BigBlindRay
6 posts
Nov 19, 2010
7:20 AM
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Hi MBH'ers
In recent times, I have received a couple of Harrison Harmonica B-Radicals in C and A and they're pretty sweet Harps.
One (A) in particular has a Red comb.
Front....
And back....
Now contrary to any sceptics, Red does make things go faster by approximately infinity (which is how Fast this Harp now is thanks to the fancy Red Comb)
I'll be doing a more in depth rambling on my thoughts about these bad boys for the YouTubes soon.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the eye candy.
Big Blind Ray's YouTube Channel
Mavis and her China Pigs
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Barry C.
48 posts
Nov 19, 2010
7:54 AM
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How long did they take to come in? Did you order red -I don't recall being given a choice of color?
Thanks & enjoy!
Thanks Ray - looking forward to getting mine!
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~Banned in Boston!
Last Edited by on Nov 19, 2010 8:55 AM
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BigBlindRay
8 posts
Nov 19, 2010
8:51 AM
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Hi Barry.
It has certainly been a long time coming and I pre-ordered all 5 keys since the early bird offer went out (Dang - well over a year - maybe 18 months?)
The wait is long but I've patient and I believe strongly in this product. For any nay sayers, I'm not being paid by Harrison Harmonicas, nor have I any financial interest in the business. Im just a dude who thinks its about time there were some seriously cool new products out there that also played really well.
I believe they have nailed it when it comes to combining Form and Function. Nothing IMHO comes close. They are simply F&*ing COOL!
I love the Harmonica but I dont like the old fashioned designs, I would prefer something more modern and contemporary which I feel this instrument reflects in spades. Plus it plays damn well.
It's not perfect. My A Harp tends to squeal on the 5OB when attempting to sustain the pitch. As a passing note it holds up fine however I'd expect it to perform a bit better on that part.
The 4OB needs re gapping (A Harp) but that's easily resolved.
B-Radical combs will be available in a range of different colours as of next year. I was lucky enough to be given one with a Red comb.
Big Blind Ray's YouTube Channel
Mavis and her China Pigs
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bluemoose
392 posts
Nov 19, 2010
9:16 AM
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Hey Ray! (A big Canuck welcome to the forum)
Just curious, what's the order and difference of the serial numbers. (Can't quite make them out with zoom)
I've had my black comb B-flat for awhile now (#624) with a G back-ordered. I get the feeling that's the last key they will be getting around to be making.
moose.
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MBH Webbrain
FerretCat Webbrain
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BigBlindRay
9 posts
Nov 19, 2010
9:39 AM
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Hey bluemoose! *high five*
Key C - 671
Key A - 828
Im still waiting on D,Bb and G myself.
I ordered all five at once, and I know that for multiples in an order that you have to wait till all the Harps are ready then they will all be shipped off to you. So considering the current TAT it could take a while, having said that, HH were kind enough to send a couple at no extra charge to me due to the delays.
"I get the feeling that's the last key they will be getting around to be making."
Completely understand the sentiment dude, may I ask what has prompted the hunch? If its just a "feeling" then have a little faith :) Or if you have an order, just drop em a line. Thats all I've been doing, Every month or two Since my order was placed, i've just dropped a line to say hello or see how things are, no pressure, Just letting them know I'm there waiting but not getting abrasive at all. I've no need to. The HH team are really nice dudes.
About 3-4 months ago I spoke to David Payne on the phone about the likelyhood of the remaining keys being released this year. He said it's likely to be mid-late 2011.
Now I'm one of those stupid people who gave up a day job to try and focus more on this craft (re - Im a broke ass mofo) so any spare cash I get I'm investing into gear.
Come end of month however I'm biting the bullet and going back into a corporate day job so I can make some fat loots and go blow it all on sweet sweet gear.
Big Blind Ray's YouTube Channel
Mavis and her China Pigs
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bluemoose
394 posts
Nov 19, 2010
9:48 AM
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Ray (what are you doing up now? Isn't it like 4 am'ish in OZ?)
Saw a key order that they were planning on going in once in an email or something. Haven't been able to find it again.
No rush here either. Love my b-flat, just salivating over how a deep G will sound.
(Just hope that they don't just have pink combs left by then! :)
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MBH Webbrain
FerretCat Webbrain
Last Edited by on Nov 19, 2010 9:50 AM
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rbeetsme
322 posts
Nov 19, 2010
10:33 AM
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I just read that Richard Sleigh and Joe Spiers have joined the staff at Harrison Harmonicas!
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bluemoose
396 posts
Nov 19, 2010
10:41 AM
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Man, they will have to be careful with that much harp talent in one building. One industrial accident and we'd be back to the harmonica stone age.
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MBH Webbrain
FerretCat Webbrain
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BigBlindRay
11 posts
Nov 19, 2010
10:23 PM
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Spiers and Sleigh @ HH? I got the email update. Freaking sweet news!
@Moose - What is sleep? I;ve heard of this concept but have yet to fully experience it - at least in the last 3 days.
And how could you NOT like pink combs? After all... we play this tiny little instrument it may as well be PINK. And chicks would probably dig it too!
If any HH peeps are reading this. I'm throwing my request in for a HOT PINK comb! For Real!
Big Blind Ray's YouTube Channel
Mavis and her China Pigs
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Xpun3414
126 posts
Nov 19, 2010
11:13 PM
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Welcome to the forum Ray,looks like you'll fit right in ;)
How long you been playin',which is your favorite harp & what key is it in ?
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(wow,126 posts already,in just about a month & a 1/2,didnt think I posted as much as I have)
Last Edited by on Nov 19, 2010 11:36 PM
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Ant138
659 posts
Nov 20, 2010
12:27 AM
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Welcome to the forum Ray, i just hit you up for a friends request on youtube, great video's man. I've got a few extra ££££ coming from work next month so i've been tempted to put an order in. After seeing those pics i think i've made up my mind to try one:o)
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http://www.youtube.com/user/fiendant?feature=mhum
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GermanHarpist
1849 posts
Nov 20, 2010
2:25 AM
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Ray, welcome to the forum from my part too! Cu around :)
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The MBH thread-thread thread!
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BigBlindRay
13 posts
Nov 21, 2010
3:50 AM
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@Xpun - about 12 years. Half of it was spent procrastinating!
My fav harp(s)are the B-Radicals dude. In C and A. What about you?
@Ant - Put an order in dude - it's worth the money. I had a chat with Brad before I put my order in a long while back and we both agree that a lot of players will spend money (a lot of money) on gear to Amplify the instrument yet try to skimp and cry poor when it comes to buying decent harps. Besides, to get a AWESOME harmonica at the top of its class is considerably cheaper than any other instrument.
A student model Clarinet in Australia is approx $700-800 yet someone would cringe at the thought of paying 100-200-300-400 for a Harmonica which is of the highest level? We ought to put things into perspective. Being a Harp player is easily the cheapest path to choose when considering choosing an instrument to dig your teeth into. and you dont even have to fork out a tonne of money upfront! Buy a key harp here and there, eventually you have a set! Cant do that with a guitar or piano (for example)
Big Blind Ray's YouTube Channel
Mavis and her China Pigs
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Kyzer Sosa
874 posts
Nov 21, 2010
2:18 PM
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i dont think its the cringe in price, rather the cringe in wait times
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Kyzer's Travels
Kyzer's Artwork
Last Edited by on Nov 21, 2010 10:05 PM
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MichaelAndrewLo
499 posts
Nov 21, 2010
2:51 PM
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lol @ Kyzer. So true, I got my money back because I feel I essentially gave them a no interest loan for their business instead of holding for a product that wasn't even created yet. Glad I did because I went straight to a custom harmonica and don't think I'll look back.
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Andrew Larson, R.N.
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Kyzer Sosa
875 posts
Nov 21, 2010
10:06 PM
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at $180 it baffles me that ANYONE would wait over a year for a B-rad, when they can get a custom harp from most of the top 5 guys at or around the same price and in 6 months or less...
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Kyzer's Travels
Kyzer's Artwork
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ZackPomerleau
1301 posts
Nov 21, 2010
10:22 PM
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Kyzer, I wondered the same thing!
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BigBlindRay
15 posts
Nov 21, 2010
11:13 PM
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The wait time isn't cool. I personally would prefer it didn't take so long. I had done my homework well before I made my decision to order them and I have every intention of purchasing Harmonicas from other Customizers in the near future.
My impression is that Brad is trying to create a business of making Harmonicas that are of a level of custom Quality that can be produced en masse with a shorter tat. And I tend to look at the B-Radical as a new technology. And like all new technologies, it improves with every generation. Constant improvements im sure are being made and employed where possible. Sure this means that people like myself may end up with a product in the early days which may not be as good as an improved model that is released a year or two later from launch. But such is the nature of progress.
I love innovation and the marriage of form and function. Sure waiting over a year sucks but B-radicals look way cool. And I constantly get players gawking at them when i take them out to play. I dig that. And at the end of the day, if it means that on looks alone, this product (with the right marketing) piques the interest of a whole new different sub culture of players with new ideas and fresh perspectives then I'm all for it.
Big Blind Ray's YouTube Channel
Mavis and her China Pigs
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Rubes
141 posts
Nov 22, 2010
4:01 AM
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I agree Ray, I've been waiting like everyone else but patience is a virtue. Maybe a Spiers/Sleigh tweaked power tuned B-rad with a twist of lemon could be just what the doctor ordered!
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BigBlindRay
16 posts
Nov 22, 2010
4:29 AM
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I hope so Rubes. I wish Brad and the team every bit of luck and am behind it 100%.
He has Brandon Bailey and Jay Gaunt endorsing the product, two young Harmonica phenoms. And that is exactly what this instrument needs to advance, A fresh new look with shit hot young players and looks that kill. BRING IT!
Big Blind Ray's YouTube Channel
Mavis and her China Pigs
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BigBlindRay
17 posts
Nov 22, 2010
6:39 AM
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After reading my posts. My Girlfriend felt the need to tell me that I'm an arse kisser. Thanks babe. I love you too! LOL
Big Blind Ray's YouTube Channel
Mavis and her China Pigs
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rbeetsme
325 posts
Nov 22, 2010
7:37 AM
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I totally agree with you Ray. I bought the B-Rads because I wanted to support Brad' effort to bring modern technology to an old design. A custom is a re-working of old technology, nothing wrong with that, but I think it's time to explore new technology. I like the B-Rad, hopefully Harrison will get the production up to speed soon. I also like the idea that if one reed fails it can be replaced. If your custom fails, it has to go back to the guy who made it. The promise of a longer life also appeals to me, I guess we'll have to wait about 5 years to see how well they hold up. BTW: Do you really play them like that? (see pic)
Last Edited by on Nov 22, 2010 7:41 AM
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Rubes
143 posts
Nov 23, 2010
2:21 AM
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Big Blind Rice maybe? (hmmmmm, rhymes with three blind mice....!)
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BigBlindRay
18 posts
Nov 23, 2010
3:55 AM
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@Beets. Yeah man, I totally play like that all the time. Rick Estrin ain't got nothin' on me. That dog and pony show is old hat now. I'm giving it a fresh coat of paint and dubbing it "NEW HAT"
@Rubes. Dude. Close...So close man. If we gonna go with a theme may I suggest "BrigBrindRice"?
Big Blind Ray's YouTube Channel
Mavis and her China Pigs
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