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TurboLids
Just before Christmas, I received two turbolids
as built by the good people at Turboharp / AntakaMatics Inc.
(http://www.turboharp.com)
I know the subject has been discussed onlist already,
but I feel it may be necessary to describe the product again.
The turbolids are modular harmonica coverplates designed to
fit on Handmade Special 20 models. They are made of
hard plastic and come in various colors, some translucent, and
are designed to replace the classic metal covers of Special
20s. Unlike the classic covers, they fit around the harmonica,
on the sides as well as on top. The left hand side (where the
low notes are for right handed players) is wider than the right
hand side, to avoid the common problem with low keyed harps
when the reeds tap on the inside of the civer, producing an
unpleasant rattle.
So, in theory, what's the use ? Well, here's the
pitch on Turboharp's website :
- Attractive, sleek, appearance.
- Louder, less muffled sound
- Improved cupping seal.
- Elimination of pesky screws.
- No more fumbling to determine "which end is up."
- Attractive, sleek, appearance.
On the appearance issue, no question, it makes your harps look
different. I
received a "Licorice" lid (opaque black) and a "Crystal
Ice" (clear translucent). The black one is fairly sober, it gives the Special
20 a kind of CX-12 look which can still make you look like a
serious, albeit modern, blues player. The translucent one is
a lot wilder, I thinks it's cool, but
if you use that (or the even wilder colours available) on stage,
you'd better be playing hip hop, funk, or reggae, coz' you definetely
won't look like you've paid your blues dues !!! A bit like playing
a slow Chicago blues on a Gibson Flying V ! Seriously though,
the translucent looks way cool since you can see the mechanics,
the reeds and all.
- Louder, less muffled sound
I guess that's true, although I didn't find it strikingly blatant.
I tried the turbolid both on a standard Special 20 that used
to be way muffled... It's still muffled, maybe a little less,
but not noticeably. I tried it on a customised T-Bone harp by
Tim Moyer as well, and I think I can hear a slightly louder
projection, although, again, I wasn't astounded by the difference.
I guess, as with the CX-12, the difference might be more
noticeable amplified than acoustic, but I haven't had a chance
to try it amped up.
- Improved cupping seal.
I was expecting this to be the most obvious difference between
normal harps and turbolidded ones. It wasn't. I haven't noticed
even a tiny bit of difference. Maybe my cupping technique is
unorthodox, but I haven't managed
to make a more pronounced wah-wah with the turbolid, unless
I adopt a really awkward hand position. Oh, well, wah-wah is
overused anyway, so what the heck...
- Elimination of pesky screws.
Now here's a real convenient and practical improvement. Your
harp is gapped too low ? In two seconds flat you're in there
with your reedtools. Five seconds later, the harp is back online.
You could even regap in the middle of a song ! Need I say more
?
Well, as a matter of fact, yes ! The elimination of screws has
had a secundary but significant impact in my household : my
eleven month-old son now plays the harmonica. Let me explain
: Corentin (that's the name of my son) has seen me playing harp
ever since he was born and, of course, wants to join the fun.
But which model can you give to a kid that young to make sure
he's not going to hurt himself with the screws, the corners,
the back of the coverplates ? Well, none really... Hohner used
to do a nice plastic and safe diatonic harp here in Europe,
but they've discontinued it. Now I know where to go if I wanna
buy a harp for a kid I know (and believe me, I do want to do
that quite often !) and I guess that "Translucent Orange"
and "Translucent Mint Green" will go down well with
young'uns !
- No more fumbling to determine "which end
is up."
I guess that's true although it's never been a major problem
of mine (my harps are all labeled on the same side, so it's
fairly easy to find the top).
So are there any drawbacks ?
Some people mentioned the embouchure. It's true
that the embouchure is slightly different to that of a normal
harp, especially on the low-end since the covers rise a little
more sharply than usual. That being said, the mouthpiece protrudes
sufficiently at the front in order to provide a good mouth seal,
and all in all I found it a lot easier to feel comfortable on
a turbolidded harp than I do on a CX-12 for example. Also, the
plastic used is very sleek and allows easy sliding up and down
the harp, which some metal covers don't do too well...
Some people also seem to have felt that holding
the harp was harder. I found that on the contrary, it's easier
than with a standard harp : the covers are deeper than standard
covers which means you can put your fingers further down and
therefore put the harp deeper in your mouth (with improved sound
results.) Also, the covers are recessed at the back and provide
a "natural" position for the fingers.
I guess the only real drawback to the turbolids
are for left handed players who still play with low ends on
the left : they would need to reverse the lid to have a good
hold with the right hand, but then the wide end would be on
the highest notes...
All in all, I feel that the turbolid is a great
product. It may not be revolutionary, but it's a sound and efficient
product that does more or less what it sets out to do. It's
fairly inexpensve (considering you don't need dozens of them)
and looks pretty cool. Planet Harmonica recommends the
combined use of Turbolids and I-Mics for an improved stage outfit
!
I certainly will purchase some more turbolids,
if only for the kids around me, but also for my own harps, very
likely. I hope they end up doing 12 different colours so that
I can colour code my harps by key !
Planet Harmonica has no affiliation whatsoever
with Turboharps or AntakaMatics Inc.
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