Subject: [Harp-L] Worthy of Consideration?

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

While it is reasonably collectible, Kelly--that's an awful lot of  money. 
I'd have to see more and better photos from all angles and  actually see the 
condition--know if the body has major cracks in it (they  usually do).
 
 
You still CAN find them occasionally on EBay for much less. Here's one I  
just found in G:
 
 
_http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-M-Hohner-Super-chromonica-Chromatic-Harmoni
ca-/390444145206?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae848da36_ 
(http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-M-Hohner-Super-chromonica-Chromatic-Harmonica-/390444145206
?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae848da36) 
 
 
 Yes, the one you're looking at might be older and claims to be  prewar 
(verify that by the 'star') but I'm always skeptical when someone claims  that 
it 'sounds/works great'. In the past I'd gotten a couple of old and  
collectible pre-wars described that way which were so rusted and with frozen  
slides--obviously no way did anyone play them to see if they actually  did 'sound 
great'. They were purely worth it for historical value but had been  
subjected to water damage. The mildew odour was awful (and I paid less than  $30).
 
 
Did someone actually put their mouths on something this old(and usually  
really grungy) to test it? You might inquire about that.
 
 
Repairing a cracked comb (the 'cosmetic' crack on the back of a comb  
invariably runs clean through)...requires finesse and fixing while at least one  
reed plate is still attached else it'll warp and be nearly impossible to  
re-assemble. Notice that there isn't a single photo of the back of the EBay 
one  for its $30. price.
 
 
With all of that it's certainly worth taking a look at since it's  local, 
and if it's AS bad as I think, then pass on it or offer much less.  Who 
knows, the Seller could have other harmonicas for sale. But even on EBay  people 
have the idea that old automatically translates to 'valuable' and have no  
real idea of actual value.
 
 
But please don't play it until/unless it's been thoroughly cleaned, and  
don't handle it without gloves. Shine a flashlight inside--you can't imagine  
what might be lurking in there. Fair warning (Mama spiders do find old  
combs neat places to hatch their broods).<G>
 
Elizabeth
 
PS: I realize this all sounds very skeptical, but I've been there back in  
my 'collecting' days. It'd have to be extremely special and pristine to 
spark my  interest or to be worth $100,imho.
 
Message: 10
Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2012 09:20:26 -0400
From: Robert Rowe  <robertrowe2@xxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] Worthy of Consideration?
To:  Harp-L _harp-l@xxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx) 

Found an ad for a 1930's Hohner Chrominica on my local Craigslist. They are 
 asking $100. Should I look further into this?  Collectible?

http://savannah.craigslist.org/msg/3185969062.html

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