Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Subject: Re: Custom Harps ...Satisfied Customer

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Thank you, Abner...you're a sweetie. I'm sure others have helped you a lot  
more than me, but thank you for that and the very nice thoughts.
 
It took me ages to decide on the keys....kept changing my mind (I probably  
drove Chris nuts, lol).  We finally settled on A, B, D and C, although I  
wasn't sure I wanted a fully customized C ....finally decided I should have 
one,  keeping in mind I do intend to add to my 'collection' later on.
 
As far as 'talent' goes...you're probably much further down the blues  
diatonic talent path than I am at this moment in time. Truly.  I've  been 
concentrating on anything but blues...and have played only chromatics for  years, 
now.
 
I'm not suggesting at all that everyone run out to purchase custom harps  
(there is a wait, no matter who makes them), and I have no affiliation with  
Chris other than as someone who respects the heck out of his playing and 
work  ethic (and now his harps)...and it's such a personal decision.
 
 I won't get embroiled in the: 'should or shouldn't a new player begin  on 
a custom'. 
 
 MY reasoning was:
 
1) why not? 
2) Life's too short not to go with my first instinct to get these as my  
belated birthday/Xmas gift 
3) If not now, when? 
4) Chris might become far too busy later on to be able to make  them for 
me; and 
5) I'M worth it <G>
 
Like you, nobody ever knows what to get me even though I'm not hard to  
please. I just have everything I need (my animals, my music and my house...what 
 more is there?) They still won't though, since I AM quite particular  
about my 'harp related products'...preferring to choose my own. 
 
One small heads-up (pun fully intended) to you about  gear...please be 
extra careful about buying any heavy amp or other  equipment which you'll have 
to carry with one hand. You've had serious neck  surgery. Carrying anything 
over a few pounds with cervical disk problems is  ruled out. I'm in the same 
boat. So anything I find (eventually) has to be  extremely light weight, 
packable for air travel, not fragile and yet workable  for possible future 
venues. A tall order. But who knows?....it may be in  development as we speak.
 
Thanks for your good wishes, Abner. You're a lovely man. We're both on the  
same journey, albeit yours is in a much warmer and sunnier environment.  I  
can't imagine anything more wonderful than strolling along playing  
harmonica down by a beautiful Florida beach with the wind and waves drowning out  
any 'noise' perceived by onlookers.  Ahhh....I can dream, can't I?
 
Elizabeth
 
"Message: 1
Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 08:52:53 -0400
From: "Abner  Galdos" <cdgaldos@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Subject: Re:  Custom Harps ...Satisfied Customer
To: <EGS1217@xxxxxxx>,  <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: _groovygypsy@xxxxxxxxxx (mailto:groovygypsy@xxxxxxxxx) 

I'm very happy for you.  You have helped me so much in the past  and you 
deserve all the joy the you can get your hands on.
And yes I'm still  counting not one, not two, not three but four Custom 
harps by the master..  that's great... when the time comes for me to muster up 
the talent to get new  custom harps I will pretend I'm you and have Chris 
Michalek take great care of  me....
I am interested in what keys you got them in. and I will wait for the  
pic.....
I also told my family to stop buying me DVD's I don't watch and  start 
buying me harp products for presents....
I have never wanted anything  so it was hard to buy me things... so now I 
just made it easy for  them....

Good luck Elizabeth you totally deserve it.

abner  (Blueyes, lucky to know ya)"

**************Recession-proof vacation ideas.  Find free things to do in 
the U.S. 
(http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/domestic/national-tourism-week?ncid=emlcntustrav00000002)