Todd Parrott
314 posts
Jan 10, 2011
7:52 PM
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I was really reluctant to post a separate thread about this subject, but I have received numerous e-mails asking me why I am selling my 2 Buddha harps.
First of all, the harps both play great and my decision to sell them is not an indication that there is/was a problem with Chris or his work. This is not the case. My reasons for selling them are as follows:
1) I simply need the money.
2) The harps are not what I ordered. If they were, I would not be selling them.
In early 2009, Chris agreed to build me 2 Golden Melodies, one in Db and one in Eb (on a stainless steel comb). He brought the Db to SPAH '09, and he really wasn't happy with how it played, so he asked for it back and offered to build me another one.
At SPAH 2010, he said he was having trouble with the stainless steel Eb, and that he would eventually complete it and send it to me. As for the Db Golden Melody, he brought the same one back with him, but still wasn't happy with it (so he gave it to Brandon Bailey). He said he generally got better results with Marine Bands, and asked if I would settle for a Marine Band in Db instead, so I accepted it. He also offered me one his own personal harps, a Golden Melody in G, to make up for the long wait.
I am not a Marine Band player, and I rarely play a regular G harp - in fact, I've probably ever only owned 2-3 G's over the 21 years I've been playing (I prefer high G).
So, I figure it's better to give someone else a chance to own them and put them to use, rather than have them sit around in the case unplayed.
The G is a standard tuned harp, and is equal tempered tuned, on a dark blue dymondwood comb.
The Db has the flatted 7 draw note, and is equal tempered tuned, on an indigo blue dymondwood comb.
Chris was a good friend and gave me lots free stuff, combs, tools, ideas, etc. I mean no disrespect to him or his family in selling these harps. I feel that Ebay is a neutral place to sell them, and will give everyone a fair chance at owning them (though I hope they end up in the hands of someone who will appreciate, cherish and play them, rather than reverse engineer and criticize them). Once posted, I will add the link to the "For Sale Page 2011" thread.
Todd
P.S. Please folks, don't turn this into negative thread.
Last Edited by on Jan 10, 2011 9:39 PM
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Rubes
208 posts
Jan 10, 2011
9:14 PM
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May the lucky man win one on the 'Bay'. Fair call Todd, I think it would be an honour to play one of those!
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jim
673 posts
Jan 11, 2011
1:34 AM
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Does the comb smell?
On the one that I've received it does.
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Free Harp Learning Center
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Todd Parrott
316 posts
Jan 11, 2011
2:05 AM
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No jim. You sure you don't have it confused with a Seydel? :) j/k!!!
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jim
674 posts
Jan 11, 2011
2:26 AM
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The "buddah harp" that lies on my table was done about a year ago I think (not to guess such things - I try to write the date/tuning/intonation on the reedplates). It has some sort of composite comb - striped red/dark red. And I guess the epoxy/lacquer that Chris used is where the smell comes from. I'm not an expert in smells, but it is close to acrylic paint.
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Free Harp Learning Center
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Todd Parrott
318 posts
Jan 11, 2011
7:48 AM
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I don't think the harp in your video has any type of lacquer or finish on it. Mine doesn't either. It looks like polished dymondwood, which is done with a buffer, not a chemical. I think you are just smelling the actual dymondwood maybe.
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Tin Lizzie
184 posts
Jan 18, 2011
10:02 AM
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And they just sold. One for $510 and the other for over $400
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Tin Lizzie
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toddlgreene
2532 posts
Jan 18, 2011
10:17 AM
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Wow! They've become a commodity.
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Todd L. Greene, Professor of Meaningless Trivia
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HarpNinja
992 posts
Jan 18, 2011
10:20 AM
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I received a Buddha harp that was in need or repair. I gave it a rinse in an ultrasonic cleaner and it became apparent that there was a lacquer finish on it.
None of mine have that, and me thinks this was an "older" one as it also had nail polish on it.
The reed work was 100% consistent with what I've seen of his harps otherwise.
I also have to concede that the cover plates, when bent over, weren't as neat on his earlier harps. The cover plates look fine, but it appears he bent them with a needle nose pliers as there were a series of indentations across the bent piece (not really visible when assembled, imo). The tops of the plates were fine, though. The embossing is quite impressive too.
***Todd has me thinking a couple of my Buddha harps would let me buy the rest of my PA, lol.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Updated 1/11/11
Last Edited by on Jan 18, 2011 10:21 AM
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hvyj
1133 posts
Jan 18, 2011
10:22 AM
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I've got a full set of Buddha harps and a couple of spare combs. All combs are Dymondwood composite and none of them smell. I've also got some Dymondwood composite combs from Dick Sloeberg and they don't smell, either.
@Jim: You should become familiar with the Dymondwood composite material. For combs it is so superior to wood that I sincerely don't understand why anyone would bother with wood combs now that composite combs are available, unless it's purely a matter of cost. I'm not trying to be snippy or critical, but, IMHO, composite has all the advantages of wood and none of the considerable disadvantages.
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shbamac
61 posts
Jan 18, 2011
10:26 AM
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Nutz... hard to believe that someone would pay that much... to each their own.
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HarpNinja
994 posts
Jan 18, 2011
10:30 AM
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hvyj - I think cost is relative to a lot of different things. However, www.harpcombs.com has dymonwood combs for comparable prices to their wood.
I too prefer dymonwood in almost all instances...double true with Marine Bands. I was gifted a couple of sealed wood combs that look great, but find the dymonwood easier to work with.
Acrylic combs are pretty sweet, but again, I would go with dymonwood.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Updated 1/11/11
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Todd Parrott
341 posts
Jan 18, 2011
10:46 AM
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Wow... Even I am surprised that these harps sold for this much.
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LIP RIPPER
370 posts
Jan 18, 2011
11:05 AM
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My Bb has a finish on it. Chris told me it was urethane and that he quit using it because of delamination. My combs have chips out but it's merely cosmetic.
LR
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HarpNinja
995 posts
Jan 18, 2011
11:12 AM
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LR - I would agree with that. If you have a very fine grade of sandpaper, you can buff it off.
I did that one one comb I had from him. Otherwise, I just leave them as they are. I like the dull finish.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Updated 1/11/11
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bonedog569
215 posts
Jan 18, 2011
11:13 AM
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Wow - I just informed my wife that my first expensive custom harmonica purchase has more than doubled in value. - Maybe she wont freak out when I spend more silly sums on this little instrument in the future.
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Todd Parrott
342 posts
Jan 18, 2011
11:51 AM
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Hey Noam,
What's that cool looking yellow comb in your case? Is that one of Randy's combs?
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bonedog569
216 posts
Jan 18, 2011
12:34 PM
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Nope - just one of my $1 - 1847 Seydels I picked out of the Guitar Center closeout box of broken cords and whatnot - with lousy color calibration on the iphone flash picture. I've been meaning to connect with Randy for some things - but haven't as of yet. I guess those have appreciated too.
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Last Edited by on Jan 18, 2011 12:36 PM
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HarpNinja
998 posts
Jan 18, 2011
12:58 PM
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Speaking of combs, although otherwise unrelated to this thread, I have a bamboo Sp20 comb that shipped today! Also was gifted a clear acrylic from a Harp-L friend for a GM! This comb thing is addicting.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Updated 1/11/11
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sorin
239 posts
Jan 18, 2011
2:38 PM
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Quote "And they just sold. One for $510 and the other for over $400" ..... I think Jim bought both harps.
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NiteCrawler .
91 posts
Jan 18, 2011
3:35 PM
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Thats "Very Interesting"..... considering that they were called somewhat inferior in past post.I guess the investigation continues.(maybe a sequel?)
Last Edited by on Jan 18, 2011 3:38 PM
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RyanMortos
968 posts
Jan 18, 2011
3:50 PM
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"And they just sold. One for $510 and the other for over $400"
Wow, wish I bought more then one. That's enough dough to buy more then 2 customs from someone else I think? If I wasn't so attached to mine... and mine is in the key of C perhaps that would go for more, lol.
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~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
Contact:
My youtube account
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Joch230
382 posts
Jan 18, 2011
6:25 PM
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I told my wife that my Buddha harps are now collector items...worth $500+ each! Mine already have too many memories to sell. I think of Chris whenever I pick one up. I'm really glad I got to spend some time with him in person and through his YouTube vids.
-John
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walterharp
519 posts
Jan 18, 2011
7:57 PM
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i am going to be a bit more careful with mine!
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BigBlindRay
77 posts
Jan 18, 2011
8:15 PM
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Hi MBHers.
Pics of the G Buddha harp (GM) shall be posted up on the forum once it makes it way to Oz :D
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Big Blind Ray's YouTube Channel
Mavis and her China Pigs
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