Re: [Harp-L] re: Huang harps

[martin oldsberg <martinoldsberg@xxxxxxxxx>]

That´s a fair point, Giuseppe. 
  But I may diverge from you insofar as that "the harp (per se) is a fairly inexpensive thing": This is true of you´re 
1) satisfied with one ("standrard") harmonica
2) don´t treat in a way that wears it out (not your way, I know, but certainly My Way),
3) find customization & all that jazz completely out of the question (I´m afraid even that is My Way, non-voluntarily),
4) don´t play a whole lot.

If a fire starts in my apartment my first item to rescue is my briefcase with gigging harmonicas. There´s money there. (Then I make a quick return for the computer and some expensive booze -- the rest, well.)

Huang has proven it´s value to me in a very concrete manner. About four years ago I took out four new D harps as practice instruments: one Marine Band, one LO, one called Folk Blues (cheap Chinese crap) and one Huang Silvertone. I thought I´d devote roughly the equal playing time to them all.
  First to go: Marine Band (hole B9). Then Folk Blues (B6). Then LO (B9). They are all scrapped, long very long time ago.
  The Silvertone still works, played it today. (Only a very light tune-up on 3D some months ago.)
  
As for "advanced" features, it easily lends itself to OB´s, beating the others by a long shot. Plays fast and smooth and -- lasts.
  It cost about one third of the MB and LO, roughly the same as the Folk Blues (bought it online from Farrell, but it had been sitting in a drawer before use).

For me, the Harmonica Terminator, that´s a very persuasive aspect of the Huang. But yes, it sounds thin played acoustically -- but I happen to be of the firm opinion that a (diatonic) harmonica should always be played with microphone, cupped and EQ´ed and that evens out some of the tinnyness.

Wish they were still here.


A presto,
Martin



________________________________
 From: Joseph Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: martin oldsberg <martinoldsberg@xxxxxxxxx> 
Cc: Harp L Harp L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 5:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] re: Huang harps
 


On Jun 25, 2013, at 7:15 AM, martin oldsberg wrote:

> 
> 
>  "I'm a little puzzled as to why someone would want to practice on an 
> instrument they consider to be inferior to the instrument they prefer to
> perform with. Why bother?"
> Pete Sheridan
> 
> Ever heard of money?
> /Martin
> 

This is a good point Martin. A very good point. But here's the dichotomy. The harp (per se) is already a fairly inexpensive thing.
This means that there are a few possible adjustments. Either a person could buy a few LESS of the more expensive harps, OR 
view harps as tools. And depending on how much 'harp work' a person does..acquire harps according to that set of criteria.  

When I worked construction I put a lot of miles (read hours) on my tools. So, I found it false economy to buy cheap tools. I mean,
they just didn't last. And we lived in a 100 year old house.  Now today, inasmuch as I am a retired old man in (finally) new house.
I don't even NEED tools, and so I can get away with junk. The same goes for my harmonica work. Customs would be waste of
money..for me. 

It's pretty obvious that I ain't getting any better, so what's the point. BUT, having established that, if a person IS really giving the 
whole harmonica thing a big effort, putting in the time, practice, gigs, mileage, I think they should at the very least try to stay UP a 
bit in the 'quality' of their tools (read harps). 

I'm not saying a body shouldn't be frugal. There are a few models out there that can fill basic needs, but going really cheap? I 
don't believe in it.