Marine Band Crossover
Kinya,
In this issue of the Mel Bay's Harmonica Sessions, you discuss the Marine Band 1896, Marine Band Deluxe and the Marine Band Crossover. I noticed you state that the Crossover is tuned to Equal 12 TET tuning. I think that's a little incorrect. I'm under the impression from Steve Bakers post on Harp L, http://www.harp-l.org/pipermail/harp-l/2009-October/msg00517.html that the Crossover is tuned to a Compromised Just which is closer to ET but still JI (approx 19 Limit JI I believe). Was the Crossover you had closer to ET still I wonder?
Also can I ask, in your opinion how did the Crossover compare tonally to a Marine Band 1896?
Thank you for the clarification Kinya and for taking the time to measure the tuning.
I wonder if Hohner have adjusted the tuning since Steve's post on Harp L? I remember years ago trying Steve's recommended tuning in his "Harp Handbook" I did think it was nice, although maybe a little too bright for my taste.
Yeah Brother I hear what you’re saying, however, if you need to cut through the cacophony of a loud band, then tuning your harmonica a little sharp could help you be heard. That will be our little secret ;o)
Kinya
Hello and thank you for your post.
The MB Crossover that I had reviewed (and checked against the Peterson VSII and Seiko ST-909 chromatic tuners set at 442 Hz) was the harmonica given to David Barrett from Steve Baker at last year's SPAH held at Sacramento, California.
As of just a few moments ago, I rechecked my readings of the Hohner Marine Band Crossover harmonica:
BLOW REEDS
01 = 00
02 = 00
03 = +05
04 = 00
05 = 00
06 = +05
07 = +08
08 = 00
09 = +15
10 = +05
DRAW REEDS
01 = +08
02 = 00
03 = 00
04 = +08
05 = 00
06 = +05
07 = 00
08 = +08
09 = 00
10 = +08
I would categorize this tuning as a 12TET (12 tone equal temperament). Think Hohner Golden Melody, Lee Oskar, etc.
Due the “sharper” nature of this tuning, the voicing (tone) is brighter than the standard Marine Band 1896 or Marine Band Deluxe 2005.
“Play the notes people want to hear” © 2008
Kinya Pollard,
The Harpsmith