Re: [Harp-L] Re: Harp players gear lists? blah blah longish

[Mike Wilbur <mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Errr OK
Did anyone see the Pacquiao / Bradley rematch last night ?
Manny defiantly has returned....I gave him 8 out of 12 rounds but , I look for the re-re match
Within 18 months.

Mike Wilbur


On Apr 13, 2014, at 7:46 PM, "Robert Laughlin" <harmonicaman1968@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> "Okay, so who are these corrupt shills?"
> 
> Actually, as I hinted at, the word "shill" was used in jest, though there may always be that element, the "company loyalty" element that may cause anyone in particular to rep for a particular company through which they are paid, or otherwise rewarded for being a public representative of said company.
> 
> This really isn't much of a stretch. I'm not mentioning names, because I certainly can't testify to ANY alleged loyalties, beyond those which are based on the merit of the product.
> 
> I do believe, as has been said, that the majority of harp players would not be dishonest, or callously overlook the welfare of their fellow harp enthusiasts, for the sake of financial recompense, but how exactly is one to know this? If someone is being paid, or given free instruments, equipment, etc., would they not be highly motivated to keep the cash flow alive? To what extent this motive affects the ability to give an honest and fair assessment of other brands or products, other than their chosen public loyalties, only the individual involved can possibly know.
> 
> It's simply something to consider, when your typical neophyte, or even experienced player comes to a point where he/she wishes to assess the validity of recommendations. Obviously, not everyone recommends the same equipment, and some are more involved with one particular company than others, in their business dealings.
> 
> It's been shown here on harp-l that in terms of suppliers, there can sometimes be other than transparency, so it follows that one must be aware, as well, of the possibility of alterior motives with particular individuals who consistently vaunt one provider or brand over another.
> 
> ,,which then leaves it up to the dogged researcher, the persistent inquisitive, people such as myself, who only wish to know the truth of the matter, without bias.
> 
> No big thing, anyway. I didn't come here to expose, simply to bring up a concern I've had after the rash of advertising and such that we get on the list, apart from strictly technical issues and social gatherings.
> 
> It is not my "agenda" here to expose. Simply to investigate, and filter out the noise of merchandising/marketing efforts from paid reps, consciously or unconsciously.
> 
> I'm no "communist", and I'm not calling for "government regulation". And I fully realize that people's incomes and livelihood are involved. Far be it from me to keep a man from putting food on the table.
> 
> I simply thought it might be useful to, instead of hearing a sales pitch, simply know what certain people are using, which information has already been helpful to me.
> 
> Thanks,
> Robert, the finished.
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Hunter" <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: "Robert Laughlin" <harmonicaman1968@xxxxxxxxxxx>; <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2014 2:27 PM
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Re: Harp players gear lists? blah blah longish
> 
> 
>> Robert Laughlin wrote:
>> 
>>> "And that brings us to the bigger issue: the implication in this post that
>>> pro harp players are shills for gear makers.  The short answer to that
>>> implication is that it's all wrong."
>>> 
>>> Actually, that statement sounds as credible as one nation's president
>>> stating, recently, that there "wasn't a smidgen of corruption in his
>>> administration's tax wing".
>>> 
>> 
>> Okay, so who are these corrupt shills?  The ones who don't believe what they're saying about the instruments they supposedly use?  The ones who can be bought off with a handful of harmonicas, even harps they don't really like and wouldn't otherwise use?
>> 
>> Pending an answer to that question, I tend to think that the opinions expressed on this list are always the poster's own.  I don't have a good reason to think otherwise.
>> 
>> Regards, Richard Hunter
>> 
>> author, "Jazz Harp" (Oak Publications, NYC)
>> Latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://hunterharp.com
>> Vids at http://www.youtube.com/user/lightninrick
>> Twitter: lightninrick 
> 
> 
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