Shoulders
54 posts
May 17, 2011
4:47 AM
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The sun is shining here and I thought I would share this with you.
Earlier this week I was lucky enough to receive a Joe Spiers Stage 4, Marine Band, in the key of A.
Oh my God....I own a couple of Joe’s Stage 3 instruments (in fact, this is what I thought I was getting this time) and always feel privileged when I play them.
This is different, as always the harp is a beautiful object, but the playability is far superior, and the tone.....
The harp combines the sharp, raspy sound of the Marine Band with a warm tone like no other harp I’ve played.
According to Joe the reeds are a combination of Suzuki Manji and B-Radical – I’m not up on the pros and cons of these reed plates but I must say I am blown away by this harmonica.
I’m still at the start of my journey of playing fully chromatic on the diatonic and I warned Joe that the harp will be taking a beating as I slowly learn to bend the overblows etc...He has assured me that this harp will stand up to the test – I will keep you informed.
So that was a good start to the week......
But it is easily superseded by the fact that at 6.50am this morning, UK time, my wife gave birth to a baby boy – Harry is 8lbs 2 oz and is a little miracle as he was born breech with his purple feet first.
All in all a very good week – thanks Joe and well done Rachel x
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KingoBad
741 posts
May 17, 2011
4:54 AM
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Congratulations on both deliveries!
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Danny
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toddlgreene
2977 posts
May 17, 2011
5:21 AM
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Congrats!
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Todd
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captainbliss
551 posts
May 17, 2011
5:29 AM
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Wonderful news! Congratulations! Big smiles!
xxx
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7LimitJI
504 posts
May 17, 2011
5:51 AM
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Congratulations !
Nothing comes close to the moment that your child pops out, and into your life :o)
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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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harpwrench
472 posts
May 17, 2011
6:01 AM
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Congratulations James!!!
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Oso
36 posts
May 17, 2011
7:00 AM
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Nice!! Congrats
I wished I could get a Spiers harp
Last Edited by on May 17, 2011 7:09 AM
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Todd Parrott
490 posts
May 17, 2011
8:11 AM
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Congratulations on the baby boy!
As for the harps, be prepared for your playing to move to higher levels. That's what happened for me when I started playing Joe's harps.
I'd heard about the stage 4 but have yet to try one. Joe's process is constantly evolving and improving... what a great thing it is to have someone like Joe (who is so passionate about building a great harp) customize a harp for you. He's an asset and a blessing to the harmonica community.
Again, congratulations!
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groyster1
1042 posts
May 17, 2011
5:31 PM
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joe as just changed 2 manjis to JI for me I can tell thedifference I just dont like the sound of equal tempeament I want blues tuning
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jbone
526 posts
May 18, 2011
3:30 AM
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congrats on both fronts! now please tell me your last name is not Monica.....
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Shoulders
55 posts
May 18, 2011
4:49 AM
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Jbone, no, but now you mention it, its a winner....i can imagine the look on my wife's face.....so proud.
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145nE
31 posts
May 18, 2011
7:06 AM
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Shoulders, Would you define the difference in a Stage 3 and Stage 4 harp. What does that mean?
Thanks
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Shoulders
56 posts
May 18, 2011
7:46 AM
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Thanks to all for your kind words, Mum and baby are back home and the madness begins!!
Todd, yes, i really do feel very privileged to own this quality of instrument.
Chromatic playing seems achievable - I'm having lessons with Michael Rubin and he put me onto playing Major scales in 3rd position - i haven't played anything else for three weeks! Really gets OB5, OD7 and OD10 into your playing - and it has highlighted the fact that my overblows need raising in pitch!!
145nE sadly i'm no expert about reed plates and build qualities of different harps but the Stage 4 looks the same as the Stage 3 so i can't see any physical differences. Joe's email mentioned the reed plates are Suzuki Manji and B-Radical.
Each individual reed is drilled and screwed into the two reed plates - the workmanship is incredible. Now you have raised the question it has made me think, i'm guessing (and if Joe doesnt see this and answer himself i will send him a email to find out) the plates are standard Marine Band (sanded flat)and the reeds are from the Manji and B Rad - which is why they are screwed in.
As Todd has mentioned, Joe's work continually evolves and I'm the last person to try and describe what the heck he does.....sprinkle magic dust???
From the first time i recieved one of his harps I have tried to encourage any players i know to play it. Its not something i think i should hold too precisously close. For me it would be like owning a top end racing car and never driving it.
If you are in the South of England and fancy a trip to Brighton sometime please feel free to contact.
Regards James
I
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lumpy wafflesquirt
350 posts
May 18, 2011
10:41 AM
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Congratulations
My youngest is now 9 weeks old and I have only just managed to start playing harp again due to having to do all the cooking and stuff while SWMBO is feeding and doing baby stuff.
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
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Mojokane
393 posts
May 18, 2011
11:24 PM
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Congratulations! What a week!
Blessings from Hawaii.
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
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