Re: [Harp-L] Re: Harmonicas -- Apology


On Sep 9, 2010, at 3:31 PM, Pat Powers wrote:


I would like to publicly apologize to Andy Garrigue, and everyone on this list for my recent inflammatory posting. I was informed by the list owner that I violated the rules of ediquette for posting on this forum, and I assure you it won't happen again.

But you didn't say anything about any of the people we have all grown to know and love. Just the company. So I don't see a big problem.

My posting may have been exrtremely rude, but however, to say it was "ignorant" implies I have no knowledge of the subject matter, and that is simply not the case. I have been playing harmonica for over 35 years, and I'm an exerienced engineer, and I have researched the subject thoroughly. I know what I'm talking about when I say a design is flawed, and I don't mouth off unless I know what I'm talking about. Just this morning, I saw a post on this list from a veteran player warning a new player about the MS- Crossover reed plates' lip cutting and mustache hair grabbing capabilities. And, others have contacted me, on and off this list, to let me know they don't care for the design ether, and/or have had negative experiences dealing with Hohner. So, I know I'm not alone in my frustration.

I play Hering chromatics, and I could say a lot of negative things about THEM too, so, no, you're not alone.

I agree with you, Elizabeth. Hohner has some really nice people and talented musicians working for them, and they support SPAH and many music programs thoughout the US and around the world, but when I emailed 2 seperate marketing managers 3 years apart and got the same canned response to my concerns with the MS-series reed plate design, and was told that not selling reed plates for the SP20 in the US was a "business decision", I was completley frustrated and felt the need to say something about it, both freely and publicly.

Funny because years ago, they DID sell separate reed plates for the spl-20. I ought to know as they are my diatonic of choice.

I love playing harmonica with a passion, and I want to promote playing harmonica as much as possible, but I felt it was my duty to make sure the harmonica community was well aware and informed on the issue. Granted my message may have seemed a bit inflammatory -- OK, a lot inflammatory, but I was thoroughly frustrated, and a little drunk at the time (I, too, am flesh and blood), so please forgive me if I was rude.

Hey, everyone has a bad day now and then. God knows I sure have. No biggie, we can all still be friends. That's what friends do. They forgive, OR in this case, as forgiveness isn't really needed, and wasn't that serious, they just forget it. I am a pretty laid back type and don't get excited if someone lights dynamite under my chair. But over the years on harp-l, I have (mostly) learned to curb my raw (what I THOUGHT was) sense of humor. It's hard to get feelings across over a faceless computer. A lot of my tongue in cheek gets taken the wrong way.

I was just trying to get a meesage out, and needed to know if there were others out there that felt the same way I did. ...and there are.

I do that a lot too. I post some things because they were a pitfall to me. So I like to warn others. I like to share that way.

Just this this morning Gary posted and announcement from Hohner that they are now offering SP20 reed plates for sale in the US. So, I finally got what I've been fighting for all along -- parts for my favorite harmonicas -- and you'll never have to hear about this subject again. I just hope getting what I want doesn't reinforce my bad behavior. (lol) ..just kidding, it won't. 

Relax, everythings cool.
smo-joe


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Thanks and Best Regards,

             Pat Powers
patpowers@xxxxxxxxxxx

Sep 9, 2010 06:32:00 AM, EGS1217@xxxxxxx wrote:

Pat Powers writes: "Would anybody else care to to add more adjectives or
explicatives to the title???"


Yeah.

I would.

Some specific adjectives I'd use are: 'Nice', 'friendly', 'cooperative' and
'extremely gracious' to every person approaching the Hohner tables at
SPAH.... giving of themselves to work for free on a long line of attendees'
harmonicas without a break for 4 straight days.

That's Sissy Jones I'm talking about specifically, btw. She's represented
Hohner at SPAH for at least the last several SPAH's I've attended. The same
Hohner which is the Gold sponsor of SPAH. As a matter of record she's so
highly loved and respected she was given the Pete Pedersen award two years
ago along with Charlie Musselwhite, since they were both considered equally
deserving. I personally took immense pleasure in videotaping her accepting
her award onstage with her characteristic humility. She's probably a better
harmonica player than 80%+ of those who post on this list.

Steve Baker of Hohner has played at the blow-offs and at SPAH itself to
great acclaim and has also well represented Hohner at each of the last 3 - 4
SPAH's I've attended. I personally listened in to him (totally exhausted and
jet lagged) responding to a player's questions in a one-on-one
conversation about the brand new Crossover at last year's SPAH...not wishing to
appear rude but obviously needing to sleep, yet still forcing himself to stay
awake because that's what one does ...

Rick Epping with his long history with Hohner has routinely showed up on
Harp-L (for many years) to answer any questions he's been asked (as has
Steve) ...not an 'arrogant or ignorant' bone in his body on display as he
tolerates with much good grace the slings and arrows of those who seem unaware
that there are flesh and blood people many of us know personally working
hard at these harmonica companies while being forced to tolerate generally
ignorant comments bandied about so freely on a public list.

Elizabeth





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