Greg Heumann
559 posts
Jun 19, 2010
8:40 PM
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Seems to be a lot of interest in the B-Radical, so here's a letter from Harrison to its customers that just came out to update you on their status. I pass this on for your information - I am not taking any position - except that I like the people involved and I'm impressed with their product.
We at Harrison Harmonicas want to thank, from the bottom of our heart, all of
our customers who have waited patiently for delivery of their B-radical
harmonicas. We want to express that we do not take your patience for granted.
Additionally, our commitment to delivering the world's best harmonicas as
quickly as possible does not waver.
We never have and never will let an instrument pass through our doors that does
not meet our rigorous standards of perfection. Our unwillingness to compromise
on quality has cost us numerous delays, particularly in the earliest days of
production.
We have endured many of the typical challenges startup companies face. Delays
in start-up manufacturing are quite the norm β plus, we have a half-dozen
suppliers involved with the making of our instrument. One small change or delay
from a supplier affects the rest of the chain and then a one day delay
snowballs into a week. This situation is magnified by the fact the B-radical
design itself demands radically precise tolerances. For instance, in order for
the cover plates to snap on and hold without screws (as they do, even though
screws are also used,) the tolerances have to be absolutely perfect.
As a start-up company, our situation is unique and not all of the previous
delays have been supplier-related. Many of the 21st Century technologies used
to create your B-radical, particularly the reeds, did not exist until we
created them. We are particularly proud of the fact that we mill our reeds
lengthwise. Companies have attempted to lengthwise-mill reeds for years - the
earliest documented attempt we are aware of was in the 1930's β but we are the
first to create a viable process to make reeds in this manner. To do this, we
had to create new reed-building technologies and when an issue arises, we have
to rely upon ourselves to determine and execute the proper corrections - and we
demand nothing short of perfection from both our technologies and ourselves. As
production progresses, we have become more efficient at anticipating the need
for corrections and how to best implement solutions. Our production situation
has vastly improved since the early days of production as our vendors have
developed a sense of what tolerances we demand.
We are aware that at times communications has been delayed or spotty from us as
we walk a tightrope between devoting our efforts to produce as many harmonicas
as possible that meet our standards of perfection and providing adequate
communications, which we are taking measures to improve.
Our given completion date estimates have not been accurrate in the past β we
promise to better communicate from our end from this point forward. If you have
sent us a query and you have not heard a response from us, please reply to this
e-mail. You are on our list and in our sights, we want you to B-radical soon!
βThe immense task of transferring your account to our new website is nearing
completion. You will be notified on how to access your account and order soon.
Thank you for your support and understanding,
The entire HH Team
Visit: harrisonharmonicas.com
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/Greg
Last Edited by on Jun 19, 2010 8:40 PM
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hohnerjones
15 posts
Jun 21, 2010
6:17 AM
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My concern is for the future of Harrison, but I fear they won't make it. If it takes a year to bring pre-orders to market, who is going to order any in the future? Certainly not the guys sitting on their invoices with no product to show. I know a guy who jumped in the first day, he ordered 3 and paid for them. He hasn't seen one yet. I doubt he'll buy more, too many other options out there. The problem is that this is a very specialized product, the market is pretty small, if you can't satisfied this niche you'll run out of customers willing to pay the price and wait Indefinitely. I wish them luck, I applaud the effort, but it looks like another American effort will be frustrated.
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rbeetsme
286 posts
Jun 21, 2010
8:34 AM
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Well I hope you're wrong Bob. I haven't seen the 3 I ordered yet either, I ordered the first week too. I want to see them succeed. Nice guys, hopefully we'll all be playing Harrison harps soon.
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LIP RIPPER
241 posts
Jun 22, 2010
7:27 AM
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I ordered within hours of the offering. This was to help give them start up money for production and I am offended that someone who ordered the same harp 4 to 5 months after I did is enjoying theirs and all I have is another letter just like the one above. Oh, and a tee shirt.
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toddlgreene
1463 posts
Jun 22, 2010
8:14 AM
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Perhaps the squeaky wheel gets the grease?
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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Shredder
186 posts
Jun 22, 2010
8:25 AM
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I to want them to succed but I only put 1/2 down.
I havn't recived any corospondence from them except that my order was placed, that was 2 months ago? I did see the charge on my credit card so I know they got the order.
Mike
Last Edited by on Jun 22, 2010 8:26 AM
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Tin Lizzie
98 posts
Jun 22, 2010
8:47 AM
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If you paid using PayPal you can't even complain after 60 days.
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Tin Lizzie
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harp honkin
53 posts
Jun 22, 2010
9:03 AM
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I've been waiting almost a year for my key of C Harrison Harp. Hope its worth the wait!!
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slobie
19 posts
Jun 23, 2010
3:43 PM
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i ordered one right in the beginning and waited nine months and still had not received my harp only excuses why they werent ready. i really hope they make it but after nine months i cancelled my order and i will never order another one !!!!
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rbeetsme
287 posts
Jun 23, 2010
4:55 PM
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Here's something you don't see every day. The elusive B-Radical!
Last Edited by on Jun 23, 2010 4:57 PM
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Zhin
453 posts
Jun 23, 2010
6:56 PM
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That indeed he is MP. XD
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http://www.youtube.com/harmonicazhin
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Tuckster
626 posts
Jun 23, 2010
7:58 PM
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Does that mean I'll get my A soon? :)
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Ryan
309 posts
Jun 23, 2010
9:21 PM
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ricanefan,
We realise they are only building certain keys at the moment (Bb and A), but the problem is there are people who ordered these keys (Bb and A) a long time ago and stil haven't recieved them, despite the fact that there are people who ordered many months after them who have already recieved a harp. So in that case it has nothing to do with what keys they're currently producing, they really do seem to be filling orders randomly. Seems like a terrible way to do business and inspire customer loyalty. I hope they can get it worked out, I really would like to see their business flourish.
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blogward
133 posts
Jun 24, 2010
10:20 AM
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I doubt I'll be reordering.
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Tuckster
628 posts
Jun 24, 2010
11:09 AM
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Well,so far I have $35 invested. But I got a T-shirt and Michael Peloquin's CD "House of Cards". A damn fine CD-I play it all the time. So I figure I'm even, at this point. However I won't send them the balance until I get an e-mail telling me it's ready to ship.I'm still hanging in there for them. It's just good business sense. I really hope they get the kinks out soon and get into full production.
Ryan-I think so ,too. I remember JonSparrow getting his Bb early and he didn't order until much later. Where the hell did JonSparrow go?
Last Edited by on Jun 24, 2010 11:14 AM
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Buddha
2135 posts
Jun 24, 2010
11:21 AM
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"Where the hell did JonSparrow go?"
Send me $20 and I'll let him out of this cage.
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"All is bliss"
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Andrew
1030 posts
Jun 24, 2010
11:28 AM
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rbeetsme, you've got to get a quality prize for that one!
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Andrew,
gentleman of leisure.
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Tuckster
630 posts
Jun 24, 2010
12:11 PM
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For $20, you can leave him in there until he masters 12th position.
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hohnerjones
16 posts
Jun 24, 2010
2:55 PM
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Rick, I laughed so hard I think I hurt myself!
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MP
538 posts
Jun 24, 2010
6:13 PM
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john sparrow is hiding in that bigfoot costume.
the Bb B-rad in his right hand is the clue that gives him away.
i don't know why he's flippin' off the reporters though.
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Buddha
2137 posts
Jun 24, 2010
7:40 PM
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sparrow tweets from his cage that he wasn't flipping off the reporters, he was flipping off the people who ordered and haven't received.
Would you like me to give him 30 lashings for that?
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"All is bliss"
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MP
540 posts
Jun 24, 2010
8:50 PM
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aye, aye.
hit him slowly, hit him quick,hit him with your rhythm stick!
but nicely B, nicely.
Last Edited by on Jun 25, 2010 2:29 AM
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Kingley
1283 posts
Jun 25, 2010
11:22 AM
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Looking at the Harrison Harmonicas website, the one thing I noticed is that under the "Artists" section Jason Ricci is nowhere to be seen. That seems very odd to me considering that Jason is regarded by many as the hottest player on the block. Surely he would be the logical choice to have front and center in the "Artists" section?
I know that Jason was fairly heavily involved in HH and the B-Radical at the beginning. I wonder if they have since parted company? It may simply be that his management and or record company won't allow him to be advertised there (although I doubt that). Does anyone know the story?
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Paul "Kingley" Routledge
My YouTube Page
Last Edited by on Jun 25, 2010 11:24 AM
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toddlgreene
1475 posts
Jun 25, 2010
11:35 AM
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Kingley, that very subject came up the last time Jason came thru New Orleans. I won't start the rumour mill a-turnin', but it seems that there was a falling out of some sort. Also, nary a B. Rad was seen in his hand or case. But, whatever the deal was, it wasn't burdening Jason that night;he was in rare form.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Last Edited by on Jun 25, 2010 11:36 AM
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harpdude61
237 posts
Jun 25, 2010
11:46 AM
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Todd....what brand of harp is Jason using now? Not sure about the fallout, but I doubt if they have made anything besides Bb or A...and Jason would need all keys and probably several spares....they may be taking care of paying customers first...just guessing?....but if Jason were playing someone's harps exclusively you would think they would want it publisized.
I too cannot imagine how you can do business and NOT take orders prioritized by date ordered. Foolish if you ask me.
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toddlgreene
1476 posts
Jun 25, 2010
11:48 AM
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'61, he had a myriad of customs, mostly MBs with some snazzy combs here and there.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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Kingley
1284 posts
Jun 25, 2010
11:53 AM
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Todd - Thanks for the insight into the situation.
Harpdude61 - From what I recall Jason plays mainly Joe Spiers custom Marine Bands. He does customise some of his own as well and he also has some harps by other custom harp makers.
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Paul "Kingley" Routledge
My YouTube Page
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clarksdale
69 posts
Jun 25, 2010
12:42 PM
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I had pre-ordered 2 B-Radicals at the beginning. Then I had financial problems and told them I could only get one.
THEN , since i could only afford 1 B-Rad, i got obsessive compulsive about what key I wanted and emailed Michael Peloquin like 5 times changing my mind. He was very patient and understanding with me.
And after all that, I had some more hard times and decided i'd better not get a B-Rad for now and told them I must cancel all my orders.
They quickly refunded my downpayment via paypay. I'm not 100% sure since it's been a while back, but they may even have refunded my first $35 as well. So their customer service seems really good to me by first impression. BUT then again I guess if you can't deliver the goods then that doesn't really matter.
As for Jason, I do recall him mentioning in a video or sOMEWHERE that he was supposed to be getting his OWN MODEL of B-RAd, like a signature series or something. And yeah, i've not heard anything either and have not asked J. about it.
But you guys think maybe THAT has something to do with it IF THEY DID have a falling out after-all that is?
Maybe since they are so behind on getting out the normal B-Rads, that they had to put Jason's harp on hold and something like that is going on?
OR maybe everything is just fine and peachy. I guess if we are curious one of us should email J. and just ask him. I'm sure many of you know him much better than i do, i'm like a 4th acquaintance twice removed kinda relationship but i have spoken to him once on the phone. He gave me some GREAT advice about the music business. And I've spoken to him a couple times on YouTube.
So yeah, why don't somebody ask the man, i'm sure he won't mind solving the mystery for everybody unless there's some complicated businessy stuff involved. And in that case, i'm sure he'd just tell us that.
peace,
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$Daddy Rich$
"The Blues is Ok!"
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Greg Heumann
585 posts
Jun 25, 2010
9:03 PM
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I think we should not speculate.
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/Greg
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clarksdale
70 posts
Jun 25, 2010
11:03 PM
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i agree Mr. Heumann. Someone should just contact Brad and or Jason if wishing to know.
I was just shooting blindly and you're right, i and everyone else included shouldn't speculate. Sorry to J and the Harrison Co.
I think it's a cool thing the Harrison Company is attempting and can't imagine how difficult times probably are at the moment. Good luck and hang in there everyone.
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$Daddy Rich$
"The Blues is Ok!"
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