[Harp-L] Introduction Michael from Seydel

["Michael Timler" <mail@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello group,

this is my first time reading Harp-L and I would like to introduce myself 
herewith:

My name is Michael Timler from Germany.
Some of you may know me as the former owner of Harponline/Germany.

Being a harmonica maniac like most of you,  I started playing Bluesharp when 
I was about 10 years old, and -what was very uncommon at that time in 
Germany- I always played the Blues and Rock'n Roll stuff that was overcoming 
the German culture with the US troups that were here in Germany after Word 
War 2 and the upcoming Rock'n Roll bands from England as well.
Playing Blues was outspaced, and far more outspaced was to play the Blues on 
a harmonica, looking at it as a full instrument, using this distorted amps, 
playing loud........... you know what I mean.
Don't ask me, why I started that way, it was inside myself and it was years 
later, in a world still free from computer and internet, that I discovered, 
that there were people like Little Walter, Magic Dick, Paul Butterfield and 
others.
The harmonica has always been the 'better' part inside myself, it lead me 
through all downs (and of course ups) during my lifetime, though I merely 
couldn't make my living out of it.
I was a car mechanic, a lorry driver. Worked as a smith and later as a 
mechanic for water supllies, air condition and central heating. At least I 
even became a teacher at a vocational school in a workshop, training people 
in that profession. Married twice, have a wonderful wife, two lovely 
daughters, that are up to leave us now to live their own lives........
However, I never lost the harmonica track inside myself, always playing in 
different bands.
The break came, when Internet was introduced. My knowledge about harmonica 
technics spread all of a sudden. I started to look after my reeds, and I 
learned about Howard Levy and the Overblow.
I got the idea, that repairing a harmonica, and furthermore to improve it 
was a dire necessity for every serious player. What people like Joe Filisko 
invented (just to name him as a symbol for all others that did the same, 
please apologize, it would be too long a list to name you all) should be a 
standard available to every player. Not for saving money. I had learned 
that -with the day I started working on my reeds- I became a better player 
without any practise, just by getting an an idea what happened inside with 
my breath.
I founded Harponline, put some workshops online how to exchange reeds and 
the request was amazing.
What was originally a non profit thing became an online shop, at least 
selling single reeds on demand worldwide.

Some months ago I got the offer to work for  C.A.Seydel Söhne GmbH in 
Germany, the oldest still producing harmonica factory in the world.
I had no idea, where this track could lead. However, because I will end up 
in harmonica heaven anyways, what did I have to loose?
Therefore I accepted at the drop of a hat (almost :))))

Well, that is.

Now I subscribed here, just to know about discussions and may be to be 
someone to ask questions to, may be give a statement, if Seydel harmonicas 
are involved.. We take players needs very serious.
What I will NOT do is to say something like: ".......if you have a problem 
with your moustache, play Seydel harmonicas and you never will........"

In the short time I am involved in the work inside a harmonica production I 
found out, that there are very few informations given to players, how 
manufacturing processes actually work.
F.e. the demand for another cover form (because of the above mustache 
problem) is nothing simple to solve inside and at least always a question, 
how many harmonicas we would sell more because of this changement. And how 
many other problems may this change cause at another side of the production 
process.

Means, we can not solve any problem that you discuss here all of a sudden, 
and we will not be able to react on one persons personal likings. Again the 
moustache: Seydel has the Blues Session modell were you will hardly have a 
moustache problem. But the moustache friendly cover also influences the 
sound of the harmonica, and may be a moustache friendly cover you demand on 
a product of one of our competitors may cause a sound at least only 20% of 
the players would finally like.
You may be angry because of the torture loosing one hair after another, 
however, manufacturers must keep a track selling their harmonicas.

You understand what I mean? We always have to find a balance between 
personal needs of players and our sales, that are keeping us alive. Which is 
sometimes the same, but not always.

This is, how I see my role here.
Keeping the balance and trying to listen to your needs.

As far as you would like to have me here among you cracks at 
all.............

Thank you very much !

Yours
Michael from Seydel.
www.seydel1847.com