@Lor - it may funnier to those who hate golden melody's...As far as comedy- I think a lot of players can feel his pain (and comedy they say comes from pain) my point being > most players don't mess with their harps because the results they get are similar to how the video spoofs customization results...
Haha I especially like the quick access to the reeds by bending back the coverplates. You might be thinking 'wouldn't it be tricky to bend those cover plates back straight again' - and do you know what - You'ld be right. ---------- Grey Owl YouTube Grey Owl Abstract Photos
haaahaha....Once a hippy always a hippy, Him and Jason both had a ruff go of it in the early beginning years. They did their share of fartin around untill they became harpGODS!
He did what i often feel like doing when the things go flat and i'm unable to fix whatever needs fixing. However i've been known to do similar things when working on my car.
I think he did a wonderful job "customizing" that harmonica, which is a Chinese POS that comes with "Learn & Play Harmonica" by First Act.
I bought one several years ago at Walmart... just curious as to how it played (came with a book and CD)... I actually like the little plastic zip-lock bag that it came in way more than the harp itself.
He may have bought it used off eBay from one of these guys...
Someday I may make a video where I launch the harp with my clay pidgeon shooter and blast it with my 12-gauge shotgun.
It's uncanny that you bring up Picasso- This great customizer and he have a lot in common. For anonymity reasons lets just call the master in the video "Ray"...
Well here is a bit about Ray's life, enjoy!
Ray is commonly regarded as the one who most defined the revolutionary developments in the Harmonica customization process opening the decade of the 21th century, responsible for significant developments in reed work, profiling, tuning and artistic touch.
Ray demonstrated extraordinary artistic talent in his early years, customizing toy harmonicas through his childhood and adolescence. During the first decade of the 21th century his style changed as he experimented with different theories, techniques, and ideas. His revolutionary artistic accomplishments brought him universal renown and immense fortune, making him one of the best-known figures and harp technicians in the world.
But the crooked-crashed mouth evoked above can also be got as a result of an accidental meeting with a bus, not only with Picasso!
Last Edited by on Mar 17, 2012 6:55 PM
I've been staying out of this discussion, because quite frankly, it's got me steamed. That guy has ripped off my customizing technique without giving me credit.
Fortunately, I will be him with technology. I've discovered a way to streamline and mechanize this process. It involves leaving the harmonica in pants pockets when you put them in the washer and dryer. I could tell you more, but then I'd have to kill you all.
I actually kind of like the shape of that harp. I always kind of assumed that it was somehow more expensive to make ergonomically shaped harmonicas, but if a cheapo harp can be made ergonomic then maybe it's time we demand more from our more expensive harps. (I know, Golden Melodies are more ergonomic for the hand, but the protruding reed plate meets the comb at a weird angle that is rough on the lips. Long cover harps don't seem to start entering into the picture until you start spending over $50 on a harp, and some of them don't have tapered covers. I haven't tried them all, but they look just as uncomfortable as the tin sandwiches.) Unfortunately, the washing machine customization does not seem to help ergonomics, although it did remove my cover plates with less effort on my part, and did result in a screw that did a better job of staying lost than this guys!
I agree, ya gotta give credit when it's due, this is BullSh#* an outrage, reckless and above all immoral. You got me madder then a hornet Nate - this guy has been getting all the friggin accolades of the hardwork and years of research that other honest law abiding citizens have broke their backs and brains to acquire..
If and when his video hits 10,000 views I will protest at the next at SPAH convention and get a petition signed to get this imposter the justice due him... If I got to go to the Supreme court, so be it!!!
I've never been to the New York Psychiatric Institute. Do they have nice rooms? Room service? I'm looking for someplace nice for my next unscheduled vacation. I couldn't think about it unless they were rated at least 3 stars though.
You welcome Sir, it's terrible what he's done and I hope Laurent does something about it to correct the wrongs this tech wannabe has splattered all over the world wide web :)
I think this affair is serious, widely more than you both imagine. The problem is actually that this guy could keep on badly treating harmonicas, and that we don't agree with this: we have to stop him before he makes another video, maybe this time with a MB special 20 or worse... While I pretended to be a customer of the Institute, you see the bloke didn't give him up: he is tough. There are now three of us in the team, and I suggest our purpose would be to introduce a new harp in a room of the Institute, expecting the guy to be attracted, like a spider by a fly. I put Frank's harp down, he makes a video, and Nate, as a specialist, stays there hiding, to capture and reason with the guy. Now we surely will have to thank, or even paice Nate, since he'll use his leaves leading that essential mission.
Last Edited by on Mar 18, 2012 5:53 PM
Laurent...I fear you have become evil like that which you have hated. I find myself obtaining compassion for this lost soul who strayed away into the dark cold world of destroying harmonicas under the guise of helping those who needed him to fix the broken souls of their fragile harmonicas. Your despair is growing into something you may regret, please I beg you, don't flag the video, don't do it...Don't let his sinful ways banish any kindness you have left within your heart, can you live with the consequences of your actions - he is human just like you, like you he longs for love and understanding. If you can only reach out your hand to him in friendship you will learn of his Genius. Admit it, you can't deny the feelings you have toward him and his guidance.Laurent also consider Nate and his future if you would do the unthinkable. Repent turn from your wicked ways, give the maestro one more chance to prove his worth to the harmonic world, Bless you - Amen!!!
Last Edited by on Mar 18, 2012 7:10 PM
The Maestro has directed me to give you this video in his honor- seeking reconciliation with those who are weary of his pure motives to teach the masses a better way to harmonica customization enlightenment.
So I've spent the last 24 hours thinking. Everyone here is really persuasive. No reason to raise any questions. Don't know what my problem was before.
He really came up with all those ideas on his own. Everyone can see that. Little good comes from questioning that. People need to get over it.
Truly, he is a customizing genius. He in a real innovator. Everything he does makes the harmonica better. You all need to accept that.
We really should be studying his technique. Only by learning from the master will we grow. Not only has he improved my customization ' The technique also improved my playing.
Lot's of harp players need to see this. Everyone needs to see it. Truly, he is a genius.
Most of us will shrug this off. Everyone needs to pay attention.
Start with the screws. Let's all turn the screws. Everyone needs to turn the screws. Everything depends on that. Please, everyone, let's start right away.
---------- Nate Facebook Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
Last Edited by on Mar 19, 2012 11:28 AM
All in a sudden, after having read these previous lines and seen that video, pimples started to pop out all over my face, and now I can turn my head 360 degrees, playing harp at the same time... Do you live the same phenomenon?
