[Harp-L] Amplifying bass harmonica

[Neil Warren]

Hi all,
Any tips on successfully amplifying the bass harmonica?
I have the Hohner 265/58 model.
I am aware of the Suzuki bass harmonica mic of course. Does this work with the Hohner model?
The Suzuki mic is expensive, at £300 in the UK.
So any advice on the Suzuki mic, whether it is worth the money and whether there are any cheaper alternatives would be most welcome.

Thanks

[George Miklas]

Hello Neil,

The SUZUKI bass is specially mated to its harmonica mic by design, which
apparently has been different than stock Hohner basses.

First, please understand that we are talking about "double basses" which
designates that there are two reeds per note--the "fundamental" bass note
plus a note one octave higher. The design difference is essentially this
way...
SUZUKI has the fundamental on the bottom of the top comb, and on the top of
the bottom comb -- so that the "fundamental" sound consistently comes from
the middle of the bass...
HOHNER has the fundamental on the top of both combs -- so that the
"fundamental" sound consistently comes from the top of the comb.

Hohner showed the 265 and 268 basses at the 2012 SPAH convention.
According to Richard Weiss, the bass is to be redesigned with the
"fundamental" sound at the middle of the bass. So when this model is
available to the public, the SUZUKI bass harmonica mic should work on the
Hohner bass.

P.S.: The new Hohner basses are constructed with clear combs, with
integral plastic mouthpieces which are rounded like the CX-12.

George

--
George Miklas, Harmonica Performing Artist and
Entertainer<http://harmonicagallery.com/>
John Philip Sousa's THE HARMONICA WIZARD
MARCH<http://harmonicagallery.com/sousa>
Harmonica Repair Done Right by George <http://harmonicagallery.com/repair>
SPAH is the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the
Harmonica...a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to serving the
harmonica community. <http://spah.org/>
**

[George Miklas]

Hi again Neil,

I copied Harp-L so that they would stay in the conversation.

In my opinion, the best way to amplify a Hohner bass harmonica is the
Sennheiser
e604<http://www.sennheiserusa.com/microphones_instrument-drums-bass-wired_evo600_004519>

You can compare this mic to the Shure 330, 315, and 330 studio ribbon
mics. Most people can not perceive a difference in sound *in the
frequencies where a bass harmonica is concerned.*

George



On Wed, Aug 22, 2012 at 6:55 PM, Neil Warren <mrp0...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

> Hi George,
> Thanks for the info.
> So, given that the Suzuki mic is unsuitable for the Hohner model, I assume
> you know of no other suitable way to amplify the Hohner double bass?
>
> Thanks
>
> ------------------------------
> * From: * George Miklas <harmo...@gmail.com>;
> * To: * Neil Warren <mrp0...@yahoo.co.uk>;
> * Cc: * <har...@harp-l.org>;
> * Subject: * Re: [Harp-L] Amplifying bass harmonica
> * Sent: * Wed, Aug 22, 2012 10:00:55 PM

[michael rubin]

George,
I have a Hohner bass which you checked out and said it was set up like
Suzuki and the pick up would work. You said this last year. Is it
possible?
Michael

[Jerry Deall]

I use this same mic for my diatonic playing w/ a home-made bulletizer (stolen idea from the best - Greg Heumann Blows Me Away mics).

George and I compared it to some mics he had in his repair room at SPAH .



Thanks Jerry,