Suzuki Harmonicas

Hey Steve,

Thanx for your question regarding Suzuki harmonicas. In the December 2009 issue of Mel Bay’s Harmonica Sessions, I wrote a review of the new Suzuki Manjit harmonica. On the first page I wrote:

“As a Harp-Tech, I have always been a fan of Suzuki’s craftsmanship. Their harmonicas are a marvel of precision engineering. As a harmonica player, however, I became frustrated with Suzuki harmonica’s lack of “vivedus” (Latin: ‘to live’, ‘be alive’). Fortunately, the new Manjit by Suzuki altered my belief system”.

Pro player, Andy Just, is no stranger to the harmonica community and the contemporary blues genre. Listen to Andy ignite the bandstand with Robben Ford. The Manjit harmonica satisfied his ferocious and demanding type of harmonica playing. As a matter of fact, Andy accepted Suzuki’s request to become one of their endorsees. You may have seen him at the recent NAMM show Suzuki booth, in Anaheim, CA.

I found many advanced harmonica customizing strategies incorporated into the Manjit, including exceptionally close tolerances between the phosphor bronze reeds and reed plates. Note the Filisko cover plate bolt positioning, and the vented cover plate design quoted from Mathias Hohner’s Marine Band.

I believe Suzuki got it right with the Manjit harmonica. It has the potential of being a game changer in the universe of affordable high quality harmonicas.

"Play the notes people want to hear" (c) 2008

Kinya Pollard
The Harpsmith