dchurch
119 posts
Mar 21, 2017
8:53 PM
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I'm sure some folks are familiar with the old USA "Kratt Co" harps. Here's one I recently picked up that I haven't seen before. It's an 8 hole with a solid plastic comb with rounded tine ends. This is a tight well made harp that plays and sounds quite good.
I'm trying to decide if I should work on it or not. One side of me wants to replace the permanent plastic rivets with screws so I can properly clean, gap, tune and add it to my players.
But maybe it's unique enough that I should preserve it as is and just be happy to add it to my rarely played collection.
Help!
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It's about time I got around to this.
Last Edited by dchurch on Mar 21, 2017 9:05 PM
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florida-trader
1110 posts
Mar 22, 2017
7:10 AM
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I have a couple of Kratts. They are in excellent condition and as you say, they are well made and play pretty good. I have had the same thoughts run through my mind as you. Should I drill it out? Replace the pins with screws? Do some reed work and make it play better? So far, I haven't. I think mostly because I have plenty of other harps to play. I don't need to spend my time working on this one. And part of my wants to keep it original. I don't think they are very valuable as collectibles. Maybe $40 - $50. Maybe. But it is kinda cool having a Made in USA harp in my possession.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
Last Edited by florida-trader on Mar 22, 2017 7:10 AM
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barbequebob
3400 posts
Mar 22, 2017
8:47 AM
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That was a company largely made up of former Hohner employees who immigrated from Germany and I actually bought one of their harps, The Mel-O-Dee model in 1974 and they went out of business shortly thereafter.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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DanP
327 posts
Mar 23, 2017
1:38 PM
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I read somewhere that the Kratt company got the patent on the first plastic comb harmonica back in the 1050s.
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