|
Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
James Gordon harps
James Gordon harps
Page:
1
SuperBee
4498 posts
Feb 11, 2017
11:40 PM
|
I had an interesting marine band in for repair recently. Very nice looking traditional unit but obviously customised. It had a hand-made Filisko type lower cover, very nicely done. The key name 'D' was stamped into the comb, and when I pulled the pins and removed the draw plate I could see the comb had been sealed inside the chambers.
The harp just needed 5 draw replacement and I was pleased to be able to rivet the reed in, leaving the harp aesthetically similiar. (I know screws work well and possibly even offer some advantages but to me it seems a more intrusive method of repair.)
The reed work was also very tidy, and the tell-tale signs from the resetting of the rivet end indicated a method a little different than I'd seen before.
Something about this harp really called to me. The reedplates were still pinned to the comb but the covers had been drilled and fastened with unpretentious bolts and nuts similar to a sp20.
The customer has presented me with work from a few notable customisers over the last couple of years, but hadn't mentioned anything about this harp. He actually said he rarely uses it due to the wooden comb, and wasn't too worried about it.
I asked him who had done the work and eventually he remembered it was James Gordon.
I've never seen Gordon's work before and I don't recall ever reading a review. I have read a lot of Filisko and Sleigh and see his name mentioned in association with them.
Anyway, I found this harp very appealing. It was not a new harp; plates were pre-2005.
|
The Iceman
3055 posts
Feb 12, 2017
6:20 AM
|
Back in the early days, it was Jimmy Gordon and Joe Filisko (and maybe eventually Sleigh) that did the innovative custom work. I believe that Gordon developed his approach parallel to Filisko and should not be considered a Filisko clone.
Edit: stand corrected on Filisko method
----------
The Iceman
Last Edited by The Iceman on Feb 12, 2017 10:22 AM
|
tmf714
2991 posts
Feb 12, 2017
8:38 AM
|
Technical Experience
James L. Gordon, Harmonica Technician, has tuned and modified Harmonicas since the mid-seventies. He has invented tunings of his own design and is in contact with others who do the same. He has operated a Harmonica repair service for many years.
In 1997 James met Master harmonica technician Joe Filisko at the annual convention of the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica. After some correspondence James was invited by Filisko to study the highly unique and refined techniques developed by Joe and his long-time associate and fellow Master tech Richard Sleigh involved in the production and repair of The Filisko Method Harmonica, played by professionals the world over.
He spent over a year in study performing strictly repairs prior to the release of his line of Gordon Custom Harmonicas in 1999; authorized Filisko Method Harmonicas.
James is now also a contributor to the further advancement of these remarkable Filisko Method instruments, and is fully authorized to produce and service Filisko Method Harmonicas.
Joe Filisko, Richard Sleigh, and James L. Gordon are in frequent contact fully sharing information and techniques exploring and furthering the art of the high-end Custom Harmonica. This powerful union enables James to create some of the finest diatonic Harmonicas available to the general public.
Teaching Experience
James has taught Harmonica at public and private schools, as well as seminars on Harmonica Repair and Music Theory at SPAH Conventions. He has taught private lessons for over 25 years.
• General Information
Gordon Custom Harmonicas offers Filisko Method diatonics for sale to seasoned professionals, intermediate and beginners alike. James’ client list includes a range of players from the very famous to those simply in need of a far superior instrument.
|
Post a Message
|
