harpwrench
842 posts
May 16, 2014
10:55 AM
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What price would make customs attractive to working players? I squeeze every ounce of performance out of a set of reed plates, but the time involved makes them expensive. Or is it mostly the wait time that turns people off? Wanting to figure out how to help more players.
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www.spiersharmonicas.com
High performance harmonicas.
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JInx
775 posts
May 16, 2014
11:04 AM
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I haven't tried a custom yet. I'm holding off, as these days I'm below the poverty level. I'm afraid once I try one, I'll be jonesing for a whole set....like what happened when I was given a C crossover as a gift. Once I got a feel of that tremendously smooth, responsive action, I couldn't go back.
Note: I'm not a working musician, just a player.
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Sun, sun, sun
Burn, burn, burn
Soon, soon, soon
Moon, moon, moon
Last Edited by JInx on May 16, 2014 11:07 AM
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Philosofy
549 posts
May 16, 2014
11:23 AM
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When I play, and can't do something, I want it to be my personal limitation, not a limitation of the harp.
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Frank
4270 posts
May 16, 2014
11:40 AM
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Last Edited by Frank on May 16, 2014 11:43 AM
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Frank
4271 posts
May 16, 2014
11:44 AM
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Last Edited by Frank on May 16, 2014 11:47 AM
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harpwrench
844 posts
May 16, 2014
11:54 AM
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Philosophy I already offer the solution for that. If you haven't bought one, what is the barrier that's kept you from doing so? Price, wait, trust???
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www.spiersharmonicas.com
High performance harmonicas.
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rockmonkeyguitars
81 posts
May 16, 2014
11:54 AM
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For me the issue is that harps wear out and I have a hard time justifying spending 4 or 5 times the price for something that will wear out. I know that you can get harps repaired but that is at the back of my mind when I'm seeing a Marine band selling for $300 or more. Perhaps an emphasis on warranty and repairs that are ultimately going to be an issue as the harp ages. If people know that you will replace a blown reed on one of your custom harps at a reasonable price then the fact that the work is inevitable will not be such a deterrent.
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BluesJacketman
138 posts
May 16, 2014
12:03 PM
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I believe for most people it is the price. a decent playing harmonica costs 40-50 dollars. A good playing harmonica cost 60-100 dollars and the companies that produce those harmonicas (Seydel & Hohner) call those professional models, but most harmonicas being played on modern recordings are customs.
You should make a harp that is just a basic good playing harmonica, no overblows or blow bends, none of that stuff just a good quality harp that you can trust at gigs, the working man should be able to spend 100-120 dollars for that instrument. I would feel that that was a fair price on a good quality instrument with no factory issues.
Basically it would be nice to have a harmonica from the factory that has been looked at by a tech and fixed. That would be nice.
Last Edited by BluesJacketman on May 16, 2014 12:17 PM
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Frank
4274 posts
May 16, 2014
12:10 PM
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Since your product line is certified quality work - "a
fair price" is what a lot of players will be
considering...
====================================================
Defining "fair" is the 10,000,000,000 question, each
player will have their own equation of what equals a
fair deal :)
=====================================================
If someone feels like they are getting a "real deal"...
that usually can close the sale!
4th or 5th try to post, the post eating monster is heavily on the prowl :)
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JustFuya
169 posts
May 16, 2014
12:35 PM
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I appreciate the time that goes into tweaking a harp and you need to be compensated for doing it very well.
I think the best thing you could do for the community is to help convince Hohner that reed plates are much easier to flatten before final assembly. Harps are expensive OOTB. If they were to add another 20 cents of labor per plate it would save us hours at home. Riveting is brutal on soft material but it can be done with less damage.
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barbequebob
2557 posts
May 16, 2014
12:45 PM
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The one thing the vast majority of players who don't use custom harps FAIL to understand is that unlike buying an OOTB harp, where the long time deal is that once you blow it out, you throw it out, and this is still the way the average player PERCIEVES the instrument even to this day, regardless of whether replacement reed plates are available or not, a custom harp is a LIFETIME INSTRUMENT, just like if you bought a horn, keyboard instrument, or a guitar, and the average player just can't wrap their minds around that yet and just think that with a guitar, if a string broke, would you throw the damned guitar away if you broke a string?? Of course not, but the average player still looks at the instrument as a throw away instrument, which is so dead wrong.
I'm obviously not a customizer, but I do tinker and like to know the nuts and bolts of how the instrument works, so whenever dealing with them from a customizer now, at least I have more than a fair idea of what goes into it as well as the amount of very tedious labor that goes into it and if the manufacturers ever did what customizers do, the delivery of harmonicas on store shelves or even to internet harmonica businesses would easily be 10 times SLOWER than it is at present, plus the the labor costs alone would be the same as buying a custom.
Hell, just on tuning alone, in a factory, the most that people are allowed to tune an entire harmonica is often a grand total of 5 minutes and from doing tuning myself, even doing it enough times over the years that I've gotten much quicker at it doing much of it just by ear alone (which is what they do at Hohner), there is no way in hell that every harp is gonna be exactly right on the money every single time because it takes tons of time and the labor costs are expensive, and if you're working in those factories, you're NOT being paid an hourly wage, but by the piece and so there are going to be compromises along the way to get product ot there faster.
Like Rod Piazza once said, the average harp player is either too broke or too cheap to buy the right s**t. There's just no way you're gonna be able to go back in time like back when my mom was a child and the average price of a MB was a grand total of 25 cents US brand new in the box!!!
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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groyster1
2601 posts
May 16, 2014
12:57 PM
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I have bought a couple of artist setups from hohner where both harps(marine band 1896) got individual attention....both these harps play as well as most of the custom harps I have...these are "biscuits" tuned to 7JI,the same as my pre war marine bands....it could be that I just prefer that tuning...it was only$20 above the retail price of an MB
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1847
1790 posts
May 16, 2014
1:01 PM
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that is a very profound question.
i am spending all my disposable income on health care
thank you mr obama
i am not being sarcastic, i was spending the same amount last year for far less coverage.
so a genuine heartfelt thank you, goes out to him.
it enabled me to have a surgery i could not otherwise afford. it looks like i may be able to afford a second surgery in a few weeks also, once again, THANK YOU MR OBAMA!
i am perplexed by the name, "affordable care act"
how is spending 25 percent of my monthly income affordable?
the economy is so pathetic my employer can no longer afford to pay my ins.
if i could afford a custom harmonica
how would i decide which one?
you have a stage one, which would be perfect for my playing, however, i play well enough to justify
the top of the line model, so i end up sitting on the fence! i could probably afford a stage one
but human nature kicks in, and you just have to have the most expensive one available lol
which is hard to justify the expense, especially now.
also alot of people buy things on impulse, so having a few available to satisfy a fleeting desire is a good idea
heck everyone needs a D harp at some point.
i did not hesitate ordering 4 harrison harmonicas, $160.00 dollars a pop and a year wait seemed reasonable
perhaps in retrospect, that money would have been put to better use, had he been successful i would most likely have purchased a full set.
i play stock out of the box harmonicas , i can remember
when the marine bands played so poorly i would gladly pay extra
just to get a consistent 8 draw, but now a days almost all harps are vastly improved.
i am very happy with my seydel silver plus harmonicas.
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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1847
1791 posts
May 16, 2014
1:05 PM
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one other thought...
perhaps you could consider selling just the reed plates?
most of us have combs and cover plates.
might just be the ticket, to make me pull the trigger
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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Bb
340 posts
May 16, 2014
1:44 PM
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Brad Harrison's custom Marine Bands really hit the spot for me about 5 years ago. I paid $125 a piece for an A, Bb, C, D, F and G. They played so responsively, sounded so rich. It was only a year ago that I set aside A - D because I'd finally flatted a reed here and there on those. F & G are still in my case working like champs. My go-to replacements are Crossovers. They do everything I need but I miss the tuning of the Harrisons.
So I guess my sweet spot is a long-lasting, responsive and air tight blues machine for $125. And a wait time that doesn't stretch too much past 90 days. ?
That's me.
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http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/pages/Bourbon-Bleach/161722307208585
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Bb
341 posts
May 16, 2014
1:52 PM
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Hmmm, it may have been in 2007 or 2008 actually. I've lost all track of time. :^)
-Bob
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http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/pages/Bourbon-Bleach/161722307208585
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Gnarly
1005 posts
May 16, 2014
2:17 PM
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As some of you know, I work on harmonicas, heck, I am the Suzuki guy, but I still plunked down around $130 (IIRC) for a Spiers Stage One SP20 from Rockin' Ron--I didn't NEED a new harmonica, but still . . .
Joe does (as he will tell you) so many things to improve a harp, I wanted to take a look and also felt that, since G is an important key for me, it was worth the investment.
I was not disappointed.
Painstaking attention to detail should come at a price!
Last Edited by Gnarly on May 16, 2014 2:17 PM
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cliffy
84 posts
May 16, 2014
2:57 PM
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Hi Joe,
I have always been interested in custom harps, but the price has been a major limitation for me. I have three kids and once I pay the dentist bill for their check ups, then there's football registration fees, not to mention my outrageous supermarket bill. Etc. etc. etc.
I also am not an overblow player, but I can do a few of them poorly on stock harps. I imagine custom harps might make it so that I can overblow more fluidly and with some control, but the expense of customs make it impossible for me to try.
I would be interested in a $75 to $100 harp that has a custom comb and plays with the response of a crossover, just a little bit better. I don't know if the amount of work required to get a harp that plays that well is worth the relatively small uptick in price. There might not be a reasonable profit margin for the customizer.
I have noticed that I can get my crossovers to play the way I want with much less breath force and they have lasted me longer than some cheaper harps because of that. If you could make a Big River type harp play like a Crossover, and have the total price be less than a Crossover, I'd be interested in that, but I don' know if others would.
I had Pat Missin work on some big Rivers many years ago and a lot of them still play with awesome, even response over the whole harp.
Just my thoughts
Bill
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1847
1794 posts
May 16, 2014
3:11 PM
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so yesterday i was playing along
with the steve baker track,
drinking a glass of wine, eating potato chips
perhaps a harp with a teflon coating may be of interest. just a thought
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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Brad Arvidson
4 posts
May 16, 2014
3:56 PM
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Hi Joe
For me it's the wait time. I have 3 of your rigs now and want a couple more keys at least but the genetic instant gratification thing I have going on makes me balk.
Price is definitely a consideration- would love a stage three but that's a hefty price tag... but do I think they are over priced? No.
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bigd
535 posts
May 16, 2014
4:08 PM
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Well I am one of your existing and very satisfied customers...At the moment it is financial (day job blues) but generically it is definitely the wait for me. To be honest these days I appreciate the reliability of your A, Ab, Bb, C, D, and LF GM's so much that while they're always in my case (I have minimally 2 shows a week in NYC) I try to use them sparingly so as to keep them going forever! I will be ordering a B and Db when my ship comes in....And with this new 6 week turnaround ;)
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Facebook
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Frank
4276 posts
May 16, 2014
4:22 PM
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Could you make a harp for under a 100 bucks that the average "jam hack /slut" player would play and say oh, so that's really how a harp is supposed to respond ? :)
And sell them under the moniker/alias - "Crazy Joe's almost perfect harps" so no one knows it's you selling them :)
Last Edited by Frank on May 16, 2014 4:36 PM
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harpwrench
845 posts
May 16, 2014
5:39 PM
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Frank I certainly could, the problem I've run into when shooting someone a harp like that is unrealistic expectations of them being a full on custom. I've even had major hassles just doing reed replacements on other guys harps or stock ones.
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www.spiersharmonicas.com
High performance harmonicas.
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Frank
4279 posts
May 16, 2014
5:48 PM
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Exactly - bottom line, you get what you pay for...at least from honest businessmen!
And to make a line of Spiers Harps for under 100 bucks that are personally blessed by you as being a damn good harp for the money -
Us hacks would smell that deal from a mile away :)
Last Edited by Frank on May 16, 2014 5:49 PM
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SuperBee
1992 posts
May 16, 2014
6:13 PM
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Hmm...I'm a hack. From what I've heard the last couple years I think you've moved on Frank
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Frank
4280 posts
May 16, 2014
6:25 PM
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It's an endearing term if seen with the right attitude...I know it can be misconstrued - but to hell with political correctness...Isn't it all relative Bee anyhoo - I am a hack in certain circles, but it's all good as long is there is love to go around too...Heck even Piazza needs to take a back sit when Stevie Wonder walks in the room :)
Last Edited by Frank on May 16, 2014 6:27 PM
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Slimharp
325 posts
May 16, 2014
8:12 PM
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OT. Rod dont take a back seat to ANYBODY. If he chose to play that style he could. No problem.
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Slimharp
326 posts
May 16, 2014
8:44 PM
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I have five Spiers harps. Sp 20 Stage 1. I also play 20's MBD and Crossovers and these are Good Harps - good instruments. Joe Spiers harps are Fine Harps. They are finely crafted. The difference between good stock harps and custom is huge, i.e loudness, tone,RESPONSIVENESS, even playability across the comb.
One would have to know the value of having a custom Harp. If I were just hobby playing or somewhere in the early stages of playing I would not get the value out of it.
If I were intent on having a custom harp I would get one. If I saved 15 bucks a month and forgo Starbucks or whatever I would. I would have to understand the value, which is sort of a catch 22 because I hadnt played one. If you are serious about playing it is worth experiencing at least one.
For me it was the wait time, so I kept waiting to order one. Duh.
I am not claiming to be the hottest player with the most skill, on the other hand I have been playing for 47 years all over the U.S. and back and have played a few harps. Joe's customs or any reputible custom is worth the money and worth the wait IF you are at a level to appreciate them, otherwise get a Good harp and roll with that.
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walterharp
1384 posts
May 16, 2014
8:49 PM
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Joe,
I really like what you sell, and what you sell seems fair for the price. One problem you have with what you do is once a player gets good enough to make it worth paying for one of your harps, they will rarely blow out a reed. My most used gig harp is a D stage II and I have sent it back twice in maybe 5 years? My others of yours used less heavily have lasted years, so as far as planned obsolescence, you really do not have much going for you there...so my guess is short wait times will help you sell more.. get those not sure if they want to pull the trigger. For those wondering if it is worth the wait, every harp I have got from Joe has been worth it, and he always comes through in the time frame he sets out up front.
Cheers,
Walter
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Slimharp
328 posts
May 16, 2014
9:04 PM
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I agree Walter. I forgot to mention I have had my harps from Joe for two and a half years and have not had a problem yet. I seldom practice with them though. I do use them as a guide to gauge other harps by and for some gapping tweaks I do on other harps --- he he, but the Spiers harps SING and the others play well.
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nacoran
7746 posts
May 16, 2014
9:23 PM
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Drat, it ate my post!
I remember seeing a local news network doing what they seemed to think was a very serious piece of journalism. It was just as the price of gas was climbing from the $1 mark rapidly and they took a survey to find out what a fair price for gas was. They decided it was something like $1.45 or so, and reported it like it was a permanent fact.
It's all about each players' bank account. Since I don't know much about the next players bank account I don't really have a good way to gauge the market. You, with an idea of what people have paid in the past, have a much better idea. For working players it might be worth pointing out that you can write off a business expense. For those of us without a musical income it comes in stages. First you get a full set, then you get a full good set, maybe a good mic, a good amp, some pedals, some basic tools...
Combs are nice because they are relatively cheap and can transfer to your next harp if your reeds go out. My favorite harp though has a custom comb with rounded corners. Completely separate from the fact that it's reeds are set up better, it's got rounded corners, and unless someone oversizes the combs, that means the reed plates need to be rounded too. That means it's not something everyone is going to have the tools to do at home. It's a joy to hold, even before you start playing it.
If I was a customizer, I'd split my efforts into three categories-
Lower Skill- things you can knock off a bunch of or outsource. I'd aim to make a lot of sales on this.
Medium Skill- things anyone could do, but it requires some concentration, like gapping, opening the backs on harps. I'd aim to build loyalty on this, but I wouldn't plan to make a lot of money on it, since if I charge a lot people will do it themselves. I'd also create a lot of DIY videos and put them on the site. Don't charge so little though that you get swamped with it.
High skill- Stuff it takes an expert for. I'd look at getting custom stamped covers or combs, make it a status symbol. Pros can write it off on their taxes. The Laffer Curve says you can make the maximum amount at two different price points- one where you make a lot of money on a few items and the other where you make a little money on a lot of units, but your time is limited, so if you are maxing out the number of units you can make, then the price should go up. Use category 1 for the other end of the Laffer Curve to build brand loyalty. If you aren't maxing out the number of harps you can build and you aren't selling them all, the other end of the Laffer Curve may be harder to nail down. If you lower prices you can hurt your image of quality, even if the quality stays the same, so be cautious exploring the lower end, but don't be afraid to offer different price ranges for different services.
Don't underestimate the pretty factor. On the internet a picture is worth, well, a lot.
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Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
First Post- May 8, 2009
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robbert
309 posts
May 16, 2014
10:23 PM
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I have a Spiers ob harp in C. Would like a few other keys...notably G, A, D...just not financially able at this time. They are worth the price. The C is easily the best harp I have.
For now, I have tweaked some Xovers and Sp. 20s, but they are not as good as the Spiers...just okay, for what I want. I'm not able to get them much better, though I've tried. Don't have the skill for it.
Put it this way...if I had the income, I would not think twice about at least ordering those keys I mentioned.
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Frank
4282 posts
May 17, 2014
6:01 AM
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I have a couple Harrison MB customs and of course they respond to the breath in amazing ways and possess a different pleasure about them then your ordinary harp...
But I still love playing OOB Hohners too - I just have a connection with em that is very satisfying and intimate :)
So, "Crazy Joe's almost perfect harps" for under 100 beans (shipping and tax included) would be the best of both worlds :)
Last Edited by Frank on May 17, 2014 6:07 AM
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harpwrench
846 posts
May 17, 2014
9:08 AM
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What I'm thinking at minimum should still include straightening the reed plates, flat parts, max quality reed work on holes 1-4 and 10. Make the rest of the holes feel really good. Can't do all that and supply a harp for 100 but it would be less than a Stage 1, and still be a smokin harp.
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www.spiersharmonicas.com
High performance harmonicas.
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Frank
4287 posts
May 17, 2014
9:15 AM
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You drive a hard bargain Joe - Were do I sign :)
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harpdude61
2002 posts
May 17, 2014
9:58 AM
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I got the last set of 6 full custom harps Buddha shipped out the before the day he passed. Golden Melody. I overblow and overdraw and found I still had to adjust gaps to how I need them. I did ship a couple to two different customizers when reeds went bad. Out of the 6 I only use one now. I have put the combs on new OOTB GM's which I simply gap.
I guess my thinking is if a reed goes bad another can't be far behind. The hassle of shipping and waiting too.
I play 4 or 5 four hour gigs a month with my band as well as a couple times during the week helping with blues jams and guest spots.
I pretty much get by with 7 keys. So I feel like I need three sets of good harps. One for show, a spare, and another set of spares because if one goes bad, I have the long wait for repairs or order a new one. Can't go to a gig without at least two good harps of each key.
I would be satisfied with tuning, flat comb, gapping, and a better than stock comb(same thickness and no wood). Tuning has been good the last couple of years on stock GMs.
I assume embossing is what takes time but I do fine without it. No problems with any type note on low or high harps. Correct me if I am wrong but it seems to me that if the reed is not embossed I can gap it a little tighter?
Seems like wait times would either get longer or shorter. I find strange if the wait time stays the same.
I would hope I could get my order in two weeks minimum, but what happens if someone sends one of your top harps back to you for repairs. Do they bump ahead of new harp orders? Do big name players bump the unknowns because you know they need them for gigging?
I think most anyone expects repairs to be made immediately even if you have orders for new harps waiting.
Custom means custom to the player. Any stage harp is not really a custom, but basically a much better grade general harp.
How I would love for you to build me a couple sets of harps and be able to sit down with you in person for a few hours and let you tweak them to my playing style. Now THAT would be a custom harmonica!
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www.facebook.com/catfishfryeband
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harpwrench
847 posts
May 17, 2014
10:00 AM
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Lol not selling yet, just trying to figure out what people want. How are the stock sealed 1896 combs holding up out there?
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www.spiersharmonicas.com
High performance harmonicas.
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Frank
4288 posts
May 17, 2014
10:24 AM
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I know you have a reputation to live up to Joe and that you want to protect the investment you made in becoming known as on of the worlds best harp technicians.
That said - could a customer request to skip straightening the reedplates, without causing a major flaw in the harps performance?
And what does flattening the reedplates add to the overall price of a harp?
Do you have a break down in how things you do are individually priced?
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Stevelegh
965 posts
May 17, 2014
10:29 AM
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I'd say the harmonica market could benefit from a 'workhorse' range.
As much as we all love a 1-10 overblow and overdraw harp, there isn't that many people on the planet who can use them effectively in their playing.
How about taking an existing upper end Hohner (MBD / Crossover / Rocket) and adjusting for 1,4,5 and 6 overblows and offering a retune to E.T.
That's pretty much the summation of most harp players needs. If they want something better, you offer more than enough options sir.
Last Edited by Stevelegh on May 17, 2014 10:30 AM
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groyster1
2603 posts
May 17, 2014
10:56 AM
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I have a stage I sp20 done by joe and bought from rockin`ron for $125 free shipping....worth the price?yep!
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Harpaholic
448 posts
May 17, 2014
10:59 AM
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For me, the only issue is the wait, even though Joe has been good about a quick turnover in the past.
I own two of Joe's Stage II harps and several Stage I's, never had an issue with any of his harps.
I also have had Joe re tune and gap several Sp 20's for me over the last couple years for a reasonable up charge. There not quite to the level of a Stage I, but far superior to any ootb harp. The turnover was quick and the price more than fair.
IMO, every harp player should treat them self to one Joe Spiers harp at least once.
I would have to agree with Steve and I think a good price point would be $90 to $125 depending on the harp and amount of customizing. I would pay more for a stock harp that has just been quality checked and adjusted without any customizing.
If you offered optimized Rockets' both stock or my preference re tuned to 7 limit with the 7 draw tuned down a half step.
I wouldn't buy anything else!!
Last Edited by Harpaholic on May 17, 2014 11:07 AM
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MP
3207 posts
May 17, 2014
11:16 AM
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From harpwrench,
"What I'm thinking at minimum should still include straightening the reed plates, flat parts, max quality reed work on holes 1-4 and 10. Make the rest of the holes feel really good. Can't do all that and supply a harp for 100 but it would be less than a Stage 1, and still be a smokin harp."
Hey wrench, The above is about the best you can do, I believe. There is nothing you can do about wait time because you want to do a great job, not just a good job.
We are cheap. We are not like guitar players that go "oooh! ooh! Me go buy that Harmony Meteor right now cuz I want it and got a 335 and a Tele and a Strat."
All I do is just help the reeds perform better; that 10 blow on anything higher than C can be a beast! it's another pet peeve of mine-, but the point is,
I get really happy customers when I send back a harp that is easy to play, a little louder, gets both bends on the 10 blow w/ ease, looks great, is in tune so split octaves don't beat, and a couple other things I can't think of till the coffee kicks in...
I don't do customs except for myself or friends. Too lazy, would rather just play the harp, and not very interested in the finer points of your art anymore.
I think Adam has like one harp from you but spends beaucoups bucks on cars.
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Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
Last Edited by MP on May 17, 2014 3:09 PM
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Oso
51 posts
May 17, 2014
11:19 AM
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Price is a major factor, I was just looking at Joes site and thought I may get a customized harmonica built by the man himself!! Seen the prices and made me want to hold off a bit thinking maybe I should get a lot better before I go buying a custom harp.
I am not sure if Joe is supplying the harp as well as the customizing or do I supply the harp? I may purchase one full blown custom just to see what I am missing?
Last Edited by Oso on May 17, 2014 11:20 AM
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JustFuya
177 posts
May 17, 2014
11:20 AM
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If you can customize a harp that is responsive from 1 to 10 for $100 I'd go for a set. I own a Stage III and grabbed beyond my reach. I popped the hood on it last night to flick off some spunk and was amazed (but not surprised) at the craftsmanship. As long as you are paid for your time I say go for it.
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Slimharp
332 posts
May 17, 2014
2:08 PM
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Joe, it's your business so do what you want. I think you would be shooting yourself in the foot doing anything less than what you do. Your harps are excellent and doing anything less would be bullshit and half ass and placing yourself in the league of the almost customizers.
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harmonicanick
2160 posts
May 17, 2014
2:56 PM
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I sometimes wonder if we need customisation.
What I mean is that if you blow soft from the diaphrgam, you will not blow those reeds.
All my harps are gapped etc but with the increased good quality of OTB harps is it really necessary to spend that extra dollar(s)
I guess my question is at what point does harp playing technique benefit from customs? and can an expert player achieve great tone and style from a new harp OTB
I acknowledge the craftsmanship of Joe, and others, but will modern manafacture, 3D printing for example, change everything
Last Edited by harmonicanick on May 17, 2014 3:01 PM
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MP
3208 posts
May 17, 2014
4:12 PM
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from harmonicanick-
"I sometimes wonder if we need customisation."
Depends on who we is. Kudzu no. MP most of the time. ( I like to play stock harps sometimes if they are good stock harps). harmonicanick no. My neighbor no. He is happy w/ a good gap job. The extra work I put into his harps was unnecessary. Need is a relative term as far as musical instruments go.
Well, I think no matter what instrument you play, you should play a really good instrument. But i think people get good and finest mixed up. A expert guitarist, will be play and sound just as good, or great, on a nice Epiphone gtr. and a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp as he would on a Paul Reed Smith gtr. and a boutique Dr. Z amp. of course the action would be set on both gtr.s like gapping a harmonica.
Now some players, mostly of the OB club, need a higher degree of customization, than others. Better blues players can hear how well the harp is tuned and it'll bug them if their octaves beat and they may need 7LJI. OBers need absolutely no noise on their OBs.
I've only seen one custom harp that I considered bad. It IS possible that someone messed with the harp before I saw it.
The customizer is a peculiar type who would rather stick pins in his eyes than sell you a shitty product.
Sure, maybe Joe can give you a PRS. In one of his posts I think what he is asking is if you'll be just as happy with a Les Paul.
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Marks Harmonica Tune-up
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jnorem
206 posts
May 17, 2014
4:18 PM
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Reed plates is the way to go, I think. A set of SP20 plates is $28.00, I believe. I'd gladly pay more than that for a nice set of customized SP20 plates. How much more would depend on what it is I'd be getting, naturally.
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Call me J
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sonny3
177 posts
May 17, 2014
5:55 PM
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I've been buying stock 1896s and the Combs are much better but they do swell a bit around hole 5.But they play real nice.I did get one of the artist setup 1896s pre war tuning and it played amazing.Had Adam Hamils name on the reed plates.Thanks Adam!
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harpwrench
848 posts
May 17, 2014
6:32 PM
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Some of the comments are straying from the thread intent and my answers could maybe come off as puffery or selling, which I try not to do. Not planning to sell cheap customs with shortcut reed work, or changing my overblow harp strategy. I'm not allowed to sell reed plates J. I was just wondering how something with slightly less resolution would go over. I like the "work horse" comment, it totally nails it although the Stage I has that in spades. But I get it. The last 5-10% of magic requires quite a bit more labor and I'm not sure it's fully appreciated. At 90-95% resolution it would still be better than what I was doing a year ago.
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www.spiersharmonicas.com
High performance harmonicas.
Last Edited by harpwrench on May 27, 2014 8:05 AM
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