[Harp-L] self promotion: custom harps

[Michael Easton <diachrome@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

It's been a long time  since I've promoted my repair and custom harp  
business on harp-l. .  Fathead Musical Instruments. This past year I  
started customizing diatonics. I've been offering custom setup and  
repairs on chromatics over 6 years now.  Those of you that subscribed  
to harp-l for less then 3 years probably didn't know I was in repair/ 
customizing business.  I tend to ask my customers NOT to promote me  
because I can only handle so much work. There is usually more then  
enough business coming in that I don't need to advertise.

Anyway after taking the summer off to relax and  do some thinking  
about the future of the business I decided it was time to
promote the fact that I do customize diatonics.  I've spent several  
years training with some of the best chromatic and diatonic techs and  
decided it was time to take advantage of the knowledge learned.  The  
chromatic end of the business tends to take care of itself  but I've  
been slow to push the diatonic end since I've always had plenty of  
chrome work to keep me busy.

I tend to operate business different then some.

I only accept 1 repair or custom job at a time in order to keep  
turnaround times reasonable.
I ask for payment on repairs only AFTER the work is done.
I ask for payment for custom harps only after I START working on them.

I don't like sitting on customers money. If I can't work on your harp  
for 3 months you don't have to pay me until I'm actually working on  
it or have it finished.  If I drop dead tomorrow all my wife has to  
do is mail your harp back to you.

My work philosophy has always been that the reeds are everything.   
Cosmetic appearance is secondary to reed performance. The reeds are  
the first and last thing I work on.

Check out my web site for more info if you have diatonic or chromatic  
needs.  I deal exclusively with Hohner handmade diatonics and  
chromatics.

www dot harmonicarepair dot com

take care
mike