RE: [Harp-L] FW: Hohner response to Pat Powers post

["Patrick Powers" <patpowers@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Andy,

Sorry for the confusion.  The Pro-50 was a totally different product
form somebody else.  I meant to rant about your MS-series (Cross Harp,
Big River Harp, Pro Harp, Blues Harp). I had just played a gig with a
blues Harp and pulled a mustache hair with it while I was playing, which
hurt like hell, and then I  had to finish the song with a freaking
mustache hair sticking out of it. I just don't understand why you would
want the sharp edge of a reed plate sticking out like that.

Can you or anybody on this list educate me on the purpose on this
design?
Anybody care to voice their opinion of the reed plate design???

I forget who I emailed me from Hohner 2 or 3 years ago, but it may have
been you, because I got the same "released to critical acclaim" pitch.
I don't know where you got your data, but I haven't met anyone who likes
the reed plates sticking out in the front.  It's hard to get an airtight
seal between holes, and it's not comfortable to play, either.  If it's
any consolation, Suzuki copied your design for his replaceable reed
plates too.  Lee Oskar is the only one I know of that offers replacement
reed plates for a wrap-around comb design.

Thanks for clarifying about the price increase, the other hike must have
been before 2006.  I used to be able to get a Special-20 for around $20
in the early-to-mid-2000's, and now they're over $30.  I believe that
would be a more like 33%, so I apologize if I said you doubled your
prices - That would be wrong.

The Hohner special 20 pro pack retails for $85.99, which is still almost
$30/each, and you can only get them in the same 3 key package (C,G,A).
I usually carry 12-20 keys around with me, and I don't think I've ever
blown out a G-harp.

On a more positive note, I think your Special-20's are my favorite
harmonica for blues, but you do not offer reed plates for them, and
they're not cheap to just toss and replace anymore either. They can be
shaved and re-worked a little when they go flat but once the metal at
the base of the reed fatigues they're done.  

HOW ABOUT OFFERING AFFORDABLE REED PLATES FOR THE SPECIAL 20????

If you did that, I would play nothing but Special-20's and praise your
name from the highest mountain.  And, I mean affordable, too.  Not 95%
of the price of a new harp either. Think about it.

  0+
  \_/


 Thanks and Best Regards,

    Pat Powers 


-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Andy Garrigue
Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2010 10:38 AM
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] FW: Hohner response to Pat Powers post


Dear Harp-l,
Please post this response to a recent posting by one of the list
members,which had an inaccuracy we would like to note and correct.
Thanks,
Andy

Thanks,
Andy Garrigue
Harmonica Marketing Manager

Subject: FW: Hohner response to Pat Powers post
 
Dear Pat,

Sorry to hear of your frustration regarding our products.  Please
clarify
what you mean by "the Pro-50 series."  We don't currently offer a series
called Pro 50 so I am confused by your post. I am also curious as to
whom
at Hohner disregarded your opinions regarding our reed plates. This is
quite
disappointing as we pride ourselves on listening to our customers. 

For example, it was with the help of opinions of players like yourself
(as well
as well as respected players like Howard Levy and players/customizers
like Joe Filisko)
that we were able to create and bring the new unique Marine Band
Crossover
model to market to unanimous acclaim and tremendous success. We are
normally
very interested in what players have to say, even if it is critical of
our
current product line.  We might not always agree with your opinion or
take
direct action regarding your comments, but we see the value in
understanding
your position.
 
One correction, regarding your statement that that we've doubled our
prices,
we did have a 10% price increase at the beginning of 2010 following
nearly two full
years of holding our prices stable. In order to maintain the same
pricing on
our key models (Special 20, Marine Band, Blues Harp, and Big River) we
now
offer them in 3 packs (called Pro Packs featuring 3 harps in the keys of
C,D & G). Pro Packs -- on a per harp basis -- are priced at the exact
same pricing that these harps
were sold for in 2006. If you buy the Hohner Pro Packs, you can beat the
price increase.
 
Suzuki makes nice products, we hope you enjoy playing yours but wanted
to
set the record straight.

Andy Garrigue
Harmonica Marketing Manager
 
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