Re: Subject: [Harp-L] Help with Chromatic repair

[Rick Dempster <rickdempster33@xxxxxxxxx>]

Elizabeth; thanks for that interesting, detailed reply. No apologies
necessary, no criticism inferred in your post that I could see. I joined up
with Slidemeister some years ago, but haven't persevered. The main reason
for that is simply that I found the format less convenient for me
personally than harp-l. I am trying to get my chrom playing off the ground,
meaning not just my ability on the thing, but arranging situations where I
can use it in performance. The more the instruments get used, the more I
will be having to work on them, and Slidemeister might get revisited by me.
My post on this subject was a bit pointless, but I don't have much to say
on the L these days, not being at all interested in amps, mics, effects
etc. etc. I always look out for clips of folks' playing however.
Cheers,
RD


On 19 January 2014 17:17, <EGS1217@xxxxxxx> wrote:

>  Hi Rick:
>
> Forgive me if I misread your post. I'm unsure if you're disagreeing with
> my mention of the diatonic-heavy composition of Harp-l vis-a-vis
> Slidemeister? This is simply fact.
>
>
> You're not alone though--MANY others play a chromatic while being
> predominantly a diatonic player and post on harp-l, but the dialogue is and
> has been over the years naturally diatonic and blues-heavy. There's nothing
> remotely wrong with this and that wasn't my implication. It's harp-l, after
> all. I would contend that there has been a bit more chromatic talk over the
> past couple of years than ever before--but I also remember the days when
> someone like Smokey or Winslow would attempt to discuss something chromatic
> with almost no responses. Just how it works on a mostly diatonic forum.
> Harp-l people are primarily interested in Blues, amps, gear, Blues, mics,
> gigs, Blues, etc. ;) As times change and new people arrive, then topics can
> and do evolve.
>
>
> I would point out that many of the very same chromatic players who
> comprise the knowledgeable sources here also post on Slidemeister. It's an
> invaluable site for chromatic players wanting to derive all the information
> they need without wading through tons of diatonic discussion. I get this
> list in digest form..trust me, it is 'tons'. ;)
>
>
> In fact many of the diatonic players here also belong to MBH (Adam
> Gussow's free-wheeling forum), and there are more diatonic sites and blogs
> one can possibly keep up with out there on facebook and the internet. Imho
> harp-l is the best of them all. Obviously we do get posters here from the
> NHL in Britain, people like you from Australia and everywhere else around
> the Globe, as does Slidemeister. My point was purely that this particular
> topic is covered there in depth and from many different points of view,
> rather than an occasional mention with only a handful of responses. Since
> Slidemeister went to a different style of forum a couple of years ago the
> topics are always still available to be picked up on even years later,
> something I appreciate in particular--although I simply haven't had much
> time lately to post there.
>
>
> I certainly wasn't denigrating Harp-l and hope it didn't come across that
> way. If it did, my sincere apologies. I wouldn't still be here posting
> after 9 years if I didn't more than appreciate this forum and feel strongly
> about supporting it. Harp-l was my first introduction to the harmonica
> world--and the method by which I met and became good friends with so many
> good people (Jason Ricci, Smokey, Winslow, Bobbie, Michelle, Tom Stryker,
> George, etc.) whom I met and got to know personally and am still good
> friends with today...then SPAH where I met people like Phil and Val and the
> Filisko crew among so many amazing people who did all the behind-the-scenes
> work I couldn't possibly name them all, and it'll always mean something
> very special to me. :)
>
> Merely clarifying the situation if there was any doubt.
>
>
> As to repair-people, you're absolutely correct, Rick. We're blessed
> with several and THEY are the same names one can find listed with addresses
> on Slidemeister as well: Quel Surprise! I'd personally highly recommend
> George Miklas (who beautifully retuned my Hammond 44 (Suzuki) Melodeon at
> GSHC - when no one else had yet taken one apart); Mike Easton, whom I know
> to be a brilliant innovator and repair guy--who's currently building a
> state-of-the-art workshop; Chris Reynolds whose combs are stunning and
> gorgeous; Joe Pic (Piccirilli(sp)) who posts photos of his work on
> Slidemeister: his custom-made chromatics are to drool over; and so many
> more American and European customizers. Tom Halchak makes the most
> beautiful diatonic combs and is fabulous to deal with--unsure if he does
> chromatics. The Filisko crew too, of course but I'm not sure if any of them
> are able to take on chromatics at the moment: one would need to contact
> them (Jimmy Gordon and Richard Sleigh) directly. The diatonics I got from
> Jimmy are superb. There are so many more people I can't think of because
> it's late and I'm tired. Now that the gig list is gone we should at least
> do a 'repair/customizer' list and publish it periodically.  Naturally, we
> tend to think of those in our own neck of the woods--but I do think there
> might just be more British/European customizers/repair guys out there than
> Americans.
>
> Best, Elizabeth
>
> Re. Elizabeth's comments about the diatonic-heavy-chromatic-light nature
> of harp-l:
> Just for the record, as a long time lister on harp-l, I play chromatic
> (badly) as well as diatonic, and have had to fix the things over the years.
> Occasionally (when I could afford it) I'd send them off for repair.
> Re-valving, tuning, occasionally replacing a reed were bearable. Trying to
> fix a broken comb, then trying to re-attach the plates to the
> comb was difficult. I ended up drilling and tapping the plates and using
> screws to hold it together.
> If you like doing this stuff, great.If you don't, then you have to pay
> someone.
> A good harp tech is a wonderful thing.
>
> RD
>