Brendan Power & Alternative Harmonicas Forum

An Idea in Need of an Application - Any Suggestions? I've come up with a theoretical way to play any reed in a diatonic harmonica as either blow or draw. It's not simultaneous, you have to manually choose one or the other with a selector mechanism similar to a chromatic slider. When you do, all the ...

I think Diminished is excellent, as long as you know how to bend well.

I response to requests, I've just asked Easttop to make the Lucky 13 in a new model: Diminished Tuning! It will be half-valved, so you can bend every draw note whilst obtaining valved bending expression on the blow notes. Diminished is a great tuning for the diatonic, allowing full chromaticism with...

My unique Look-Dots (small position markers on the front of the comb) make it easy to know where you are on the Lucky 13 Mk2. Here's a video showing how they work for the standard Richter model. The same info applies to the PowerBender, PowerDraw and Paddy-Richter harps too. https://youtu.be/2jQx8uz...

Actually the Lucky 13 in Solo tuning starts on the G below middle C. Middle C (C4) is in holes 2/3 of the 13 holes. Here's the chart:
https://www.brendan-power.com/lucky13.php#lucky13SoloPC

The range is the same as a 14-hole chromatic, without the highest hole.

Basically getting the out-of-the box playability better. Being an un-valved harmonica with a mouthpiece/slider assembly, it really benefits from embossing. I'd like to be able to offer it as an option at the Easttop factory for a reasonable extr sum, but that's proving difficult to implement from th...

Thanks Edvin for your helpful comparison of the two tunings.

One point I take from it is that I should add a Lucky 13 Solo in the key of D to the keys available!

I think it's better to stick with pure Solo tuning. It's a great option for Irish music. However, if you want to do the retune from Paddy-Richter, it's not too difficult but you'd be best using solder to lower the appropriate reeds.

Thanks Tyler

The Look-Dots are my favourite aspect of the Lucky13 Mk2 - so handy! I'll be doing a special video on them soon. If you already have a lucky 13 and want to upgrade with the new Look-Dot comb, it's possible: https://www.brendan-power.com/lucky13.php#lucky13Accessories I'm looking into getting a Dimin...