RE: [Harp-L] Suzuki's Fabulus....Rant...

[Jeff roulier <jroulier@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 08:32 PM 5/19/2009, you wrote:


> > You would think with all bluster about how great it is, and the
> > "exact tolerances" they claim to use that the most important hole
> > wouldn't have a reed that sticks. Of course my 2 draw sticks when I
> > need hit fast - not hard just quick and when I blow hole 2 then draw
> > on it right away like when I play Juke, Walter's Boogie, and try to
> > play Whammer Jammer. Now I have to send it god only knows where, and
> > wait AGAIN to get it back. I bought it hoping it would live up to
> > its hype and I could buy them instead of waiting months for a custom
> > harp. But Suzuki let me down big time. I really should have known
> > they would... I used to buy their promasters, and something like 40
> > percent of hem were unusable out of the box, but I bought the hype
> > spent over $200.00 thinking at that price they actually built one
> > that was playable out of the box. The worst part is I'm disabled
> > and don't have the hand dexterity to fix my 
> own harps. I'm so %%^@*&g pissed.
>
> > Jeff
>
>
>
> It's just that any off-the-shelf harp is never 
> going to be spot-on for everyone.  I have never 
> yet bought a stock harp that suited my playing 
> perfectly and didn't need at least a spot of 
> regapping here and there for the way I 
> play.   It sounds like you need more open gaps 
> down there.  It happens to me with every harp I 
> buy.  I'm sorry you can't do your own 
> adjusting.  You could consider getting slightly 
> cheaper harps and paying for someone to set them up for you I suppose.


You're mostly correct. It's like hitting the 
lottery when a stock harp plays well right out of 
the box, but I have gotten a few. My point was 
Suzuki made claims about what a precise 
instrument the Fabulus is. and the first one I 
buy at over $200.00 (at that price it shouldn't 
have reed sticking problems) is a damned lemon. 
If I was talking about a marine band, or even a 
marine band deluxe, I wouldn't be so upset, but 
for that kind of money that harp should have been perfect.


From Suzuki's Website:

"The precision tolerances achieved in the 
Fabulous harmonicas are unmatched by any other 
production harmonica ? and you can hear it in the 
way the reeds respond soulfully to even the lightest breath.

Superb airtightness and instant response of the 
reeds to every breath creates a feeling of 
euphoria for every player when they first try 
Suzuki's all new Fabulous Chromatic Harmonica. 
The rich timbre of the Fabulous is a result of 
21st century design matched with respect for the 
best aspects of tradition, embodied in top 
quality components with Suzuki's high accuracy processes."

Now I ask is too damned hard to make the harp w/o reeds that stick?

P.S. I've tried the cheapest to the most 
expensive harps. Some worked out of the box 
others didn't. I have no idea who I could pay to 
set up my harps. I know no other harp players except on the web.


Jeff
http://www.myspace.com/jeffroulier
http://www.youtube.com/Jeff1915

...anyone who fights for the future lives in it today - Ayn Rand