Re: [Harp-L] RE: New Suzuki Harmonicas Prices

"Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx> · Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:50:26 -0700

I blew a few notes on the Suzi 48.  My comments follow:
The slide is very precisely made and very low leakage.
The comb is very heavy because it is made of brass which is even more dense 
than stainless steel.
The reedplates look extra thick and were plated with what appeared to me to 
be nickel.  I cannot say for sure but they were a dull silver color.
The reeds are spot-welded on and laser-tuned.  They said that they will make 
a jig available for locating drilled screw holes to replace reeds.
They said that the reeds are designed by finite-element-analysis on a 
computer.  IF this is true, it is possible that they are optimized for an 
even stress distribution which could maximize fatigue life...at least until 
someone tunes them.
I was impressed by the fact that the notes in hole 12 played easily.
The reedplates are held on by long screws tapped into the opposite plate. 
The covers are held on by screws and sleeve-nuts similar to a Hohneer 270 or 
Seydel Chromatic Deluxe.  I find this disappointing in a harp of this price 
because you cannot remove one cover or one reedplate independently.
Biggest plus, IMO, is the precisely-made, low-leakage slide.

Biggest minus, IMO, are welded-on reeds that will be ticklish to replace 
even with a drilling jig.
I suppose that if you can afford a $2.2k harp, you can also afford a few 
sets of replacement reedplates to keep on hand.
It is a very nice harp.  I'd like to have one.
Vern
Visit my harmonica website www.Hands-Free-Chromatic.7p.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe and Cass Leone" <leone@xxxxxxxx>

To: "Robert Coble" <robertpcoble@xxxxxxxxxxx>

Cc: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>

Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 10:05 PM

Subject: Re: [Harp-L] RE: New Suzuki Harmonicas Prices

On Aug 20, 2008, at 12:13 AM, Robert Coble wrote:
Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:33:55 -0400

From: Joe and Cass Leone
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] SPAH, new harmonicas
To: "Robin Willis"
Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Suzi 48 (12 hole) is $2,200.oo, the Suzi 64 (16 hole) is $2,400.oo.
The diatonic is $195.oo. They are about what you would expect from
something crafted so finely. Opinion(s)? ... too soon to tell. They
should be critiqued by someone who really knows how to play. I
(personally) think it would take at least 13 days.
smo-joe

Smokey Joe,
I sure hope that's a typo and the prices are $220.00 (12 hole) and
$240.00 (16).

I spoke with Osvaldo Leguizamo, and I noticed that he is an educated
man who happens to speak better English than 'I' do. Sooo, I was
careful to ask him and upon receiving the figures, I made sure to ask
again. No Mr Robere, hose prices are correct. I was given the
opportunity to test drive one, but I backed off. (mainly because I
smoke and am considerate). But since I had Mr 'Prez' M. Tom
Strykeforce Stryker play one right next to me on my left, I have a
good idea of the tone. I also tried the action and it was fine. A
very rare thing nowadays. Or so it seems.
Several years ago Os offered me a Suzi Chromatix to test on trial but
I turned that down too. (remember the smoke)  lol. I had allowed as
how I wasn't qualified and too low on the food chain to give an
accurate impression but I was told that since I play all KINDS of
different music, that I WAS what the average player was all about and
therefore the proper tester.
I have ALWAYS replaced slide springs with #2 safety pins and then
kept the slide awfully clean. The Fabulous has what I would call an
almost 'jeweled' slide, and is outrageously heavy. MY custom chromo,
which I made myself has a pourous bronze comb and toots 48 reed reed
plates, but I have channels and voids milled into the comb and so
mine is lighter than the 48 reed model Fabulous. The 16 hole model is
about the weight of a (Bob) Coble 'stone'.  lol. The diatonic (btw)
is $195.oo. I would say offhand that they need to be evaluated by a
very good player who knows all the articulations to reap the benefits
and potentials and give a critique. One should expect a certain level
of quality for $2,200-$2,400.oo, and from what I saw, I think this
chromo can deliver. As for the diatonic, it will take one of you
advanced guys to figure THAT one out.
Otherwise, those harps will never touch my lips! I love
trying out harps as much as anyone, but $2000.00 plus is WAY outta
my price range. (I couldn't possibly do justice to an Amadeus, much
less a Renny or a Silver Concerto.)

Even though I lost 17K last quarter, I can easily afford one, even
though my monthly retirement cheque is $2,330.oo. I could use the
logic..'Hey, if I can LOOSE 17K, I can get a $2,200.oo chromo'.  The
problem is that I never lavish luxury items on myself AND I have this
Klepto about harmonicas in general and chromos in particular. If I
drew an analogy that was equivalent to a golfer, it would be like I
was a 94 shooter and using a set of custom clubs that cost as much as
a car.. Don't make no sense (to ME). Whereas I can see where an 82
golfer could get some benefit and shave off a couple strokes, and a
72 golfer really DESERVES them. You wouldn't get a silver collar for
a hog, but you might think about getting one for a Kentucky Derby
horse. Just call me 'Arnold Ziffell'.

BTW, did ANYONE capture Smokey Joe at SPAH?

Alas, I didn't play much at spah. I rarely DO. I can't take the peer
pressure. I get ill before I play. SO many big guns, and me holding a
'Daisy Red Ryder'. So many lumberjacks and firemen and me holding a
little hatchet.
I'd love to hear some more of the delicious stuff he plays (like at 
Buckeye). IIRC, there are

now 7 videos from Buckeye. Get 4-5 more from SPAH, edit out the

audio, get permission from all parties concerned, and we "could"  finally

get the long awaited CD from the SmokeyMeister!

I really appreciate your kindness and support. I am currently having
fun here in my little pond.

BTW, I loved your response to Age's request for a compendium of jazz
riffs, licks, etc. over on SlideMeister. Great stuff!

You can't catalogue something that comes from the heart. Especially
when each key is different. I know he means well, but I don't think
it would work.  Speaking of from the heart, I really really
appreciate everyone's efforts that went into making last week the
highlight of my year. I'm not worth to post a synopsis about it, but
I might write something in a couple days. These festivals just keep
getting better. So much talent. So humbling. I am currently suffering
withdrawl. I'm in the depths of despair, the doldrums of the dumps. I
don't know if I can wait another year.  :)
smokey-joe & the Cafe s

Regards,

Crazy Bob

_________________________________________________________________

Get thousands of games on your PC, your mobile phone, and the web  with 
Windows®.

http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/108588800/direct/01/

_______________________________________________

Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org

Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx

http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
!DSPAM:5614,48ab9a1830509782545023!

_______________________________________________

Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org

Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx

http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l 