SantaRosa
16 posts
Mar 10, 2015
10:23 AM
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Hello Everyone, Was on this forum so long ago, had to figure out how to get back on. At age 73, it's not easy for me. So, 6 months ago, I ordered a Stage 1 harp in key of A from Joe Spiers. I came across his name on a youtube video, as I am constantly playing my harps along with computer blues music. I was so infatuated with his information on his site , that I ordered and sent him my check for the full amount immediately. A few days ago, my package came with TWO Marine band cases. I could not figure that out as I ordered only one. The second one was in the key of C. In the package was the invoice. The second one was ordered and paid for by my son! What a fantastic surprise. Well, I am here to tell you, without going into any details, if you have the money, give serious consideration to ordering a custom harp from Joe. I gigged in N. Ca. in 2009-2010 on a fairly regular basis and stopped in 2010. I have approx. 70 harps of all brands. I never owned a marine band because people told me about the wood swelling and the consequences to your lips, etc. This Joe Spiers harp is a highly customized marine band that can only be described as ---you need to try it to believe it. Have fun harpin'. Allen
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shakeylee
153 posts
Mar 10, 2015
11:10 AM
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congratulations. you raised your son right!
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www.shakeylee.com
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Meaux Jeaux
52 posts
Mar 10, 2015
12:12 PM
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I don't know Joe Spiers but I feel the same about Andrew Zajac's work. Playing his instrument is inspiring.
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Todd Parrott
1313 posts
Mar 10, 2015
5:15 PM
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Congratulations! Joe Spiers is the man!
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SuperBee
2454 posts
Mar 10, 2015
7:38 PM
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wow, 70 harps of all brands but no Marine Band. that is quite an achievement...
from time to time i go to Joe's site and think about placing an order, but haven't been able to decide whether to get Stage 1 or 2 ... or 3.
i have a couple or 3 custom harps from other builders, and i've worked and played on customs built by others. i try to build my own harps to perform to that standard.
over time, as a player i've noticed that i appreciate the qualities of the custom harps beyond my initial assessment, and become more aware of the limitations of my own work.
just recently a local player told me that he wasn't interested in playing a 'better' harp than his stock LO, until he felt the harp was holding him back. i think that is a fairly common view, and it may be quite valid. my experience though, has been that it took me awhile of playing a better harp before i really became aware of the sometimes quite subtle ways i'd been held back by the "lesser" harp.
maybe stage 2
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Gipsy
130 posts
Mar 11, 2015
12:40 AM
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Another shout here for Joe Spiers. I've got a stage 2 Golden Melody in C ( with the 7 overdraw as an extra ) and it is wonderful. It's very very airtight, but also ' breathes ' so easily. It's also loud. It's performance is way beyond my abilities, but every time I play it, it gives me such great pleasure that I love it.
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harpwrench
1002 posts
Mar 11, 2015
7:53 AM
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Thanks for the thread; my wait time right now is only about 3 months.
Cheers,
Joe S
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Raven
15 posts
Mar 11, 2015
4:27 PM
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Allen:
My first MB was my 54th harp, a customized pre-WWII with a diamond wood comb, so it's not all that unusual to not own a MB for awhile!
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SantaRosa
17 posts
Mar 11, 2015
4:35 PM
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Regarding the different stages(models): read his site and you can decide ,based on the type of music , how you play, what your requirements are. He just added a less expensive custom model, but with less bells and whistles.
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SantaRosa
18 posts
Mar 11, 2015
4:41 PM
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Todd , Your name just rang a bell in my old mind! It was your youtube that got me started on the Joe Spiers custom harp. Thanks a million. Allen
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SantaRosa
19 posts
Mar 11, 2015
4:45 PM
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Joe, I just clicked on your username of "harpwrench". It's YOU! What a pleasant and exciting discovery. Thanks again for making 2 incredible harmonicas for me. I love them beyond your wildest dreams. Allen
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harpwrench
1003 posts
Mar 11, 2015
6:16 PM
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That's what I like to hear Allen, sure beats talking about myself:)
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Destin
106 posts
Mar 11, 2015
7:12 PM
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Just ordered my first custom from Joe in January
Patiently waiting
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SantaRosa
26 posts
May 01, 2015
9:50 AM
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Now that I have had a few months to play my Spiers Stage 1 harps, I must say, these are simply incredible harmonicas. I don't gig any longer, but just to have them to play along with you tubes, accompany my ukulele playing son, and simply play them for pleasure makes them the best investment I ever made in a harmonica. I strongly recommend saving your money and ordering a Joe Spies custom harp for yourself, as you will be sorry you didn't order at least 2 ,after you get the first one. Allen
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groyster1
2786 posts
May 01, 2015
6:47 PM
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have a Db marine band and Bb sp20 stage I from joe.......they are awesome
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hvyj
2683 posts
May 02, 2015
4:27 PM
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I've got a set of custom harps from Joe which I consider to be money very well spent. I've been playing harp for a while and I have very specific ideas about what I want in a harmonica and Joe went out of his way to accomodate me in every respect. I practice with these harps almost every day and I gig with them at least weekly and it was over 3 years before I had a reed failure in one of them, which Joe fixed and returned to me in less than a week. With custom harps you don't have to fight the instrument to get it to do what you want, so you wind up refining your technique. I guess if you've got really strong technique to begin with it may not make that much difference, but it certainly mad a big difference to me. And Joe's custom combs are excellent. Highly recommended!
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JustFuya
779 posts
May 02, 2015
4:39 PM
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I second all of the above kudos. Joe is a pleasure to work with and his harps are a joy to play.
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