[Harp-L] Re: Harp suppliers - A Tale of Great Service!

[Robert Coble <robertpcoble@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I recently recommended Ron Hobdy at Rockin' Ron's Music 4 Less as a great supplier.
Here's an actual "success story" illustrating just how great Ron is.
I ordered a Seydel Solist Pro 12 Steel (with 9 steel reeds) in a custom configuration
through Ron, using the Seydel Harp Configurator. It is a whole-tone tuning, intended
as a "spiral chromatic" layout with no slide and no windsavers. (Thanks again to Brendan 
Power for suggesting a relatively low-cost alternative to "test" the idea.)

Ron walked me through the individual reed pitches in each hole, then went through 
them again CAREFULLY to make sure he had them right.
He then estimated that it would take approximately 3 weeks from date of order for the
harp to be built and delivered. 
I ordered it on 12 NOV 2014. IT ARRIVED *T-O-D-A-Y*, 24 NOV 2014!
I did  a quick chromatic scale from left to right - everything is tuned properly. Just for grins,
I made a first attempt at the song Ashokan Farewell, one of my favorite tunes. Although the
note layout is unlike anything I've ever played before, I don't think it will take me long to 
get the feel of it. It came in a zippered bag that has a loop for a belt. FIRST CLASS STUFF!
I LOVE IT!
Many thanks to Ron, to Rupert Oysler and to the great folks at Seydel who have made it so
easy to experiment with alternate harp configurations. You folks are FANTASTIC!!!!!
Crazy Bob