Re: [Harp-L] harp price

[Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

A 270 Chromaitc weighs 6.2 oz.  Assume that it is made entirely of copper (the most expensive component of brass).  The current price of copper is $3.70 per pound.  That means that the value of the raw materials in a  chromatic harmonica cannot be as much as  $1.43.  

A diatonioc harmonica weighs about 2.3 oz.  Using the same assumptions, the value of its raw materials is less than $0.53.  

Thus, the value of raw materials is about 1% of the sale price.   For this reason, I can't see changes in the cost of raw materials driving harmonica price changes.

The increase in harmonica prices must be the sum of labor + overhead + profit.  It may be that  prices were lagging inflation and there has been some "catching up".  I think that there is enough competition to keep profits reasonable.  You can help by buying on quality, service and price while ignoring myths and prejudices.  

Whenever you see a product (XB40, CBH2016) or a company (Blockbuster) die , you can bet that it is because of low sales.  Also remember that there are not enough Harp-l and Slidemeister members to keep very many harmonica manufacturers in business.  Those of us who play seriously, repair and customize our harps are going to be affected by a larger, more casual market.

Vern

 
On Sep 12, 2012, at 2:05 PM, Peter Madcat Ruth wrote:

> The price of harmonicas world-wide has gone up because the price of brass has gone up.
> Also, building and tuning a harmonica is very labor intensive.
> 
> 
> Peter Madcat Ruth
> Musician - Grammy Award Winner
> madcat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> www.madcatmusic.net
> www.youtube.com/user/petermadcatruth
> 
> 
>