My first Marine Band was bought for me by my mother at "Scotty's
News" in
Beaver, PA for $5.75. That was in 1972 so I was 12. The Air Ace's
were
$3.00.
In 1981 (I was 21) I bought a Chromonica 64 at a Music Store on
Shady Avenue
in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh for $50.00. The price was $80.00 I
think. I
told the guy behind the counter (turned out to be the owner) that
$80.00 was
too much. I asked him if he ever really sold one and he said
"no". So I
said "do you WANT to sell one? 'Cause if you want to sell that one
I'll
give you $50.00 right now for it." He gave it to me for $50.00. I
had
already scoped out that harp on a previous occasion. My mother had
given me
the $80.00 because she wanted me to have a chromatic harmonica.
She liked
the Bill Evans album "Affinity" with Toots on it and she said I
should learn
to play jazz harmonica. I was always broke back then so I needed
the money
for other stuff (I forget what). Then I felt guilty about having
spent some
of the money so I was glad that I was able to talk the guy down to
$50.00.
Sam Blancato, Pittsburgh
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