RE: WEIRD HARMONICAS?

[Jack Ely <SYS_ELY@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

FJM writes...

>Has anyone out there ever heard of a Thorens chromatic harmonica?  a shop 
>in town has one .  I think it's made by the same people that make the 
>turntables.  I t has no valves so therefore plays with more effort than 
>you'd expect from a chromatic.  Was this the way they came new or did 
>someone rip the valves out per Winslow's  Auto Valve tips?

ACCORDING TO DR. HARP: They were made in Sweden. Thorens also made Music Boxes. 
The chromatic probably came without windsavers - one way to check would be to 
look for glue traces at the rivet end of the reeds. They were not an especially 
good harmonica. Probably comparable to a Koch. Also, they were probably all 
Richter tuned. (I.e., Marine Band tuning)
 
>The other thing this shop has is a Rollmonica.  Kind of like a player piano 
>type deal.  You put the roll in and crank it through while blowing and it 
>plays a song.  Any further information and or history on either of these 
>harmonicas would be appreciated.  See I don't just live and breathe only 
>amps.  FJM

ACCORDING TO DR. HARP: Made by the Rollmonica Co. First patented in 1925. 
Production stopped prior to WW II. Advertised by "Our Gang" later known as the 
"Little Rascals" [Not the harmonica group]. Cost was $1.00 / Rolls were $.10
There were three models...

1) Diatonic, 2) Chromatic and one referred to by collectors as 3) a "Tin Back" 
due to the metal cover on the back.

The diatonic has 20 reeds / 10 tones (blow or draw gives same note) - thus they 
could be cranked and played continuously without stopping for breath.

The chromatic has 24 reeds / 12 tones.

The rolls would differ for a diatonic or chromatic model.

Antique dealers etc. would like to get $100.00 for them but Dr. Harp says that 
is too much - they aren't that hard to find. (The Chromatic & Tin back being a 
little harder to find). Up to $50 would be a fair price for one in working 
condition.

Caution: Make sure it has the official Rollmonica harp in it and has not been 
replaced with a regular diatonic. They don't work worth a hoot without the 
specially tuned harmonica. Not that anyone would do this intentionally.


Jack "I wish I knew all this stuff off the top of my head but I had to call 
Dr. Harp -aka- Richard Smith for the answers" Ely - Columbus, Ohio              

                            SYS_ELY@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

P.S. Where is this shop?