Re: [Harp-L] why custom harps

["James Sterett" <jsterett@xxxxxxxxx>]

What Chris says is true... I've bought several harps from several customizers.  Haven't found a bad craftsman/businessman in the bunch.  While I truly love the way they feel, play and respond, I think I'm most impressed by their longevity.  I've had some custom harps for years that I've played regularly and they still are in tune and sound, play and respond beautifully.  It's bordering on being economical to buy custom harps for me.  Although the initial investment is higher than off the shelf (and potentially tough to justify to a significant other,) if I buy one at $50, $80 or even $150, it will likely last me for two years plus, then I can send it back to the customizer for retweaking at about a third of the original cost and it will last another two years plus... the math puts that at roughly $200 for over four years of joy from an oft used harp as opposed to dropping $30 every time for an off the shelf harp that just isn't as good as a customized harp.   My .02. 

Jim
www.myspace.com/mulegroove

>>> "Abner Galdos" <cdgaldos@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> 03/05/09 3:19 PM >>>
So in your humble opinion the cost factor should not be a consideration in buying a custom harp?
in other words, as a newbie "we tend to buy the cart before the horse" and spend money on regular harps in many keys.
I wish one such as my self can hear the difference between the two.
Someone playing each harp same melody.

abner


---- Original Message ----- 
From: Buddha 
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:33 AM
Subject: re: [Harp-L] why custom harps


Because they...

look better
feel better
play better
last longer
are louder
have better tone
help you be a better player faster.

No out of the box harp compares to one that is set up by a good customizer.

Even MS blues harps can be made into totally bada** harps.


http://www.harmonicapros.com/music-tools/combs-new.JPG
http://www.harmonicapros.com/music-tools/combs6.JPG
http://www.harmonicapros.com/music-tools/red.JPG

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Abner Galdos 
  To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:14 AM
  Subject: [Harp-L] why custom harps


  I have one simple question , and follow up questions:

  ( just regular 10 hole diatonic)

  Why customize a harp?

  Follow up: (only for 10 hole diatonic)

  Is one harp (brand) better to customize then an other?

  Is there a skill lever one should be at before thinking about customizing a harp?

  Are you specializing when you customize a harp (over blow,bends, I'm sure there's more but .....)

  What is the cost of customizing a harp?

  Who or what company is best at customizing harps?

  I know I'm not even close to customizing, it's that I read a lot about it and curiosity got to me...

  abner (still a newbie, still learning, still on my wonderful journey)


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