MODULAR-REED HARMONICA - Released!

A space for players interested in my specialist harmonicas, alternate tunings, instructional material, recordings etc to ask questions and share information, experiences, videos etc.
EdvinW
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Re: MODULAR-REED HARMONICA - Released!

Post by EdvinW » Fri Dec 03, 2021 9:13 pm

Here is an example what a bent chord could sound like by the way! (Complete with comments from my producer :lol: )

I start playing the note pair GD, and then repeatedly bend the D down to a C. It's thus an example of a fifth being compressed to a fourth.
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Edvin Wedin

EdvinW
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Re: MODULAR-REED HARMONICA - Released!

Post by EdvinW » Fri Dec 10, 2021 10:13 pm

Are there any plans to make a Modular-Reed twin harmonica system?

There isn't much competition when it comes to chromatics in non-standard tunings, and it looks like it might turn out to be cheaper than Seydel's most basic custom-tuned chrom. Just saying...
Edvin Wedin

Sachlaw
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Re: MODULAR-REED HARMONICA - Released!

Post by Sachlaw » Sat Apr 30, 2022 1:11 am

Good afternoon all.

My first impression of the Modular Reed Harp (is there an acronym for that?) is that it is probably one of the most responsive of all the harps I have in my kit now, and I am comparing it to some pricey, tuned up harps. I bought an Ab (power bender tuning with the reed set to convert it power chromatic) a couple of weeks ago, and have not been able to put it down. I am very happy with its airtightness, general playability, resonance, and tone. I like the first and finish of it as well. I have yet to open it up, as I am enjoying it immensely. I will wait until I want to convert the tuning.

I plan on buying a few more, and I would love to have a few of them in the Lucky 13 style. Let's hope that is the next iteration.

Great job Brendan.

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Brendan
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Re: MODULAR-REED HARMONICA - Released!

Post by Brendan » Sat Apr 30, 2022 8:18 am

Thanks Sachlaw! I'm really glad you like the Modular-Reed harp for its playability, as well as the obvious reed-swapping ability 🙂 May we post your review on our Feedback page?

Edvin: yes, I do have plans for extending the modular reed concept to more sophisticated formats, such as a slider version. I've made a twin diatonic prototype, using two of the current combs, and it works pretty well. However I subsequently came up with what I think is a better approach: use modular reedplates on a conventional chromatic comb with slider.

I've made a couple of these as well, with Gasket-Valves providing extra sealing as well as valving, and they're really promising! However, they require very high precision of the reedplate slicing, as well as holes in the reedplates for screws to get everything airtight.

I'm currently working on a way to achieve that. I have a few other projects to be released first, but in a few months I hope to be able to offer bespoke Modular-Reed Harmonicas in chromatic form, with or without a slider. They can then be turned into virtually anything you want. Watch this space 🙂

BTW I enjoyed that note bending clip, an interesting, quirky sound indeed 👍

rishio
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Re: MODULAR-REED HARMONICA - Released!

Post by rishio » Tue May 03, 2022 3:54 am

I just discovered monular-reed harmonica last night. What a fantastic invention!! I’d like to see ED Tuning offered as an option in the drop down even though it is not to difficult to manually build.

I do have a couple of questions.
- Does the adhesive wear down after a few times of taking it apart, causing the seal to leak?
- what happens to the adhesive if it gets wet?
- For alternative tunings, Like ED or PentaHarp, does it come equal tempered (The website says tempered, but I’m not sure if that means equal tempered, which is what I prefer)
-

I’m not ready to buy this as I invested heavily in Seydel ED harps with custom combs at the moment. But I am sure as hell interested in this direction and it gives me hope that I’ll be able to experiment with variations of my favorite tuning. It would get even more interesting if eventually we could have different options with comb and cover design. I really love the idea of being able to build a custom harp buy being able to choose all the components modularly - but the comb and cover options available don’t excite me too much.

I’ve attached the ED tuning in case Brenden is willing to put it as a default (but honestly, I wouldn’t be in the market for one at the moment)
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Brendan
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Re: MODULAR-REED HARMONICA - Released!

Post by Brendan » Tue May 03, 2022 10:40 am

Hi Rishio,

We have Paddy-Richter Extended. This is the same as ED Tuning but starts one hole to the right. I've used it for a long time, and recorded with it on some tracks of "New Chinese Harmonica". For example, Track 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjlIZLiFETg

Sachlaw
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Re: MODULAR-REED HARMONICA - Released!

Post by Sachlaw » Tue May 03, 2022 11:10 pm

Brendan wrote:
Sat Apr 30, 2022 8:18 am
Thanks Sachlaw! I'm really glad you like the Modular-Reed harp for its playability, as well as the obvious reed-swapping ability 🙂 May we post your review on our Feedback page?
Yes. You have my permission.

Sachlaw
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Re: MODULAR-REED HARMONICA - Released!

Post by Sachlaw » Tue May 03, 2022 11:14 pm

Brendan wrote:
Tue May 03, 2022 10:40 am
Hi Rishio,

We have Paddy-Richter Extended. This is the same as ED Tuning but starts one hole to the right. I've used it for a long time, and recorded with it on some tracks of "New Chinese Harmonica". For example, Track 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjlIZLiFETg
@Brendan,
If I want to order a Paddy-Richter Extended Modular Harp that I could work on licks like that, what key would you suggest? Or maybe I should ask what key harp are you using in that song?

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Brendan
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Re: MODULAR-REED HARMONICA - Released!

Post by Brendan » Wed May 04, 2022 5:20 pm

Hi Sachlaw,

Thank for allowing us to use your review.

Actually it's a custom XB40 in Paddy-Extended on that track. The bends wouldn't be possible with a normal 20 reed harp, including the Modular Reed.

I'm currently working on various new X-Reed harp designs for my own use. If I find something good that's easy to offer for sale in different keys and tunings, I will.

rishio
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Re: MODULAR-REED HARMONICA - Released!

Post by rishio » Thu May 05, 2022 6:38 pm

Brendan wrote:
Tue May 03, 2022 10:40 am
Hi Rishio,

We have Paddy-Richter Extended. This is the same as ED Tuning but starts one hole to the right. I've used it for a long time, and recorded with it on some tracks of "New Chinese Harmonica". For example, Track 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjlIZLiFETg
Yes, I am aware of this. I was interested in the first 3 octaves of Richter repeating across the harmonica for a long time (since the first 3 holes were most intuitive and fluid for me), but 2 hole / 3 hole same note annoyed me. Paddy-Richter Extended was more of what I was going for, but the obvious thing of shifting everything one hole lower is what made this tuning really work for me. That hole 1 is incredibly useful and the hole 10 becomes useful again by not being too high pitched. I use 6 harps with the lowest being G and the highest being C.

It could be called Shifted Paddy-Richter Extended , or SPRE, for all I care, but would still be great to have such an excellent tuning with horrible name available as a default.

Hohner’s own PentaHarp is there and I believe they copied that verbatim. Pat Missin Used it 20 years ago, as did others, according to him. Hohner basically just renamed it and packaged it - probably inspired by what ED did - which was probably inspired by your tuning.

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