It's a stainless steel reed model - basically a Session Steel with nicer covers. So I don't think they'll end up going for blowout prices.
You might value Sugar Blue more than Popper, but Fender is aiming at the general consumer, who is more likely to know names of rock stars than of bluesmen with occasional rock star sideman credits. Not knocking anyone, that's just marketing as Fender sees it. =========== Winslow
"..."Fender is aiming at the general consumer, who is more likely to know names of rock stars than of bluesmen with occasional rock star sideman credits. Not knocking anyone, that's just marketing as Fender sees it."
Yes, just as Hohner has Steve Tyler and Bob Dylan signature harps at premium prices, two musicians who are especially good harp players. It's smart marketing, but not something that interests me. ---------- Ted Burke tburke4@san.rr.com
I am going to get at least one. I was surprised that $99 was retail and not list price. I talked to Fender and asked for info on the "free" tweed case if you were to buy all seven, but they had not real info.
I called Musiciansfriend and emailed Rockin Ron - neither is slated to carry the harp. Fender is the only vendor. I thought these might find their way to Guitar Center, but if MF isn't carrying them... ---------- Mike My Website My Harmonica Effects Blog
It seems to be a Session Steel with different cosmetics and a higher price tag. Fender distribution will get these sold to people who never heard of Seydel, and Fender gets a quality instrument with their brand on it - seems like a good strategy for both companies. I'll stick with the regular Session Steels, at a lower price.
On the other hand, the Fender Midnight Special looks like a new configuration: a Solist Pro with steel reeds.
Last Edited by A440 on Jun 19, 2015 7:58 AM
It is a GREAT deal and brilliant marketing.... Most folks think the harmonica companies are loaded with cash and throw harps and great players like they are pro athletes. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. It is an extremely LOW margin industry with an extremely high maintenance customer base.
Fender, on the other hand, is well diversified with amps, guitars, accessories.. This will be a good deal for them whether they sell a bunch or not. It is a loss leader that drives other business and keeps their name out front.
Great business decisions made by good business leaders.. Everyone wins.. and if John Popper acquires 1,000 of them for no charge, it will not effect the price of a Seydel Session Steel..
Pretty hard to find something bad in this deal... ---------- Greg Jones 16:23 Custom Harmonicas greg@1623customharmonicas.com 1623customharmonicas.com
Looks like a tweed case. I've seen pics of him with the Hohner brief case and the Seydel hard shell, but never the tweed. I wonder if if is the generic Fender case? ---------- Mike My Website My Harmonica Effects Blog
