Re: [Harp-L] Hohner in the Local Marketplace



Who buys harmonicas locally? The pricing isn't there and the key selection is also lacking not to mention the models available are very sparsely represented. This isn't new either. Witness the harmonica community dealing with the Farrels. Long before the internet. Photo copied price sheets, bizarre phone conversations and scoldings should you accidentally cross some line but it was all worth it because the prices were good and any key could be easily had.

Somebody mentioned the quality control problems that existed with Hohner products previously. You bet this is why I have a full set of Lee Oskar harmonicas and why I've tried virtually ever new brand to emerge in the marketplace for the last several decades. Luckily for me the quality problem was solved, thanks Steve. That Hohner could make such a dreadful product for as long as they did speaks to the underlying perfection of their design. Players quit the Marine Band in droves from the late 80's on and yet as the problems were corrected most of us came back.

The price is the price. If they cost too much and nobody buys them Hohner will get out of the harmonica business. If they cost too little and everybody buys them they'll get out of the harmonica business even faster. Selling for less than cost and trying to make up the difference in volume has never been a great long term business strategy. fjm



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