[Harp-L] Custom harps: who actually owns 'em?

["dzeller@xxxxxxxxxxx" <dzeller@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

After a recent discussion on this issue with my friendly local harp
customizer, I'm curious about others' experience on the list.  Has anyone
besides me had a previously bolted-on-coverplate/reedplates custom harp
come back to them, after a return to the customizer for reed replacement
and tuning,  riveted together (ie no more removable plates) to foil
attempts at doing my own reedwork and tuning?  I was pretty shocked and
immediately cut off all contact with this particular customizer who pulled
this stunt after 5 years of servicing my harps which he built. (He will
remain nameless (until anyone twists my arm just a little)).  
When I buy a custom harp, and own a strobotuner and do my own setup and
work, why can't I work on his "masterpiece" myself.  It's not like I'm
painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa! Is it?  (It apparently was, in his
opinion)
Incidentally, I have found a "cure", thanks to Mike Easton at
http://www.harmonicarepair.com/ who kindly agreed to sell me Marine Bands
at a nominal surcharge that are drilled and bolted (both harps and covers)
for guys that like to do their own work without the hassles of nails, or
rivets, or primadonnas.
Zig 

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