I need some collective advice. A couple of years ago I purchased a custom harp, I like the harp, but I'm thinking this is one level up from OOB, what's next level of customizing? If just about every pro either buys custom or does the work themselves what else are they doing to get their harps playing louder and easier. Having no opportunity to play top of line harps I have no perspective. Should I call Richard Sleigh and book a class or are there other options that need be considered? I play 90% hard amped blues, 10% gut bucket acoustic. My immediate goal is fully appreciate the difference between a great harp as opposed to just very good ones in about two days time. Anyone else been here and back in their own development?
Last Edited by on Dec 02, 2010 11:26 AM
You seem to have two issues. You don't have experience playing on 'great' harps (neither do I) and you want to learn how to make your own. It might be cheaper to get a couple great harps to see what you are looking for, but if you are convinced you want to learn how to make great harps yourself get a few harps and go through the great videos online. Get familiar with all the terms and techniques and get comfortable with messing with reeds. Keep in mind that there are a million theories on what makes a harp great. Then, look into workshops.
I think Buddha give private customizing lessons, if he likes you and they are pricey and you have to keep a few secrets. There are guys who give workshops. For just appreciating the difference you may only need to play them. There are a ton of customizers out there. (There is a list, if you click on the thread organizer link in my signature and follow the link to customizers.)
"I think Buddha give private customizing lessons, if he likes you and they are pricey and you have to keep a few secrets."
Nacoran, why do you put it like that? I have NEVER denied a person help. I do give customizing lessons and it doesn't matter if I like you or not and I don't force people to keep secrets unless I showed a student something sans fee.
The people I don't like are those that speak for me and give out wrong information and even then, I would help them.
Yes there are a ton of customizers out there but only a few that know how to make a great harp.
---------- "Music in the soul can be heard by the universe." - Lao Tzu
The custom harp is a Seydel 1847. I currently use that harp as my Bb when I play out. My A and D harps are Crossovers, My C harp is a Manji. My Eb is a Golden Melody and my E and F harps are Special 20's. I work on the harps that I like to keep them playing. I live just outside of Columbus, Ohio. Like everyone else on waiting on my Harrison "C" , the Golden Melodies do not hold up to my style of play so I will be replacing the Eb soon. I do notice a huge difference between Manji and Crossover OOB as opposed to Marine Bands. IMHO MB's need serious TLC OOB.
you are walking a dangerous road, lonesome. custom harps aint usually inexpensive. doing the work yourself could be costly in time and harps you may screw up in the process. (i have begun playing with the idea of taking some piedmont blues harps and start the process of learning)
the danger lies in liking them and then having to get ALL of your harps customized. but then you start thinking..."i wonder if mr. x's customized harps are worth the extra money" or "perhaps i can learn to do 'y' and make my harps better."
it aint ever gonna end!! if you think your GAS is bad now, JUST WAIT!! lol
i think i remember buddha trying to get a get-together for those interested in learning to build better harps. the price was going to be based on the number of folks attending(?).
If I wanted harp customizing lessons I'd go with Buddha, if he really digs you, you get a free "how to become an attack dog dummy" lesson. See vid below.
Don't you carry a G? In my experience, the most dramatic difference between a good custom harp and a decent OOB harp is the response you get from the low keys (like G) if you play a custom. It's a night and day difference.
Not to say that the differences in other keys are not substantial. But playing a custom G is a whole different experience.
@ Honkin_on: I think you get the attack dog treatment anyways! ;) Being one of the few members on this list to actually have been bitten by Chris's dogs, I can say that they don't discriminate base on who their owner likes or dislikes. They just likes bitin'! ---------- -------------------------------------- View my videos on YouTube!"
Sorry Buddha, the 'if he likes you' part was a joke, and I didn't realize the pinky-swear part was only for free information. I was just trying to give you a plug. Sometimes punchlines fall flat without the proper inflection. :)
"@ Honkin_on: I think you get the attack dog treatment anyways! ;) Being one of the few members on this list to actually have been bitten by Chris's dogs, I can say that they don't discriminate base on who their owner likes or dislikes. They just likes bitin'!"
You know, the real value of custom harps is not just that they SOUND better. It's how they respond and the effect the better response has on your technique.
Custom harps are more precise and respond better and more accurately to technique. So you wind up refining your technique because you are not fighting the harp to get it to do what you want it to do. Then the improved technique carries over to how you play ANY harp and your playing gets better.
Buddha's old website used to say "Become a better player with just one harp" or something like that. Originally, I thought that was just a BS marketing slogan. But it's not--it's actually true.
Btw, i don't carry a low F myself. I used to carry a High G because I didn't always like playing a regular G. But I don't carry a High G anymore. Since my Buddha Harp in G is so responsive, I really don't need a High G anymore.
i used to work with dogs and cats and iv'e been profiled and gapped. one wild dog gapped my right arm after i lasooded the varmint. also,one tame and two OOB feral cats gapped me good.
you get anti-biotics and try to OD on your TDI. ---------- MP hibachi cook for the yakuza doctor of semiotics superhero emeritus
Just watched the video - can anyone give assurance that a Buddah harp will behave better than (a) buckweed (chromatic playing from a bassist, I've never heard such nonsense) and (b) that dog (reminds me of a dog who was kicked out of the police training course for being too unruly - bought by a caretaker of a firm of designers and terrorised the entire staff for years!)
