[Harp-L] B-Radical

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The photos of the B-Radical certainly look very nice.  A clean and  
comfortable looking design with some obvious similarities to other  
recent harmonicas such as the CX-12, Harmonix and Siegfried Naruhn's  
instruments, as well as the Safira (IIRC on the name) diatonic.  The  
side-vents are interesting, they look potentially quite easy to use,  
again similar in intent if very different in execution from the  
Safira's sides, which also had vents on a full body cover.  It's very  
nice to see someone coming to market with something truly new and not  
just another MB or LO clone.

However, this bit caught my eye:

"Our Parent Pending rees designs outperform and outlast reeds from any  
other manufacturer."

I keep trying to find the patent online.  I've searched both the  
patent applications and the design patent applications pages and  
haven't found anything.  If someone knows the patent application  
number please share it with the list, because I for one am very  
curious as to the new design.

Also, while I realize that all advertising claims are naturally  
skewed, I find it a bit funny to hear claims about longevity from a  
product that doesn't yet exist:).  I know of people who have gigged  
the same LO reeds for twenty plus years.  Perhaps the reeds last  
longer under certain test conditions, but it will take about twenty  
odd years before I think we can really begin talking about reed-life.

I look forward to buying one of these when they become available.   
They certainly look like a great new introduction to the harmonica  
market, it will be great having some new ideas in design, shape and  
the like out there.  We've seen some great strides lately with new  
models, but few and far between in terms of really new designs from an  
ergonomic and aesthetic standpoint.



JR Ross