Posted by Patrick J. McKenna on March 05, 2002 at 23:30:07:
In Reply to: Special 20's vs Lee Oskars vs Golden Melody posted by Brian Cade on March 03, 2002 at 16:03:23:
: Besides the difference in tuning of Special 20's and
: Lee Oskars (justified vs equal temperament), I've noticed
: several structural differences that ought to affect sound
: and playability. Special 20's (and the Golden Melody) have
: a thin plastic horizontal divider midway down the channel.
: Lee Oskars don't. The Special 20 also has narrower channels
: with greater separation between adjacent channels (i.e. thicker
: dividers). Perhaps this is why it is easier to flatten out
: reeds on Special 20's; too much air pressure in a narrower space.
: I like the sound of both Special 20's (better for rhymic chording)
: and Lee Oskars, but the Special 20's do seem to get flattened
: reeds faster. I have tried the Golden Melody lately and find it a good
: alternative to Lee Oskar's. The Golden Melody has reeds
: mounted closer to the front and this seems to make them
: a little more responsive to subtle breathing compared to
: the Lee Oskars or Special 20's. Seems to me that reed location
: in the channel (forward or back) should make a big
: difference on how the harp plays as should channel width
: and separation. But what is the effect of the horizontal divider in
: the Special 20's and Golden Melody's? Any thoughts or
: observations from other experienced players out there?
:
Hey Brian...
I thought that this was going to be just another skirmish in the war of Lee Oskar vs. Hohner.
From what you've said, my question is this: when is the Brian Cade line of harmonicas going to hit the scene?
I've noticed that the Special 20, which IMHO is a really nice harmonica, is not as easy to tamper ith as the other harmonicas.
You obviously know your stuff.
Wishing you success in your endeavors,
Patrick