r/harmonica • u/PublicMysterious5300 • 1d ago

Help me complete my collection

My harmonica case holds 14 diatonics and I have 13: All 12 keys of special 20 and a low f rocket.

What should I get to fill the last slot? I was thinking maybe high g special 20 to complete the s20 set, or another low key rocket. Maybe low D or C. Or maybe something else entirely… what would you get if this was your collection and you could only get one more?

I might end up eventually upgrading to a bigger case lol but for now I want to try to limit myself to these 14 and a chromatic.

7 Upvotes

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u/casey-DKT21 1d ago

Low C or Low D Rocket 100%. The only harp that sounds worse than an F is the high G. I’ve never in my life heard a high G used in a public performance, recorded performance, YouTube clip or teaching video. I’ve seen way more use of a B harp than I ever have for High G. Nothing wrong with having a B or high G, but get an Easttop, don’t waste Hohner money on that.

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u/Mudslingshot 1d ago

I beg to differ, at least where Golden Melody's are concerned. I've got a C, a G, and an F, and the F isn't bad in any way compared to the C or G

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u/PublicMysterious5300 1d ago

The F or even the F# special 20 both sound good to me too. But in the right context, in jams or in the holder while I’m playing my guitar. A bit shrill for solo harp stuff, then I’ll reach for the low f instead. So I’m not ruling out high g completely, I’m sure in the right context it could be useful but how often that situation comes up I’m not sure

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u/Mudslingshot 1d ago

I think the even temperament on the Golden Melody is doing a lot of work in that higher register, honestly. I have an Fm Lee Oskar and it IS pretty dang shrill, no matter what

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u/casey-DKT21 1d ago

I know my previous comment is a bit of a hot take, the F# and HG have their place, the HG probably more useful, but just too shrill for solo harp work, which is the only playing I do. Hohner harps are like $60 plus these days, and they do wear out, the reeds or reedplates will need to be replaced eventually (or get a new harp). I’m just not spending that kind of cash on the keys that hardly ever come out of my case. I get so much more use out of low harps, to me they’re worth the heavier investment, and should probably be purchased first. Ultimately though, it’s about what you prioritize in your own playing and repertoire.

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u/PublicMysterious5300 1d ago

Thanks. I’m definitely leaning more towards the low harps. If I got high g it would probably be a “just in case I need to cut through the mix” kind of thing, but I don’t play with bands very often so maybe I’m better off without it. But the collector in me also wants the whole set lol and that’s the one s20 I don’t have.

Do you have a low C and low D? Which one gets more use?

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u/soundwave300 1d ago

Maybe check out a trochilus.

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u/Intelligent_Star_516 1d ago

YES! What an amazing harp!

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u/PublicMysterious5300 1d ago

Never heard of that but watching some videos on it now. Looks like a solid choice to add something different to the collection. Cool design.

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u/sysop408 1d ago

Make sure it fits the case though. It's not a normal sized harp in any of its dimensions.

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u/sysop408 1d ago

Low D! Get a Low D! That's one of my favorite harps. For me it's the line between cool low harp sound and "this is too hard to play".

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u/PublicMysterious5300 1d ago

I like the idea of low d, I think it might be top of the list right now. I learned some classical pieces and Irish tunes on guitar in Drop D tuning, maybe can get a similar use out of a low d harp.

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u/sysop408 1d ago

Low-C is the lowest key I own and I stopped there because it just starts to feel like a different instrument. To me Low-F feels mostly like a normal harp. Low-D is different, but still familiar. Low-C starts to lean more different than familiar, but having it helps me learn to play differently so it's still useful. I just don't find it so enjoyable because I can't pick it up and go.

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u/incog46 1d ago

I like my low C (it's a Lee Oskar) for playing songs like Poor Wayfaring Stranger.

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u/casey-DKT21 1d ago

Also a huge fan of Low D. Still bendable and I can mostly do what I do on a G, but the resonance when playing solo is fantastic. Just a shade easier to play than the low C.

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u/harpncarp 1d ago

"Hi. My name is ________ and I'm a harpoholic."

Welcome to the house of the afflicted!

For the record, you're allowed to exceed the capacity of your Harmonica case. In fact, that's kind of expected. In my opinion, your next purchase should be another case.

Having spares of your most-used keys is a smart move.

And don't be afraid to try other Harmonica makes and models as well.

Question: How many Harmonicas do you need? Answer: Just the next one. 😏

Enjoy!

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u/PublicMysterious5300 1d ago

Yeah you’re probably right, maybe I’ll get a big case to keep at home and save the old case as a gig bag.

At least this hobby is relatively inexpensive and doesn’t take up too much space. It could be worse, I’ve seen some crazy synthesizer collections lol

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u/External_Secret3536 13h ago

Se vc já tem todas as chaves Richter, já tem um modelo que é seu preferido, parta pra uma afinação diferente. Talvez uma afinação menor, ou country