OPINIONS: Marine Band
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From: N. Lovett MA, USA 11/24/09 Marine Band 1896 is the real deal. The streets of blues harp legend have been paved with the pearwood combs of the perennial favorite. Scions of the blues harmonica from Little Walter to Kim Wilson swear by it. I bought my first Marine Band six months after I started playing, and it was not love at first sight. I had previously used Lee Oskars and Special Twenties, and I was used to the plastic combs, as they were easier to use. My first attempts to get "the tone" were riddled with frustration. Only after I switched my embrochure to tongue blocking a year later was I able to actualize, and understand the potential of the Marine Band. The comb is more narrow than his plastic combed brethren, which takes your embrochure to prime time, allowing various embrochures to compensate for the breath control of the masters. The tone is "the tone." Strong, yet fragile, and able to accomplish textures not realized in a plastic comb. Smaller in size, the Marine Band is ideal for hand effects, ala Walter Horton and most popularly, Sonny Boy II. The Marine Band is not without its detractors, and for good reason: I would say half of all Marine Bands need some sort of modification before professional playing. Still, the tones and textures heard in years gone by are only possible(in my humble opinion) with the Marine Band. Reviews of the Marine Band, on the other hand, are only permissible when written in the passive voice. Pair yourself with an 1896, crystal microphone, and small amp, and recreate history. |
| FROM: e. sheldrake Great Britain 2/20/10 Sounds realy good bright resposive and loud.On the downside v espensive and they last no time buggered in three months.Draw reed fractures seem common place.no warning with the stainless sudden drop in pitch and its all over |
FROM: Tag,Meshugena,,Beantown,MA Bitchin Harp Baby! |