Barry C.
198 posts
Mar 18, 2011
7:00 AM
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FYI; Response to my email asking for an order update (hey, at least the response was quick!):
Hi Barry,
There is no need to worry, we have your order on file and we are making progress. As of right now, I am working on a revised and more accurate production schedule that I am hoping to have done by next week. Stay in touch. I'll be able to give you more information when it is completed. Thank you for your patience!
Thank you,
Amanda Guedel
Customer Care
Harrison Harmonicas, Inc The Only Harmonica Made In The USA
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~Banned in Boston!
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mandowhacker
31 posts
Mar 18, 2011
4:43 PM
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That's the news I received on the 18th of January.
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Just when I got a paddle, they added more water to the creek.
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tolga7t
156 posts
Mar 19, 2011
4:29 AM
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Haha, it won't be done by next week: I've been waiting for my D for close to 2 years now I believe, and every time I ask them for an update they tell me "next week" or "next month".
If it is going to take 1 year to complete it, they should just say "It's going to take 1 year" instead of shattering my dreams every time I ask them about the updates.
I cancelled all of my orders from them (other than the D), and after I receive the D (if it actually happens), I am done dealing with Harrison Harmonicas.
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groyster1
922 posts
Mar 19, 2011
11:15 AM
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why put up with that?there are customizers in this forum that not only can they get a harp to you much quicker there is also much less expense and would not doubt that their harps are as good as this B Rad
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12gagedan
6 posts
Mar 23, 2011
5:34 PM
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It took me 19 months.
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Blackbird
157 posts
Mar 24, 2011
3:41 AM
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Very cleverly worded reply. At best, they 'hope' (in one hand and Sh*t in the other - which fills up first?)to have a revision to the mysterious production schedule by next week. Granted, if that falls through, it'll be longer.
They will, of course, then be able to give information when that hopeful schedule might be done. That's the longest, slipperiest set of phrases I've ever seen that could be boiled down to an honest "We really have no idea when you're gonna get the harp."
If they stay afloat that long, I'll be excited to try one with a proven promise that I can have it the same month I ordered it, if they're building them from scratch. Or the same week if they find a way to ever be ahead of the game.
I'd start asking tougher questions like "hey, how many harps are you building, and what is the time frame to build each harp?" It sounds like they don't know, but if they could at least divulge "We have 100 orders yet unfulfilled, and it takes a week to build each harp. You're in there somewhere! It could be a next week, or just shy of two years if you're the last harp out! Cheers!" and then you at least get a window of expectation vs. the "we hope we might hope that we might have a schedule that we hope we might have and know what to hope for next!" that they're communicating now.
A known 2 year wait, per example, would suck, but like tolga7t says: give me the straight answer - ugly or not, so I have a window of expectation and reason to communicate with you when it's relevant. Short of that, they're stomping out fires full time just to tell you the same thing over and over again.
Seems like a good time to take some orders is AFTER the R&D was done, not during it, so that delays are minimal, and maybe even justifiable.
I don't even have one on order, and I'm getting sick of the runaround by association.
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captainbliss
478 posts
Mar 24, 2011
4:59 AM
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I've played a B-Rad (Bb, only briefly, not mine) and a Dannecker Blues. To my mouth / ear (totally subjective, of course, and with not much time to adjust playing style), the Dannecker Blues wins by a country mile (more responsive, better tone, better feel) and then some, and the experience of buying from Tony Dannecker (both buying new harps and having him repair broken reeds / tune up) is some of the best customer service I've ever received. Not to mention the range of tuning options.
For anyone looking to spend a bit more on a harp and who likes "proper" customer service, it's worth having a look at Tony's website.
DISCLAIMER: I am a very happpy customer of Tony's but that's the only affiliation I have.
xxx
EDITED to clarify
Last Edited by on Mar 24, 2011 5:00 AM
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Sausagescoffer
38 posts
Mar 24, 2011
8:38 AM
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Ditto on the comments re. Antony Dannecker - great harps - great service - UK based.
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sammyharp
100 posts
Mar 24, 2011
10:45 AM
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This was just posted on facebook by Brad:
"Hello every one- Brad Here, I just came up for air and wanted to give you all a quick update.
We are having another great month with regards to production and shipping out B-radicals to you all!
Since December we have been building hundreds per month and slowly increasing!
I couldn't be more proud of our product and thankful for all you... patients! Thank you thank you thank you!"
Last Edited by on Mar 24, 2011 10:46 AM
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HarpNinja
1267 posts
Mar 24, 2011
10:59 AM
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"patients"? I am assuming that was a typo, lol.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Updated 3/23/11
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sammyharp
101 posts
Mar 24, 2011
11:02 AM
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I thought about editing that, but didn't want to change the original quote!
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HarpNinja
1268 posts
Mar 24, 2011
11:14 AM
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I had figured as much...100's per month x 4 months would mean at least 800 finished harps (assuming hundreds means at least 200).
So if it is all going ok, they should get caught up this year, right?
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Updated 3/23/11
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HarpNinja
1269 posts
Mar 24, 2011
11:50 AM
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I have no idea the overhead to start a full-blown company like this, but assuming 2,000 harps sold for $180, they are looking at $360,000. That kinda seems like a good chunk of change, but if you even have 4 people on full-time staff making a "livable" wage of $30,000 there goes half your bank roll...not sure what their taxes are, but that could be another 1/3...so it goes fast.
Granted most business take a loss for maybe even years before turning a real profit, but hopefully they can stay afloat.
Assuming they are full of sh!t, and maybe only getting 50 done a month, every order should be filled in the next 5 years, right?
I've mentioned one is on order for me in A from my parents. I feel bad my dad is stressing out about when it will be delivered, but I understand the situation.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Updated 3/23/11
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RT123
112 posts
Mar 24, 2011
11:58 AM
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I hope the succeed as well. I hope all American companies do. But if I am being completely honest, I would be scared to death to send them money right now. I know they stopped taking new orders but who knows how many open orders they have and if they are falling behind day by day financially.
$30,000.00 a livable wage? Not on the East Coast it isn't. I should move to the midwest, I would live like a king!
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HarpNinja
1270 posts
Mar 24, 2011
12:04 PM
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$20,000 is technically considered middle class. I agree that $30,000 isn't much, but technically it isn't considered poor.
You're right that it is all relative to where you live. The closer you are to a big city, the higher the cost, typically. I'd be pretty poor compared to others if I moved even an hour from where I am now.
Although, if I moved to IA or WI, I would be living the high life, lol.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Updated 3/23/11
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jaymcc28
324 posts
Mar 24, 2011
12:08 PM
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A former marketing executive for a software company I worked with had a great line whenever he was asked for a date for the "next release" of the software. He'd answer:
"Well, it will be available in April (or whatever the next month was) but we're still unclear of the year."
Maybe he has taken over marketing at B-Rad...
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"I say stay long enough to repay all who cause strife."-L. Staley
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HarpNinja
1271 posts
Mar 24, 2011
12:13 PM
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Only $1,000...not bad, lol. I remember, and this is totally OT now, that there is something politically beneficially for having the bar set so low for "middle class" even thought $21,000 is not a livable wage for a family of four. I saw some show on how it is pretty much impossible for a family to get by like that.
If I was ever rich, I would never reuse socks. They'd be good for one wear only. Nothing beats new socks.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Updated 3/23/11
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RT123
113 posts
Mar 24, 2011
12:20 PM
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I agree about the new socks. I will take it a step further and use that same logic with women! LOL nothing beats a new woman!
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sammyharp
102 posts
Mar 24, 2011
12:21 PM
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I really think people are reading into all of this too much. They stopped orders so they could catch up with the enormous amount of orders they already have. That means they having so much success that they can't fill orders fast enough. All this talk of money troubles and stuff is all just wild speculation. I think everyone needs to calm down and let them handle the business end of things. If you have beef, contact Harrison personally. I don't mean by email. Give them a phone call. The old fashioned way. I don't think a lot of you have realized how hard they must be busting their asses to get everything organized for THOUSANDS of orders. Every one of these things is put together painstakingly by hand. Think of how bogged down any customizer would be with that much work on their plate. I'm not worried aout my money, and I've paid for 4 harps in full. one of them I have in hand (C) and it's an awesome piece of machinery! Everyone needs to chill. Assuming the serial numbers are chronological, they've already shipped over 1,300 harps. That's a lot of damn harps!
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sammyharp
103 posts
Mar 24, 2011
12:30 PM
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I just found this picture on Facebook. I counted over 70 harps in this picture. That's a lot of damn harps!
Harrison Harps
Last Edited by on Mar 24, 2011 12:33 PM
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HarpNinja
1272 posts
Mar 24, 2011
12:34 PM
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But, sammyharp, speculating is so much fun!!!!!
Seriously, though, I personally haven't been as harsh as some others about Harrison Harps, but you make excellent points. I think the main issues that I see getting people fired up about are:
1.) not filling orders chronologically even when it has been the same key
2.) being too vague in sharing their status
While I totally feel limiting some of the information coming out is probably smart, if the issue is simply the supply and demand, and not technical or money issues, I would exploit the crap out of it....Oh we are getting so far behind because the demand has been overwhelming! It is a Christmas day miracle! The solution to the economic crisis! etc. Everyone wants something that is in high demand and low supply. No one wants something gaining a rep as being essentially mythical.
Ok, I wouldn't exploit it that much, but look how Rebecca Black and Charlie Sheen are in high demand and they've done NOTHING good (in fact one may have put the last nail in the music coffin and the other has probably indirectly led to people od'ing because they think they have tiger blood too)! Imagine that hype with the ability to actually back it up!
I see a hint of that now on the HH page, but after at least a year of getting slammed for missed deadlines. This is all just my opinion and who is to say I am even remotely entitled to it. Also, it isn't even a dis. Obviously, HH has a lot more balls and fight than I do to have made it even 1/1000 as far.
The only thing I would consider dissing HH on right now is them saying customized quality from a non-custom harmonica. I 100% disagree that is the case. You are paying for a mass produced custom. EVERYTHING is custom about it. It is not comparable to other real OOTB harps.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Updated 3/23/11
Last Edited by on Mar 24, 2011 12:36 PM
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RT123
115 posts
Mar 24, 2011
12:36 PM
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I wasnt speculating, I was stating my opinion. Its my money and I need to determine what is safe to spend it on. Hearing stories of people waiting over 18 months for something makes me nervous. I am sure they have the best intentions and I truely hope they do well.
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sammyharp
104 posts
Mar 24, 2011
12:46 PM
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@ HarpNinja - I wasn't really aiming my comments specifically at you, just generally at all who have doubts at the moment. I definitely agree with you on the mass produced custom thing. However, I think the only really custom aspect that they do is setting the gaps according to playing style. The rest is just extremely high quality production, including some tricks that have been used for years by customizers to get stock insruments to play better. I kind of feel like The term "custom harp" is often misdefined.
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eharp
1222 posts
Mar 24, 2011
12:54 PM
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what i dont understand is why brad isnt actively trying to stem the rumors? he should be able to give folks a ballpark date. he should be able to contact the first 25 on the list and say "one more week." contact the next 25- "2 more weeks"......
it cant be that difficult.
btw- can somebody tell me what brad did before starting his own harp shop? i mean, he did have some sort of business background, right?
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HarpNinja
1273 posts
Mar 24, 2011
12:56 PM
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Right, which nets you something very similar to a custom for the same price.
Custom designed covers and comb - check
Reed offsets set to your style - check
Other mods unique to custom harps - check
Can't be bought immediately - check
Pushing $200 - check
The only obvious non-custom aspect is the tuning, which you often get to do with a custom builder. For most people the most "custom" parts of how a custom harp play are tuning and reed offset. Granted there is a lot more that can be done, but most wouldn't notice, and I know some custom builders don't do those things period.
Appearance - like the covers and combs is obvious and also give the idea of a custom its coolness. I mean how many people really want the custom to look bone stock?
The B-Rad is a mass-produced custom. That would probably be the best way to sell it.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Updated 3/23/11
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Seven.Oh.Three.
9 posts
Mar 24, 2011
1:05 PM
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I couldn't imagine trying to manage a new company with that kind of demand. How many employees? Four? For how many orders? I've managed my own company for years and if I suddenly had two thousand people lined up at the door I'd have to drastically evaluate how I'm running my business. You could bet your bottom dollar I'd have more than four employees.
I don't blame them for stopping orders. Seems like the biggest complaint is the wait. How else are you suppose to manage wait time? Sounds like what they did was make in intentional backlog to collect capital and once they could cover expenses for a bit they cut off orders. I wouldn't be surprised if when they do start taking orders again they have a limited window (ie 1000 orders then stop orders again.)
703
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HarpNinja
1274 posts
Mar 24, 2011
1:11 PM
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I just took a stab with the number 4 as I can think of 4 people who've worked there or have been referenced. I have no idea how many employees and used the number more as a reflection of how even at a very low number, the money goes fast.
I am not sure you even were referring to my hypothetical situation, but thought it was still worth clarifying.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Updated 3/23/11
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CamiloHarper
68 posts
Mar 24, 2011
1:37 PM
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That thousands of harmonica sounds to me pretty exagerated
How many people you know can afford and willing to pay a B Radical?
Form south america at least, even if we have some really good players, I think almost none of them has or will order a B radical.
It's a pricey harmonica, that only a semi-pro, or newby with a good ammount of money can pay. I don't imagine hordes of harp players commanding thousands of B radicals, come on! It's like buying a Porsche in a Harmonica World, they are very pretty and desirable but not many will buy them even if they had the money to do it.
----------------
The mistake of Brad was to accept so many orders in the first place without knowing if we was hable to fulfil the deadlines. He should have started low, taking few orders, realizing how he could improve his work in less time... but he decided to play with fire and with his costumers. Now, he lost his reputation and I don't think anyone will buy a harp from him in a while. I for sure, wouldn't, even if a had money to spare. 2 years in the waiting line? You must be kidding me.
Now he is in a spiral and can't stop it. Let's just hope he doesn't crash against the ground-
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With some latin flavour for you, chico!! :P
Last Edited by on Mar 24, 2011 1:40 PM
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eharp
1223 posts
Mar 24, 2011
4:16 PM
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do we have any computer nerds out there that can verify brad's emails are coming from wisconsin, or wherever his home base is, and not somewhere warm and sunny where he can easily be distracted?
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Todd Parrott
409 posts
Mar 24, 2011
5:44 PM
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On a positive note....
I received an e-mail from Brad last night advising that my B-Radical in C would be shipped today (with a cool blue comb I might add). This morning I got a confirmation e-mail that the harp was shipped and a tracking number was provided. And this happened without me even contacting him to inquire about my order.
Yes, there is a long wait time, however, I applaud Brad for his efforts, as I believe that he has encouraged other harmonica manufacturers to take their quality control more seriously and to build better harps.
Since talk of the B-Radical began a few years ago, we've seen harps like the the Manji and the Crossover introduced, and while there is still no perfect OOTB harp, I think the harmonica manufacturers are on the right track. Overall, it seems that they are listening more to players' needs. When I visited Hohner last week, we talked about the need for an upgrade to the Golden Melody.
I wouldn't count Harrison Harmonicas out yet...
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scojo
221 posts
Mar 25, 2011
8:42 AM
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"customized quality from a non-custom harmonica" is an oxymoron. My dilemma -- and I say this as someone who has not played, ordered or paid for a B-Radical -- is that I find it hard to understand why anyone would pay custom price for a harmonica that takes forever to arrive and costs just as much as many great custom jobs, but ISN'T fully custom?
It's a beautiful instrument and I wish them the best, but for me, the decision to go the customized route is a pretty easy one until they drastically improve their wait time... and even then, it better play like a custom, or what's the point? (Now, I acknowledge that until I have played one, this is at best a quarter-baked opinion.)
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harpinonfire
37 posts
Mar 25, 2011
8:55 AM
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The B-rad, playing one won't make you a better player, but ordering one will increase your skill level in patience.
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7LimitJI
437 posts
Mar 25, 2011
9:00 AM
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The only real advantage of the B-Rad is the ability to easily change the reeds.
But this is only an advantage if you can't/won't do it already.
Its a lovely looking harp,but at that price, I won't be buying any.
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The Pentatonics Myspace
Youtube
"Why don't you leave some holes when you play, and maybe some music will fall out".
"It's music,not just complicated noise".
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mandowhacker
37 posts
Mar 25, 2011
2:18 PM
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and............where would one get these replaceable reeds???
Send 'em $25 and wait, then wait?
All for an advertised repair price of $10.
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Just when I got a paddle, they added more water to the creek.
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snakes
634 posts
Mar 25, 2011
3:57 PM
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Well this information is redundant to a former post of mine and is just my opinion, but here goes. I was a recipient of a Bb B-Rad that I pre-ordered before they were even begun to be manufactured. It took over a year to receive my harmonica. I think it is a beautiful instrument and I am glad I waited and received it. I currently play Suzuki Fire Breath's and have a few customs.
My cutoms are:
Buddha MB harp in G
Deak MB harp in C
Joe Spiers Stage 2 MB in A and D
I've also purchased these harps (don't think bad of me - my wife is an enabler... LOL!):
Hohner - MB, SP20, GM, Pro Harp, Blues harp, Chrometta 8, ...I always forget one of the Hohners...
Seydel - Blues Session, Classic 1847, 1847 Silver
Lee Oskar - Major, Natural, and Minor tunings
Suzuki - Manji, Fire Breath, Promaster, Bluesmaster, and SCX-64
and I'm sure I forgot one or two - whatever. I think despite being only an intermediate I have a knowledgebase of trials with different models which allows me to make a fairly educated (albeit biased) statement.
The little I get to gig here is what I take. I have all my customs, the Fire Breaths, and the B-Rad. Bottom line is that the B-Rad is a fine harp and close to as good as my customs. I hope to buy another, but intend to fill out my customs with Joe Spiers Stage Two harps first as my Fire Breath set is finally complete. I know this is my opinion, but if you have waited this long why not just be patient and get the harp? I think you will be pleased with its quality and you'll have something very few people can enjoy. Just my two centavos. Cheers!
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snakes in Seattle
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
599 posts
Mar 25, 2011
5:39 PM
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7 limit, the reeds are lengthwise milled. That's what. I always saw as the primary advantage.
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"There are only two things money can't buy - true love and homegrown tomatoes." - Lewis Grizzard
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Todd Parrott
411 posts
Mar 26, 2011
12:38 PM
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I received my B-Radical in C today I love it! What a great harp!
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groyster1
947 posts
Mar 26, 2011
4:51 PM
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great news todd! do a video response to your B rad I enjoy your harp evaluations
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Todd Parrott
416 posts
Mar 26, 2011
10:14 PM
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@groyster1 - I'd love to, but my Hohner endorsement prevents me from making any new videos about other manufacturers' harps. My old videos, however, are allowed to remain.
I will be posting a new video soon about Joe Spiers' custom harps, which will include both B-Radicals that I own (since both were customized by Joe), along with my Golden Melodies. The emphasis of course being on Joe's work, and not necessarily on the B-Radical.
I must admit though that the B-Radical in C is a phenomenal harp. As I mentioned, Joe did the set-up on it, since he is working with Harrison, so I have an ultimate custom harp. Joe has built several harps for me already, so he knew exactly what I wanted.
And the blue comb.... well, that's an added bonus!
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BigBlindRay
103 posts
Mar 26, 2011
11:22 PM
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@Todd
Dude - Blue combed B-rad?? You must send me a pic! :)
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Big Blind Ray's YouTube Channel
Mavis and her China Pigs
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toddg
31 posts
Mar 27, 2011
4:41 AM
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I agree with CamiloHarper Thousands of B radicals LOL
1,300 allready shipped and people on here are still waiting 2 years for harps .
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eharp
1237 posts
Mar 27, 2011
4:47 AM
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blue comb?!
set up by joe?!
it pays, obviously, to be in the higher echelon of harpdom.
lol
todd- what is the serial number on your harp?
with that, we might be able to better judge how fast the b-rads are rolling out of the factory.
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Stickman
652 posts
Mar 27, 2011
3:38 PM
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Keep in mind that serial numbers are rarely a chronological counting of a product. They usually contain more information such as style, color, lot # or even who manufactured it or the date of manufacture. Think of it like this: If you are staying in room 504 on the 5th floor of a hotel, that does not mean that each floor has 100 rooms.
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Gnarly
19 posts
Mar 27, 2011
3:42 PM
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So if they are still shipping harmonicas, is there hope for Brad and Company?
I sure hope so!
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eharp
1243 posts
Mar 27, 2011
5:16 PM
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i'll ask some artists i know, but i think serial numbers work differently when things are made one at a time and there is no change. they only got 1 model and are doing 1 key at a time.
i agree, gnarly. as long as brad is sending something to those that have waited, all is not lost.
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Todd Parrott
418 posts
Mar 27, 2011
9:00 PM
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@BigBlindRay - I'll try to take a picture of it later in the week and post it here. It's more of a turquoise... I think it's indigo blue dymondwood.
@eharp - I could post the serial numbers to my harps, but like Stickman said, I doubt it would really give us a better idea of shipping times.
If it makes anyone feel any better, I placed my order probably before anyone, before there was even an option to order a B-Radical on the Harrison web site. I think that there is still hope for Harrison Harmonicas, and while I understand folks being frustrated by the long wait times and wanting to get their harps, I don't think it's a good idea or very wise to use the forum to express complaints about Brad or Harrison Harmonicas in general. As someone else suggested, if you have an issue or complaint, contact Harrison directly, by phone if necessary.
And what happens if down the road Harrison gets to the place where there is no wait time and they have a stock of harmonicas on hand ready to be shipped? Just because there are long wait times right now doesn't mean that this will always be the case, nor does this mean that the harps or workmanship is bad. EDIT - My point here is that many people seem to have written Harrison off forever just because of current wait times, and have gone on to criticize the B-Radical. Reminds me of the fable of the Fox and the Grapes. But I think once the harps are more readily avaialble, some folks may change their tune.
To compare the B-Radical to a Crossover or a Manji and claim that these are just as good as the B-Radical is simply not an accurate comparison. Comparing the B-Radical to a custom is a different story. Anything that is truly custom made for you will always be better, whether it's a harmonica, guitar, or whatever...
Last Edited by on Mar 28, 2011 9:49 AM
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captainbliss
484 posts
Mar 28, 2011
10:39 AM
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@Todd Parrott:
You mention that Joe Spiers set up both B-Rads you own.
How would you say these
(a) compare to "stock" B-Rads
and
(b) compare to Spiers' custom MBs / GMs / etc?
EDIT: it occurs to me that the above could be read as a little, er, too direct? I've no desire to stir things, feel free to tell me to go and put my head (and all its curiosity) in a bucket...
xxx
Last Edited by on Mar 28, 2011 10:49 AM
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groyster1
951 posts
Mar 28, 2011
11:25 AM
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maybe the fact that joe set up these harps made them more worth the price they are sold for cant blame todd for that Im sure joe made them much better
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Todd Parrott
422 posts
Mar 28, 2011
11:41 AM
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@captainbliss - Nothing wrong with your question at all.... I will try and answer as best I can.
The first B-Radical I had was stock in the key of A. It played really well, was very responsive and all of the overblows and overdraws were all there and easy to get. The only problem I encountered were some slight squeals on the overdraw BENDS on holes 7 and 9. After Joe customized it, the squeals disappeared.
It's my understanding that there have been improvements to the B-Radicals since the time of my first one in A, and that embossing is almost unnecessary because the tolerances are so tight to begin with.
As for the C, I can't really compare it, because I never played a stock B-Radical in C. Not sure what Joe did to it, but it plays better than any other custom C harp I've played. Joe is the man.
It seems I heard or read somewhere that Brad can set-up the harp according to one's playing style before it leaves the factory? I assume you'd wanna contact Harrison directly to confirm this. I use a LOT of overdraws and overdraw bends in my playing these days, so my harps require the extra work on the top end. If you aren't a huge overdraw user, then the stock B-Radical would likely be fine for regular playing as well as for overblows.
Another thing to keep in mind also is that as a customer of Joe's, he is very familiar with what works for me, because he's built several harps for me already. This required some back and forth communication and adjustments, until we found the perfect set-up. I've said before it's just like getting a good haircut. After awhile, your barber or stylist knows exactly what you want without you having to say a word.
The B-Radicals to me have a nice tone that's almost a cross between the Golden Melody and the Marine Band. But any harp will require some adjusting for one's playing style, regardless of the manufacturer or brand.
I remember Brad saying last year at SPAH during their presentation something along the lines of their goal not being necessarily to compete with Hohner, Seydel, Suzuki, etc., but to make a harp that caters to a niche market, offering more of a custom quality harp that is further customizable. Again, you may want to confirm this with Harrison, as I am quoting from memory as best I can.
How does the custom B-Radical compare to other customized harps I own form Joe Spiers?
My stage 3 custom Hohners from Joe Spiers play at exactly the same level as a customized B-Radical, because Joe is a master customizer and his work is consistent. Comparing the playability of a Spiers custom B-Radical to a Spiers custom Golden Melody is like comparing apples to apples, but the difference at that level is going be more about tone. I have been and will always be a Golden Melody fan, while others prefer the raspy tone of a Marine Band. I believe Joe himself loves the Marine Band. Now, if you want to get more scientific and start talking about reed profiles, and NOS (New Old Stock) Hohner reeds vs. B-Radical reeds vs. Manji reeds vs. Crossover reeds vs. Seydel Stainless Steel, etc.... that's an area where you'll have to talk to Joe or some of the other customizers. I just use my ears and a good condenser microphone to distinguish between tones.
I did mention above that the B-Radical in C plays better than any other custom C I've played, but in speaking with Joe by phone I learned that Joe is constantly making improvements and trying out new things in his custom work, and implemented some of these things into my B-Radical in C. So a custom harp he builds today is going to be even better than a harp he built a year or 2 years ago. My favorite Joe Spiers custom harp is a long slot D Golden Melody. I don't think that harp could EVER be topped or improved on. If he finds a way to improve that one, I think I'll probably be in such shock that I won't even be able to play! :)
Hope this helps!
Last Edited by on Mar 28, 2011 11:43 AM
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
603 posts
Mar 28, 2011
1:40 PM
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Hey guys,
as a guy who used to work for Harrison, I can clear up this "serial" number issue. It's not technically a serial number at all, it's a registration number. I can say that there is literally a box of plates from which numbers are drawn in no particular order. Those numbers are there only so the factory knows all the info it needs when one comes in for repair or something.
Recorded at the factory are:
who bought it
what version of reeds it has (you gotta know which reed to put in it!)
what batches all the materials came from
who worked on each step of manufacture.
and probably other stuff, too, I can't think of.
So if there is a QC problem, they can instantly figure out what the problem is, etc. and rectify it.
Dave Payne
PROUD owner of B-rads 000818 and
000662
and three more on order.
www.elkriverharmonicas.com
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"There are only two things money can't buy - true love and homegrown tomatoes." - Lewis Grizzard
Last Edited by on Mar 28, 2011 1:42 PM
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