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

[martin oldsberg <martinoldsberg@xxxxxxxxx>]

Fjm wrote:
"If I read correctly Jeff's latest communications to the list it seems as 
if what he is objecting to is not a particular reed set up per se but 
that the range of factory set ups is so wide and inconsistent.  In the 
case of a $50 instrument that might be an unfair expectation."
 
  Is it "unfair" to expect a 50$ instrument to be playable? Don´t think so.
  Wouldn´t it be "fair" to expect some middle ground factory settings that were consistent and workable for the typical player? Based on years of harmonica production. I think so.
  Tuning the guitar, as was mentioned by another writer, is not applicable: that´s an inherent feature of the instrument. If, for some reason, one of your guitar strings on your brand new guitar doesn´t ring, you go back and complain and they fix it for you.
  
  Jeff has some problem with his hands, preventing delicate work on harmonicas; I have another problem, in my head: I get an instant headache just as soon as I have to take those cover plates off from the instrument. Re-tuning makes me physically ill; gapping -- don´t mention it. Last time I tried I ruined a brand new GM, broke the reed off. Got so furious I threw it at the wall, bounced from the radiator and took a chip out of an antique table. Bummer. Don´t call me when you´ve got something in your home that needs fixing.
  
  A pal at a local jam said he´d bought a customised harp, set him back 200 Euros. Of course, that´s a way to go. Problem was that he was now afraid to play it, it was so expensive ... 
  Tough being a harp player these days.
  
Cheers,
Martin
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Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 08:03:43 -0700
From: fjm <>

If I read correctly Jeff's latest communications to the list it seems as 
if what he is objecting to is not a particular reed set up per se but 
that the range of factory set ups is so wide and inconsistent.  In the 
case of a $50 instrument that might be an unfair expectation.  I also 
don't think this is the nature of a free reed instrument.  Joe Spiers 
offers products that will play over a much wider range of inputs than a 
stock instrument will.  Tombo does a good job of manufacturing both 
assembled harmonicas and reed plates that are within a fairly narrow 
tolerance.  Not that I'd play one without regapping it but I certainly 
would not be afraid to step out in front of an audience with an out of 
the box Lee Oskar.  fjm