tleckie
1 post
Sep 27, 2010
1:20 PM
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Hi to everyone at the forum - I'm a new member and have been playing for a few years but only really fell in love with the harp recently. I live in the UK and am thinking of ordering a Harrison harp but was wondering whether anyone in Europe (other than harponline.de) has actually been shipped one? I've contacted the company and they have given me the same waiting lists times but just wondering out of curiosity before I put down the cash.
Cheers,
Tomlin
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jonlaing
109 posts
Sep 27, 2010
5:15 PM
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I live in the US, so I'm really not an authority on the matter, but I recall in a previous thread the general consensus being that you're just better off buying a custom harp in your own country, because after shipping and tariffs and all that you'll be paying twice what someone in the US pays. You could probably get a superior harp for less if you hook up with a customizer in the UK. Hell, you'd probably get a better deal even hooking up with a US customizer.
I could be wrong, but that's what I remember from the afore mentioned thread.
Last Edited by on Sep 27, 2010 5:15 PM
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nacoran
2828 posts
Sep 27, 2010
5:43 PM
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jonlaing, yeah, that seemed to be the consensus, especially with the waiting list for Harrison.
Tleckie, I don't have the customizers list sorted by country, but here is a link to a thread with all the customizers I've found, and I know some of them are in Europe. I can't vouch for anyone personally, but if you are looking for a custom harp it's a starting point.
Customizers
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Nate
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Last Edited by on Sep 28, 2010 11:29 AM
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Buddha
2513 posts
Sep 27, 2010
6:21 PM
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if you're going to get a custom harp, then be sure to get one from one of the best customizers. Not all customizers are created equal. Buying simply because of location is ill advised.
At this time, the only customizer I can happily recommend is Harpwrench.
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"I am a great believer in understanding, not copying."
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jonlaing
110 posts
Sep 27, 2010
6:26 PM
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Harpwrench is Joe Spiers Right?
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nacoran
2829 posts
Sep 27, 2010
7:48 PM
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Buddha, I totally agree. But if you can find a good customizer that doesn't require paying extra tariffs, then so much the better. I think Ben Bouman is over in Europe with his Beta-Harps. There are a couple others, and the few member comments I've heard have all been enthusiastic about the ones I've heard anything about. Out of curiosity, which customizers have you tried?
Of course, it might not even be tariffs, it might be the VAT that gets you. If you can't afford a harp you can't play it.
Support Your Local Tariff.
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Nate
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Buddha
2514 posts
Sep 27, 2010
8:20 PM
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I have tried harps from most. I'm not naming names but like I said, without talking about myself, the only person I would buy from is Joe F or Joe S, Filisko won't take orders from less than elite players or people he likes so that means Joe S is the man unless of course you want a Buddha Harp.
Now if you've never tried a great harp, you'd never know just how great a harmonica can be. Filisko is the bar by which I measure other customizers and Joe S is the only one that comes close.
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"I am a great believer in understanding, not copying."
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MichaelAndrewLo
428 posts
Sep 27, 2010
10:01 PM
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Neil Graham harps are great too. I do agree with Buddha though, Joe S is the best (that I have tried so far, not played a buddha harp yet). The tonal consistency of Joe S harps (even compared to Neil Grahams harps) is fantastic and by far the easiest harp to play. Plus, when my harp went out of tune Joe S promptly corrected the problem cause he has an excellent warranty.
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Andrew Larson, R.N.
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Greyowlphotoart
88 posts
Sep 28, 2010
1:40 AM
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@Nacoran Just to let you know Nate, there is a stray "br" at the end of the link adress which is preventing the page from loading.
Here is the thread link to Harmonica customizers:-
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/599452.htm
Last Edited by on Sep 28, 2010 9:51 AM
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strawwoodclaw
106 posts
Sep 28, 2010
8:53 AM
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How long is the waiting time for a B radical harp?
If there is a long waiting list you might be as well buying a good custom harp. I live in the UK & got a custom Marine Band from Joe Spires it is definitely my favourite harmonica , it was at my door within 3 days of him posting it. I would like to try a Buddah harp too.
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Greyowlphotoart
92 posts
Sep 28, 2010
9:09 AM
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@strawwoodclaw, I'm from the UK also. Just wondering what sort of money we're talking about for such a custom harp and what key was it in as a matter of interest.
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nacoran
2830 posts
Sep 28, 2010
11:31 AM
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Thanks Greyowl, my HTML-Fu seems to be a little off the last couple days.
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Nate
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tleckie
2 posts
Sep 29, 2010
1:31 AM
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I'm definitely interested in custom harps but that's another story. The B-radical is a whole new take on the instrument and that is why I want one! On a marine band or any other sandwich harp I want to be able to do all the customising myself but the B-radical looks like more of a serious instrument. And the one thing that it has over the customisers is those bolted reeds.
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