Re: [Harp-L] French harmonicas?

[philharpn@xxxxxxx]

Several years ago somebody was selling custom wooden harmonica covers -- and I may even have a couple in my harmonica archives -- but I don't recall what the covers did other than dress up the harp. They sure did look nice. I don't know if they are still available. I couldn't find any trace of them.


I also don't recall anything about how wooden covers affected the sound. I suspect the covers might have dampened the sound somewhat -- more than the elusive wood-comb effect.


Now Gregoire Maret claims he gets a "beautiful dark sound" from wooden covers. I don't know this is the same fruitless path opened up by various comb materials although wooden covers provide more mass than a comb wood.


Seems to me the price was about $50 for a set of covers that fit special 20. But I can't recall.


The pricey ($795) (goldharps*com)  Gregoire Maret  signature model Suzuki G-48 chromatic with its rosewood cover gives a "beautiful dark sound."  The harmonica Maret model with blue metal covers costs from $395 at  to Amazon marketplace to $560 at eBayto $799 at Guitar Center, Music123 and Musicians friend, Woodwind & Brasswind and Wal-mart*com.

<http://www.goldharps.com/index.php?_a=product&product_id=25>




The Suzuki G-48 harp with metal covers is $413-$427 and the wooden covers is $458 on eBay the day I looked at the page, indicating the covers were valued at about??


And I think what brodur has proved yet again: If you wait long enough somebody will again invest the wheel.
hope this helps,
Phil


-----Original Message-----
From: Patrice Rayon <stpat95@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sat, Sep 14, 2013 1:29 pm
Subject: RE: [Harp-L] French harmonicas?


Raymond Brodur is the name of the guy who makes the beautifull harmonicas. He is 
from Bordeau area (you know the wine perhaps)
If you were in SPAH, perhaps you have seen them. I did show 4 of hem to 
Elizabeth and JP, also Peter Madcat Ruth and few other people who were around at 
the same time.

His website is here: http://www.brodur.com/
He used to have english pages there...
His Facebook https://www.facebook.com/raymond.brodur
A group of a Fan of his harmonicas: https://www.facebook.com/groups/226867107419493

He his retired... but spend most of his time to make new "jewels" 

Also here a kind of tests he made to show his babies are resistents :)):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWzD1vY-HYM (The guy speaking is Teddy Costa 
alias Jean-Luc Roudgà his teacher who encouraged him to continue to make pretty 
harps when he discovered about the very first one that Raymond was keeping for 
himself)

Patrice Rayon
http://www.harmonicacontact.com/

> Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 08:23:05 -0800
> From: Bob Harty <bharty@xxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] French harmonicas?
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <77D8130C-6368-45D5-BEA2-4E9239F10CF6@xxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> 
> A while back I seem to recall reading/seeing and maybe hearing some harps made 
in France. The cover were made of some beautiful woods.
> Can anyone refer me to the site that I cannot currently recall.
> Thank you,
> Bob