What Harmonica holder (neck brace / rack) should I get?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- What Harmonica holder (neck brace / rack) should I get?
Here are some professional thoughts and ramblings to help you choose....
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"am i just playing piano man once?" oh damn i got hit there
I'm using the cheap wire one you thought was OK but with longer bolts, lock nuts and better wing nuts and also heat shrink sleeving over the metal to protect the harp covers. It's easy to modify a cheap rack to meet your requirements.
yep, a lot of my racks have features copious amounts of Gaffa and Duct tape over the years!... you'll see my K&M's have pink tape on them.... that's my ID, no-one nicks 'em with hot pink tape on them :)
I Work with the Hohner harmonica Flex Rack. It is very Good for Beginners Bending Work.
yep it's a solid brace! :)
Is it easy to get the harps in and out? My hands aren't strong enough to switch out harps on the coat-hanger&spring versions. I just keep them loaded with 1 harp and switch the holder and all. I have 1 magnet holder. It's OK, but some of my harps won't stick.
Hi, Lil Chuck. I just started playing guitar and I'm a fairly decent harmonica player. I was inspired to play rack harp because I wanted to accompany myself when I'm not playing harp in a band situation and also because a country singer named Clint Black plays the harp in a rack. I play more close to the intense, bluesy Terry McMillan-style harp and I like to use the entire range of the harp if needed. The biggest contributing factor for choosing a rack is that I play Hohner Golden Melodies, which are good harps but they do not like being in wire racks all that much. So I went with a magnetic rack from Pete Farmer called the Sidenote. The magnet holds the harp in place and it's easy to take on and off the rack, unless if you're wearing metal fingerpicks. It fits my petite body nicely (as I have small shoulders) and is an affordable holder for $40USD ($63.40NZD) without shipping costs playing in. Two of my friends have the Hohner Flexrack, one who plays it regularly and one who sometimes plays it. I was talking to one of them yesterday, he's also a Golden Melody player like I am, and he said that the Flexrack doesn't hold the GM as good as the magnetic racks. So I'm very lucky and happy with the choice I made. Thanks for the insight of the world of racks.
From Ohio, USA
It's an endless journey finding the right harp rack. I am aware of the Farmer but they are difficult to get hold of and crazy expensive in my location so I have been unable give one a try.
Excellent review! Helped me a lot in my decision. Tnks
Thank you! good luck on your harp journey. You can hear more of my music here... skifflemachine.bandcamp.com
I manufacture and design harmonica holders for a living in the USA, and for the last ten years of my life I have been working hard to find the best design to match materials, durability, function and comfort in the perfect harmonica holder. If you are interested to learn more about them, you can find them being sold by Seydel Harmonicas and its called the Gecko.
Hi Pete, great to hear from you! As a One Man Band, I am aware of the cool stuff you design. I'd be keen to try the Gecko, I read about it online when it was released. I am one of Greg's official endorsers of The Rackit and I see from one of your videos that you have a magnet mount for The Rackit. Since this video, I have battled with the Honour Flexrack but it really doesn't suit my style - too bulky. I'm always in the hunt for that 'perfect' rack... the K&M is still No.1 for my playing style, maybe the Gecko could jump to the top of the leader board :) All the best from New Zealand Cheers! Davey/Li'l Chuck. backyardmusic.co.nz
Cool! Glad NZ is hip to what we do a half a world away. I used to live in Napier for a short spell and love your country! I think Seydel sells them down there? Anyway, thanks for what you do!
@@footdrums Napier! Cool place! I am on the S. Island. To the best of my knowledge only one shop in town supplies Seydel harps, and crickey they are expensive by the time they reach NZ!!...I'll investigate if the distributer brings in the Gecko also...
Has anybody come up with some kind of dual locking mechanism holder, like two different positions, one for singing (where the harp is far away) and one where its close enough to play. If you could nudge between those two positions it would be ideal. I haven't seen anything like that on the market
@@declanmurphy729 Not sure what you mean by harp is far away. As in chest?
I tried using K&M for a while, and was impressed with its quality, but it was too short and literally gave me a pain-in-the-neck when I played. I’ve been using a Lee Oskar, which has a longer reach and puts the harp in a good position for me to play without having to scrunch. I noticed that the back half of the Lee Oskar that you demonstrated was bent up at the curve rather than down to fit the curvature of your back. Mine’s the other way (I think that I might have taken it apart and flipped it when I got it because it seemed wrong (opposite of my old ELCO which to me is the holy grail). I also put Tygon (clear flexible) tubing around the back half, which helps keep it in place better, and I also use a 2-sided male strip of velcro held on with gaffer’s tape at the middle of the curve in the back, which I attach to a 2-sided female strip of velcro on my guitar strap. The Lee Oskar, while cheaply constructed, does have good butterfly nuts on both sides and tightens up quite well and doesn’t creep (unlike the cheap Hohner). Playing position is a critical factor, however, and I can see how someone who likes the K&M would find the Lee Oskar to be too far up in their face.
Yep Jeremy, it's a totally personal thing :)
I was looking for info on a holder. I never knew I'd find it all in one video. Thanks.
A one stop shop! Glad I could help you out. New album right here. davidthorpeharmonica.bandcamp.com/releases
Thanks man, super informative!
Thank you :)
Good advice. I also prefer the K&M rack. The Hohner Flexrack is also good, but the nuts can spin off. Good luck finding or replacing them. The farmer racks are nice, but the magnetic rather than spring attachment really sucks for the Seydel steel reeds. You can snap them in half with an enthusiastic bend. Only spring one I use is the Hohner KM4307 for the Tombo non slider chromatic which is extra wide.
nice one! :)
Thanks! This is exactly the information I needed to make my choice between which one to get!
Glad I could help you out Tom. :)
Thank you for the info, it helped.
Cheers Patrick :)
Very helpful, thank you for posting.I have been OK playing guitar and harmonica, but now trying to add singing really freaks me out ! I might try the mic stand idea with a really sturdy stand :)
Good Luck Robert! enjoy the journey :) more of my music here..skifflemachine.bandcamp.com
Ive been battling this harp neck rig for months lol
Your vid has definitely helped me zone in on the dynamics of the rack. Body stance and adjustment is getting me closer to it being a little more comfortable and closer to where Id like it to be. Thanks man!!
Glad I could help Johnny :)
I hate those frames I bought the most expensive and it was crap so I decided to make a simple clamp on to my guitar its a game changer, the trouble with the neck ones is as you lean to play the harmonica goes away from you , with the guitar you can put it where you like.
🤣😂 You are really giving me quite a laugh Li'l Chuck!! I am loving your demonstration and I am only half way through your video!! Thank you... Hopefully, I will figure out a rack that will fit after your video.... I haven't found one yet... being a woman and a smaller person... 💜
yep it's an endless journey of compromise to be honest. FYI, I am very small in stature, you'll find something.
yes yes... I needed this review.... I did not realize there were nicer versions! thanks! Amanda
Ah yes... its a pretty endless journey to find the right fit... good luck :)
Great ramble , rack chat
Really interesting to see them all.
I use the older Honer wire rack which I’m never sure is right for me
But my Rack - Uke player is only 5 or 10 percent of my plying
keep rockin' the rack :)
Thank you for your knowledge. I'm just starting. My first rack was the hohner wire model $12-$13 range, but for me, the angles didn't work. Now I have the K & M, that you seem to prefer, it lines up better. The problem now is that I find myself chasing it away from my face as the song progresses. Is it just a matter of really cranking down on the locking mechanism? I'm a mechanic, so I'm hyper aware of stepping the nuts, or screw. What's the trick for keeping the harmonica from falling away from your mouth?
Building on keeping the harp fixed, how do you bend notes in a rack. Without a rack, like you mentioned, I'm pretty hard with the harp in my mouth and get a lot of benefit from having harp pretty deep, playing into my lip and changing the angle slightly to create bends. I can't seem to get a good 'grip?¿????' to do bends with the rack. You could probably make an entire video on this topic. How do we bend notes in a rack where there is less control, without the hands and ability to create pressure/seal in the mouth?
thanks for checking in, Yep I like the K&M... it still has a little movement in it which I strangely like. Bending is 100% no problem... yesterday I worked out I'd been doing this rack harp thing for about 30 years....so it is just down to finding your groove and working with it for a while... remember, Bending in internal and required zero pressure or effort... here is a vid I uploaded yesterday, it shows my posturer pretty well... plus overblows, blow bends and draw bends. th-cam.com/video/8IqwsDWfpCg/w-d-xo.html
To keep the harp from 'creeping' away from you and to keep it snug while you're playing, you need to create friction at the pivot point. Just remove the wingnut and flat washer from each side and sandwich a lock washer or a rubber faucet washer between the two eyelets and put it back together.
I would buy just ordinary cheap holders and probably wouldn't like its dynamics if I didn't watch your video. You said it all and mentioned all the points in a very short time period. Well, that's some performance out there and quite tiring to watch 😀 thank you for the great content
Thanks for your kind words and I’m glad I could help you out 😃
Why not have a stand for your harmonica or a mount that come off your Mic stand?. You could apply pressrr the the foot of the stand with your foot whilst playing as not to tip the stand over.
Another idea is to make a mount that can come off your guitar some how then simply move the guitar to position the Harmonica where you want it. This also allows greater mobility. Simply a large padded clamp on your guitar body maybe a spring action type with a lock in swivel arm. I would suggest comming off where the neck meets the body of the guitar just above the neck. Its a very strong point there.
Cheers for checking in, all good suggestions, but as I say in the vid, racks are very personal to the player. Stands and mic stand mounts are commercially available but there's too much leverage for me and my style, plus I move around a lot on stage while playing. guitar mounts are available too.... but if you are changing multiple guitars during a show etc.... its all down to what works for you as a player.
Incredible helpful video. Thank you so much!
Thanks you Nam.
Qué soporte utiliza
Just tried the K&M but it's too low, the others were too high or too loose.. about to try my fourth, wish me luck!
yep, I hear ya, its a pretty endless journey with a fair bit of compromise....
Cheers buddy very useful.
Thanks Terry, glad I could help you out :)
I love you videos they are very helpful. I was wondering if you could do a video about playing harmonica and slide guitar together? Like how they work together and the kind of mind set you have while trying to come up with a song. Thanks a lot man.
A great suggestion Daniel, I will get my brain ticking about the best way to deliver that subject... I'll keep you posted for sure....:).... mindset is 'pretty simple' (ish)... I never over think it, I never really analyse it, I never worry about what another person may think about it... I let my mind be free and just 'let go' .......and keep it really basic /simple....
Hey Daniel, I have released this new video, it touches on the idea of the slide and harp working together in pitch. Enjoy, let me know what ya think. th-cam.com/video/15IeGCz_uRg/w-d-xo.html
Thanks I kinda had the same thoughts play around wit it make it yours
cheers Larry
You're a harmonica Tudor! Hehehe
I tried playing hands free once, kinda frustrating and the tone was weak. I nowadays just either multitrack or just get someone else to play guitar for me.
Super helpful!
Thank you!
Thanks for the entertaining and informative video. I wish I'd seen it 5 holders back. At abourt 4:25 you mention "these mid-range ones...are easy to get the harp in." What kind is that? Thanks!
Thanks!, the one I like is a K&M rack, I think I mentioned the hohnor flex rack... after using that for a while, I really didn't get on with it... yes it's a bit of a journey.
I have the best Harmonica holder in the world,but because I don't want it stolen people will have to wait until i market it,there are no parts to replace or wear out no clamps and when you done playing you simply put your harmonica in your guitar case and your holder is used as a guitar case latch that prevents your Guitar from falling out.They will be for sale soon with a life time warranty!
I look forward to hearing more about it :) keep me posted!
I ended up modifying my hohner 10 hole rack by mounting magnets to the clamp (for easy switch out) and then was told by a friend that having magnets that close to your brain is not healthy. Going out to try the flex rack
good luck on your voyage of discovery :)
Earth has a magnetic core.
Flex rack is great especially with the Rack-it.
As to the magnets and your brain, tell your friend to wrap his head in tinfoil. That should protect him.
Say, I tried contacting Seydels people ..shows two photos of two employees.. where it says " email" I touched it..my laptop..went to my email.. nothing appears on the screen...hmmmm. now what? I like to know what if one's harmonica is NOT magnetic? Non- metallic????
yep, Sorry, I don't know much abut the Seydel. I'll try one one day. Maybe hit farmer foot drums, they designed them.
Wondering what your thoughts are pertaining to the 'Farmer Sidenote Harp Holder'. Give/take $40 U.S.
Hey there, I have heard good independent reports about them, however, I have not tried one and they are rare in my native New Zealand. I'd like to try one. If you look down the comment on this video, about 20 down, you'll see Pete Farmer himself has made a comment. :)
Thanks man
what k&m model is that you have or the one you use the most... thanks, Gary
I think K&M only make 1 model or rack, the one in the video. This is my 'go to' rack.
ok thanks, I did see they had several models...will check them out. Gary
I saw where Hohners flex holder was way to high so one harmonica player had his welder friend remove 4cm of it to make it shorter and spray painted the sides where it says hohner and you could not even tell it had been welded. And it did infact look much more comfortable and not so high.
I mean seriously, a person need to have tje neck of a giraffe to play on that thing.
And the K&M holder he didn't like he said it damaged his harmonica.
I'm stuck trying to find a good harmonica holder that is both comfortable, sturdy and will not damage my harmonica.
By the way, I've never seen anybody use a harmonica microphone before.
I'm from the United Ststes.
I wonder what brands are best for me to try out?
Is there anything I should know or look out for an get to go with it?
Thanks for checking in Ashley. The key is just to keep buying or trying different braces until you find one that suits you.... unfortunately this can be an endless journey and a lot of compromise. As for harp mics. The Rackit by Blowsmeaway.com is the best.
Its interesting to learn from your tutorial. Tnks so much. How can I buy one for my practical ? I can get in many shops I went in Nigeria . Can you sell for me.? I really need one Tnx
Sorry for my typographical error, I wanted to say I can't get in Nigerian music shops. Can you help in any way. So greatful.
Thanks for your question. Best to google 'harmonica brace or harmonica holder' and see which suppliers deliver or supply to your home country. I can't recommend any one particular brace.
All right!
Alright indeed :)
Have you tried the Seydel Gecko? I switched from the flex rack, and for a performer it is awesome… the only caviat is that the rackIt might not work with it.
Thanks for checking in, I am aware of the Farmer / Seydel Gecko, but they are difficult to get hold of and crazy expensive in my location so I have been unable give one a try. Greg at Blowsmeaway.com makes an attachment to fit The Rackit to a Gecko.
@@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214 that’s good to know. If you can ever get one for a good price, do it. They’re great.
@@norfolknwhey4787 I will for sure. Fun fact, Pete Farmer who designed them commented on this video earlier in the thread :)
@ 6:10/ can the spring tension be adjusted to accomodate various sizes of harmonica heights?
yep, that seems to be the case. :)
breck human harmonica microphone?
Greg Heumann's The Rackit! mic :)
@@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214 thank you, I figured that, but sounded ...
I have two but they are both so uncomfortable to sing around
yep, unfortunately it goes with the territory. :)
I am shocked to see you put in harmonicas in these so easily- I have an issue with my holder because it is soo hard to push down on the springs to put in my harmonica - I can’t put it in! It’s too tight!! My fingers even hurt and get stuck in trying to put my harmonica in .. guess I just don’t have a good holder?
every rack is different, and yes you often get what you pay for... but the more you use it, the easier it will be :) - second nature for me after about 25 years :)
it's not only useful, but also....FUNNY
Paid ad, but a believable one. I'll believe otherwise if you tell me the name of the cheap one you liked.
Paid Ad? Do you think someone actually pays me to talk abut Harmonica holders?? I wish!!! As for the cheap one, proabably a Stagg or Suzuki or Tombo or something around $20. ps if you find someone willing to pay me, please tell them to get in touch. Oh the reality of the creative arts.
Is the Lee Oscar the tallest of them, (from chest to mouth height), that you showed? I have a long neck and play and sing on an upright acoustic bass. And though you said you didn't like it, personally, because it moves around a lot, if it's taller (for longer necks like mine), it might still be worth it for me. Thanks.
it's a bit higher than the K&M but not as high as the flex rack can be... but like I say, you've just got to try a few to see what suits. . :)
The very, very "BEAST" Harmonica holder is a "Farmers" harmonica holder th-cam.com/video/40cbwe7EPq0/w-d-xo.html , but Please take heed ..... not all Harmonicas have steel or stainless steal covers, therefore they will not magnetize to any other metal. "GOT IT?" Eli: "King of Rock & Roll Harmonica" and Master of the Harmonica.
I would try one if they weren’t so ridiculously expensive in New Zealand. 😊
👍🏻
I have an issue with my holder because it is soo hard to push down on the springs to put in my harmonica in - I can’t put it in - too tight - help!
Disassemble, maybe get softer springs, cut them to longer than original length of rack's springs, experiment with lengths. Save the original springs, maybe cut them down a hair.. Get different types of springs at the hardware store or online.
I have the same problem with one from Fender! I couldn't budge the damn thing open to get a harmonica in! So I threw it away!!! I hear Farmers and Seydel have one but they are magnetic holders! What if one has harmonicas that are not magnetic?
Are there any that put it on one specific shoulder? I want one I can play the fiddle with.
I don't know of a one shoulder model but 3 ideas... there are a few different mic stand attachment harp holders, or 'lee oskar' do a design with a 'central pole' from memory plus 'Farmer' racks are nicely designed and may do the trick :)
@@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214 Thanks
Hi! May I know if i can use a 16 hole chromatic for any of these racks? If not, is there any racks specific for chromatics? Can't seem to find any. Thanks in advance :)
Cheers for getting in touch, I am no expert in the Chromatic area however, one of my students 'jerry rigged' a harp rack with clips and clamps to hold it onto a standard harmonica rack. My personal thought on this is that Chromatic harmonica has a slide mechanism that enables the player to access all the juicy notes.... if you play Chromatic 'hands free' then the payer is not maximising the instrument so the payer may as well play diatonic harmonica.... unless you rig up a cable system like this th-cam.com/video/7wDtPLmwG38/w-d-xo.html . I hope this helps :)
Alright. Thank you for the info :)
That thing with your rack ? th-cam.com/video/XVyHhlYdUpA/w-d-xo.html does it hold a normal microphone? I mean do you put mic into that tube ? Can I insert Shuma 58 in it?
here's the answer th-cam.com/video/p5yP9GC0zLU/w-d-xo.html
Hey Davey, thanks for all your lessons, really enjoying it;one question about this particular video: the harmonica brace I have (cheap one) does not allow me to play single notes, no matter how much i wiggle my head/shoulders, etc.the problem seems to be i need to tild it more towards my mouth in order to get proper mouth contact, but i can't; do you think the K&M you mentioned would allow me to tilt it forwards? i just can;t see from the video if that's actually possible, but you obviously play it amazingly well so the prbome is either my poor technique or the bracer?your help would be much appreciated, cheers
HI Adrian, ok firstly, if you can play pure precise clean single notes at all times without using a brace but not when using a brace, then you can narrow it down to the brace being the problem. To be honest, the Honour Flex rack seems to be the only rack with multiple settings and angles that may assist your embouchure. If you single notes are a bit random even without a brace, then best to look at your technique rather than the brace. Here is a good video on this...th-cam.com/video/01c5u-RPvrY/w-d-xo.html
Li'l Chuck The One Man Skiffle Machine many thanks, that’s really helpful!
Keep those lessons coming!
Do you ever tour in ireland? Would love to see you live
@@adriancodrea2684 I'd love to get to Ireland at some point... I'll keep ya posted if I do :)
No thanks
Do you know what harmonica rack is this one ? th-cam.com/video/T17T6C91-LU/w-d-xo.html
it could possibly be a Seydel/Farmer Gecko.
@@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214 @Li'l Chuck The One Man Skiffle Machine Well I hate Farmer Gecko I had that one and did not work for me it was too high . I have a short neck and it was not adjustable enough. It is amazing how they advertise that rack and it does not work with wooden harmonicas and the bottom part is not that much adjustable either . If you have a short neck like me you are out of luck. Also the harmonica slides on the magnect
okey dokey, unfortunately, like I say in the video, you may have to try every harmonica rack known to mankind before you find one you like....:)
Does anyone have issues with singing and using a harmonica via brace whilst using a mic
it's always a pain and worth getting one of these. th-cam.com/video/Cy9IUS3imew/w-d-xo.html