AW
17 posts
Jun 17, 2009
6:07 AM
|
Anybody thinking about these new harps?
|
Buddha
643 posts
Jun 17, 2009
6:25 AM
|
NO.
Last Edited by on Jun 17, 2009 6:27 AM
|
Kingley
47 posts
Jun 17, 2009
6:55 AM
|
C'mon Chris, don't sit on the fence on this one! :D
|
Buddha
644 posts
Jun 17, 2009
7:13 AM
|
that's a strong NO. Hardly sitting on the fence!!! LOL
Brad Harrison makes a good harp and I expect the B-Radical to be just as good.
I played the B-radical last year at SPAH. And honestly it wrecked my mojo while I was playing it but that doesn't mean it didn't play well because it played very well. I hated the covers which felt more like turbo lids than anything else. I heard these have been changed but I don't know.
Personally, I'm not a fan of the shape and feel of it but again that was a prototype that I was playing and hopefully he's made some changes.
I heard last that its gonna list for $100 and maybe $125+
For that kind of money are you getting a good harp? YES Are you getting a great harp? I don't know. The thing I played wasn't what I would classify as great and that one was tweaked by Brad hands and not mass produced. Can a machine make harp as good as Brad can? I doubt it.
Last Edited by on Jun 17, 2009 7:14 AM
|
Kingley
48 posts
Jun 17, 2009
9:51 AM
|
LOL!
Interesting comments on the prototype Chris.
I can't ever see a mass produced harp coming close to a custom harp. It will be interesting to see what they are like when they come out. Although I doubt I'll be rushing to change from my Marine Bands.
|
mr_so&so
133 posts
Jun 17, 2009
10:03 AM
|
Personally, I very interested in these harps. It's about time a manufacturer TRIED to mass produce a really good harp. I'm waiting to see if Brad is able to do it. I'll probably buy one when they are available.
I suspect that Buddha is correct that you can't beat a hand-tuned and adjusted harp though. There will still be business for the customizers.
|
RyanMortos
212 posts
Jun 17, 2009
10:07 AM
|
Me neither. Im a $30 harp player right now. If I had that kinda money to toss around or I all of a sudden got good enough for some gigs Id sooner buy a webcam & buddha harp.
----------
~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
|
Buddha
647 posts
Jun 17, 2009
10:14 AM
|
if anybody can design a good mass produced harp, Brad can do it. His customizing skills are top notch but a machine is still a machine and the very best harps need the human touch. If there was a science behind working up a good harp, there would be more guys doing it. It's more of an art than a science. I've never seen a machine create a work of art that was good.
Can it build a harp like I made for Arbite? Nope.
|
jonsparrow
454 posts
Jun 17, 2009
10:26 AM
|
i would like to own one just cause its cool lookin. an im sure it will play good. like buddha said donno if it will play as good as one made by brad himself but it would still be a nice instrument to own to add to my collection.
|
Buddha
650 posts
Jun 17, 2009
11:27 AM
|
$180 if you want a B-Radical. I'm sure it's going to be an awesome instrument. If Jason and Michael says it's great then I believe them.
http://www.harrisonharmonicas.com/B-radical.php
|
ness
28 posts
Jun 17, 2009
11:38 AM
|
Seems to me the bar has been set pretty low for the typical harmonica. Is there another serious instrument that is essentially disposable, or so often requires 'repair' straight out of the box?
Seems to me he's got a real niche to fill. Build a quality instrument, with tight tolerances and a new comb material. Make it look unique, sexy and easily identifiable and you'll create cachet. Make replacement reedp lates and a bunch of alternate tunings.
http://www.harrisonharmonicas.com/B-radical.php
At $180 list, he should be able to 'pre-tweak' them.
|
MrVerylongusername
358 posts
Jun 17, 2009
12:01 PM
|
This is all speculation, based on the fact the list price is the same as a good custom:
I'm guessing Brad's intention is to raise the baseline from which the customiser works. So the mass produced bit basically addresses the design flaws that take up the customisers' time i.e.bolts, combs etc... as well as a design which is less dependent on history, but actually optimised for the modern player. From that baseline - way ahead of pretty much every other stock harp - he can then concentrate all his efforts on the reeds.
Like I say, that's pure speculation, but I don't think he'd have any customers at that price unless there was an element of his regular customising work involved. Surely?
|
Buddha
653 posts
Jun 17, 2009
12:05 PM
|
based on the b-radicals I've played, I think its time to raise my prices...
Last Edited by on Jun 17, 2009 12:05 PM
|
jonsparrow
457 posts
Jun 17, 2009
12:06 PM
|
$180....ehhhh......i would have to wait to hear what other people say.
edit: that video review on that page sounds very convincing though.
Last Edited by on Jun 17, 2009 12:10 PM
|
Kingley
49 posts
Jun 17, 2009
12:18 PM
|
From what I have seen the assembly looks similar in format to the Hohner CX12. Of course the thing to remember is that the Prototypes will have been personally set up for Jason Ricci and Michael Peloquin.
So that in effect makes them "Custom Harps".
I suspect that with laser technology it's easier to cut the reed slots closer to simulate an embossed effect. It's probably quite easy (although initially expensive) to get the machinery to do this.
This would make them sound better out of the box than other stock harps, but to me wouldn't justify a $180 price tag.
It will be interesting to see what the consensus is when the initial euphoria has worn off and people have been playing them for 12 months or so.
|
bluzlvr
211 posts
Jun 17, 2009
1:11 PM
|
I brought up the question of mass produced custom harps a while back, and the consensus was that machines can't mass produce custom harps.
That left me wondering if it was possible for Hohner or somebody to hire and train enough people to create a sort of "custom shop" for harps like they have at Fender for guitars.
Of course, the harps might not end up being any cheaper anyway, but it would be interesting to see what kind of instument they end up with.
|
belfast_harper
51 posts
Jun 17, 2009
1:28 PM
|
I think a lot of people will be tempted to buy a b-radical to see if it is the harp 'holy grail' that they are looking for, I want to see if people switch from buying custom harps to this new harp.
There was a lot of hype about the suzuki fabolous last year, but it seemed to die out quite quickly, I think the price tag might have put people off.
I don't think I will buying any b-radicals, the postage costs to the UK work out about the same price as a marine band.
I am going to buy a few custom marine bands to study and then invest some money on the right tools and spend the time learning how to set up my own custom harps the way I want them. DIY harps is the way forward.
Last Edited by on Jun 17, 2009 1:32 PM
|
Buddha
654 posts
Jun 17, 2009
1:31 PM
|
I don't think you'd end up with as good a harp if Hohner had a custom harp like fender does. It would be just a job to them and it's not likely they would be very good at it. There is a lot more to making a harp than just embossing the reeds.
It's no secret to me why there are so few good customizers. You simply have to be a top notch player to make a great harp. All of the best builders are very good players. No way hohner can train a dozen people to be great players in a week or two of classroom training.
There are certain things that I do with me people. I recently made harps for for Steve Baker and PT Gazell. two players who are vastly different from each other and vastly different than my own style. I spent WEEKS learning to play like each of them so I could build them the perfect harp. Baker has a very aggressive and punchy style of playing and PT uses valves. There is no way a harp from a custom shop is going to meet their specifications. Seriously, how many people have to ability to sit down and learn to play like them in a matter of a few days?
|
ortrigger
35 posts
Jun 17, 2009
9:07 PM
|
I think Buddha has been making a great point. I'm not much on harmonica but I play guitar and trumpet and the principles are the same. Custom shop instruments are great but the player will still modify them to fit exact needs and wants. I intend to eventually do a bit of modification to my trumpet. Does it play well? Yes. Does it fit me exactly? No. The same thing is going on with the B-Radical vs. Custom
----------
Trumpeter, beginning harpist, and possibly the only LDS person on this forum.
|
nacoran
64 posts
Jun 17, 2009
10:37 PM
|
I'm still waiting for titanium reeds. They have them for woodwinds!
|
Oisin
268 posts
Jun 18, 2009
1:51 AM
|
What about carbon fibre or ceramics as materials. Where I work we use ceramic precision pumps for manufacturing chemo products. There have been huge advances made with ceramics in the last 20 years and they can be used for many applications....and best of all they never rust or corrode. Same with carbon fibre.
|
genesis
27 posts
Jun 18, 2009
6:02 PM
|
The cover plates on the B-rad are carbon. I think beryllium copper would be the best choice for reed material. The biggest hurdle would be educating people on how ITS NOT toxic after heat treating. I sure as hell wouldnt want to be the poor fool cutting the reeds all day though. Beryllium reeds would out last the owner of the harp. Bill Romel( R.I.P.) made chrommie reeds from this years ago and told me he could put a compressor nozzle into the slots and blow the reeds almost straight up and they would always return to where they were gapped.
|
Philosofy
217 posts
Jun 18, 2009
7:22 PM
|
Jason likes his, and told me the individual reeds are replaceable, so you spend $2 if a reed goes, not $20 or more on a new plate.
|
ZackPomerleau
220 posts
Jun 18, 2009
7:26 PM
|
Well, what I am concerned about it how gapping works. Do I need to?
|
Xsinville
1 post
Jul 20, 2009
8:26 PM
|
I have a custom Marine Band from Brad and the thing is off the hook... I talked to him over the phone for a half hour about these harps and They sound bitchin... They are all american and Don't think they are a sell out. I have one on the way so Ill post up as soon as I get it.
|
LIP RIPPER
86 posts
Jul 21, 2009
3:54 AM
|
Titanium has such a memory to it. I don't see how you could arch or gap the reeds with it. I have titanium rimmed glasses and can't hardly adjust the ear pieces. You try to bend them and they won't respond.
I have one coming and also one from Chris. I'm a newbie as I've only been at this for a year but I'll certainly have an opinion on the two.
I'm still waitin for my t-shirt J. :>}
LR
|
bluemoose
81 posts
Nov 03, 2009
10:00 AM
|
Just saw this on Brad's web site:
A message for our faithful, early supporters:
We are right on schedule for the release of the B-radical!. We will be shipping all orders later this Fall between late-November to mid-December. We are just as excited to ship our revolutionary harmonicas as you will be to receive and play them. We will keep you apprised as to our exact ship date as we get closer to our release date.
We have a lot of great things happening here at Harrison Harmonicas that are all coming together to make the best harmonica available on the market. This website will relaunch with a bold new look in the next few weeks, please keep checking back.
|
Bluzdude46
249 posts
Nov 03, 2009
12:40 PM
|
Funny, I think of Fall I think more Oct-Nov
|
Violin Cat
93 posts
Nov 03, 2009
3:48 PM
|
Hey everyone.
Thanks for your continued interest regarding Harrison Harmonicas and the B-Radical.
Of course I respect and value Chris Michalek's opinion (first as a dear friend) and am well aware of his experience and expertise on all things harmonica related as a player, builder and listener myself, however Chris has not actually played "THE" B-Radical that is being released in Dec. nor has almost anyone else.
The FINAL reed profile wasn't perfected and set into production until just weeks ago, additionally the coverplates have been changed slimmed down and entirely re-shaped into a design more functional, just as loud, super attractive and comfortable to hand and mouth. These as well as other design changes have been based on reports from players like Chris, non-professional players and our own observations throughout the slow, sometimes tedious process of repeated prototype production, mailing and testing. Additionally we have taken into account the most recent achievements and inventions of other harmonica companies, new building and tuning technology and our friends and inspiration for the B-Rad the independent harmonica customizers as well.
Using the most advanced computers, rapid prototyping and Stereolithograph machines has enabled Harrison Harmonicas to increase the speed and productivity of our design process and trial and error experiments to new heights.This has been both a blessing and a curse for us! On one hand we can change and test a reed profile in 30 seconds! On the other hand this makes the perfectionism and the "What if" factor ten fold!, causing us to never be satisfied and tinkering like giddy little kids to no end. After near endless experimentation, we are finally satisfied that the ultimate reed material, reed shape, and cover design and material are the best they can be possibly be.
Our ability to change the slightest problem or enhance the most minute advantage easily and quickly has indeed slowed the process of completion, yet this same ability has and will assure Harrison Harmonicas a mile marker in the history of the instrument that will raise the bar permanently from here on.
We refuse to put out an instrument that will be anything less than what we have promised and yes, some needed and exciting last minute tweaks to all parts of the instrument have delayed some progress. We have spent, every minute of those delays and every work hour of each day, turning over all the stones, myths, ideas and hopes vocalized by the harmonica community for last 100+ years! For reeds and cover plates: we investigated, built and tested every imaginable material from beryllium, pre-war brass, titanium, phospherus bronze, stainless steel, (Yes Randy) carbon etc etc. For comb materials our investigations were almost as vast and varied alike. we spent time with each of these material, we tested different shapes and separate profiles for different materials just to be sure our choices were right and our investigations complete.
At last I present you the following info you all have wanted. The latter facts have NOT (despite speculation and rumor) been released until now! It has been very hard for me to remain silent in chats and on boards but FINALLY Brad has given me permission to joyfully disclose the following descriptions:
1.) The Coverplates shape of a B-Radical is best described as a cross between a Hohner Golden Melody and a PreWar Marine Band. It is rounded ergonomic and now slimmer and trimmer featuring a bell like projection curve akin to a Marine Band. They are stronger and more solid than any other coverplates ever built. They are BLACK NICKEL PLATED with a GUN METAL FINISH impervious to rust, smooth as butter and sophisticated and breath taking to the eye.
2.) The Combs are made from the same material as all Harrison and Filisko custom combs of past, which is a black and Grey CNC'ed composite, impervious to moisture, swelling, chipping etc... Slick as oil, and with the same physical vibrational response to the player as a wood comb. They are loud and easy on the tongue and lips.
3.) The Reeds are our own profile not based upon any past profile that has ever existed in the past from any company. We have perfected this profile by dividing the reed into minute sections on a compute ie: A, B, C, and D, then labeling those sections within A1, A2, A3-8 etc. into almost microscopic measurements then adding or subtracting metal or mass from each section and testing one by one until we arrived at our final current design ready for Dec. THE REEDS ARE MADE OF OUR OWN SPECIAL BLEND OF BRASS. Our secret is not so much in the material (although we decided after much material testing that brass IS king) but in how we make them and the caution we use in no stress production. Our reeds will not require adding wax, nail polish, arcing or gapping in order to over blow or play well. The overblows and bends obtained by the player do not hiss or squeal are easier to get than on any harmonica ever built before. Our reed profile has made this a reality.
4.) Our individually replaceable reeds are made seperatly one at a time for holes 1-10.
5.) Our system of replacement is of course the same and ill require no special tools outside of out extremely cost effective individually replacement reeds and a small screw driver. You will not have to have 20/20 vision to fix these harps or any other tools.
Harrison Harmonicas HAS raised the bar. Given, not every instrument in the world will suit every player on the planet and all will of course have their favorites and old standbys (Pun intended). We have sought to create what we feel is a real and the first professional harmonica made to last a life time and have you wanting to play it through out your lifetime.
This does not mean that some adept players will not want to set their own action or arc a reed here or there! We have quite simply designed the most problem free, easily fixed and in the long run: the ultimately, most affordable harmonica ever made.
We have tried to make an instrument with all the grounds covered for the hard blowing blues player or smooth and sweet jazz player (like Chris) but even the guitar player who purchases a 5,000 dollar Les Paul will certainly wish to set that instrument up to his own specs. he sax player will replace the mouthpiece of his new 10,000.00 tenor. We have covered our end of professionalism some individual tastes indeed remain with the player. We will encourage and help facilitate you on that journey should you have questions about what's best for you! And yes we do have people policing the action and arcing of every reed on every harp produced. I cannot promise that every instrument forever will be perfect for everyone, we may make mistakes... this is the nature of creation, however ARE accountable, we WILL be available, and we WILL fix or replace anything that may ever go wrong with your investment.
Harrison Harmonica's has take into account all the problems of the past great manufactures as well as their shining successes and I can say as a friend of Brad's and a partner in this company that these will be the best made, best playing harps that have ever been made. I for one, am COUNTING on it for my own personal playing, needs, future and reputation.
Sincerely
Jason Ricci
Jason Ricci & New Blood
Nashville, TN 37206
www.jasonricci.com http://www.jasonricci.com
Other contacts:
Public Relations: klpzgr@earthlink.net, pr@jasonricci.com
Label: www.eclectogroove.com http://www.eclectogroove.com
Booking: www.intrepidartists.com http://www.intrepidartists.com
Last Edited by on Nov 04, 2009 4:03 AM
|
MrVerylongusername
605 posts
Nov 03, 2009
4:03 PM
|
Hi Jason
Could I please make a plea on behalf of all us UK harpers that you look into finding a UK or European distributor at some point for the B-Radical and future Harrison harps.
The high outlay for these harps (although I accept the 'it's a harp for life argument') would be far more attractive to me if I weren't paying transatlantic shipping charges, import duty and customs handling charges.
In an older thread I posted my calculation for the cost to UK harpers - $285!!!
Last Edited by on Nov 03, 2009 4:05 PM
|
MrVerylongusername
606 posts
Nov 03, 2009
5:04 PM
|
Brilliant - hope it comes to something. Thanks.
I'd also recommend Pete Blyth at Harmonica's Direct. Probably the UK best internet distributer (no affiliation - just very satisfied customer).
Last Edited by on Nov 03, 2009 5:08 PM
|
jonsparrow
1265 posts
Nov 03, 2009
5:05 PM
|
does the new thickness lean more towards a golden melody or a marine band?
|
BillBailey
50 posts
Nov 03, 2009
5:16 PM
|
Just like a new product needs seemingly endless modifications and reengineering---it also needs plenty of communication.
Thanks for that.
|
harpwrench
115 posts
Nov 03, 2009
5:33 PM
|
Well....looks like I'll be back to painting motorcycles then...
|
RyanMortos
430 posts
Nov 03, 2009
5:55 PM
|
Sounds to me you're all counting your chickens before the hens have laid the eggs. I'm trying to figure out if this or Halo 3 had more hype but after all that so many people found Halo 3 a big let down & that was from a company that had been around a few years!
So will the B-radical be consistently available after the initial release or will there constantly be a few month wait?
What's really got my intention is the idea of never having to buy other harmonicas, just the reeds. Only time will tell if that will last. Plus the mention that it supposedly plays better then any custom harmonica.
Really sounds too good to be true.
----------
~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
Last Edited by on Nov 03, 2009 6:07 PM
|
jonsparrow
1267 posts
Nov 03, 2009
6:21 PM
|
halo 3 was awesome.
|
RyanMortos
431 posts
Nov 03, 2009
6:33 PM
|
Yeah probably a bad example, I liked it too actually.
----------
~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
|
Violin Cat
95 posts
Nov 03, 2009
6:54 PM
|
-There will be no waiting period at all for the B-Rad, the only reason there has been a "waiting" period thus far is because of the pre order situation we allowed.
-Jon Sparrow: I'm not sure what your referring to with thickness, I'm assuming the harp itself? The thickness (from bottom cover plate to top) are about the same as a Marine Band (Larger than a Golden Melody!) and the thickness from front to back (Holes to bell/opening) are also similar to a Golden Melody but no larger.
If by chance your referring to the reeds Hohner GM and MB reeds are the same thickness and ours are totally unique.
-Harp Wrench: There will always be a place and need for you and other great customiszers to raise the bar and continue to teach, optimise and pave the way with the love, attention and detail that ONL you can. Even thought I'm a huge part of Harrison Harmonicas everyone knows my favorite customizer is Joe Spiers and always will be.
-Ryan; These chickens are hatched after a long seven year incubation! I had to look up Halo 3 (The Video Game) to see what it was, This isn't a giant company creating hype, we have to try and create a buzz none the less? This is a one man business really, a key person operation and Brad has risked everything, he has lost a lot (both personally and financially) to make this instrument a reality. I have never attached my name to any product I didn't believe in ever in the past and I have had many offers to endorse actually truly great products and not so great products for free, I only ever backed the products I believed in, nothing has changed. I am still with every endorser I have ever signed with minus Hohner and I left Hohner because I felt Joe Spiers, Brad, and Richard's Hohners were so good they were no longer even really Hohner's anymore. I didn't think it fair to tell my fans that Hohner had "made" that Harp.
My point is this shit is real.
Last Edited by on Nov 03, 2009 9:49 PM
|
jonsparrow
1268 posts
Nov 03, 2009
7:15 PM
|
i always thought a golden melody was larger then a marine band. but now then i compare them there about the same. but the marine slopes down so your able to get your lips more on it an have it further in your mouth. an the sides are the size of the comb so you can also get more of it in your mouth where the sides of the golden melody are the size of the cover plate. so when you said the new one is a cross between the two, my interest is if the front will slope down like a marine band or still keep the golden melody shape.
|
nacoran
319 posts
Nov 03, 2009
7:39 PM
|
Ha! Jason had to look up to see what Halo 3 was. No wonder he is so good on harp. He has more time to practice.
|
jonsparrow
1269 posts
Nov 03, 2009
7:40 PM
|
lol
|
ness
107 posts
Nov 03, 2009
9:01 PM
|
Jason,
I admire your enthusiasm on this project, and have enjoyed reading your informative and well thought out posts. I have been involved in both large and small business projects -- so I can appreciate the millions of issues and problems and details you guys are dealing with as you launch this. I'm hoping it comes together for you, and that it's a big success.
John
|
OzarkRich
31 posts
Nov 03, 2009
10:20 PM
|
I've finally pre-ordered one. I'm needing a new D harp. I'll give an assessment of it whenever it arrives, for those who have an interest in an intermediate players opinion.
|
jonsparrow
1271 posts
Nov 03, 2009
10:22 PM
|
i think im going to order one soon. i dont think ill like the shape, but i want one so i know what all the fuss is about.
|
nick67
1 post
Nov 04, 2009
2:12 AM
|
Ive just discovered about the b radical.Im english and live in australia and have always wanted an american made harp.Finally they have made one only one snag they cost an arm and a leg.I wouldnt consider myself a great harp player but im trying my guts out to be one.I think i will pass on this one for now and stick to the cheaper harps that have served pros for years when i get good enough ill get one.Just got a suzuki promaster and its playes great out of the box,still learning how to work on harps so any tips would be helpful.Mainly play special 20s lee oskars currently got the lee in pieces and trying to revive it.Most of you guys seem to know what you are talking about but i do agree what one guy said,not to get too anal like some guitar players lets not forget the reasons why harps became famous they were cheap affordable to the average working guy.If i had my way i would have played a sax but i couldnt afford one.I dont think im the only person who playes harp for this reason alone.My brother plays guitar and if he sees a cheaper alternative to buying a expensive guitar he will use it.If you got the readys then the b radical will be a great challenge for experienced harp players but ill stick to the traditional ones for a while.
|
Violin Cat
96 posts
Nov 04, 2009
3:58 AM
|
- Ness: Thank you for reading taking the time to read my long winded pontifications!
Ozark Congrats!
|
barbequebob
34 posts
Nov 04, 2009
5:55 AM
|
Hey Jason, I know these are gonna be tuned to a comprimise tuning. Are you guys planning on enclosing a sheet with each harp or publish the tuning setup on the website so that if anyone wants to tune it differently, say to ET, 7LJI, 19LJI, or anything else, we have a basic reference of where to go? I think that would be pretty helpful.
On the new Manji I just got, Suzuki still hasn't sent me a tuning layout for their comprimise tuning yet, but I've already retuned to it first to 19LJI, and now 7LJI, and not even using a tuner, just my ears. I know this comprimise tuning is definitely different than what both Hohner and Seydel both use for a fact.
Anyway, Jason, contact me off list so I can send you a copy of my CD and the email is barbequebob@barbequebob.com.
----------
Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
|
KeithE
49 posts
Nov 04, 2009
3:30 PM
|
Jason - any idea about how much replacement reeds will cost? This is something many would want to know before making a purchase. I'm sure that you guys have debated this internally.
Also how about the availability of a wider selection of keys than those currently listed on the website?
|
Violin Cat
97 posts
Nov 04, 2009
6:36 PM
|
I think replacements are going to be about 4-5 dollars BUT you get 4 reeds at a time 2 blow and draw...It's something of that order NOT more than 5! And we will have all 12 keys and Lows coming sonn by jan 2010
|
jonsparrow
1275 posts
Nov 04, 2009
8:06 PM
|
so basically just buy like $50 worth of reeds an your set for life, incase they ever become not available for what ever reason.
|
