The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #60155   Message #3126722
Posted By: GUEST,Razor
02-Apr-11 - 01:41 AM
Thread Name: 24 Hole Harmonicas Wanted
Subject: RE: 24 Hole Harmonicas Wanted
Swan makes several grades of harmonicas one can buy a set in the UK and now in the USA at a very reasonable price. The ones that are the best are the SW24-12T set or the SW24-6 which is the same as in the set with the brass reeds. THe SW24H are the high performance bronze reeds but are not as good as the brass reeds of the INCONCEIVABLE models. The price is about (actually less than) $10.00 per harmonica from the UK and in the US a bit more and you have to wait for the non-high performance models. The covers are vented, top and bottom and they are very resonant and response is quick. Tuning is very good and in a year of playing they have held up very well. The high performance bronze reeds are gaped too open and very hard to play as well as when you gap them closer they are still hard to play and take excessive air. Response of the 1st 5 holes is poor at best. Gap these reed any closer and they will not sound....

China produces both Suzuki and Hohner reeds and harmonicas.... so China really does have some good harmonicas. I just haven't played some of the other manufacturers instruments to gauge the quality.