Here's an excerpt from the "news flash", detailing some of the "design innovations" found in the new Planetone harmonica line:
"One of the Planetone harmonicas features several design innovations
including round holes rather than square, numbers featured on the front of
the instrument rather than the back, and a textured surface to help novice
players feel what notes they are playing."
"The instruments will also come in a range of different colours."
(Those are DIRECT quotes from the article.)
Since these are the "design innovations" touted by the manufacturers
themselves, one can only assume these are the most important "improvements"
from the manufacturer's viewpoint. (Otherwise, why not tout the REAL "design
innovations"?)
1. Round versus square holes
Funny: I have several harmonicas from Hohner (the 600-lbs gorilla in this
market) with round AND square holes. Maybe these entrepreneurs are only
familiar with the Hohner Bluesband harp sold in Cracker Barrel restaurants
and other fine musical stores?!
2. Numbers on the front rather than the back
Funny: I thought the numbers were on the top plate. I guess they are on the
top BACK. I thought that was so the player could "lip read" the numbers in
order to know which hole he is playing without looking. Maybe with my
bifocals and the numbers on the top FRONT, I'll be able to see the hole
numbers as I play... (See 3 below.)
3. A textured surface to help "feel" what notes are played
Funny: Perhaps this is a bid to capture all those blind harp playing newbies
who will go on to become the next incarnation of Sonny Terry. (No offense
intended to either Sonny Terry nor to any other blind player.) I was of the
impression that "feeling" had something to do with the MUSIC, not with the
texture of the covers. Maybe I missed something really important that would
take me to the next level...
4. A range of different colours
Funny: I thought that TurboHarp (and others, including Hohner) had already
come out with "coloured" covers. (No offense to any English persons living
outside the American colonies over spelling "colour".) Maybe the idea is to
"colour coordinate" with matching gig bags, which is the company's main
product...
Summing up:
Some great American wits once opined:
1. "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American
public." H. L. Mencken US editor (1880 - 1956)
2. “There's a sucker born every minute.” P. T. Barnum American circus
entertainer [At least that used to be true in America; the rate seems to
have greatly accelerated in recent years, so garnering a 5% market share in
America in 2-3 years seems almost too easy. After all, we are the creators
of the "Pet Rock" phenomenon!]
I am an American, I love my country, and I love my countrymen, BUT: I HAVE MORE MONEY THAN BRAINS AND I WANT ONE N-O-W!!!!!
"Send In The Clowns!" Crazy ('bout GOOD harps!) Bob --
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