Re: [Harp-L] mb deluxe

["Tim Moyer" <wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I, personally, would be happy to work on a Marine Band Deluxe.  I can't 
speak for the other customizers.  Some have very specific models that 
they build, and don't work on other stuff.  

I usually add my charges to my direct cost for the harp to come up with 
a final price.  My charges vary with how much work is involved.  
Obviously, the less materials I have to use and time I have to spend, 
the lower my charges would be.  If I don't have to drill and tap and 
sand and seal the comb, and I don't have to buy screws and nuts, my 
costs are going to be lower.  For example, I can customize a Special 20 
for a lot less than a Marine Band.  

I'd argue that Hohner's done much less than half the work of creating 
a "custom" harp.  I've yet to actually see a Deluxe in the flesh, but 
the reed work is *far* more important in the performance of the harp 
than the comb and cover modifications that they've made.  If they're 
internally the same as the 1896, as it sounds like they are, then 
the "real" work is still there to do.  

And if "custom" means "custom" -- as in adjusted to the player's 
specifications -- then there's really no way a manufacturer like Hohner 
is going to do that.  

-tim

john kuzloski  wrote:
> Got a deluxe in A.  I won't repeat the details from the recent 
> reviews, just a personal conclusion and some wonderings.  It's 
> a "half" custom harp -- the half seems to be done well.  
> Unless/until I learn to do my own reed work, I think I will prefer 
> to pay more for a full custom.  (If I'm gonna pay $50+, I think 
> I'm willing to pay a bit more for the full treatment.)  And why 
> take half the work away from our customizers?  It will be 
> interesting to see how customizers deal with the deluxe -- will 
> they offer customized deluxes?  Will they be happy to let Hohner 
> do some of their work as long as they can pass the cost on the 
> customer?  My anti-corporate bias (even Hohner I guess!) makes me 
> prefer letting customizers do the whole job.  Any thoughts, Tim?