[Harp-L] Re: HOHNER CERTIFIED

[Steve Baker <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

This has been discussed at some length on Harp-L in the past. A year or so ago Hohner introduced the Hohner Affiliated Customizer program as a means of guaranteeing quality for the consumer when purchasing custom harmonicas based on Hohner instruments. The program is described in detail here and on the subsequent linked pages of the company website:

http://www.playhohner.com/service/hohner-service/hohner-affiliated-customizers/#WHATISIT

In a nutshell, customizers whose application for certification is accepted for consideration have to send samples of their work to Joe Filisko, widely acknowledged as the world's leading harmonica customizer and an unimpeachable authority in this area. Joe painstakingly evaluates the instruments over a period of several months, at the end of which time he either says "yes" or "no". Hohner is contractually bound to accept this evaluation. To date three customizers (Thomas Hanke, Germany, Joe Spiers, USA and Neil Graham, Australia) have been certified under this program (details on the website above), but further applications are welcomed.

Steve Baker
www.stevebaker.de
www.european-music-workshops.com
www.harmonica-masters.de