Re: [Harp-L] Hohner Price Increase

[mundharp@xxxxxxx]

I'm currently residing in the Republic of the Philippines.
Trying to source Hohner diatonic harmonicas here in Cebu City, I have  
discovered that the harp is not a popular instrument in this country. I  
considered that to be strange; after all, this is a land where the average  wage is 
very low, and an inexpensive musical instrument like the harmonica,  should 
be much sort after.
The reason is that any imported musical instruments are VERY expensive  in 
the Philippines, if you can find them at all.
A Hohner Marine Band, in my local music store retails at 3,250 Philippine  
Pesos. That's about £46 GBP, or $65 USD. That is BEFORE the latest price  
increase. The sales person admitted they had had that particular  single 
harmonica in stock for more than a year. In the same shop, they are  retailing 
some nicely built, in Lapu Lapu City (Locally), Spanish style  guitars fitted 
with a pick up and volume & tone control for 1,800  Philipipine Pesos.. Less 
than £26 GBP, or $36 USD... They come complete with a  gig bag and a jack 
to jack lead. OK, The neck hasn't got a truss rod, but they  are in tune all 
the way up the fret board. No wonder the guitar is popular here,  but not 
the harmonica.
I guess Hohner have priced themselves out of the market place in the  
Philippines already...
John "Whiteboy" Walden