Re: [Harp-L] Re: Mike Fugazzi (was Recommendations)

[Mike Fugazzi <mikefugazzi@xxxxxxxxx>]

An enormous thank you for all the positive mentions this week!  I am very 
humbled and very grateful for all the support!!!  My goal in both sharing 
info online, going to events, working on harps, and sharing my playing has 
been to help move the instrument forward and to inspire others to really 
push themselves with the instrument we love.

I had a fabulous time at SPAH and it was a super successful trip from a 
business standpoint as well as a personal one!  I am super psyched about 
the continued partnership with Matthew Smart and what that will bring in 
the new year, and I am thrilled with the response to our custom work.  
Those of you who attended our workshops have an idea of what we've been 
gearing up for for the last year.

The last two years have been a bit crazy for me in the real world (not 
necessarily a bad thing), and those at SPAH witnessed some of that first 
hand as I had phone interviews while there, etc, lol. To update people on 
the situation, I resigned from my day job yesterday and took a new position 
(not the one I was on the phone for at SPAH).  While a fantastic move for 
my family and career, it puts a huge strain on any real gigging in the near 
future.

In addition, I am making a VERY aggressive push to do more with customizing 
harmonicas, which will be easier for me to juggle now, and considering 
myself semi-retired from live performing beyond harmonica-specific events 
(and I am done with grad school, and I work better hours, and I have more 
resources).

Not only am I teamed up with Matthew Smart, but I am now offering a 
fantastic Seydel stainless steel harmonica. I did research and design on 
this for over a year working with some of the top players endorsed by 
Seydel.  This includes both a traditional and OVERBEND setup. I will be so 
bold as to say people will be blown away by the overbend model.  I was able 
to get a lot of feedback from world-class players at SPAH as well as 
Seydel.  The method and materials I am working with are going to allow for 
a very fast turnaround time compared to brass, and give the player a lot of 
flexibility in their playing.

I've also worked with Matthew to really perfect the handmade Hohners I work 
with for both overbend and non-overbend players. Working with him will also 
help cut the huge lead times I've had on the combs I've tried to use in the 
past, and has let me do some cool things with the asthetics of the harp. We 
have also been able to really solidify our techniques for optimal 
performance for players of different styles.  He's a hardcore blues tongue 
blocker and I am a hardcore overbend rocker making it very easy to relate 
to the wealth of styles out there!

I'll be the first to say you can't go wrong with a handful of the 
customizers out there, and have even referred possible clients to some of 
these guys.  They do fantastic work, are easy to work with, and in the end 
it comes down to personal preference and expectations.  

This weekend I am wrapping up a number of my summer orders and choosing to 
focus on only top-end builds for handmade Hohners and stainless steel 
Seydels.  I will not be offering levels beyond my best traditional and best 
overbend set-ups.  I will be offering completed harps when I can in all 
models, but only when they are ready to ship next day (working on a C 
Golden Melody and A Marine Band currently).  These two will only be top-end 
builds or what I like to call "prototypes".

I am offering 10% off any Seydel builds through Labor Day. They come with a 
choice of tuning and comb, and have a lead time of about 2 months.  Thanks 
again for all the love and support.  I am blessed to work with such a great 
community and such wonderful people!!!!

Mike

On Friday, August 24, 2012 4:03:22 PM UTC-5, Jackson Kincheloe wrote:
>
> Couldn't agree more!.... Mike is an excellent builder, and super nice to 
> work with.  Just got three more Marine Bands from him, and I love everyone 
> one of 'em. 
>
> Jackson Kincheloe 
> Tour manager S.S.D.B. 
> (646)-596-2834 
> www.sistersparrow.com 
>