Moon Cat
40 posts
Jul 19, 2011
9:44 PM
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93
It's official I'm a Suzuki Cat of the Highest Order Under and Over the Moon and soon to be Born anew to Earth a cat the same!
Suzuki Harmonicas Rock! Suzuki and I have had a devilish flirtation, a secret affair even for nearly fifteen years. Wether I was with Hohner Harmonicas or working for Harrison Harps I was always secretly packing a few Suzuki's or making frankenstein harps with their parts. They have always been my favorite out of the box harps. Their technology beat the others and their commitment to change and advancement had me the first time I saw the Pro Master in Pat Ramsey's hand.
As a player and fan of Harmonica My heart was with the Marine Band, but not really the ACTUAL Marine Band I loved The CUSTOMIZED, REBUILT, 150.00-350.00 royal cousin of the M.B. that resembles a real Marine Band as Much as a go cart resembles a Rolls Royce. Rebuilding, dissapearing parts, waiting lists, metal quality diminishing, cheeper brass, and growing prices from customizers. The Marine Band as an instrument was just becoming too expensive, too much work, and growing antiquated in general with the rise of bad ass little boxers like the Manji.
I tried to make it happen with Brad Harrison! It was my dream too, and Tach and the Suzuki team actually cheered us on quite a bit. A ton of my time, input, design, thought and playing went into the very essanc4e of Brad Harrison's baby The B-Rad and it was an amazing harp...IF you could get one...or your money back? I only ever got one harp too (A Bb)!!! Harrison couldnt pull it off, it's hards, expensive and a labor of love. Suzuki had the time, the Money, The experience,the Machines and the players.
All the Time I was in Bed working with these other makers Suzuki and the Team treated a Moon Cat like Gold. Tach and the Suzuki Team showed me a lot of love and respect over the years. I as you all know am fiercly independent these days and we never could seem to sign the deal until NOW! I humbly accept.
Suzuki gave me many very amazing instruments even before I was an endorsee just because they new I could offer them unique feed back for the betterment and improvement of their art. They loved to see me smile to when I fell in love with an instrument of theirs or an idea. They wined me and dined me and over the years we had many great conversations both technical and artistic over steak dinners, sushi and great conversation. I have always felt a friendship with this company and am now happy to start finally giving back on a more public level for Suzuki, Tachikawa and Mr Manji Suzuki himself who's first instrument built bearing the Suzuki name Was a Harmonica!
Long Fucking Live Suzuki!!
Jason Ricci, Frater Felis Alouris Lunae
93/93
The return of the Moon Cat To youtube home with tutorials,dramatizations, philosophies,scandals and other media related communications will commence in a three day period from the publishing of this text. The videoes themselves will follow suit soon there after.
I have relocated to an exclusive hideout in the woods in pursuit of things I am scared to do. Skype Lessons and a web site will be available soon. No more harmonicas, amps or pedals will be for sale unfortunatly.
Check this coincidence...believe it or not my Captcha code below that I need to enter in order for this to publish is M A N J I J
-Im Out for now
Jason
Last Edited by on Jul 19, 2011 9:57 PM
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Gnarly
61 posts
Jul 19, 2011
10:22 PM
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Congrats!
I was the Suzuki harp tech for a year, just hung up my apron last week--Daron is back with Suzuki USA, bet you'll be talking to him a lot.
I have a lot of respect for the folks at Suzuki Japan.
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KingoBad
801 posts
Jul 19, 2011
10:26 PM
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Greetings and welcome newly born Manji Mojo Moon Cat. We look forward to the YouTube resurgence and anxiously await you technological presence.
Happy Re-birth Day!!!
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Danny
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Todd Parrott
567 posts
Jul 19, 2011
11:12 PM
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Congratulations, Jason!
The folks at Suzuki have always been more than friendly and always professional. I've heard nothing but good things about them from the endorsees. They seem to be a really good harp company.
Hope to see you at SPAH? Take care.....
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groyster1
1188 posts
Jul 19, 2011
11:16 PM
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I have a suzuki hammond in Bb which is the best ootb harp Ive ever bought manjis are great also own 3 they are or were a better price suzuki is definitely pushing hohner
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jim
927 posts
Jul 19, 2011
11:36 PM
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Dance or something...
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Free Harp Learning Center
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JInx
8 posts
Jul 20, 2011
12:10 AM
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I don't get it. You're a Suzuki guy? WTF?
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boris_plotnikov
577 posts
Jul 20, 2011
1:36 AM
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That's great Jason!
I was 100% shure that you'll become a Suzuki endorser.
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Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
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gene
806 posts
Jul 20, 2011
2:33 AM
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Congratulations! I'm sincerely glad that you got a deal, but now I must put my Devils Advocate suit on. (It's in my nature.)
How can we know how you REALLY feel about Suzukis? After all...this time it's Suzuli that you're being paid to love.
(Pro Master's my favorite harp, BTW.)
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harpdude61
911 posts
Jul 20, 2011
2:50 AM
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Congrats Jason!
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The Gloth
595 posts
Jul 20, 2011
3:32 AM
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Cool news Cat !
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MN
74 posts
Jul 20, 2011
4:09 AM
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Jason: What say ye about the Manjis' 3draw stiffness I mentioned at
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/1632044.htm Do you do away with that with gapping?
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Brendan Power
157 posts
Jul 20, 2011
4:40 AM
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Welcome, Brother Jason! That's real heart-warming news, can't wait to hear your first notes.
From long personal experience I'm sure it will work out well for both you and Suzuki. It's a family-run company started from scratch by Mr. Suzuki with one harmonica model, and they think of everyone involved as family: the players, the R&D guys, the factory workers, the sales team... That may sound like a cliche but I've been to Hamamatsu several times and felt the vibe - it's real.
Those old-fashioned qualities Integrity, Trust and Honour are big things for Suzuki. I can attest to that, because I've had a friendship with the company ever since 1989 when I sent them my half-valving idea from far off New Zealand. They're kind of cautious and can take a while to come to a decision (which can be frustrating!), but once Suzuki commit to something their word is their bond and you can guarantee they'll follow through.
They're also committed to constant improvement based on player feedback, and are not afraid of using innovative high-tech solutions to improve quality, in a market that is often quite conservative.
As with any family there can be ups and downs along the way, but there is no doubting the enormous love and respect Tachi, Mr. Suzuki, I and everyone at Suzuki have for your great talent and passion, Jason. I'm sure that will sustain and nurture a warm long-term relationship.
Looking forward to checking out your new projects x
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toddlgreene
3148 posts
Jul 20, 2011
4:41 AM
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Congrats, Jason on the endorsement-We'll miss you down here in the Big Sleazy.
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Todd L. Greene
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HarveyHarp
284 posts
Jul 20, 2011
7:15 AM
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Good Luck Jason. I anxiously await seeing what doors your new path opens for you.
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HarveyHarp
Last Edited by on Jul 20, 2011 11:08 AM
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timeistight
100 posts
Jul 20, 2011
7:51 AM
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Great news Jason. Can't wait to see what's next in Moon Cat land. I'd love to see a vid on your Manji tweaks.
An exclusive hideout in the woods, eh? How are the bugs?
Last Edited by on Jul 20, 2011 9:57 PM
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hvyj
1567 posts
Jul 20, 2011
8:13 AM
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Suzuki Hammonds are hands down the best OOB harps I've ever played and on a scale of 1 to 10 Suzuki customer service is a 12. Not at all surprised to hear JR's testimonials. Hope all is well with you, Jason!
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John95683
11 posts
Jul 20, 2011
10:43 AM
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Good to know that you were secretly playing Suzukis while being compensated for promoting Hohner and Harrison. Says a lot about your ethics and credibility.
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KingoBad
803 posts
Jul 20, 2011
10:50 AM
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Who pissed in your post toasties John95683?
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Danny
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groyster1
1189 posts
Jul 20, 2011
11:22 AM
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it supposed to be a free country and the freedom to spend your money as you see fit-theres nothing wrong with someone with a preference for suzuki over hohner and as far as harrison a lot of people cant seem to even get them
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tookatooka
2383 posts
Jul 20, 2011
1:10 PM
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Hi Jason, maybe you could use your influence to persuade Suzuki to bring out a HarpMaster priced harp that has Special 20 tuning and length. Although the HarpMaster is only about 3 MM longer than the Special 20, the Special 20 feels so much better in the hand.
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harmonicanick
1252 posts
Jul 20, 2011
2:38 PM
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Took,
He aint gonna be doing that! Listen to what they are at Suzuki; very exciting development..Hohner may be left trailing..
Nick
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Diggsblues
904 posts
Jul 20, 2011
3:01 PM
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I see no ethics violation he did not promote Suzukis till now. I never heard him say anything that would
be a contradiction while he was a hohner guy.
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Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind
How you doin'
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Cristal Lecter
74 posts
Jul 20, 2011
3:24 PM
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Welcome to the Suzuki family, Tachi has said to me the "secret" a while ago and I'm so happy that you've joined our family....
SUZUKI ROCKS AND RULE
Christelle
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Never try to be as good as someone else, succeed to be the best player you can be!
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bluemoose
582 posts
Jul 20, 2011
3:58 PM
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Moon Cat surfacing and in a good place it sounds like. Great news.
Good to hear you've also found a harp hardware home.
I'm dipping my toes in the Suzuki pool as well (though
the 2 Brad marine bands with Moon Cat touches and tweeks I got from you are my favourite harps in my box.)
My biggest regret however (especially after reading this thread) is when I was talking with you, up in Washington State a couple years ago before a show and you let me try your Suzuki G-48, that I didn't head out to my car and bring in my blue's tuned Brendan Power CX12 with Suzuki plates for you to try. Next time
though I will for sure! (brendan - this chrom is still fabulous)
moose
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MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
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Blues13
122 posts
Jul 20, 2011
4:06 PM
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Congrats Jason!
what a bizare coincidence. My BluesMaster was sleeping in my drawer since october(started playing Marine Band)and for the last two days I've been playing it. I opened the back this morning and the sound is brighter, really nice.
I wish you the best of luck on your new path.
Martin
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Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.
Isaac Asimov
Last Edited by on Jul 20, 2011 4:07 PM
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John95683
12 posts
Jul 20, 2011
5:10 PM
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I really could not care less what harp a pro endorses. The issue is that Mr. Ricci stated "Wether (sic) I was with Hohner Harmonicas or working for Harrison Harps I was always secretly packing a few Suzuki's (sic)". In other words,while he was accepting compensation for touting one company, he was actually using a competitor. It is just like a pro golfer who gets paid to endorse Titleist golf balls secretly uses Callaway balls. Then he signs with Callaway and trashes Titleist.
In my view, Mr. Ricci's behavior was unethical and dishonest.
Sorry if I offended anyone here, but those are the facts.
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shadoe42
39 posts
Jul 20, 2011
5:37 PM
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being an endorsie does not always come with an exclusive use contract. And not sure how you can go from carrying a few harps in a case becomes never playing the endorsors harp.
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The Musical Blades
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eharp
1371 posts
Jul 20, 2011
5:51 PM
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just let it go, people.
it aint worth it.
especially in this heat!
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BAG
78 posts
Jul 20, 2011
6:22 PM
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Congrats Moon Cat. You really ought to be in sales. I got BBE stuff I'll never need because you pitched 'em. Almost got a loan bought the Chromatic 48 or whatever it was you pitched one time that I never would have played. Now I'm sure to own Suzukis and I'm almost exclusively a Golden Melody guy.
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Moon Cat
41 posts
Jul 20, 2011
8:40 PM
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John, first I was NEVER compensated by hHarrison or Hohner short of one free harmonica from Brad and 40%off from Hohner. My only reason for "Secretly" trying Suzuki's and other harps was my insatiable love of the instrument and intrigue, curiosity and need to have instruments perform what I need them to perform for shows, song writing, general advancement and recordings. Yes I was aldultrous in this pursuit but I never got any money from anyone, I left Hohner and spent nine years independent while playing purely customs as evidenced by my video :"What Kind of harmonicas I play" and refused to give Hohner the credit (Much to the dislike of thgem and my WALLET!) just so I could to tell people the truth about what I was REALLY playing. In that video I say that giving Hohner credit for a Filisko, Spiers,Sleigh, Gordon MB is the same as giving Home Depot credit for building my home....I reamained absent from any endorsement for years while planning harrison and paid for harmonicas out of my own pocket, fixed them myself, modified them myself and participated in open feedback and discussions with Hohner, Seydel, Herring, Harrison, Suzuki and others for know other eason then to bring ungreatful, presumtious, contemtious prior to investigating good folks like yourself instruments like the Manji and Crossover. There are many others as well. We love the instrument, You think Jimmy Page played a les paul/gibson on every song, every record and every performance. I love music, it was not a betrayal my sharp tongued friend. And If I play another harp while being a Suzuki endorsee you can bet Ill be telling Suzuki what was cool about it. It's like telling your wife "No I'm not attracted to Nicole Kidman honey it's only you" I might be an adulterous but I'm not and never have been a liar (Why would I say it here ferret face" BTW SUZUKI ROCKS! But HARMONICA ROCKS THE MOST! Any one who hates me for doing this should go look in the case of ALMOST any PRO HARMONICAS PLAYER, THEN ASK THEMSELVES WHY THEY ARNT PRACTICING? Come on Dudes, leave me alone,m this is why you guys dont get more pro player's writing here and why Green Rooms exist. Listen to the tunes, enjoy the music, practice, buy shit sell it whatever but don't try to tear a Moon Cat down for telling the truth again.
Love you all I'm out for a while again, See you at Spah and the Next Rockers in the REockies New Tour dates, Duo Gigs, Skype lessons and FREE instruction coming up for you. Some of you are Ridiculopus, I'd be interested to see how many of these guys would say this shit to me in person... have fun typing.
Jason
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John95683
13 posts
Jul 20, 2011
9:24 PM
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I simply stated what I think. Name calling changes nothing.
Peace. Out.
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REM
83 posts
Jul 20, 2011
10:11 PM
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John95683 says:"I simply stated what I think. Name calling changes nothing.
Peace. Out"
But you think it's okay for you to call someone unethical and dishonest, when you clearly don't have the facts and don't know what you're talking about? Your opinion and analysis of the situation are completely ridiculous. If you don't know what you're talking about, and don't have all the facts, you shouldn't go running your mouth off trying to trash someones reputation (especially when you do it anonymously over the internet, that's pretty pathetic IMHO).
Last Edited by on Jul 20, 2011 11:02 PM
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boris_plotnikov
579 posts
Jul 20, 2011
10:21 PM
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Moon Cat
As a seydel guy I want to ask you, just for my information, why don't you choose Seydel? Do you dislike stainless steel reeds or hole spacing?
Suzuki are really good harmonicas, but they sounds too bright for me and I prefer stainless steel reeds which don't need retuning.
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Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
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Gnarly
68 posts
Jul 20, 2011
10:52 PM
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This "unethical and dishonest" twist is hilarious.
While doing repairs at Suzuki, I used to give the sales guys fits when I mentioned to customers needing repairs that my main harps were SP20s.
My last purchase (a few weeks ago?) was a Seydel Session Steel.
I agree with Jason, Suzuki makes great harps--and their hearts and heads are in the right place.
They don't make the only harps in the world--but their quality and value speaks for itself.
The same might be said of Mr. Ricci.
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groyster1
1190 posts
Jul 20, 2011
11:00 PM
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I have many more hohners than suzuki but so glad suzuki is around to push hohner into making better quality harps and continue to be the number one harp company
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Ant138
1028 posts
Jul 20, 2011
11:23 PM
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Jason is right about the Jimmy page thing.
Kirk Hammett from Metallica is endorsed by ESP guitars but he will happily play other makes and models in the studio and even on stage.
Ive seen interviews where he whole heartedly endorses ESP guitars and sings their praises but he also loves vintage Fenders,Les Paul's and cheap beat up rubbish.
He just loves Guitars period.
When i think of Metallica or Kirk Hammett in general i think of ESP guitars even though i know they dont play them 24/7.
Whats a guitar or Harp player supposed to do when they have a strong love for the instrument they play?
Enjoy Jason:o)
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http://www.youtube.com/user/fiendant?feature=mhum
Last Edited by on Jul 20, 2011 11:33 PM
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Big Daddy Ray
9 posts
Jul 20, 2011
11:53 PM
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-THUD- Sound of me fainting and falling off my chair.
I have to edit this. My thud is not saying I think Jason did anything wrong. It just caught me by surprise. I am very happy for him.
Just remember people,,,,play the one you like!
Last Edited by on Jul 21, 2011 12:36 AM
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toddlgreene
3152 posts
Jul 21, 2011
4:59 AM
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So, Jason-are you tending towards the Manji, the ProMaster...which one?
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Todd L. Greene
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Andrew
1382 posts
Jul 21, 2011
5:54 AM
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I could use another harp in C, and the Manji seems like the most obvious candidate after this thread, but it is twice the price of a MB.
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Andrew.
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Those who are tardy do not get fruit cup.
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toddlgreene
3154 posts
Jul 21, 2011
6:11 AM
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BUT, Andrew, minus maybe some gapping and embossing if you feel so inclined, that Manji is light-years ahead of the stock MB. Sealed, composite comb, airtight, opened-up covers, screwed-together construction. I have two, and would be open to getting more.
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Todd L. Greene
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harpwrench
504 posts
Jul 21, 2011
7:10 AM
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The fact that you compare the Manji to a stock Marine Band says a lot, it's been around for well over a hundred years for a reason! Many players still prefer them just as they are. MBD had opened covers and all screw construction in 2005 (actually they had open backs for over 30 years from the very beginning). Composite comb, okay I'll give you that but it doesn't pre-date the Crossover by much- the bamboo came too soon to have been a reaction to Suzuki. And one could argue that Hohner addressed that issue
decades ago with the SP20. If they had offered that with the opened covers they had 100 years ago.....
Look all I'm saying is if it weren't for the MB and people customizing them, I really doubt there would even be a Manji.
*three words deleted for clarity of intent*
Last Edited by on Jul 21, 2011 10:07 AM
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toddlgreene
3155 posts
Jul 21, 2011
7:18 AM
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No lack of respect here, trust me-and why so defensive?
'The fact that you compare the Manji to a stock Marine Band says a lot...' What's with the condescending tone? If I'm interpreting that wrong, please forgive me.
Marine Bands paved the way and were THE choice of most of if not all of the greats in the mid thru late 20th century, and heck, if they were terrible, no one would play them at all, which certainly isn't the case. I play customised MBs too-and I'm NOT a fan of stock MBs, so I know they're a great platform to build upon, at the very least. I was simply stating that the Manji seemed to try to incorporate many things that customisers such as yourself are doing to MBs and other harps to take them to the next level, that's all. A hundred some-odd year old design vs. new technology is really an apples to oranges comparison, but if not for the venerable MB, there would be no Manji.
And I was only speaking of the original MB, not the advances Hohner has also made in the Crossovers and MBD harps.
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Todd L. Greene
Last Edited by on Jul 21, 2011 8:12 AM
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groyster1
1191 posts
Jul 21, 2011
8:28 AM
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I love the mb1896 sound but its just not a good ootb harp like the manji but I do have 3 custom mb1896s done by 2 members of this forum and they really play well
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earlounge
318 posts
Jul 21, 2011
8:41 AM
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Congrats JR! It makes me happy to see you succeed!
Endorsement from one of my favorite players is worth a lot, especially since you can't try a harmonica out before you buy it. As soon as I read this post I wanted to try another Manji.
Your youtube videos were very influential about what I use. You said you started over blowing on OOTB Golden Melodies and then your high praises for Joe Spires customs.
It is unfortunate you are driven away by the few people on the forum that feel the need to always reply with their opinionated drama. You can't please everyone. I can only hope you would ignore the negativity and nay sayers like the majority of us do. Keep doing your thang mang!
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John95683
14 posts
Jul 21, 2011
9:13 AM
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I based my opinions entirely on Mr. Ricci's original post. Some people may agree with my position, others may not.
Be that as it may, I apologize to this board for stirring up the pot. Time to get back to woodshed where I definitely need to spend more time.
Last Edited by on Jul 21, 2011 11:50 AM
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harmonicanick
1253 posts
Jul 21, 2011
9:40 AM
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@John95683
I, for one, sincerely hope you have not discouraged Moon Cat from contributing to this forum by your 'sharp-tongued' and needless comment about his recent appointement as an endorsee of Suzuki.
Please spend much more time in the woodshed.
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harpwrench
505 posts
Jul 21, 2011
9:49 AM
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No defensive, condescending tone intended Todd.
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toddlgreene
3157 posts
Jul 21, 2011
9:55 AM
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Very well then. No beef with you. Time to quote my favorite movie again: "What we have here is...a failure...to communicate"
Jason, I hope you don't miss the 4 inch flying cockroaches that seem to always land in one's hair down here.
Or the stench of Bourbon Street on any given Monday morning.
If you do, let me know, and I'll hook you up with a care package! ;-)
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Todd L. Greene
Last Edited by on Jul 21, 2011 9:59 AM
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Diggsblues
906 posts
Jul 21, 2011
10:20 AM
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I'm really sick and tired of people making accusations against Jason. This happened a few years back and he left us all for a long while.
John95683 please post some of your playing that
identifies who you are.
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Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind
How you doin'
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