RE: [Harp-L] Custom harmonicas: filisko method...

[Pat Missin <pat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chris wrote:
>
>
>Filisko is a pioneer in his field.  There were no real customizers
>before him.  

That's not entirely true. There were quite a few people turning out
custom chromatics and some of them (Andy Paskas and Bill Stewart for
example) would make special diatonics from time to time. I also
believe David Flack was quite well established in the diatonic
business before Joe went full-time. Although I've not seen any of his
harps myself, I have heard him credited with quite a few innovations
in the area of Marine Band improvement.

>He is truly serious about what he does. IMO he is one of
>the very FEW that trully understands and knows what he's doing when
>it comes to making harmonicas play better.  

Agreed 100% and that is the big secret to the Filisko Method - Joe,
Jimmy and Richard have invested hundreds of hours into studying how
these things work and how to make them work better, rather than just
slapping stock reedplates on to a fancy comb.

>If you want a custom harmonica, the only place to go is
>www.customharmonicas.com everything else is several tiers lowers and
>they've all followed in the steps of Filisko.  

Again, that's not entirely true. There are a few things that Joe,
Jimmy and Richard have incorporated into their craft that were
developed by other technicians. Not that this discredits them any -
quite the opposite, in fact. And although it's true that there are a
few folks who specialise in making harps that ~look~ like Filiskos
(but of course don't play like them), there are at least a couple of
people who are deliberately exploring different avenues.

 -- Pat.