Just got some Big Rivers, for Celtic tunes.

Squeezebox & Harmonica
1

Hi Just got three, Big Rivers (A, C, and Low Eb), and they play pretty easy out of the box. Had pretty good luck with the MS replaceable reeds, so for the price of the Big Rivers, figure I can still live with price, even if I have to change out the plates.

I like what Steve said about playing Keltic music with the diatonics. One can avoid tunes that have the accidentals and such, and STILL have thousands to chose from. Besides, I LIKE “faking” my way around some of the traditional Celtic tunes with the diatonic. Creates some very interesting variations. Finally figured out how to play “Rights of Man,” on the G-harp. Whew! THAT was fun.

I’ve got a Meisterclass, and to tell you the truth, it doesn’t play any better than Big Rivers, and the Meisterclass was a bit price-y. Still, the replacement plates are cheap, so that why I try to stick with the MS series types. (the third draw reed blew out on the Meisterclass). I noticed that the sound plates on the Big Rivers have more … “ventilation” than the 20’s, ProHarps, and Meisterclass, so I figure that’s why it plays easier. Good for Celtic music. We’ll see how long the reeds last.

Best regards,

Shaun-Patrick

2

Big Rivers are decent cheapies but they are a bit fat in the mouth for my liking. They use the Hohner MS reedplates which are OK but not my favourites, and I found that the low-tuned ones don’t last very well. I’d rather invest in Lee Oskars which are only a few quid more but last much longer, and which also have replaceable plates. As they only go down to low F I use Special 20s for low tunings such as low D.

3

Haven’t tried the Lee Oskars, but so far, been pretty happy with the Big Rivers, and maybe I’m not so bothered by the fatness of them, as I’ve often been told I have a big mouth. :stuck_out_tongue: