Re: [Harp-L] Re: Kudos

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

christelle wrote:
<please  consider that it has
<been a good while now that Hohner is producing  probably the worse
<quality harmonica right out of the box ever  made...
<
<But let's face it, buy a  Seydel (my turn) or a Suzuki
<in a regular shop and you'll understand that Hohner is not taking
<their customers seriously.

Christelle,

First, a historical perspective: your comment that Hohner's current 
instruments are the worst ever made is simply untrue.  Hohner's quality 
has improved enormously since the 1980s, when I switched to Lee Oskar 
harps because of their superior quality control (not to mention that I 
liked the sound, too).  I still play mostly Lee Oskars, but I make a 
point of picking up Suzukis, Seydels, Bushmans, Hohners, etc. every so 
often to see what I might be missing.  I haven't found anything yet that 
inspires me to drop the Oskars, but I have also found that Hohner's 
instruments are generally of decent quality in terms of price for 
performance. I have used Special 20s on a number of recording sessions 
for clients, and I'm sure I will do so in future.  The Hohner CX12 is my 
favorite chromatic, and likely will remain so (although I have to admit 
that Gregoire Maret's sound on the Suzuki has got me interested).

With due respect, are you not an endorsee for Seydel harmonicas?  If 
that's so, then an objective observer might be justified in thinking 
that your endorsement by Seydel colors your opinion on the matter of 
Hohner's quality.  I am a Lee Oskar endorsee since 1986, and any 
comments I make on the Oskars, or any other brand, must be considered in 
that light, just as Steve Baker's comments must be viewed in light of 
his employment by Hohner, and Brendan Power's in light of his employment 
by Suzuki.  I cite Steve and Brendan specifically because these are 
musicians I admire as players of the highest caliber and persons of the 
highest character.  It's worth noting that neither Steve nor Brendan 
ever slams the competition on this list.

Regards, Richard Hunter
latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://mysopace.com/richardhunterharp

Regards, Richard Hunter
hunterharp.com
harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
Latest mp3s always at http://broadjam.com/rhunter