florida-trader
139 posts
Jun 13, 2012
9:37 AM
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At Hill Country Harmonica I handed out about 200 sets of Harmonica Skinz with the Hill Country artwork on one side and BlueMoonHarmonicas.com on the other. Skinz are made from the same vinyl that you see on cars and trucks that are wrapped with advertising, company names, etc. The image is printed one sheet of 3M vinyl and then it is laminated with a second layer of clear vinyl to protect the image. Since this product is designed to be used in the outdoors on cars it has to be weather resistant and durable. The manufacturer even states that the clear vinyl laminate will protect the under layer from gasoline if you happen to splash some on your car when filling up.
I’m sure that some of you threw them in the trash as soon as I walked away. I installed lots of them on people’s harps and generally the reaction was positive. I’ve been playing on one of my favorite Pre-War Marine Bands with a skinz on it for about a month. I play this harp pretty much every day and I must say that I am pleased with the way it has held up. Before I invest a lot of money to bring this product to market, I’d like to get some feedback from those of you who have tried them. Thumbs up? Thumbs down? Good idea? Bad idea? Bottom line, would you be interested in purchasing this product if I made it available? They would be printed on a 12 X 12 sheet of acrylic which is big enough to make 24 skins or enough for a complete set of harps. The images on the skins can all be the same or they can be different. I am thinking of offering some standard designs that can be purchased in an entire sheet for $29.95 or individually for $3.00 each. Ultimately I would like to offer the opportunity for you to go online and upload your own image and create your own Harmonica Skinz. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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groyster1
1907 posts
Jun 13, 2012
10:18 AM
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hello tom
I mey you @HCH 2012 and you saw my marine band1896s with the old boxes and offered the skins to me...you installed the first one and I put them on the ones I had left plus the 4 mb deluxes.....they are a great souveneir of HCH 2012 and possibly could use 3 more...why anybody would trash them is beyond me but I for one greatly appreciated them to put on the most popular harps of all time
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Destin
32 posts
Jun 13, 2012
10:32 AM
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Ha, I got one just thought is was a sticker though . Didn't even think about it being a skin. Cool Idea I would be interested in something like this if I could upload my own artwork and if the price was right.
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ridge
352 posts
Jun 13, 2012
10:49 AM
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Tom,
I think they are a great promotional tool and I took several from you while at HCH. I also think they are a clever and interesting gimmick.
Personally, I don't like how they felt, but I heard plenty of others says they didn't mind it at all.
I have several friends that I intend to give these to because they weren't able to attend HCH this year and I'm sure they will be thrilled.
Respectfully,
Dan Ridgeway
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Todd Parrott
947 posts
Jun 13, 2012
10:50 AM
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I think it's a great idea and a great product, Tom. I tend to like funky, bright colors, while others have expressed a desire for flames on their covers, etc. Being able to add whatever image you'd like is a great option.
It's nice to have the cover plate options that you offer. The powder coated covers you had at HCH looked incredible as well. (And I still like my purple comb too!)
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KingoBad
1118 posts
Jun 13, 2012
11:09 AM
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Where the hell was I? I would have loved to have tried one, they look great! If they were comfortable and held up well, I'd be in completely... But since you missed me now I'll never try one! (just kidding, a very cool idea, and perfect for this crowd. Nothing like a cheap mod with high impact!)
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Danny
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HarpNinja
2520 posts
Jun 13, 2012
11:35 AM
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If I could upload my own pics, I'd try a few out.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
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KC69
229 posts
Jun 13, 2012
3:29 PM
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The more I played mine the more I liked it. Then my 4 hole draw reed went dead ! Nothing to do with the skin. I have a few extras from HCH. I'm going to use a couple. Would be glad to send you a couple KingoBad. Tom: I now need Bb marine band reed plates along with a few others. I'll send ya an e-mail soon ! Love the Skins though.
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And I Thank You !!
KCz
Backwoodz
Bluz
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nacoran
5841 posts
Jun 13, 2012
4:24 PM
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Maybe you could cross market with Adam and makes sets with the MBH harp logo from the top of the screen on them. :)
Me personally, I'd like a Snickers bar, but you might have licensing issues there (although you could maybe sell them that it's good advertising. Just thinking about it makes me want a Snickers.)
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Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
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rogonzab
60 posts
Jun 13, 2012
4:26 PM
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I would definitely buy one!
Great idea Tom! Just imagine: a harp whit a picture of SBWII, or your name, or the name of your band, and so on.
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ReedSqueal
290 posts
Jun 13, 2012
11:53 PM
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My question is (and I don't see it addressed in this post) how does it feel on the lips? Does is have the same "slide" characteristics as a standard plated cover? Wondering if it gets sticky on the lips? (technically; coefficient of friction)
Ridge says he didn't like the way it felt - in the hand or lips?
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Go ahead and play the blues if it'll make you happy.
-Dan Castellaneta
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florida-trader
141 posts
Jun 14, 2012
4:58 AM
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ReedSqueal - How does it feel?
My opinion - the vinyl Skinz are very smooth. I'm not sure what the drag coefficient of vinyl vs. the stock metal cover plates is but I would venture to say that it won't slow you down. And I don't feel any difference in my hands.
I'll tell you where I do notice a difference. I don't often bite my harmonicas but since we have these things in our mouths our teeth will occasionally come into contact with the cover plates. When they do, you will notice that it is softer. You don't notice it when you press your lips against it because your lips are softer than the cover plates but when you put your teeth on the vinyl you notice it because if you bite down something's going to give and since the vinyl is softer than tooth enamel, it will be the vinyl.
Other's may have a different opinion and that's what this thread is all about.
I'll give a brief history of the evolution of this idea and perhaps that will you some perspective. I started offering acrylic combs early last year. Customers started commenting that they liked using different colored combs to key code their harps. It seems a great many of us, including me, don't have the eyesight we used to have and finding the right harp - regardless of how you label them - can be a challenge. So I added more colors. I now offer twelve different colors. That got me to thinking that if different colored combs helped - why not the cover plates? So I started offering powder coated cover plates. I now offer eight colors. The skins were just the next step in that progression. They install in seconds and are less expensive to produce than the powder coated covers plus you have the added flexibility of being able to print virtually anything you want on the vinyl.
rogonzab is right - you can put your name, your band's name, pictures of your kids, an event like HCH or anything you want on a Skinz. Let your imagination run wild.
Nathan - a Snickers Bar. That's great! Just about the perfect size.
They are not for everybody but apparently, as you can see from the comments, some people like them.
Thank you for the feedback.
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paulbunyn
20 posts
Jun 14, 2012
8:22 AM
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I was at HCH 2012 and missed this... darnit. I would have loved one of these as a souvenir. Do you still have some HCH covers that can be purchased?
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HarveyHarp
359 posts
Jun 14, 2012
8:50 AM
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Tom, I did a little work on a couple of MB that had your HarpSkinz on them. I was impressed. They felt good, and I did not notice any substantial damping of the sound or anything negative. I would recommend opening the covers, if you are going to, before you install the HarpSkinz. I know from experience. Do you warranty my work???
Tom, you are very innovative, and easy to work with, and best of all, you listen to your customers. Keep up the good work
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HarveyHarp
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harpnwillys
23 posts
Jun 14, 2012
8:59 AM
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Tom, I got some of those off you at Hill Country. I like the idea of being able to upload your own image to them. Thats a very good idea so people can make them their own.
Tom W
Last Edited by on Jun 14, 2012 10:13 AM
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KingoBad
1119 posts
Jun 14, 2012
9:42 AM
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KC69,
Thank you for the offer! I know I can always count on my Hill country brothers.. Tom has already taken care of me though, but you offer is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
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Danny
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groyster1
1911 posts
Jun 14, 2012
10:30 AM
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those harps harvey worked on were NOS marine bands that he denailed and sealed the comb.....the skins are awesome....great souveneir for HCH 2012
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belfast_harper
312 posts
Jun 14, 2012
10:32 AM
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I think they would be good for playing a harmomica with no hands SBW style.
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florida-trader
142 posts
Jun 14, 2012
12:19 PM
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Paul:
Sorry you missed out on the goodies. I tried to make the rounds and give them to as many people as possible. I must tell you that I got a lot of strange looks from people when I asked of could put a Harmonica Skinz on one their Marine Bands for them.
When I received permission from Jeff Silverman to use the HCH artwork I promised him that it would be used strictly as a give-away so they are not available for purchase. I just placed an order with my printer for a couple more sheets and am perfectly willing to give them to you at no charge so you will have a souvenir of the event. This offer is open to anyone else who might want one (or two) - within reasonable limits. They do cost money to print so since I can't charge you for them they are an out-of-pocket expense for me. But that's OK.
groyster1 - Thanks for the props. Harvey is one of the guys who befriended me from the very beginning. He was my 3rd or 4th customer and he has helped me immensely. He has a great eye and an even better ear and a very kind heart. I owe the guy big time.
Harvey. As always - thanks. I'll be in touch.
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