RE: [Harp-L] overblow techs

["Joe Spiers" <joemopar@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

One more time for clarity, and an update to what I'm doing-

I'm not out of the game, I'm just not accepting orders. Right now I'm 
enjoying life with my lovely new wife (who is very supportive of my 
harmonica antics), and also doing some home remodeling. When I'm 
finished with current orders, I'll continue to build "custom" 
harmonicas as time permits, because I enjoy doing it. In a few months, 
instead of taking orders, I'll begin selling what I have finished on 
hand. Also, beginning this year all of my harps now feature 
geometrically optimized reedwork, doing everything better including 
overbending, whether or not the customer is even aware of it. I've 
finally isolated some hidden parameters that unknowingly made some of 
my past harps especially better than others, and developed 
techniques/skills to insure that they are present in all current and 
future harps. I don't differentiate between overblow and non-overblow 
harmonicas.

Optimized geometry is not likely, and IMO impossible, to intentionally 
or at least consistantly occur on an out of the box harp. It is much 
too precise, a very fine line to walk even when doing it by hand. Some 
reed designs/materials just happen to be better at compensating for 
inefficiencies than others, making out-of-the-box overbends managable 
with good technique on some harmonicas. It also made it easy in the 
past to emboss and gap a harp and have it turn out great most of the 
time, mostly by luck. Try that on your late model Hohner and see how 
you like it- the luck is running out. Optimized geometry is a whole 
different atmosphere to play with, and more things are possible for 
those with the desire to explore them. I have a few customers out 
there with these in their hands and they are enjoying them very, very 
much.

It's obvious that there is much more work to do than there are 
competent technicians with advanced understanding. At some point in 
the future I intend to teach others the systematic process that I've 
developed, with nothing intentionally held back. I'd like to help 
others help themselves if they're capable and interested, preventing 
them wasting years of precious time away from life figuring it out as 
I have. This may be in the form of harmonica seminars, personal 
lessons, or possibly via my website eventually. Perhaps I could offer 
a test and certification process of some sort for future techs. If 
there is keen interest in this, I'd like to hear your ideas.

I'll also mention here that when Suzuki comes out with the long-slot 
diatonic, I'll likely be working with their harmonicas when not using 
NOS Marine Bands (I don't enjoy working with Hohner's current reeds). 
I recently recieved special jigs from Suzuki enabling one to easily 
replace their fused reeds, and I plan to do pro setup and tuning on 
these harps without extensive modifications. I think that from a time 
and money standpoint, the availability of a "blueprinted" stock 
harmonica with corrected reed geometry (as much as practical without 
reed replacement) would be a smart thing for most players seeking 
something better than out-of-the-box.

Best regards,
Joe Spiers
http://www.spiersharmonicas.com