[Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 92, Issue 62

[Matthew Smart <matthewsmart@xxxxxxxxx>]

In defense of Harrison Harmonicas, I want to relay a recent experience:

A customer contacted us that had one of the early versions of the B-radical.
He was not fond of the shape of the B-rad and wanted the reed plates
transplanted into a traditional marine band body. We did it for him,
designing a black dymondwood hybrid comb and a yellow heart comb. We were
not paid much for the job, but we took it because we could not resist
getting a look at this harmonica.

First, the comb is an absolute work of art. This is coming from the
co-founder of Hetrick Harmonica www.harmonicacombs.com.
We had never seen anything like it, its design requires 3 different CNC
machines to make it, and it probably takes a couple of hours to cut each
one. If you know anything about CNC machines, they are difficult to run,
require hundreds of settings, constant blade replacements, and you have to
be damn talented with a computer design program. We do our combs in 2D. His
combs require 3D creation--this is very complex and difficult.


Scott Hetrick, the inventor/creator of all of our products, and perhaps the
most talented machinist, mechanic, inventor I have ever met...was absolutely
blown away by the design of the B-Rad. This genius (Scott), that built
our first CNC from scratch, was very HUMBLED. The coverplates were
beautiful, the customer's name was lasered on the plates. That is just plain
cool. God, I hope someday we can do some of the amazing things he is doing
with this harp.

The reeds are totally unique, I will not reveal any secrets, but they were
gapped perfectly and when we put them on the plain old marine band body, the
tone was "delicious" and the volume quite loud. We did nothing to the MB
cover plates either.

Joe Spiers and many other customizers make people wait months and months for
harps. So, maybe the guy deserves a break. Hell I don't know. Some people
have spent a lot of money. I understand how they feel. I will say one thing.
Brad is a perfectionist and he is trying to deliver the most perfect harp
ever created. Perhaps that is his unfortunate fault. But I am willing to bet
that when you get one of his harps, your anger and frustration over the long
wait will just melt away.

Matthew Smart
Hetrick Harmonica
hetrickharmonica@xxxxxxxxx

On Mon, Apr 25, 2011 at 11:29 PM, <harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

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> Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Re: must be jelly (Robert Hale)
>   2. Re: Diatonic/chromatic (John Kerkhoven)
>   3. B-Rad "Investor" (Gregory Jones)
>   4. Harrison Reply (Gregory Jones)
>   5. walter tore's spontobeat-acoustic 1 man band reefer and
>      moonshine (walter gloshinski)
>   6. Re: RE: Spah: what a great thread (David Payne)
>   7. B-Radical thread (owner-harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx)
>   8. list language (owner-harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:19:55 -0700
> From: Robert Hale <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] must be jelly
> To: Gary hill <hillyshog@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <BANLkTikYJYfn0zsqB_w6Nue2h2570r8cuA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> it must be jelly...
>
> Hi Gary,
> looking at youtube live version, it's a 12-bar blues in F.
>
> You would want to call the key, the tempo, and mention "hold the 1 chord"
> (No Bb-chord change in second measure) Lotsa tracks will be just right for
> you.
>
> Enjoy!
>
> Robert Hale
>  dukeofwail.com
> Gilbert AZ (Phoenix)
> *
>
> *
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:25:37 -0400
> From: John Kerkhoven <solo_danswer@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Diatonic/chromatic
> To: Michelle LeFree <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <D65502C7-E732-409C-9748-CBF15F7B100C@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Hi Michelle,
>
> In my case, wanting to learn overblows/overdraws was a big part of what got
> me to take the harmonica seriously. I was pushing 40, had played for over 20
> years, but without much direction or focus. Through the internet, I learned
> about overblows and about working on harps. I got myself tools and found a
> local teacher who had mastered overblows to give me a few lessons.
>
> As I developed confidence around technique, I also had to go back to basics
> and learn repertoire. Along the way I gained more understanding of scales
> and positions and chords, song structures/forms, rhythm, etc. And many miles
> to go before I sleep...
>
> As for jazz, Dave Therault's "The Deb" is the sort of thing I would love to
> be able to do. Maybe I'm getting there, but I'm not worried about it and I
> have not the pretension to believe that I am in the league of the players
> who ably take the harmonica in that direction. They are certainly not that
> numerous, but I'm not sure they are so few in number as you think. :-)
>
> My main thing is blues -- pre-war + chicago -- and folk of all genres.
> Overblows are not a big part of what I do, but it's handy to be able to play
> them. And theory helps me to know when I need them.
>
> So I suppose I am in the "because it's there" camp of overblowers -- the
> challenge got me. But then all good harp playing is a challenge.
>
> By the bye, I sat in on a few tunes at a cooking bluegrass jam last night
> -- first time I did. Holy smokes what fun! OMG! And a ton of new repertoire
> before me!
>
> Cheers,
>
> John
>
>
> >
> > In my own instance, I aspire to play traditional acoustic music like
> pre-war blues, bluegrass, ragtime and old-timey music. The diatonic
> harmonica is well-suited to this kind of music and that is why I chose it.
> If I was a dyed-in-the-wool jazzhead, I'd probably be playing a trumpet, sax
> or bass. I guess I'd feel a bit conflicted if the instrument I play weren't
> designed to play the kinds of music I love and want to play myself.
> >
> > So maybe some of you overblowers can shed some light for me.
> >
> > Humbly and respectfully,
> >
> > Michelle
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:58:06 -0400
> From: Gregory Jones <mandowhacker@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] B-Rad "Investor"
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <BANLkTimT4x2SXk=biQCFzb0bJ4xAzULAqQ@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> >
> > I didn't sign on to be an 'investor' in THEIR company - I just wanted a
> > damn
> > harp sometime in this lifetime and a bit of communication! I've so far
> > received neither - been a year.
> >
> > Barry C.
> > *Banned in Boston
>
>
>
> That is the EXACT point I try to make.
>
> I've sent Brad Harrison $406 and have received nothing but a tee shirt.
> When I ordered the harps, his site stated it was a "pre order" with
> delivery
> in 4 to 5 months.  That was last month.
>
> I did not front his payroll.  I didn't pay part of his rent.  I ordered 2
> harmonicas based on the information that was on his website.
>
>
> I knew nothing of these shipping delays that are on the different
> websites.  Had the Harrison Harmonica website stated that "you send us your
> money and we'll send you an
> instrument........................................sometime".  I would not
> have gave them $400 upfront.
>
> I just ordered a G from a customiser.........now, I don't need the B-Rad in
> G that I ordered.  Too bad, so sad, Brad......you've had half a year to
> fulfill what I only expected according to your website.
>
> You didn't deliver.........am I just out the hours of labor I performed to
> purchase your product---or did it just cost me $360 to get a G harp.
>
> All I wanted was a nice harmonica.
>
> Greg
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 22:17:12 -0400
> From: Gregory Jones <mandowhacker@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Harrison Reply
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <BANLkTimnMHcZQWivbuuJv248hpH6j0S3PQ@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> > Hi there Larry-
> >
> > Hope all is well with you.
> >
> > I have spent hours and hours resing how we could of missed or not replied
> > to any of our clients and think I have finally found out what the issue
> was.
> > Mind you, I checked phone records searched emails upon emails to get to
> the
> > bottom of this
> > .
> > The issue was that well over 50 clients replied to our No Reply news
> > letters. When I found these emails I was quit shocked to say the least!
> Some
> > folks indeed replied to this email several times even though the news
> letter
> > states Do Not Reply to this news letter. I also found that some clients
> > replied to this No Reply email address and when they didn't receive a
> reply
> > back to us they used our client support email address, posted on our
> contact
> > us web site page.
> > It is still shocking to me that when they didn't receive a reply from us
> > why they didn't call us, but I guess I will not find the reason for that.
> .
> > It is real simple, contact us via email or by phone, they phone line goes
> to
> > voice mail during employee breaks (15 min) and during lunch. I do this
> > because I feel it is important for us all to get together during these
> > breaks for some good ole fashion team building time.
> >
> > I have pulled our phone logs and can see that we have responded to every
> > call, seems during very busy times like when a news letter goes out that
> it
> > took us a few days to call all of  our clients back but never the less
> all
> > clients were called back.
> > I have already corrected the problem with the No Reply news letter email,
> > from now on if they reply back to it they will receive an auto generated
> > email instructing them how to contact us.
> > Thank you for the heads up, I had to be quite a detective to get to the
> > bottom of this.
> >
> > Warmly,
> >
> >
> > Brad Harrison
> > "The only Harmonicas Manufactured in the USA"
> > http://www.harrisonharmonicas.com
> >
> > B-inspired, B-creative and B-radical!
> >
> >
> Woo and hooptie doo............I didn't reply to a "No Reply" email.  All I
> did is receive an email promising more information and an update to my PAID
> IN FULL order several months ago.
>
> Nothing.
>
> Nada.
>
> Niech.
>
> Nien.
>
> Not a "kiss my ass, go to hell, anything".  Nothing.
>
> Brad has my four hundred and six dollars....... and I have a tee shirt.
>
>
> I am not really happy.  Hell, a "fuck you" would be better than the
> communications that Harrison Harmonicas has sent this PAID IN FULL
> customer.
>
> Greg
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:20:18 -0700 (PDT)
> From: walter gloshinski <waltertore@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] walter tore's spontobeat-acoustic 1 man band reefer
>        and     moonshine
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <978931.29965.qm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> I recorded these tonight with my 1940 national steel guitar and my 1 man
> band.   Walter
>
> moonshine and reefer
> http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10567646
> my only girl
> http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10567611
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:42:06 -0700 (PDT)
> From: David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] RE: Spah: what a great thread
> To: Harp L Harp L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Message-ID: <574479.30370.qm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> On behalf of the Great State of West Virginia, I am obligated to say that
> Elkins
> hasn't been located in Virginia since June 20, 1863.
>
> I have to respectfully disagree about Buckeye not being able to survive
> Jack
> Ely. Yes, he was the festival and I was there when he was alive. That's
> definitely true. But you didn't see what Danny G poured into it last year,
> and
> this year as well and the risks he took for the love of the instrument. It
> has
> nothing to do with nobody being able to step up to the plate, have the
> drive and
> take the risk. Somebody did and he did a fine job. Gas is $4.50 right now
> in a
> lot of places. $4.50 gas is $4.50 gas, despite who is running the festival.
>
> David
> www.elkriverharmonicas.com
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: jon Gindick <jongindick@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Mon, April 25, 2011 8:04:29 PM
> Subject: [Harp-L] RE: Spah: what a great thread
>
> I went to Sacramento  Spah Convention two years ago and it was fantastic ,
> and mobbed.  It was great to see my freinds, meet new ones,
> and to play guitar for anyone who would jam with me.  (I love doing that).
>
> My personal problem with spah is that I like to make music, and ironic as
> it
> sounds, there is so much music, that most people who attend don't get to
> play.
> There's a few stars and everyone else (even local stars) are just
> schmucks..
>
> There's just too much of a good thing, but if you are not self-asserting,
> and even if you are, the experience can be frustrating.
>
> On the other hand, what a great experience for learning how much you don't
> know, and getting your ego stripped.  And of course making friends and
> hearing
> the
> best. Yesterday, as we were complimenting each other, Harmonica John said
> to me,
> "You got good from Jam Camp, and I got good from Spah."
>
> SPAH is a VERY powerful experience.
>
> And so is Harmonica John!
>
> About Buckeye:
>
> I think that Jack Ely was Buckeye,  and with him, went that particular
> festival. It takes a lot of determination and risk to put on these events.
> I do
> not think it
> signals the demise of harmonica events in the least,  or danger for Spah,
> if
> people step
> forward to help the organization adapt.
>
> Harp love and festivals are happening all over.
>
> In fact, I helped out on a very cool one in San Diego yesterday. Thank you
> John Frazer et al) Spring  Harpfest was amazing. Great local players all
> day in
> a beautiful
> park,  with about five hundred to a thousand in attendance...
>
> And the day before, I  did a  7 hour workshop  and jam for $40 that raised
> $1200 for the Sonny Boy Club and for San Diegos Blues for the Schoolos
> and probably got me some new Jam Campers.
>
> It was wonderful! But beyond that...
>
> How about Adam Gussow and his Hill Country harmonica? He had 150 people
> at his event last year,
>
> John Hall has continued with his
> Bean Blossom Festival, am I not right?
>
> A few years there was a wonderful Birmingham Harmonica Festival,
> and Addison Hitchcock who put that on.
>
> And the Elkins Event in Virginia.
>
> What is needed is people like Jack Ely, or John Frazer,  John Hall, Addison
> Hitchcock or the countless others who create an event that uses the harp to
> create
> community and play it.
>
> Someone suggested that localized gatherings might be the way to go, and
> yes,
> they are the way to go, and charity, unless you want to take on  risk and
> headache of a business.
> Travel changes everything.That's when the artist needs money, and money
> changes
> everything.
>
> Blues and music is too much about the stars.  Look to  Harmonica John
> Frazer
> for advice on how to create a GREAT show of local talent nd build a
> wonderful community event where the music is center stage.
>
> Ideas On Spah:
>
> Spah is Fine.  I think it is the fundation of the worldwide harmonica
> community.
>
> I would like to see both Jack and Chris memorialized by Spah with awards
> named after them.
>
> For Richard Hunter's concern about the young people:
>
> I think we just have to acknowledge that as a  community  losing Chris, was
> a tremendous blow.
>
> Could not Spah use some of its funds to set up a Scholarship to a young
> person to the Spah Convention?
>
> The Chris Michalek Scholarship and use it to bring  talented young and poor
> kids to the Spah?
>
> Chris started a lot of young genius' to play advanced harp.
>
> Maybe his  younger protogees can be given a room and a band and they can do
> their seminar within the Spah Seminar.
>
> As for Steve wondering about Jam Camp and Spah...
>
> If Spah wants the Gindick experience, my phone is 310-457-8278.
>
> Jon
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:21:03 -0400 (EDT)
> From: owner-harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [Harp-L] B-Radical thread
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <46750.68.230.94.246.1303788063.squirrel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
>
> We're kind of at a point where nothing new is being added to the
> discussion.  Some people accept and understand the delays, others are
> upset by what they deem to be a lack of communication.  Brad has responded
> with his version of events.  Absent something very compelling and new it's
> time to give it a rest.  thanks, harp-l-listowner
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:26:20 -0400 (EDT)
> From: owner-harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [Harp-L] list language
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <36700.68.230.94.246.1303788380.squirrel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
>
> I hate to be the one to remind folks but it is my job.  Harp-l tries to be
> accessible to the widest possible audience.  One of the ways we do that is
> by avoiding the use of vulgarities and obscenities on the list.  It's not
> that we haven't heard or even used these words urselves it's that this is
> not the venue for them so please, please be cautious with what you quote
> and even in anger avoid that Anglo Saxonism beginning with an F.  It's not
> like you're going to have trouble finding a place that allows its use.
> thanks, harp-l-listowner
>
>
> End of Harp-L Digest, Vol 92, Issue 62
> **************************************
>



-- 
Matthew Smart
matthewsmart@xxxxxxxxx
678-851-1434