Casey McIntyre
1 post
Jan 14, 2019
1:38 PM
|
Hey everybody,
I have eight harps with blown-out reeds that I won't use anymore. I'm wondering if there's a market to sell these harps for parts.
Thank you.
The harps include:
*All harps in the key of G
Suzuki Bluesmaster
Seydel Steel 1847
Hohner Special 20 Progressive
Fender Blues DeVille
Fender Blues Deluxe
Hohner Big River
Lee Oskar
|
jbone
2807 posts
Jan 14, 2019
2:19 PM
|
I don't know about selling them. I have done a deal or two where I swapped dead harps- a lot of them!- for a custom or two. I'm talking at least a dozen harps. It's been a while, things may have changed, but perhaps someone here on MBH may be interested in a deal like that. Donor harps.
----------
Music and travel destroy prejudice.
Reverbnation
Facebook
Youtube
|
dougharps
1886 posts
Jan 14, 2019
2:54 PM
|
Unusual for so many G harps to fail...
----------
Doug S.
|
SuperBee
5754 posts
Jan 14, 2019
7:56 PM
|
I might offer USD$35 plus Shipping for the lot if I was in the same country
|
Martin
1522 posts
Jan 15, 2019
5:16 AM
|
@dougharps: Maybe I´m thick, but it´s irony, eh?
|
dougharps
1887 posts
Jan 15, 2019
6:23 AM
|
@Martin
You are not "thick"!
I would probably characterize my remark as more an expression of my wide ranging skepticism than irony.
Lately I have been paying attention to the issues presented by new members of the forum. When someone joins the forum and their very first post is about selling broken harmonicas it gets my attention.
When there are 8 broken harmonicas noted in a wide range of makes, it gets my attention. There is nothing wrong with asking, it is just an unusual topic on the forum.
When the harps are listed as all being in the key of G, THAT really raises doubt in my cynically suspicious mind. Who among us has a pile of 8 broken harps ALL in G and not in a mix of keys? All those brands, all broken, ALL in G?
What???
My G diatonics are probably the longest lasting of my often used keys.
Unusual for so many G harps to fail...
EDIT-
Question to the forum: Remember gwayne57 whose first 4 posts on the forum were about the value of Soul's Voice harps and who disclosed in the thread that he had bought a lot of 80 used harmonicas? Are there a lot of bulk sales of used/damaged instruments taking place out there?
----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Jan 15, 2019 7:21 AM
|
SuperBee
5756 posts
Jan 15, 2019
11:03 AM
|
Wow, I thought I was sceptical.
Gwayne said he had bought 80 harps and the souls voice units he had were in ‘like new’ condition. Maybe he found the place all those lost deliveries wound up. Maybe he bought a business with the stock. Maybe someone was liquidating a business and he bought the stock.
Maybe he was lying
I’m trying to understand what might be the point of joining a forum to post a lie like that.
A couple years back I did a repair job involving 19 harps, 13 of which were G harps. All thos harps had the same reed out, because the guy was an entertainer who played harmonica in a couple songs of his act. He played 1 song on a G harp, so always broke the same reed.
Now imagine a scenario where a guy might play a few instruments in a trio, one of which is harmonica. Maybe he only plays harp on one song, maybe something like ‘ what I like about you’ and he gives it heaps. He’s not a super dedicated harp player, he breaks harps and so tries different brands to see if there is one that doesn’t break. They all break, because when he plays his song he really hammers a particular note.
After awhile he has a collection of harps, all in the same key, all different types, all broken.
I can see it.
I played in a band once, and almost every song I played required a C harp. I broke them. I tried different types.
Now I’m willing to accept I could be wrong and you may be right Doug, but I’m interested in what I don’t understand here, which is the underlying reason for your sceptical approach. Do you have an hypothesis for the true motivation ? I know I am often quite slow to catch on
|
florida-trader
1411 posts
Jan 15, 2019
11:45 AM
|
I don’t know if there is anything sinister in this post but in answer to dougharps question, “Are there a lot of bulk sales of used/damaged instruments taking place out there?”, I think the short answer is yes. At least it is from my perspective. This isn’t an exact fit, but I get at least 2-3 emails/phone calls/Facebook messages a month that go like this- “I have a box full of blown out harps. Can you fix them?” Fixing a bunch of old blown out harps is not my thing, so I invariably refer them to Mike Peace in Tulsa. But they’re out there – boxes full of blown out harps, that is. And the fact that there are people capable of fixing them is becoming widely known. It is inevitable that the two paths cross. In the past 7 or 8 years, even though it this not my bailiwick and I don’t go looking for them, I’ve had some deals drop into my lap that were just too hard to pass up. I have made several bulk purchases of used harps, new harps, discontinued harps, tools and everything in between. I would venture to say that virtually every harp tech out there has boxes and drawers full of “parts”.
----------
Tom Halchak
Blue Moon Harmonicas
Last Edited by florida-trader on Jan 17, 2019 6:27 AM
|
Casey McIntyre
2 posts
Jan 15, 2019
12:38 PM
|
Wow.
Interesting group here. Just few point of knowledge.
Firstly, I didn't join this forum to sell used harmonicas. I joined this forum to ask if there would be a market to sell used harmonicas for parts.
Also, let it be known that I am NOT a harmonica "player". I am a drummer that also plays guitar and sings. I am in a trio where I share drum and guitar/vocal duties.
Every time I use a harp, it's in a holder and I am blasting it to try to fit into the mix.
I am self taught and I am sure that I don't have the proper technique.
G harps occupy 90% of my cowboy chord songs. I have tried every manufacturer and arrived at the fact that I am best off playing cheap harps and replacing them as needed.
Weird? Maybe. But it is what it is. There are no shenanigans going on.
|
Gnarly
2613 posts
Jan 15, 2019
1:10 PM
|
Thanks Casey that explains a lot.
I trade repair services for parts from time to time, but not interested at this time. I tend to favor SP20s for the "get a box, give a custom" transaction.
I have Suzuki parts, and so have not traded my services for that brand.
And I never do it for Chinese harps--well, I guess that might change if the better ones become super popular. The Suzuki reeds fit the Easttop harps (strange coincidence, or global conspiracy? you decide).
|
SuperBee
5758 posts
Jan 15, 2019
1:25 PM
|
Harp repairs, public admin, fortune telling.. sometimes you gotta diversify.
|
dougharps
1888 posts
Jan 15, 2019
1:40 PM
|
@Gnarly - obviously a global conspiracy!!! ;>)
Casey, sorry if my post threw you off. After a series of "new members" posting essay writing services spam, then a long thread alleging that somebody is ripping off inventors of harp products (with several brand new members chiming in with condemnations in their initial posts), and then another thread from a brand new member about selling bulk bought harps (mentioned above), I have let my inherent skepticism get the better of me.
As I noted, "There is nothing wrong with asking, it is just an unusual topic on the forum." Your freely offered explanation addresses my observation, "Unusual for so many G harps to fail..." As far as value in resale for used harps: unless a harp is really rare, the value is limited.
Thank you for your patience. Sorry...
@SuperBee
Good response to my post! I have no hypothesis about sinister motivations. I tried to express concerns (unjustified?) that occurred to me without making accusations, just the observation. Maybe I am suffering from the winter doldrums.
I did have a genuine question about bulk lots of used harps being sold and Tom answered that.
I was employed in counseling and child welfare for 38 years and retired a little early due to the caustic erosion of my faith in humankind, faith that is necessary to do the job well.
I fear that recent divergent representations of purported truth in our national politics has apparently once again exacerbated my skeptical (cynical???) inclinations.
I will try to keep myself in check. If I slip back into negativity, please don't hesitate to call me on it.
Please carry on...
----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Jan 15, 2019 1:42 PM
|
Casey McIntyre
3 posts
Jan 15, 2019
2:34 PM
|
I was asking because I thought that anyone with minimal reed replacement skills could easily resurrect and $80 harp and bring it back to life for minimal cost.
It just seems like such a waste to throw these harps away.
I am sure I blow the reeds out because of my improper technique coupled with the volume that I play at, on stage with a harp holder without the ability to cup the mic.
Obviously, I'm doing something wrong.
I'm also very aware that there are other options to remedy the situation, such as...
1. Learn to play correctly.
2. Learn to replace my own reeds.
But for now, I will continue to buy $10 Fender Blues Deluxe harps that last longer than any of the Seydel, Suzuki, Lee Oskar or Hohner harps that I have tried. Maybe it's because they are so leaky....not enough air pressure to fatigue the reeds so quickly....sigh....
|
dougharps
1889 posts
Jan 15, 2019
3:04 PM
|
I have posted this previously and will repeat here: In my experience the Manji holds up better for me in loud abusive playing than any other brand I have so abused.
----------
Doug S.
|
RobDawg
4 posts
Jan 16, 2019
5:58 AM
|
If they were mine I'd order reed plates for the lee oskar and 1847. You can change it to any of their alternative tunings or have a couple more G's to work with.
Since I don't have the time or tools for reed replacing at this point in my life I replace reed plates. I keep my old plates and label them.
The community is a little menacing for new forum members. But I think most everyone here means well and it's a good well of knowledge and experience. I lurked here for a while.
|
Thievin' Heathen
1101 posts
Jan 16, 2019
6:28 AM
|
I'm surprised you're blowing out Lee Oskars. I have only seen a cracked reed once or twice on a L.O. I wonder if you have simply stuck a few reeds. Have you taken any apart to investigate the problem? They may just be off center or stuck in the slot. A little plinking goes a long way.
I have bought a few boxes of blown out harps. A few of yours would be worth keeping. Even if they can't be repaired, waiting until Rockin' Ron has a sale on reed plates will put a couple of those back in the "New" category.
|
nacoran
10038 posts
Jan 16, 2019
1:24 PM
|
People buy harps on ebay in lots. It's tough when you have the same reed blown on a bunch of harps in the same key since you don't have a reed to swap.
If you keep blowing them out because you are trying to keep up with the band volume you might look into a Rackit. I haven't played with one but I'm guessing it might give you a little better volume with less force.
Personally, I had to play around with my miking a bit. I sing and play harp. I have a fairly quiet voice and even playing the harmonicas quietly I was having balance issue. I ended up getting a gain pedal so I could toggle between two volumes quickly. That might help you get more volume.
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
First Post- May 8, 2009
|
SuperBee
5759 posts
Jan 16, 2019
7:21 PM
|
Casey, i agree with you.
i don't even like the replacement reed plate strategy because it seems so wasteful. kinda like buying 4 new wheels when you get a flat tyre.
i love broken harps but they arent worth a lot of $ to me at this time, plus i'm international shipping away from you so thats really not worth it.
To someone else they may be worth more. you could put them on ebay. ive bought broken harps on ebay before.
|
Casey McIntyre
4 posts
Jan 17, 2019
10:52 AM
|
Yeah. Even at $40 for a new reedplate that will last a few months is wasteful. Like I said, I will wail away on my $10 Fender Blues Deluxe Harps. The last one I had lasted about 5 months. Remember that the $70 Seydel Steel only last about 2 months.
No brainier. I should be the Deluxe's by the case.....get that bulk discount. Ha.
|
Philosofy
889 posts
Jan 17, 2019
2:08 PM
|
First, Casey, drums might be your primary instrument, but you're still a harmonica player. :) You might be better off learning to play softly, and get a better microphone. You'd save money in the long run. Or, try getting a High G. That shrill sucker cuts through a lot better than a standard G.
|
Martin
1523 posts
Jan 19, 2019
2:23 PM
|
When a harmonica company comes up with a model where you can change single reeds, I´ll be willing to pay $50--100 for it. Even more.
No sweat.
But, as Superbee says, replacing one flat tire with four new wheels seems kind of wasteful.
(I change strings on my guitars all of the time. For some reason, the Spanish guitars require that you buy a whole new set, whereas for C&W and electric guitars it´s just a single string. Annoying.)
|
gwayne57
7 posts
Jan 20, 2019
5:20 PM
|
Superbee, yes I bought a lot of harps and have sold a lot of harps. I was not trying to sell here. I was curious which ones to keep. I have decided to learn because of my copd, which you or one of the members told me about. Didn't mean to offend anyone on the site, but I do appreciate the feedback because I wouldn't have thought me playing would be an option. I have learned a lot already.
|
gwayne57
8 posts
Jan 20, 2019
5:29 PM
|
Went back and looked, it was dougharp's. Thanks again for the advice Doug.
|
SuperBee
5764 posts
Jan 20, 2019
6:45 PM
|
Hi gwayne57. i hope i didn't give the wrong impression in the post above. i was responding to Doug, whom i thought was expressing some doubt over your previous posts in line with the general sentiment of the rest of his post. My intention was to say i didn't see any reason to take your other posts as anything other than face value.
|
