Re: [Harp-L] Custom Harmonicas - Worth It?

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Wolf Kristiansen" <wolfkristiansen@xxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 9:54 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Custom Harmonicas - Worth It?


> I would love to have customized harmonicas.  However,
> I assume the reeds get fatigued at the the same rate
> as those in stock harmonicas. I replace my harmonicas
> regularly, after extending each harmonica's life
> somewhat by filing a reed when it first goes flat.
> Eventually, as we all know, that reed is gone forever.

I think that as a hard player troubled with reed failures, you would be a 
good tester for Seydel stainless steel reeds.  It seems likely to me that SS 
reeds would not fatigue as quickly as copper-alloy reeds do....maybe not at 
all.  You could report your experience to us.

IMO, Seydel has addressed the problem and deserves the applause and support 
of harp players for their initiative.

Vern
Visit my harmonica website www.Hands-Free-Chromatic.7p.com



> I'm not well off.  I can't justify buying expensive
> customized harmonicas that I will eventually throw
> away. I'm too frugal. (I assume they eventually get
> thrown away, like stock harmonicas). Are the
> customized harmonica users richer than the rest of us?
> Am I missing something?
>
> Some of you, if you respond to this topic, will be
> tempted to talk about changing one's playing style to
> lengthen the life of the harmonica.  That's fine, but
> my musical/bluesical style over the last 30 years has
> incorporated plenty of hard blowing and drawing, and I
> would rather keep that style than change it to save
> money.
>
> No disrespect is intended to the excellent customizers
> out there; it's great you're doing it and great
> there's a market for your work.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Wolf Kristiansen
>
>
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