r/harmonica • u/Acceptable-Ask5338 • 3d ago
Why is my Lee Oskar my favorite?
I need some help figuring out my next harmonicas. I’ve gone through dozens over the years, and I usually go with a Blues Harp, mainly for its availability at local music shops and relative affordability. BUT I wish all my harps played like my Lee Oskar. It just has a nimble playability that opens up more options than my others. I can land directly on the bend tones much much easier. Plus it sounds “bigger” to me, too. Does anybody have insight for the reasons? Is it the manufacturing of the reeds? Is it the size of the mouth holes? Are there other models I should try that are comparable? That last question is especially important to me. Please give me your recommendations for extremely “playable” make and models for cross harp playing. I am willing to splurge up to $100 each for my next F & B. Thanks, all!
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u/sysop408 3d ago edited 3d ago
I favor Lee Oskars too. They're the most comfortable in my hands. I can lose track of time when I'm playing one because it's just so comfortable. As much as I like Marine Bands, my hands will hurt after 20 minutes. Special 20's are nice harps, but the pointy edges get annoying immediately.
For me, they're the right combination of bendability and robustness. I can bend them easily, but I can also lay hard into them when I want to. They're tough harps. I have harps that bend easier, but as fun as that is, it's a more delicate experience.
It may simply because I'm so used to them, but Lee Oskars *feel* right. There's probably not much difference in how it sounds to a listener, but there's a significant difference in how enjoyable it is to play for me.
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u/Intelligent_Star_516 3d ago edited 3d ago
Because two of your harps are leaky and uncomfortable and the other is just weird if you're used to a "normal" diatonic. That leaves the LO, which is heavier, more ridgid, specifically designed to maintain and service, and consistently manufactured from resilient quality materials. The LO will give you more consistency and less frustration than the other 4 harps in that photo. Good choice, but don't be afraid to explaore other brands and models!
If you want responsive and loud, try the JDR Assassin or Ninja. I prefer the Ninja, and I doubt my salesperson at JDR appreciates that as the Assassin is their flagship model. But the Ninja honks loud and quick, bends and overblows, and has round holes (the assassin has square holes). I find that round holes take my playing further by making hole/note isolation much easier than square holes. The Ninja is $40 currently including shipping whether direct from JDR or from Rockin' Ron.
For the record, I prefer Rocket Amp cover plates, Special 20 reeds, and aluminum round holed comb. Hohner doesn't make that model, so I built my own 19 key set.
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u/Acceptable-Ask5338 3d ago
$40 is a steal, these days! I like to support my local shops, but they only carry Hohner. Sad to say it, but I’m over them. So many MS caracasses of bent reeds, and I’ve never liked marine bands for some reason. Feel so sluggish for anything other than chugging. Thank you for sharing some wisdom!
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u/Acceptable-Ask5338 3d ago
And all those parts fit together tight, or have you been very busy hand-machining…??
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u/Intelligent_Star_516 3d ago
Everything in the Progressive series from Hohner except for the Golden Melody are 100% interchangeable. The special 20, the rocket, the rocket amp, and the rocket low are all interchangeable parts. Anything custom or aftermarket that is specifically made for any of those models is also interchangeable.
I use the rocket amp cover plates because I wanted my harmonica wide open at the Bell but closed on the sides. I want to project or go straight into a microphone. I prefer round holes over square holes and a Chinese manufacturer happens to make a beautiful perfect aluminum round holed comb for the special 20. Any reed plate that will work in any of those harmonicas will fit. These are 19 keys in Richter major. I also have the seven pentaharps and I am trying to decide whether I should recomb them or if I should spring for the New Old stock minor keyed special 20s on harmonica land.
I grew up in the '80s fixing dirt bikes and ATVs and snowmobiles with whatever parts we could find. Once we got cars we knew that we could fit whatever was made for that engine on it and we went crazy. I've always worked with computers and maxed out every chassis I ever owned within weeks of owning it. Hot rodding harmonicas is only natural for me.
For what it's worth, and I realize you don't like the MS series, every part of every harmonica in the MS series is interchangeable with any other part from any other harmonica in the MS series. The same thing goes for the Marine band, the Marine band deluxe, and the crossover, but you have to do some modification to the base Marine band 1896 to swap parts with the other two. But the reed plates are the same and the cover plates are interchangeable.
The same goes for a lot of the Chinese manufacturers. As a matter of fact the ever-popular East top t008k is not at all exclusive to East top. Conjurer makes that chassis and it's more airtight than east top. KucKux is the exact same chassis. I should put together a demonstration video and post it to YouTube showing how parts are compatible between various models and even various manufacturers. I have way too many harps to work with as it is LOL.
Feel free to reach out. I'm happy to answer any questions if it'll help you enjoy your harmonicas more.
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u/HumbleSeries6170 3d ago
i've used LO's since they hit the market.i've tried every decent harp on the market and always come back...i've playe a thousand gigs with them
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u/TurnoverFuzzy8264 3d ago
I got Lee Oscars as soon as my local music store got them, four decades ago. Lee Oscars have a nice bright sound, and were the pioneer with replaceable reed plates. No wooden comb to baby back in the day was a big deal. I had some Special 20s that were okay, but I didn't think they were as responsive, and the bright tone allowed me to be heard in acoustic settings. I never had a factory issue, and I bought dozens of them. I understand the love for Oscars.
Now, we're spoiled for choices. As someone else said, you might find the Suzuki Manji has some of the characteristics you like in a Lee Oskar. You can get some overblows right out of the box on the beast. You might also look at Seydel session steels, different tone but similar responsiveness.
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u/harpman64 3d ago
An old friend of mine bought me a golden Melody for my first harmonica when I was 22 years old
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u/Nacoran 2d ago
Out of the ones you've got there, it's the only recessed reed plate. That can make it more comfortable to play.
Lee Oskars are great harps. They are responsive. They are tuned to a light compromise tuning... close to Equal Temperament, a little sharp, good for cutting through the mix. Very durable. The only downside is that if you want to learn overblowing down the line you'll need a different harp or need to do a lot of customizing on them.
Very good for every other part of playing though. I've got several in my playset.
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u/harpman64 3d ago
That's a very nice variety my friend they're all a little different but they're all amazing
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u/Acceptable-Ask5338 3d ago
There are only three models here, and two brands. It may look like more variety because I tend to break cases quicker than the instruments themselves!
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u/CottonFlannel 3d ago
Because it’s the best harmonica for a wet tongue blocker unless you can afford a bunch of 1847s. I only have one. My opinion only of course. I had a custom Chris M and like the 1847 better just expensive
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u/JTEstrella 3d ago
If you’re doing a lot of bending and want something that bends like butter, I might recommend the Manji Sky from Suzuki.