Re: [Harp-L] A Truly Sad Situation!

[fjm <mktspot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Vintage amps are priced right about at where they'd be if you accounted 
for inflation.  The prices were low because the older amplifiers were 
undervalued in the marketplace.  So much so that people were painting 
the tweed and brown amps black so they would be more like the modern 
blackface Fenders.  It's supply and demand, more people appreciate the 
attributes of older amplifiers so the prices have risen.  The effects of 
the changing marketplace and price inflation have prodiuced some 
benefit.  You can buy a dead knock off of a 1959 Fender Bassman 
amplifier for a lot less money (adjusted for inflation) now than you 
could in 1959.

If you look at the amplifier situation with an even larger scope you 
realise that gone are the days of the tube testers and spare tubes in 
you local 7-11 convenience store.  There was a point not so long ago 
where I wondered if reasonable quality tubes would stop being readily 
available in the next decade.  Luckily small former Soviet block 
countries have stepped up to the plate and started manufacturing good 
quality vacuum tubes at a very reasonable cost.

Finally I'd like to point out that this is not an amplifier list or an 
amplifier manufacturers list.  It's a list for harmonica enthusiasts of 
every stripe to gather and share whatever experiences and opinions they 
care to share regarding everything related to harmonica.  That can 
include criticisms of products.  I'm self employed and I consider myself 
very good at my job.  I've currently got a 6 month waiting list for new 
jobs and yet there are people who do not like the set of services I 
provide.  That's their perogative and they are certainly not wrong in 
their assesment.  It's a subjective call and it's their's and their's 
alone to make.  I think anyone shopping for a boutique amplifier for any 
purpose including harmonica will make their decision based on a variety 
of inputs.  Harp-l might be one of those sources but it certainly 
shouldn't be the only one.

E-mail lists have a very steep learning curve.  That and each individual 
list has a distinct culture.  There is so much subtext involved with all 
of this stuff.  You cannot begin to imagine all the subtleties explicit 
and implied in all of this.  Another thing to keep in mind is that even 
though harp-l is virtual the reality is not.  From almost the first 
minute I got on this list I started having in person contact with other 
list members.  Notably Chris Michalek went a long way out of his way to 
visit me in the midst of his honeymoon.  The harp-l contingent at the 
various conventions is large.  It all looks easy but it isn't.  I used 
to get a lot of really nasty hate mail in response to things I posted. 
Not so much anymore.  I've learned and made changes in my writing style. 
 I've invested a large amount of time in becoming a part of this 
community we call harp-l.  Sure it's not for everyone and there are many 
things about harp-l to dislike but to write the list off on your first 
foray into posting seems presumptive.  Life's short and we all have the 
same 24 hours in a day and I understand if you'd rather spend it on 
something else, practicing harmonica for instance but I also know that 
just by virtue of the networking provided by harp-l I know about Sonny 
Junior amplifiers, Renaissance harmonicas, Jimmy Gordon, Richard Sleigh, 
Meteor amps, the new Marine Band Deluxe, where Howard goes for coffee, 
Mike Will's harmonica info pages, G's harpon pages, Pat Missin, the list 
goes on.  fjm