RE: [Harp-L] re:was harp as a toy now set up

["Eric Neumann" <eneumann@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Pierre wrote:
"I kind of doubt the old Chicago players tweaked harps."

Maybe not - but I would not count them out yet. I think that it's
because of lists like this one, and communities revolving around playing
the harmonica well, that have probably made this seem more of a
contemporary practice.

I found out through this list, that Jerry Murad used to repair and
adjust his onw harps. Heck even Smo Jo clipped his 5 reed back when
bread didn't come sliced in a package.

Let alone the fact that a lot of the Old Chicago players used to out
right lie, and mislead everyone regarding their gear, technique,
background, et cetera. I just think it is in fact possible that early,
early harp players that were being recorded may well have made
adjustments to their harps.

I ask, when was the first time you tore a harp apart trying to fix a bad
reed... maybe not even knowing what to look for... I've seen used harps
on ebay for instance where the covers were attached with bailing wire
after somebody looked under the covers for some reason.

To me, I would feel it's likely that any old recording harp player that
traveled a lot to do gigs, eat, have some drinkin money, may, or may not
have had the five bucks to spend on a new harp after figuring out how to
fix one.