[Harp-L] Mick's crappy, collectible harp amps

[Mick Zaklan <mzaklan@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Ray,
   I kind of felt like Andy Rooney of "60 Minutes" after that rant.  And I
figured I'd get some offers from concerned harpists like yourself to
alleviate my pain and shrinking wallet by relieving me of these
ill-functioning museum pieces.  How generous of you.
   But Ray, my friend, I've come to regard these old amps as merely long
term cds or savings bonds.  Inflation fighting investments.  A last line of
defense against bankruptcy and homelessness.  I'll hold on to them a while
longer.
   Besides that, I've sort of enjoyed delving into the shadowy world of amp
techs.  Driving my car into strange neighborhoods searching for addresses,
the occasional rundown house and snarling dogs, bumping my amp down a narrow
basement stairway, heading towards a messy workbench with electronic parts
scattered about and the inevitable smell of dirty laundry.
   I'll never forget one tech named James Link.  I was initially impressed
that James was operating out of a garage in his backyard with several
assistants helping out.  Instead of the usual smelly basement.  I patiently
explained to him that, as a harp player, I was possibly looking for
something different than what he might do with a guitarist's amp.  I asked
for a few modifications that I had read about other harp players doing.
After a heated argument, I figured I had prevailed.  After all, I was the
one paying for the work.
   After a week or two went by with a couple of calls by Link informing me
that he finding more and more things to replace on my old Super Reverb, it
was finally time to pick up the amp.  Link's garage was less than 10 minutes
from my place of work but his official hours of operation perfectly
coincided with my workday.  I asked if he could hang around his garage an
extra 5 or 10 minutes after closing while I hustled over with a check.  The
tab had climbed to around $300, by the way.  Nope, James informed me that he
was running a business and I needed to be there during business hours.  He
wasn't open on weekends.  The next day I had to sneak over to his "business"
with the company van on company time.  Once the check was in his hand, he
became quite gregarious.  Told me what an "honor" it was to work on a Fender
in such good condition.  I asked if he had made the modifications I
requested while restoring the amp.  Nope, he felt that I should experience
the amp just as it came off the assembly line.  Restored to factory
specifications.  Then, if I was unhappy with the sound, he'd be glad to try
it my way.  I tell you, I had smoke coming out of my ears at that point.
   I know this is Easter, but there must be a special place in Hell reserved
for guys like that.

Mick Zaklan