Re: [Harp-L] Re: Small High Tech Harp Makers:The Future?

[Mike <mikefugazzi@xxxxxxxxx>]

As an early adopter, I don't disagree with what you posted.  I have some 
more complicated thoughts on the matter, and I have yet to play an out of 
the box SUB30 that was near as good as a well gapped Richter from any of 
the big 3's commercial line.  

I think it is important to clarify that while the harmonica will be up to 
that standard within a generation, getting players to adopt and to find a 
tipping point will be a very difficult battle.  It will come, but we 
underestimate resistance to change as early adopters ourselves (or in 
Brendan's case inventor).  

On Friday, December 14, 2012 4:46:02 AM UTC-6, Brendan Power wrote:
>
> Great posts on this topic from Michael Easton and Mike Fugazzi, packed 
> with 
> information and ideas. 
>
>
>
> I agree with Michael that CAD combined with 3D scanning, 3D printing and 
> CNC 
> is the future for small harmonica makers. It opens up the range of things 
> we 
> can offer, and raises the quality of them to a high professional level of 
> precision. Itâs exciting to think what might come, and Michael suggests 
> some cool ideas (eg. artists commissioning their own design harps on a 
> regular basis, creating new chromatic slider systems, building mics into 
> harps). 
>
>
>
> However one crucial area is still pretty tough for the small guy: making 
> reeds and reedplates. Itâs not easy, and I think for the short-term weâll 
> only see a proliferation of comb and perhaps cover making, added to 
> hand-done reedwork on existing reedplates. But the tech does exist for the 
> really serious small maker now to make their own reeds. Thatâs where Brad 
> Harrison did boldly go, and where others must follow if they are to be 
> truly 
> original in their designs. 
>
>
>
> As Mike Fugazzi says, these niche makers wonât make much of a dent in the 
> overall harmonica market, which is dominated by low-cost instruments that 
> play fine and wonât break the bank. 
>
>
>
> Re. the triple-reed vs. overbending thing though, I think there are 
> differences in how things will pan out in the long term. As a way to 
> achieve 
> chromaticism on the 10 hole Richter harp, I believe that overbending will 
> reach a peak and slowly decline as triple-reed harps improve and come down 
> in price. 
>
>
>
> Once triple-reed harps (of which the SUB30 is the first example) become 
> less 
> expensive, available in all keys and sound great out of the box, I think 
> they will quickly attract average and pro players because of the intuitive 
> nature and pleasing sound of their double-reed bending. They could even 
> become the norm in 10 - 20 years. If you can have a harp that easily bends 
> 18 reeds instead of 8 and sounds great at a good price, what reason is 
> there 
> to stick with the old design that has only 8 bends and requires 
> considerable 
> time and expense to make it overblow/overdraw, and lots of practise to 
> master? 
>
>
>
> Thatâs still a big âifâ and time will tell, but Iâm firmly convinced it 
> will happen. X-Reed.com is all about enabling that process. 
>
>
>
> Brendan Power 
>
> WEBSITES: www.brendan-power.com <http://www.brendan-power.com/>  â 
> www.x-reed.com 
>
> FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/tethnik 
>
> YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/BrendanPowerMusic 
>
>
>
>