[Harp-L] Re: Mfg reps: Do pro harp players still have to buy...

["Dave R. Fertig" <drfertig@xxxxxxxxx>]

Is it true that no "sponsored" or "endorsing" harp players get free 
gear?  If so, it's astounding.  I have known guitarists and 
keyboardists who got endorsement axes (gibson, kawai, etc.), some 
pretty good stuff in fact.   Consider, one decent Epiphone SG costs 
more retail than a full set of Sp20's.

Hey!  You harp-manufacturer-reps on this list!  Please explain why 
people like (name your favorite gobironists) don't merit recognition 
and free sets of harps periodically in exchange for their tacit and, 
I would argue, very influential, promotion of your product.    Why 
not prime the pump?  Or at least pay the piper?

I mean, it seems like much more money is made by making 'em than 
blowin' 'em.  Without the pro players, most of whom are, amazingly, 
struggling economically, there'd be no market for the pesky little 
devices.   No harp player does it to get rich, rather because  he or 
she is compelled to it even if it hurts, whereas manufacturers are 
only going to continue if it's profitable.   So maybe some 
appreciation is warranted, yes?

-Dave Fertig
(PS: Fernando, that'll be a set of Sp20's with the hi and lo keys, please.)

At 10:13 PM 3/25/2006, you wrote:
> From: Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] So do pro harp players still have to buy their
> Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 15:14:43 -0500
>
> "Nate in the Blues Room" wrote:
> <So do these top players like Piazza, Wilson, deLay etc etc still go
> <into
> <stores (or whatever) and purchase their harps over the counter?
>
> I don't know any pros who get their harps, or any other gear, for free.
>
> Sponsored pros are usually offered a discount that's a bit better than
> over-the-counter retail, but not a whole lot better than what you'd get
> from one of the several online dealers who specialize in harp gear, or
> even from Musicians's Friend.
>
> There are exceptions, but they're not frequent, and they're not
> ongoing.  They're more likely when a manufacturer is trying to break
> into a new market, and needs high-profile users.
>
> Regards, Richard Hunter
> hunterharp.com