Re: [Harp-L] custom harps

[Douglas Tate <douglas.tate@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 14:33 14/09/2004, you wrote:
> Douglas Tate wrote:
> > This is strange... for once I have to disagree with Tim... not in
> > what he says but in what he implies.
>
> I'm sorry, I didn not mean to imply (although clearly I did) that
> customized harmonicas were suitable only for those who wished to
> perform at a level beyond the way the instrument designed to be
> played.  In fact, I built a business by providing a better out-of-
> the-box experience for players who were just tired of disappointing
> or inconsistent stock diatonic harmonicas.

So I give you an Ad opportunity :)))  I well know of what you do Tim... and 
you know THAT too.

> I would argue that the process of "customisation" (whether spelt
> with an 's' or a 'z') involves tailoring the instrument to the
> players needs.

I will fight you to the death, Sir, to keep both my British accent AND my 
quirky spelling.  Whereas I agree that the Americanisation of spelling has 
helped with making comprehensive English easier to write I love the 
spelling I grew up with.   I am, however willing to accept that there is at 
least one tea, in leaf form, apparently grown in the USA which is 
drinkable, unlike the many teas which have spices and fruits and who knows 
what added to them to disguise the taste of the teabag.  Find me some 
decent bread and chesse which tastes like cheese I I will be a happy person.

Hey, what you said after that about tailoring... smack on, Old Boy.

>  In some cases the player is capable of describing
> those needs in detail, in many other cases the player's needs must
> be inferred from listening to what they expect from their
> instrument.

Or listening to them play.

>   Not taking the player's needs into consideration is
> certainly modification and perhaps improvement of the instrument, but not 
> customization.

Exactly.

>   Customization for some players needs can
> include improvements to the instrument which make certain advanced
> techniques possible.

Yes.
I would go one step further and say that the good customiser takes the 
harmonica further than the player can go at the moment and helps to guide 
that person into ways of playing that maybe they haven't got to yet.  That 
is what Bobbie and I try and do.

> > However, the well set up harp... can one REALLY argue against this
> > being something to aim to have??
>
> Certainly not me!

I LOVE rhetorical questions that get answered :))

Keep up the excellent work Tim.

Douglas t