DIY customizing of SP20
Hello Kinya,
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? 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. I've also read elsewhere that people customize SP20s by opening the back. What effect, if any, will it have on the sound? Does it weaken the harp's rigidity? Any other pointers would be welcome too.
I just don't want to ruin a perfectly good harp.
Thanks in advance.
Ace
Hello Ace,
COVER PLATES
At the onset of my customized harmonica offerings, the Hohner Special 20 was my mainstay. This composite (ABS) comb “Marine Band” harmonica, offered exceptional playability and tone. I developed an “impact roll” technique for modifying the stock cover plates into either a full back open or half back open cover plates to increase the SP20 volume and projection.
Favored for acoustic type of harmonica voicing
Terrific for bullet mic type of amplified performance. The primary notes played in our 2nd position are funneled directly into the microphone cartridge for that nasty tone we all endeavor to create!
These days, customers have more choices and less bench time will be required to hot rod your Special 20 harmonica. Hohner has the cover plates you are looking for on their new AMP harmonica, which can easily be swapped with the stock Special 20 cover plate. This will provide you with the muted voicing of non-vented cover plates and the loud projection of the open back of a Rocket harmonica.
COMB
For rounding off the uncomfortable corners of the SP20 comb, I use a flat jewelers file to first “knock” the corners off the mouthpiece and rear, then polish the radiuses with MicroMark sanding pads
https://www.micromark.com/Soft-Touch-Sanding-and-Polishing-Pad-Set-Set-of-6
Your Harpsmith, Kinya