[Harp-L] American Ace and the Irish Harmonica Factory

["Aongus MacCana" <amaccana@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Arising from the questions raised recently about a Hohner harmonica factory
in Ireland - Yes! Hohner did manufacture diatonic harmonicas in a factory in
Loughrea in County Galway twenty miles from where I live. It must have been
a reasonably sophisticated operation because the tuning was done with
computers - not the traditional "cats' slaughterhouse" operation. I gleaned
this information from an I.C.E. repair man who was interested in buying some
of the computers when the factory closed.

I figure there must be a few ladies in Loughrea (ex employees) who know a
thing or two about replacing and tuning harmonica reeds. I would dearly love
to make their acquaintance and persuade them to set up a mouth organ
maintenance facility, because I don't think I am going to live long enough
to learn to do it for myself. I guess I am one of those guys that the late
and legendary F.R. Farrell had in mind when he famously said. "the man who
cannot maintain his own harmonica cannot afford to play one"

Beannachtai

Aongus Mac Cana