RE: [Harp-L] Echo Harp

["Steve Shaw" <moorcot@xxxxxxx>]

I use Echos a lot, and I can tell you that they don't age especially well.  
Unless you mollycoddle them the covers lose their shine and start to collect 
little dints.  I'm talking about the double-sided ones here by the way, 
though single-sided ones are also available and they have slightly more 
robust covers (though they still discolour readily).  The fact that the top 
cover-plate comes off is probably a function of the fact that the nails at 
the ends that hold the covers on have either been lost or are very loose due 
to repeated removal and replacement.  The wooden combs are quite delicate 
and can "lose their teeth," and should never be washed in water as they 
distort if you do (speaking from painful experience).   The modern Echo 
single-sided ones come in a green plastic case with a stud fastener, whereas 
the double-sided ones come in a cardboard box with an Alpine scene painting. 
 I don't know how you can date them, but I'm just saying that because an 
Echo looks old doesn't necessarily mean it is old.  I can make a brand-new 
Echo look old in three months!  The double-sided ones have a black coating 
on the front edges of the wooden comb when new, but this wears off very 
readily in a few months.  I can't remember what the the comb of the 
single-sided ones look like when new, but any wearing-away of that coating 
betrays considerable use.

Steve

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/trad_irish_harmonica
HEAR my CD clips: http://www.gjk2.com/steveshaw/cd.htm






> From: "Richard L Williger" <rlwilliger@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Echo Harp
> Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 20:00:49 -0500
>
> My girlfriend went to an estate sale and found an old-appearing Hohner 
> Echo.
> I know these are still made, and have no idea how to tell a new one from an
> old one.  I guess, more importantly, I have no idea if they retain any 
> value
> either as a playing instrument, or a collector's item.  The top cover plate
> comes off quite easily.  There are, of course, inscriptions, showing 
> stamped
> dates of 1893, 1925, and 1927.  It is, of course, a wooden comb, and looks
> as if it's been used (but not dirty).  Frankly, I'm from the camp that says
> that I won't blow anyone else's harp, let alone use their toothbrush;
> however, blowing into it from a fair distance shows that it still blows.
>
> Anyone know anything about this beastie, and its' potential value, either
> monetary, or as a collectible, or both?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
> Rik
>
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