The SlipSlider - a Revolutionary Blues Harp.

A space for players interested in my specialist harmonicas, alternate tunings, instructional material, recordings etc to ask questions and share information, experiences, videos etc.
CrawfordEs
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Re: The SlipSlider - a Revolutionary Blues Harp.

Post by CrawfordEs » Wed May 09, 2018 1:37 am

What models do you think will be made for regular breath direction tunings first?
Also, even though only one shift is necessary to get the blow bends will they still be able to shift in both directions? There may be tone differences and deeper bends made possible.

harp
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Re: The SlipSlider - a Revolutionary Blues Harp.

Post by harp » Fri May 11, 2018 6:55 pm

Hi Brendan,

I purchased a SlipSlider Crossover in G a bit ago and have been digging it... Took a bit of time to figure out a method to prevent slipping fingers but in the end I came up with a nice grip system using a few brass finishing washers and a spot of hot glue; it works well and looks great. I have a LC Manji that I was thinking of converting to a SlipSlider using one of your ready to assemble kits. I'm unclear whether the long slot option would work with a LC. Thanks in advance and I really appreciate your ingenuity!

Thanks

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Brendan
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Re: The SlipSlider - a Revolutionary Blues Harp.

Post by Brendan » Sun May 13, 2018 9:25 am

I've made a few Seydel SlipSliders now and they play much the same as stock Seydel 1847 harps out of the box. If you like the standard 1847 without embossing, then the SlipSlider version will be similar.

Seydel harps have a big following and some good points that make them attractive in the SlipSlider format:

1. Larger, wider coverplates, size, for easier grip
2. Can be ordered in many alt. tunings

I'll do a video soon demonstrating the Seydel SlipSlider and its special qualities.

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Brendan
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Re: The SlipSlider - a Revolutionary Blues Harp.

Post by Brendan » Sun May 13, 2018 9:43 am

@ Crawforde: On bidirectional SlipSliders for regular-breath tuned harps:

I made a test Easttop PowerBender SlipSlider with uniform comb tines and the ability for a right and left shift of the drawplate. The right shift is short (3.75mm) but the left shift is long (7.5mm), allowing the draw reeds to interact with blow reeds normally in a hole to their left. This gives massive draw bends on holes 1-9.

It works but:

1. The comb needs to be extended to the right to house the magnet and accommodate the long leftward travel. Not a problem once designed.

2. The right end of the reedplates and covers need to have slots cut out for the magnet screws. Extra hassle in assembly but something most people could do.

The big draw bends require good bending technique, and yield a range of intermediate bends that are not so easy to hold at pitch.

For those reasons I think it would have niche appeal, but I could be wrong: maybe the wild expression of the swooping draw bends will really appeal. I'll make a video to demonstrate the PowerBender sample and gauge reaction.

Of course the new draw bends will be different in other tunings. That should get you thinking...

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Brendan
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Re: The SlipSlider - a Revolutionary Blues Harp.

Post by Brendan » Sun May 13, 2018 9:46 am

@Harp: can you post some photos of your grip solution? Sounds great :-)

The Manji version is now out:

http://www.brendan-power.com/SlipSlider ... iderSuzuki

Glad you're liking your SlipSlider. How are you using it in a musical sense?

Lizzy
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Re: The SlipSlider - a Revolutionary Blues Harp.

Post by Lizzy » Sun May 13, 2018 10:09 am

;)
Brendan wrote:
Sun May 13, 2018 9:25 am
I've made a few Seydel SlipSliders now and they play much the same as stock Seydel 1847 harps out of the box. If you like the standard 1847 without embossing, then the SlipSlider version will be similar.

Personally I find Seydel harps more 'airy' than brands like Hohner or Easttop, but they have a big following and some good points that make them attractive in the SlipSlider format:

1. Larger, wider coverplates, size, for easier grip
2. Can be ordered in many alt. tunings

I'll do a video soon demonstrating the Seydel SlipSlider and its special qualities.
Yeah, my initial thought was that Seydel became more airy when it was converted to SlipSlider. Now when i know the SlipSlider play much the same as a regular 1847 its not annoying for me anymore. :D

CrawfordEs
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Re: The SlipSlider - a Revolutionary Blues Harp.

Post by CrawfordEs » Sun May 13, 2018 3:24 pm

I finally put my SlipSlider together.
This is fun. I haven’t done much with it yet, just noodled around, and haven’t decided yet how I’m going to do the grip modifications, if any.
With Thunderbird covers it does pretty well, maybe just a small dab or two of clear E6000 glue on each side will do the trick.
In C having the blowbent Eb and Ab available is going to be nice.
The ease of disassembly for cleaning and adjusting alone is a great plus.
If it works as well in the Lucky 13 regular breath direction models my other harmonicas are going to get dusty.

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Brendan
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Re: The SlipSlider - a Revolutionary Blues Harp.

Post by Brendan » Mon May 14, 2018 1:02 am

Interesting checking out your grip solutions, E6000 glue and finishing washers. I've ordered some to check out.

While researching grip tapes I also discovered the strange world of fingerboarding, that I never knew existed... They have some interesting looking finger grip tapes, either with grit or neoprene.

I also thought of rubber thimbles. They look promising, though not sure if tough harp dudes would want to be seen using them. Perhaps if they are black? ;-) I've ordered some to try anyway.

Gecko tape is another interesting possibility, will try that, and cork tape too perhaps. Both are used by cyclists for handlebars.

No doubt there will be many options that work to enhance grip on the SlipSlider, each with positives and negatives. Early days, keep your suggestions coming :)

Lizzy
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Re: The SlipSlider - a Revolutionary Blues Harp.

Post by Lizzy » Mon May 14, 2018 4:44 pm

I cut out two pieces from a Lego base plate. I made each piece 4 dots long to also support four fingers in both directions when playing acoustic. Glued them with superglue but i think E6000 is better for this. It works for me and Lego is sturdy. Not everyone want a Lego logo on the harmonica but its hardly legibly. The option is to sand down the letters with a fine sandpaper. And my Lego base plate will last to cover 160 harmonicas.

CrawfordEs
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Re: The SlipSlider - a Revolutionary Blues Harp.

Post by CrawfordEs » Mon May 14, 2018 6:36 pm

You can’t go wrong with LEGO! Good idea.
E6000 stinks while curing, but a day or two in garage off-gassing makes it undetectable.

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