Re: [Harp-L] how much was a marine band when you started?

["Splash" <celtiac@xxxxxxxxx>]

My feelings at the time were that Shoemakers had a bunch of old stock that
nobody was interested in for years till me and my best friend got into
harmonicas.  We bought up almost everything he had in the way of guitar
strings and harmonicas over those several years.  And then he started
stocking the newer stuff.  And we bought them too.

Shoemakers was primarily a band instrument shop.  He did all the repairs for
the school music departments in town and the old man had quite a bunch of
fine European stringed instruments.  Once he figured out that I was a real
musician and had a respect for fine instruments, he was quite proud to show
me his violins and cellos.  He could play - too!  I'm certain that he got a
kick out of us young kids with our long hair &c. being actually interested
in him and his playing.  We were honestly appreciative.  That was a cool
time between us while in the news was the VietNam war and riots and National
Guardsmen shooting American college students and all that.  That little shop
was a kind of refuge from all that crap.  He put new pads and springs on my
old C-Melody Sax.  I still have it around here somewhere.  Had to make reeds
for it myself.  Anyway...

Those kinds of shops are long gone around here. He had an attic that had
dust and cobwebs since Teddy Roosevelt was Pres!  =8^D.  I loved rooting
around in there.  Those old vintage parts today would be worth a fortune.
Alas poor Urich!

Then came the draft #32 in 72.

Another chapter in life...........

PEACE
Splash
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe and Cass Leone" <leone@xxxxxxxx>
To: "Gary Calahan" <glcalahan@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 1:47 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] how much was a marine band when you started?


>
> On Jul 18, 2009, at 12:24 PM, Gary Calahan wrote:
>
> > Hello,
> >
> > In 1969, Marine Bands were $1.75 and the Blues Harp was $2.25.  I
> > was in tha Navy stationed in Iceland and just been introduced to
> > Canned Heat, Paul Butterfield, John Mayall and Hot Tune (Live at
> > Berkley".  Will Scarlett still blows me away.  I wish I could
> > remember the dude that introduced me to Harp.  He was from Boston
> > and an awesome player than!
> >
> > Anybody know a  great harp player from Boston who was in the Navy
> > stationed in Iceland winter of '69 & '70???  I know.....that is a
> > long shot!
> >
> > Gary C.
>
> Thanks Gary, I realize that this isn't all that much harmonica
> related but I find this interesting. I keep reading that this guy or
> that guy bought a harmonica for 50 cents or 75 cents, some even
> quoting 25 cents. Wow, and I am totally confused. According to my
> memory, I don't ever remember these kinds of prices. Using the Marine
> Band and 2009 as a guide at $29.95, here's what I seem to remember.
>
> In 1999 you should have been able to get one for $17.97. That seems
> about right (discounted dealer, btw)
> In 1989...$10.78. That also seems about right
> In 1979...$6.47. Ditto
> In 1969...$3.88. Ditto
> In 1959...$2.33. Ditto
> In 1949...$1.40. I'm not sure.
>
> Ok, It was about a week or two before Christmas of 1951 when I bought
> a Marine Band in the PX at Trieste Italy. Even though it was a
> British PX, they are always known for low prices. I paid $1.15 in
> military scrip. I remember it like it was yesterday. These were all
> paper bills. The dollar was beige, the dime was pinkish, and the
> nickel was greenish.
>
> My feeling is that any store that was selling for under these prices
> was doing it at a loss and only for the convenience of having them on
> hand in case someone was browsing. Maybe for stocking stuffers,
> prizes, report card rewards, etc.
>
> Maybe someone else has a better handle on this.
>
> smo-joe