Re: [Harp-L] Re: Cheap Harps

[Ken Hildebrand <airmojoken@xxxxxxxxx>]

I bought a Pocket Pal (only came in C), when they first came out, and it played a lot better than the Special 20's back then (late '70s early '80s)... I wished they came in other keys !

Ken H in OH




________________________________
 From: Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Maka McMahon <makamcmahon@xxxxxxxxxxxx> 
Cc: "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 10:49 AM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Re: Cheap Harps
 

My first harp was a C Pocket Pal.  I knew from the first second I played it
that it was my main thing in life.
Michael Rubin
Michaelrubinharmonica.com


On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 11:51 PM, Maka McMahon <makamcmahon@xxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> I think a contributor to the diversity of opinion on cheap harps is the
> variability in their quality.
>
> One would hope that the more expensive harmonicas are built with better
> quality assurance and are therefore less likely (but not impossible) to
> produce a 'lemon'.  The cheaper harps have less QA and more variable
> outcomes - more lemons, but a few gems too.
>
> So some folks will swear what great value their cheap harp was - a gem.
> And a few will swear at their one example of a well known brand that was a
> lemon.
>
> A willingness and ability to rectify some of the simpler QA issues (via
> gapping/tuning etc) can change an apparent lemon into a gem, but beginners
> may lack those skills.
>
> So the main reason for paying a bit more is to reduce your chances of
> getting a lemon and to have the warranty and technical support to rectify
> things if you do.  The stories of individual lemons and gems at all sorts
> of price points and brands will continue regardless.
>
> Just my 2c
>
> Maka
>