DIY Customizing of a SP20
Hello all,
So, I've played the Marine Band, Suzuki Manji, Special 20 and most recently the Rocket. While I really like the Rocket, I just haven't taken to the larger holes and find that they make tongueblocking a bit more difficult for me. I do, however, like the rounded corners and the more open back. So, I've started thinking about customizing my SP20s. My questions are as follows:
1. Rounding the Corners: How best to round the corners? Does anyone have any pointers? I've read elsehwere that 300 grit sandpaper will do it. Is this even a good idea or are there downsides?
2. Opening the backside: I've seen a video of a harpplayer carefully flattening the SP20 coverplates so as to open up the back. There is a technique to this as you don't want to flatten the top of the plate, but only the back edge of it, but it seems possible with my skill level. Has anyone done this? What effect, if any, will it have on the sound? Does it weaken the harp's rigidity? Any other pointers would be welcome too.
Thanks in advance.
Ace
Thanks. Good to know this has been done before. I'll give it a shot.
yeah man before rockets came along ppl used to mod sp20 because they're great harps!
Personally I like a closed coverplate so it doesn't pick up pocket lint haha
Trying to get used to the Rocket. I like everything about it but the holes are taking some getting used to. If I can swing this, then I'll likely settle on the Rocket as it is more responsive and the top cover plate and the left comb corner don't knick my lips when I play.
I've been trying to find one here locally but nobody carries them stock. eventually I'll get my hands on a rocket and give that a try ;P
Hey, R3Dz. I got mine online from Sweetwater Music. Here's the link: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TheRocketA--hohner-the-rocket-key-of-a
Incidentally, the more I play it the more I like it. Think I'll just replace my Sp20s w Rockets.
It took some getting used to, and I'm still a bit off compared the the SP20s, but I went all in for the Rocket. I bought a G, A, Bb, and C plus I also got the Low F too. I really like everything about it and think ultimately I'll become fully acclimated to the hole sizes.
Ace,
when I started with Rockets, I had problems to switch between them and the harps with smaller holes, but after a couple of months my playing skills get better and now I don't even notice the difference in the hole size.Besides that, you could try Hohner Rocket Amp, which is very similar, but has closed side vents and its holes are smaller.
Marek
Marek,
Thanks for the input. I hadn't realized that the Amp's holes are smaller. I had thought of buying an A to test, but then just went all in for the regular Rocket and added a Rocket Low. I'm all invested now and think I've found the harp for me, at least for the foreseeable future. I like everything about it. As for the holes, well, it requires more precise playing but I'm already getting used to them. I'm sure that like you, in a few months I won't even notice the difference anymore.
Rockets rule.
Ace
If you ever go back to your old S20s, here's how you fix the corners...
Grab some 80ish grit sandpaper or a dremel tool and just sand down all the corners how you like. You can also do this with the metal seams on the top and bottom, because they're sharp, too. Don't stress out about coloring inside the lines. If you sand places you didn't mean to, it'll all work out in the end and you won't be able to see it. When I sand the metal seams of an S20, I end up marking up about a half inch of the metal around it too. It doesn't matter. The last couple steps make it look like it never happened.
Once you're happy with the new shape, switch to 150 and then 300 grit and sand a little more with each (working upwards in grit) to remove all the marks and smooth it out. Works on both the plastic and the metal. For the plastic, you can stop after the 300 and skip to the last step. For the metal, use some 1000 grit and sand some more and it'll go smooth and sort of satiny.
At that point, you need metal polish and plastic polish. The plastic is easy peasy, because you can just use whitening toothpaste. That stuff shines up ABS plastic like new. For metal, I like to use Mothers aluminum polish. Walmart sells it for like $5. Polish up the metal with that and your S20 looks like new, except without all the sharp edges and corners.
The whole process start to finish takes maybe 30 minutes for each harp. The sanding stages go quickly.
ACHarper,
Thanks for the suggestion. I gave my SP20s to my wife. If she ever complains about them, I’ll try this suggestion. As for me, after Marine Bands, Manjis, and SP20s, I’m finally playing a harp that I have no reservations about. Given that Sweetwater recently lowered the price of Rockets to the point that they’re only marginally more expensive than Sp20s. I think I’ve found my harps, at least for now.
Hello Everyone, don’t forget one of the easiest modifications for the Hohner Rocket, is to replace the vented cover plates with the non-vented Special 20 cover plates, screws and classic square nuts:
The Rocket reed plates are pre-drilled with three holes on both ends of the blow and draw reed plates. This will accommodate the Hohner Crossover, Thunderbird, Rocket, Rocket Amp and Special 20 cover plates.
Use the center hole to secure Special 20 cover plates. This DIY project will mellow the voicing of the Rocket in acoustic mode and fatten your amplified sound.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
I may give that a whirl someday. Thanks.
Hiya Ace.
Firstly you can interchange sp20 parts with rocket parts. you can order just the coverplates or reed plates or reeds or comb from almost any hohner harp straight from their site.
As far as structural integrity goes it should be fine if you bend the plates inwards but if you cut/sand them out I'd think they'd squish easier.
How to do it? I hear a lot of ppl hammer them in so for that you'd want a small hammer and I'd use a soft surface to rest the harp on. Something like a rubber workbench mat should be soft enough.
Alternatively I also hear some ppl use pliers and bend them inwards. you'd want to protect the harp if you do it this way so you don't scratch the metal. something like a rag or rubber over the teeth.
Personally I would just order a rocket coverplate and slap it into the sp20 and call it a day haha.
For the comb I also hear ppl sand them down so if you're worried about damaging yours order a comb from hohner.
http://www.hohner-cshop.de/en/home/