kudzurunner
2889 posts
Dec 17, 2011
5:17 AM
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I've recently been going through the links on this website and discovered that I was getting an error message for the link to Joe's website. I googled and quickly found the correct homepage, and then quite naturally began exploring. If you haven't checked out his offerings in a while (or ever), please do. Wives, girlfriends, and other SO's looking for an appropriate Christmas/holiday gift might be directed toward the following wish-list:
http://spiersharmonicas.com/harmonicas/
Nice work, Joe! I'm salivating. That is some sweet custom coach-work, indeed. The whole website looks fantastic.
Last Edited by on Dec 17, 2011 5:21 AM
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harpwrench
548 posts
Dec 17, 2011
2:20 PM
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Thanks Adam!
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Spiers Harmonicas
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Cristal Lecter
216 posts
Dec 17, 2011
2:33 PM
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I'm waiting patiently a Stage IV Marine Band
I think any advanced diatonic player should have a Joe Spiers
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Daughter of Hannibal Lecter, also known as "Christelle Berthon"
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Todd Parrott
796 posts
Dec 17, 2011
5:53 PM
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I agree with you, Christelle! :)
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groyster1
1641 posts
Dec 17, 2011
6:14 PM
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I have a few custom mb1896s and sp20s and they customize very well-they were all old ones that I sent out to 3 different forum members-joes reputation speaks for itself-who needs a B-Rad when you can get these
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FreeWilly
110 posts
Dec 18, 2011
5:51 AM
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What I don't get about the description on the - btw beautiful-looking - website of Joe Spiers is that the very expensive Stage I, is described as having a solid 6 overblow. What I find troubling about that, is that I can get a solid 1,4,5,6 OB and 7 OD on an out of the box harp gapped by ape of all apes: me.. Now I'm not saying that they are as good as what JS will bring to the table. Of course they aren't, and I would love to have a JS harp. But... still I find it funny :)
Won't a stage 1 OD 78910? It's what I would expect from a harp that expensive..
Last Edited by on Dec 18, 2011 5:52 AM
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Cristal Lecter
217 posts
Dec 18, 2011
11:40 AM
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"an out of the box harp gapped by ape of all apes: me"
And that's why you probably don't understand AT ALL the time passed on each instrument,to react accordingly to a decent player and therefore you can't make the difference between your set up and the one of a customiser....And we're talking about Joe here
Once again : ANYBODY CAN PLAY ANY OVERBENDS ON ANY OUT OF THE BOX HARMONICAS, the difficulty resides in playing all of them IN CONTEXT...And sorry but only the work of a customiser can match the needs of any advanced player
Joe Spiers prices are completely justified, and I would say if you think otherwise, ask the question directly to Joe himself instead thru this forum, I'm sure he has all the answers for you
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Daughter of Hannibal Lecter, also known as "Christelle Berthon"
Last Edited by on Dec 18, 2011 11:54 AM
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Jagrowler
72 posts
Dec 18, 2011
12:08 PM
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@ All - I agree with Adam, the website is great. It's amazing how often web sites simply don't do justice to the products offered (not only harp related). Joe is right on the ball!
@ Cristal - I am genuinely interested if you have played one of Joe's harps (borrowed from another player at a festival for example).
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Cristal Lecter
218 posts
Dec 18, 2011
12:21 PM
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I did in 2009 it was not at a festival, it was in Utrecht (Holland) before the The Walter Trout tour in Europe, and it was the first time that Jason and I were meeting...
Jason was nice enough to grant Ben Bouman, Fernando Breslau and myself some backstage pass
Then of course we talked about harmonicas, Jason asked me if I've began the customisation of my harmonicas, I said that I'm trying, and after he tried my Seydel, he gave me a couple of advice...(he was sweet trying to tell me in polite way that I was doing a crap job LOLOL)
Then he said that I can try a Joe Spiers (had no clue who was that person at the time) to make a comparison
The only thing I can remember are the goosebumps I had while playing it (I think it was a Bb not sure) not because it was one of Jason's but for the reaction of each reeds...And my technique was not good at the time...
When I've contacted Joe a couple of week ago, he said to me that his craftsmanship has considerably improved since he build these harps for Jason....
Does it answer you question Jagrowler?
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Daughter of Hannibal Lecter, also known as "Christelle Berthon"
Last Edited by on Dec 18, 2011 12:24 PM
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Todd Parrott
801 posts
Dec 18, 2011
12:29 PM
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FreeWilly,
You are correct in that Joe's idea of a solid 6 overblow is probably different/better than what you and I would be able to get by just gapping. But, I'm sure there are other things factored into the price besides the 6 overblow, and I'm pretty sure that many of the other overblows are there as well.
As for the overdraws, this is where some real skill and time are required to set them up correctly.
Anyone can take a harp and slam the gaps tight and make the harp overblow and overdraw, but Joe's process allows for the harp to be played hard without notes being sticky, while still allowing the overblows and overdraws to be easily attainable. These notes are also extremely bendable and sustainable with no squeals, and without the aid of fingernail polish, chap stick or bees wax.
Send Joe a message through his contact form on his site and I'm sure he can do a much better job at explaining this than I can. The more time you spend chatting with and getting to know Joe, the more you realize just how involved his process is and how seriously he takes his work.
All I can say about his harps is, they work for me.
Last Edited by on Dec 18, 2011 12:29 PM
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Todd Parrott
802 posts
Dec 18, 2011
12:38 PM
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Christelle,
I still get goose bumps when I play Joe's harps! lol
Yes, I've been there through the evolution of his process improvements, and all I can say is, wow! Joe really knows his stuff and stands behind his work. If ever an adjustment was needed, or if a process improvement was available, he's been really quick to make adjustments and get the harps back. Each time it seems they just get better and better.
Building a relationship with a customizer is also important, because they learn about you, your playing style, and your needs. It's kinda like getting a good haircut from the same person each time. After awhile, you don't have to say a word - just sit in the chair. This is how it is now when I order a harp from Joe. He knows how I play and how to set-up the harp perfectly or my style and my needs.
Hope this helps you, FreeWilly.
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Jagrowler
73 posts
Dec 18, 2011
12:40 PM
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@ Cristal - thanks for the quick reply, and how great is that story? Nice to know Jason was so helpful - too many stars become aloof!
Anyway, I was simply interested that you seemed so certain the harp you have on order with Joe would be great, that I assumed you had tried one before! I have made errors in the past, buying things for alot of money (although not harps) and finding myself more than a little disappointed.
Good luck with the Stage IV when it comes!
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Cristal Lecter
219 posts
Dec 18, 2011
12:50 PM
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@ Todd + 1 let see if I have to dress for cold weather all the time LOL
@ Jagrowler: yes Jason was so nice with me, in 2009...Then he stopped to believe in me, and that's fine I don't even search to know why anymore.
At some point you have to make some decision regarding the instrument you play, the more you evolve, the more you demand to yourself, then the question of the choice of an instrument comes across your road...
As a former oboe player, I remember that I had to spend (my parents at this time) more than $7000 EVERY 4 or 5 years (all oboe and clarinet players are doing this, because the wood evolved while it's played)....So talking about spending money to have a decent instrument I don't see what to complain about
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Daughter of Hannibal Lecter, also known as "Christelle Berthon"
Last Edited by on Dec 18, 2011 12:51 PM
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FreeWilly
111 posts
Dec 18, 2011
12:51 PM
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Last Edited by on Dec 18, 2011 12:53 PM
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FreeWilly
112 posts
Dec 18, 2011
1:01 PM
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Thanks for that answer Todd!
No need to inquire with JS yet... no money to spend :)
If I have that kind of money one day, I will try one (if JS is taking customers) to judge for myself. I was just curious about this, and your answer satisfied my curiosity for now. Thanks again!
Last Edited by on Dec 18, 2011 1:04 PM
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Todd Parrott
803 posts
Dec 18, 2011
1:03 PM
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FreeWilly,
I know Adam Gussow did a YouTube video awhile back about a couple of Joe's harps, which I believe were Stage 2's. Since that time, Joe has improved his processes and his Stage 1 is now what a Stage 2 used to be according to his site. Perhaps Adam's video can help give you a better idea of what to expect from a Stage 1.
Mine were stage 3's and were updated to the latest improvements. I've never owned a Stage 1 because I wanted full overblow/overdraw ability.
Hope this helps. Not sure if you referring to me being uptight? I certainly didn't intend to come off sounding that way if I did.
I still say, drop Joe a line. He's a nice guy and would be glad to help you, even if you're just at the stage of inquiring at this point.
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FreeWilly
113 posts
Dec 18, 2011
1:08 PM
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Hey Todd,
I'm sorry, I was interrupted while writing a comment back to Christelle, went to dinner, came back later and after sending it, read your reply. Then I deleted my reply and answered to a positive comment and forgot about the negativity :)
Right, there's a vid by Gussow. I'll look for that! Think I saw it once!
I really don't want to bother Joe Spiers now. I look forward to doing so in the future though ;)
Thanks again!
Last Edited by on Dec 18, 2011 1:09 PM
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MichaelAndrewLo
545 posts
Dec 19, 2011
8:42 AM
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I have bought 2 custom harps so far one from Joe Spiers (a Bb) and one from Neil Graham in australia (a C). The Joe Spiers harp is MUCH better. It is good to see Joe is back in business again. In terms of spending $7000 every 4-5 years for clarinets, I highly doubt that as I played clarinet and if you take care of your instruments you greatly minimize the upkeep costs. My clarinets have lasted for 25 years because the previous owners as well as myself have kept them well oiled and maintained. Just like any instrument if it is maintained it will save you a lot of money. I think especially in the case of custom harmonicas the cost is minimized greatly due to the fact they are repairable. Unless you take the to learn repair then you have to throw away harmonicas. Custom harps can be repaired for a fee lower than a new mid line harp. Repaired BACK to their original top of the line functioning. The initial cost of a custom harp is thus mitigated over the years and instead of playing so-so harps during those years you are playing pro grade instruments. I have my two custom harps and bought a cheap 12 key set of johnson harps for hardcore repetition practice and sometimes figuring out licks. That has worked well for me. Initially my Joe Spiers harp 1 draw flattened and I sent it to him and he immediately returned it. Since that time about 2 year ago I have played it hard everyday and it had not gone out of tune AT ALL. To me that is worth the price of admission. I hope to get another spiers harp or two soon!
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Andrew Larson, R.N.
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REM
126 posts
Dec 19, 2011
12:52 PM
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Christelle,
Did you even bother reading the posts on the link you posted? Almost every single person on that forum disagrees with your assertion. A couple of them even gave reference to some well known, highly respected players who have addressed the idea of oboes "blowing out" as being complete myth.
Last Edited by on Dec 19, 2011 1:41 PM
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walterharp
789 posts
Dec 19, 2011
3:21 PM
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i am also a satisfied customer of joe's. one thing that is useful in a top-quality custom harp is that you KNOW that any problems with ability to overdraw or overblow, and ability to sustain and bend those notes are related to you, and not the instrument. the learner is in a catch 22 in that they don't know how to set up the harp right, but you cannot know if the problem is technique without a well set up harp. this is even an issue on the routine bends. a well set up harp is much easier there as well. honestly, all three draw bends on 3 are harder for me to hit well than a 6ob, but the better playablity of the JS has helped me work that technique out better. The cool thing is once you get these on a well set up harp, they all of a sudden start falling out with a little more work on a relatively stock harp.. some of them right out of the box with little modification.
to add to that, he has the reputation now, that if you get one, and decide you need to get rid of it for some reason, you can almost certainly sell it for about what you paid. This is not true for most other customizer's product, not necessarily because they are not as good, but because of the solid reputation with top players that joe has developed over the years
plus he is a nice fellow, quite easy to work with...
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