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

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

You make utmost sense to me, Brad. I get it. And in reverse, the Cx-12's  
are (imho) the closest thing a diatonic player can get to making the 
transition  to chromatics. While I used to enjoy playing the 270's well enough, I 
can't get  over just how much I LOVE these updates on the theme.  Hohner 
knocked one  out of the Ballpark with this instrument, imho. I've been told by 
other  chromatic players that the wideness of the mouthpiece makes it an  
instrument almost exclusively for tongue-blockers, yet it works just  fine for 
me and I can't tongue-block at all...EVER...given my severe TMJ  problems. 
But then, some top players lip block so I'm in good company and won't  
apologize for playing the way I do. We all adapt, do what works for us (or  should, 
anyway).
 
I also refuse to outlay the funds just to buy one mouthpiece of  the new 
'jazz' Cx-12. I love this chromatic as it is in all of its keys (except  for 
wishing it came in a 16)  so I wouldn't change anything about its  style. 
It's probably the rounded shape which works so well for me,  anyway...makes it 
easy to clean, doesn't build up grunge or dirt..a one piece  slide -  what's 
not to like? And who knows if I'd enjoy it as  much with the new mouthpiece?
 
 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'.
 
To tie in with your take on Chris' playing....he and George (Brooks) were  
the only two guys to play diatonics in the first SPAH jazz jam I attended. 
He  shattered a lot of preconceptions, that's for sure.  From then on I paid  
attention ....listening in to his playing whenever I could. When I made the 
 decision to get these harps ...I wanted a whole set but couldn't sell that 
at  home ;)  
 
I knew his custom harps would somehow reflect that same 'feeling' I look  
for in a chromatic although I still dream someday of being able to play  
something for Jason (on any harmonica) without humiliating myself  <G>.  Maybe 
having harps one can trust is part of the battle for some  of us?
 
Elizabeth
"Message: 8
Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 17:39:21 -0500
From: "Bradford  Trainham" <bradford.trainham@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [Harp-L]  Subject: Re: Custom Harps ...Satisfied Customer
To: <EGS1217@xxxxxxx>,  <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: _groovygypsy@xxxxxxxxxx (mailto:groovygypsy@xxxxxxxxx) 

It's funny, but his harps do feel like first cousins to the  chromatic.
I bought two GM's from him a few months back and I think it was  working 
with
them, along with lots of exercises guaranteed to familiarize me  with the
harp from Michael Rubin that prepared me for the chromatic.
I  guess, what I'm trying to say is that the Buddha harps got me thinking
more  of harps as musical instruments rather than musical instruments in
specific  keys. 
(I never said that anything I might think or say at all makes  sense!!)
Brad Trainham


-----Original Message-----
From:  harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On 
Behalf
Of  EGS1217@xxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 8:46 PM
To:  harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Cc: groovygypsy@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] Subject: Re:  Custom Harps ...Satisfied Customer

Speaking of brilliance:

I'm now  the proud owner of four (count 'em) 4 custom top-of-his-line harps 
 
by  Chris Michalek :)   :)  :)  :)

It took a wee bit of  time: Chris has been busy making harps (and tool kits)
for pros (and I'm  anything but).  However, I wasn't in a hurry and  told 
him
so. They  were SO worth the wait. He worked on them over a couple of months.
They're  mostly MB's, one GM...each comb stained a different colour just for
me (maybe  at SPAH someone will take photos? ...or I'll figure out how to 
use
my new  digital camera and get them up to view one of these  days).

I'll  probably continue down this path if I can figure out how to get away
with  these kinds of purchases other than it being a Xmas gift (and you guys
think  it's difficult hiding harmonica or gear related purchases from   your
wives?!!).....even though I'm still in the market for different  keyed
Cx-12's (I plan to still play both)...these harps are light years  beyond 
the
basic SP-20's and LO's I've bought just to try to play diatonics  at
conventions.  Those sit mostly unused. I guarantee Chris'  won't.

As soon as I can get some medical issues behind me Chris will be  my teacher
(I hope), if we can figure out how to arrange it long distance,  since his
sound and style of playing has always spoken to me and I know he'll  be dead
on honest in his critiques.  I was thrilled when he decided to  devote time
to making custom harps. No disappointment, they're really  extra
special...customized just for me (thanks Chris for the 'extra  added
infusion')  and I hope I can do them ..and him proud, one of these  days. 

Ask me to see them at  SPAH.

Elizabeth

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