
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4th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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Tested a few of the Johnson harps at an open mike last night. They don't have the volume and punch of the Hohners. You always have to stand close to the mike when amped voices or instruments are played. To get to the audience I was practically rubbing the Johnsons (stop smirking) on the mike. It might me my imagination, but I felt there were notes missing. Next chance I get, I'll put a Hohner next to a Johnson and see if there's the same number of hole/reeds. Tone, what there was of it, was fine. And the value cannot be denied. I sort of like the plastic inner body. As it might be more spit resistant. Maybe the inert plastic itself is causing the drop in volume. Opinions? Last edited on Thu Dec 22nd, 2005 07:16 pm by Philj200 ____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Fri Dec 23rd, 2005 07:49 pm |
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5th Post |
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davebough Approved
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I don't think that plastic combs are inherently quieter than wood. I agree that the Johnsons I've tried don't seem very loud, but I mostly play Hohner SP-20's and they seem as loud as wooden combed harps I've played. Occassionally I like to play Hohner Golden Melodys because I like their equal temperment tuning. And I use some Hering Vintage 1923's which seem less leaky than other wooden combed harps. The loudest cheap harmonicas I've played were Blue Steels, but I don't even know if they are still available. dave PS The Blue Steels are available and are an excellent cheap harp. I used to give them away on a regular basis. http://www.harpdepot.com/productdetail/~Model/16~/d.html Last edited on Fri Dec 23rd, 2005 07:55 pm by davebough |
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| Posted: Fri Dec 23rd, 2005 08:20 pm |
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6th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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Thanks again for a useful tip. Interesting: only four keys mentioned. A they offer a twleve pack of C-Major harps. That's a little late for stocking stuffers... but maybe just the ticket for really forgetful players.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 26th, 2005 06:16 am |
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7th Post |
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vadorman Approved 
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I have a full set of Johnsons. They are not bad. They are not great either. For the money they will work well. The higher end is a little shrill. The best harp out there now in my opinion Are the "Bushman Delta Frost".
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| Posted: Mon Dec 26th, 2005 01:46 pm |
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8th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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"Bushman Delta Frost" Always glad to hear of a good harp. What makes this brand stand apart. Are they generally available. And are they expensive. Hohners go in the twenty buck range. Johnsons are so cheap I wonder why they bother importing them, even though I like them. And I agree about the top end.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 26th, 2005 01:46 pm |
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9th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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Last edited on Wed Dec 28th, 2005 01:41 pm by Philj200 ____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28th, 2005 12:05 am |
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10th Post |
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vadorman Approved
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delta frosts are only available through mail order that I know. http://www.harphouse.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=490 I know alot of people who like the Johnsons. I think they would be fine to fill in for obscure keys. My problem is that the guys I play with miost of the time now all tune their guitars down a half step. Pleasestop by our forum over at http://www.harmonicaclub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=278 The delta frosts have very good reeds in them from what I undersatand. The ones I have sure have a sweet sound. Enough that people ever mention it to me. Thanks for the response.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28th, 2005 01:36 pm |
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11th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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Went to both sites. The Bushmen harps look good. As did the mentions of them by members of the second site. I enrolled at the Harmonica Club. It took a while and some backing and forthing to join and get their server to recognize me. Then it stopped recognizing me and starting asking for a PAID MEMBERSHIP for all the parts of the website that seemed interesting. That's a bent note in the reed of FREE membership. Last night at an open mike, I arrived to find a women singing Indian Ragas while accompanying herself on tamborine. A decent electric bassman was playing behind her. It's a form of music that I like but admit is an acquired taste. I was with one of my sons-in-law who is a professional drummer. As luck would have it, she was doing one of the few songs that I knew. The bassist knew me and shouted out the key they were in (E-major), I had no time to tune up my guitar (a 1956 Gibson ES-175) so I grabbed a Johnson A and jumped on stage. It was weird but sort of satisfying and out there all at the same time. The drummer joined in after he threw off the shy, and then the piece filled the room. Ravi Shenkar would not have recognized it. Or maybe he would. Did some rockabilly and blues later on in the evening. It's very cool having a harp in every key. Last edited on Wed Dec 28th, 2005 03:26 pm by Philj200 ____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Thu Dec 29th, 2005 01:45 pm |
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12th Post |
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vadorman Approved
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Yes it is nice to have all key available. I once was asked to join in at an open mic only to find out the guitars was tuned dow 1/2 step. What a train wreck! That's when I bought my johnsons. I have since replaced the ones I use most with higher quality harps, although i was jamming last night on my johnson A, and I realy couldn't hear much difference than my hohner. The chat section of harmonica.com is free. If you would like to chat I am on most nights around 7 pm pacific.
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| Posted: Thu Dec 29th, 2005 03:13 pm |
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13th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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I'm East Coast, so that would be 3:00 PM my time. I'm at the office so my time isn't my own. I'll try and catch you. There was a person called Spidersomthing hanging out there most of yesterday. (Fixed later: 7 M your time would be 11 in EST. Did I mention that arithmetic and I are not on speaking terms?)In addition to harp, I play guitar (it's my primary instrument) and have come across the half-step down people too. They say it reduces pressure on the neck. That's horse droppings. The few pounds less pressure is meaningless. Tuning up two or three frets won't hurt a well made guitar either. Tuning down would do nothing but annoy a harp player. The only time this makes sense is if you play with horns who like the flatted keys. But using a capo and/or learning some more chords are better answers than fussy tunings. (Certainly said in my own opinion.) Last edited on Thu Dec 29th, 2005 03:44 pm by Philj200 ____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Mon Jan 2nd, 2006 05:03 pm |
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14th Post |
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vadorman Approved
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Sorry for the late reply. Spider and I chat alot. I think blues players tune down so they can use heavier strings and still bend the heck out of them. I too consider myself a guitar play first.
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| Posted: Tue Jan 3rd, 2006 12:46 am |
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15th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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I used to use heavy guage strings on my guitar. But they age too inconveinently fast. And when they sound dead... call for CSI:Gibson, a crime against music is being commited. Plus, I was always nervous about the pressure on the old bridge. Heavy guage strings tuned down might have a tendency to rattle on a guitar with very action. If bending the strings is the goal, I would think lighter strings would create the sound. And maybe strong fingers. I've been using light guage bronze on my flattops since the Bronza Age. On my long neck banjo, I had been using medium strings but just switched to light and prefer the control I get. Will go to an open mike Tuseday with the and give the Johnsons some exercise. Dollar for doaller, they're the best bargain I've come across since Dylan went my the Zimmerman moniker. Here's a harp question: When I jam I just get really close to a mike (that's on a stand). It works. What other techniques do you use? I've seen people cup a mike in their hands and hold the harp as well, but I've always found this to be clumsy and costs me too much control. I've seen contact mikes for harp on sale from time to time but have no experience with them. And by the way, Happy New Year.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Tue Jan 3rd, 2006 10:37 am |
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16th Post |
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vadorman Approved
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I cup the mic. This gives me an extra air chamber to work the sound. I Also find that there is no subtsitute fro a bullit type mic. Look these up at any music store on line. And yes, happy new year.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 4th, 2006 07:46 pm |
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17th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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I seen them around for years. Little things you hook on a finger and use your hands as a sound chamber. Never tried one. They range about fifty dollars. I'll see if I can test drve one before I buy. I'm pretty comfortable with a mike on a stand. I've seen harp players hold a full-sized mike in their fist while playing. Tried it and don't the noise, clicks and balance. Something to get used to... but it's toward the bottom of my 10,000-things-in-music-I-have-to-learn list. Got to the open mike last night ready to jam. But it was in the middle of a miserable nor-easter. Not much snow, but a nasty-cold driving rain. The owner of the coffee shop made the realization that open mikes are not all that great at luring business. So I guess he figured, with the bad weather and pickers and singers not being there for the food and beverages, he didn't want to bother with whatever small crowd that might also show up and closed early. A couple people were hanging outside the dark storefront already pissed off when I got there. Some travelled half-way across the county. I found out what TV on a Tuseday is like. Rather make music. Last edited on Wed Jan 4th, 2006 07:49 pm by Philj200 ____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18th, 2006 01:45 pm |
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18th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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Last week I put the Johnsons to a fair test. I was at one of the great parties of all time. Maybe 70 people. Most of whom sang their hearts out. Bunch of people with guitars etc., too. I was there with guitar, banjo and mess of Johnsons. Another guy was there with a his bag of tricks; flute, 12-string, 6-string, Gibson A-3 mandolin from 1927 (which sounded like heaven) and a lot of harps in all keys including a bunch of minor keys. The guy was a fair musician and good singer. He, a bunch of others and myself played for six solid hours while the crowd joined in even on songs that sounded weird with audience participation (Long Dark Veil?). On a couple of pieces we did two harmonica stuff. The Johnsons did not produce enough volume or depth of tone compared with his He mentioned a bunch of brand names. None stuck in my memory. But he claimed he bought them on the net and they went in the $25-35 range. He collected them over the years. Well, you get what you pay for. My cheap Johnsons are okay. especailly when better harps are no around. But no more than that. Fair enough.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Mon Jan 1st, 2007 08:18 pm |
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19th Post |
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malachi Approved
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I play suzuki promasters and my mother thought she would be nice and purchase me a rack of the Johnson harps. Ok,for the price you git what you git.They play but the tone is awful and there durability is very short.One hard jammin solo and there toast.I would say they are perfect for straight harp or begginers.Malachi
____________________ Malachi The Backyard Beggars: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1462/ |
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| Posted: Tue Jan 2nd, 2007 12:58 am |
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20th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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I've had a lot better experience with them. My only complaint is that they don't seem to rpoduce as much volume as Hohners. I'm about to order more. I lost my E-flat. Not that I need it much. But it makes a disturbance in the force, so to speak.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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