mandowhacker
96 posts
Dec 06, 2011
5:36 PM
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On April 24, 2011 I sent $187 to a customizer for a prewar Marine Band in "G". I was told it would take about three weeks---read that to be 6 to 8 in customizer lingo.
The customizer moved. On 8/29 I received "Hey Greg, I've not yet uncovered that G Marine Band from the move. Can I send you a custom Seydel, which actually is a better playing G than that Marine Band."
I replied: "Sure.....I like Seydels. If you haven't started one yet.......I like the Silver comb better than the standard 1847.
That would be great."
On 9/2, I wrote: "What is the "optimized" Seydel, as in 1847 Silver??? While you're at it, I might be interested in one in "D"."
Then I bought a Reynolds comb from another forum member and it was sent to the customizer---reason enough,I guess for another delay.
On 11/27 I got: "Hey Greg, the address I've got for you isn't working ;) What is your address?"
I sent the correct address and today returned home to find a $40 Solist Pro on my coffee table.
Customized.....hell, I don't know or care, I haven't even tooted it.
I can (and have) get an 1847 from Jon Harl in a month for $175 and a Session Steel for $110 in three weeks. I can (and have) get several GM's from Matthew Smart for $150 in less than a month. I sent Kevin Baker a GM, he replaced the comb, gaped, arched and tuned it for too low a price to repeat and he got it back to me in three weeks. MIke Fugazzi sent me a loF MB that is the sweetest thing ever built by mankind for, well we won't say in two weeks. Hell, the best deal of all----I bought a MBD from Todd Parrott and he massaged it--thirty bucks w/shipping...and it's great!!!
I agreed to a Seydel replacement for the MB and stated my desire for the 1847 Silver---it certainly fits the $180 price. That harp is available from more than several sources at that price and lower.
A Solist Pro for $180??????????????? +7 (seven) months.
I am not amused.
Am I wrong?
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Just when I got a paddle, they added more water to the creek.
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FMWoodeye
100 posts
Dec 06, 2011
5:48 PM
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You got boned....and I don't mean filleted.
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clyde
175 posts
Dec 06, 2011
6:11 PM
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as the boney you should give the boner credit .... so the rest of us aren't filet
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HarpNinja
1961 posts
Dec 06, 2011
6:18 PM
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You got screwed.
(Thanks for the kind words)
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
VHT Special 6 Mods
Last Edited by on Dec 06, 2011 6:18 PM
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timeistight
246 posts
Dec 06, 2011
6:28 PM
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I dunno -- you agreed to accept a customized Seydel. He never told you it would be an 1847, did he?
Maybe you should play this one for a bit; it might be the harp of your dreams.
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mandowhacker
97 posts
Dec 06, 2011
6:38 PM
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timeistight--------Yes, I agreed to a customized Seydel. At the price range I have a right to expect certain models to be considered, and I did, indeed state a preference to 1847 Silvers, nothing was countered to indicate a lesser model. Were we to be talking cars at 150k I damn sure don't think we would be having a conversation about Corvairs.
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Just when I got a paddle, they added more water to the creek.
Last Edited by on Dec 06, 2011 6:53 PM
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walterharp
773 posts
Dec 06, 2011
7:16 PM
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depends on how good a job the custom was... chris (Buddha) used to take months and months longer than that, and would stall repeatedly, though eventually he sent what he promised and fixed it if there were any problems except those unlucky enough to have orders in at the end. He made pretty sweet harps for around $180 starting with a marine band....
other top customziers can easily take 7 months.
however, if it is not a harp from the top tier, or someone who has apprenticed with that level and is working up that level of reputation.. then yeah, you probably could have got a better deal.
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stones
72 posts
Dec 07, 2011
8:14 AM
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hell I'd buy a plane ticket and go kick the SOB's ass some times that kind of satisfaction is great. a few bruised knucles never hurt any body... except the VICTIM
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MrVerylongusername
2096 posts
Dec 07, 2011
8:36 AM
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You paid for a customised pre-war Marine Band and got a Solist Pro? What happened to the comb you supplied him to fit?
I think you have a right to be unhappy even if you did agree to a Seydel.
Talk to the customiser - anyone with integrity will listen to your concerns and try to make things right.
If it falls on deaf ears (and only if - he should have a right to protect his business if this is just a misunderstanding)... name and shame
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HarpNinja
1964 posts
Dec 07, 2011
8:50 AM
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I, above most, get the time thing and difficulty to sticking to a timeline for someone who isn't doing this as a full-time profession. I also know the importance of making sure the product is above expectation should any delays be on my end. If I can't build a better harp than promised, then I need to come up with something else to offset the issue of missing a timeline, losing a harp, etc.
As we approach the first anniversary of Chris M.'s death, I am going to go ahead and speak a bit more frankly like he would have...
There are a lot of people offering customizing work, but only a small few who do the work really really well. There are even fewer organized enough to maximize their resources. There are a lot of players, though, who are content with ok work and ok business practices. Many of those players don't know enough about what a harp can do to notice if they have been slighted or that it can be done better.
A well set-up Marine Band (assuming it was in great condition to work with) is going to be better than a brass Seydel. If he knows anything about his craft, then he knows that too.
If he was resourceful, he could have sent you two stock Silvers and still made a profit from the gaffe.
A full-price Soloist Pro runs $40 retail. That means he kept $147. For about that $147 you could buy any number of high-quality customs from someone else. He is making more off this deal then most guys make in general off of harps they were commissioned to build. He had no labor costs for body work, converting to screws, replacing the comb...He gets $147 in exchange for his work on the brass. I don't need to see or play the harp to know he didn't do $147 of reed work.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
VHT Special 6 Mods
Last Edited by on Dec 07, 2011 8:52 AM
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