9000
125 posts
Dec 28, 2012
8:43 PM
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Just received an Optimized Session Steel recently. Very nice harp and a real bargain. I think the Optimization only added about $20 dollars to the price. Very airtight, especially, for a harp with a recessed plastic comb and reeds are adjusted very evenly across the 10 holes. 6 hole overblow is there as advertised [I'm not an overblow player but this harp has encouraged me to work on it a bit!] I would absolutely recommend this harp without reservation. I've ordered 2 Optimized 1847s because this harp is so sweet. Optimization included a "gasket" and I'm wondering how Dave pulls that off.
Keep up the great work Dave [Matthew and Mike F, as well]!
All the best to everyone as the New Year sneaks up on us!
Jay
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Music speaks where words fail.
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
1453 posts
Dec 28, 2012
9:18 PM
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Thanks for all the kind words, Jay!
The first ones I built for Matt had gaskets that I made on the blow plate only, but after that first batch I sent him, I quit gasketing them and did something else to eliminate the need for it.
There's a lot of work that is done to that harp and it would not be possible to build it for that price if it weren't for Brad Harrison. He showed me some stuff. I was a manager at HH, but I was assembly line and Harrison method trained also. That's not a Harrison-method harp, of course, and most of the processes involved are mine, but if it weren't for the things I learned from Brad about methods, focus and efficiency, that would be a $150 harp. My stint at Harrison was certainly a life-changing experience, harmonica-wise.
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David
____________________
At the time of his birth, it was widely accepted that no one man could play that much music so well or raise that much hell. He proved them all wrong.
R.I.P. H. Cecil Payne
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David
Elk River Harmonicas
 
Last Edited by on Dec 28, 2012 9:21 PM
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9000
127 posts
Jan 01, 2013
5:49 PM
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Thanks for the follow-up, Dave! This is a great harp. I had to drive my wife to Elkhart, Indiana [about 3 hours]yesterday and spent part of the drive time playing a simple blues lick with the 6 overblow on the end of it. Fun stuff for a guy who NEVER played overblows before...or never one that didn't squawk! LOL
Looking forward to the Bb and Eb 1847s that I ordered. Should be big fun!
All the best with your new collaboration!
Jay Thompson
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Music speaks where words fail.
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bigd
407 posts
Jan 01, 2013
6:25 PM
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Dave: Do you work on existing Low (F# and C) Session Steel harps. I never play them because they are too "airy". I don't care about the existing orange combs and do not overblow so it would just be gapping on the 2 Low SS's I already own? Thanks
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
1461 posts
Jan 02, 2013
11:15 AM
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I'm semi-retired, I'm just building the ones I do for Hetrick. They are built with black combs by default.
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David
____________________
At the time of his birth, it was widely accepted that no one man could play that much music so well or raise that much hell. He proved them all wrong.
R.I.P. H. Cecil Payne
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David
Elk River Harmonicas
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