Re: [Harp-L] The worst harmonica ever sold

[Rich Eisenberg <catketch2@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Mon, Jun 15, 2015 at 8:39 PM, Ken Deifik <kenneth.d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

> Greetings to all my old pals at Harp-l.  I hope you are all doing well.
>
> Since Harp-l is read by new players who are just learning, I'd like to
> post this warning.
>
> Story: I was driving to a session this morning when I remembered that I
> had taken the F harp out of my box and left it out, and did not have an F
> harp.  Even though I knew that I wasnât going to be using an F harp on this
> session, I did not feel comfortable walking into the job without an F, so I
> stopped off at the local Guitar Center.  I did not want to pay $43 for a
> Special 20 (yeesh) so I plunked down $16 for a Hohner Hot Metal harmonica.
>
> I didn't have to use it on the session and didn't even try it until I got
> home, but I think it is important to let new harp players know that the
> Hohner Hot Metal harmonica is simply the worst harmonica I have ever
> played, or tried to play anyway.  Almost none of the air that is supposed
> to move reeds went anywhere near a read.  Mostly all you could hear was a
> windy, hissing sound, with harmonica reeds somewhere in the distance.
>
> New players: You will never learn how to play and you will almost
> certainly lose interest in playing if you make this your first harmonica.
>
> I know that there are Hohner employees on this list, or at least there
> used to be.  I'm certain none of you are responsible for the company
> foisting this terrible product on the public, and probably wish the people
> responsible for it were gone from the company.
>
> Please contact me offline at harmonica@xxxxxxxxx to let me know how I can
> return this appalling waste of metal and plastic for a refund.
>
> Ken
>
>
I was out of town for a week on business and found out about an open mic
with some very special traveling guests who happened to be passing through
on their boats,  at the Silo, in Oriental, NC. I didn't have a D harp and
was prepared to drive an hour (one way) to buy one.
It wasn't ten minutes into the drive I saw a cardboard hand written sign,
'Music', and pulled in. It was a religious book store and they had a big
plastic pretzel jar of Mandano harps for $3.99 each. I bought several, took
them to the gig,  had a wonderful evening, and received great reviews.
Folks couldn't believe I was playing $4 dollar harps.  They aren't great,
but they were plenty good enough. I didn't have my mics, amp, none of my
gear, and it was fine...

Rich