[Harp-L] B-Radical

[Mick Zaklan <mzaklan@xxxxxxxxx>]

   I don't claim to know Brad very well.  I met him in the early 90's at
the Windy City Harmonica Club.  He was a very good diatonic player back
then.  If he had devoted his time to playing the instrument rather than
designing and building a better one; I think we'd be still be discussing
him on this list, but in a whole different context.  Because he had really
good chops, ideas, and energy.  Big upside, I thought.
   At that time, I think he was making a pretty good living working as a
waiter in high end Chicago steak houses.  The kind of joints where
celebrity athletes are spotted regularly.  He had a few stories.  Maybe
that's where he honed some of his salesmanship and likability.  I used to
run into him occasionally at SPAH.  He was by then working for one of the
major harmonica companies.  Suzuki, I think.  I remember he was frustrated
and to some degree felt disrespected.  He told me he would suggest diatonic
harmonica improvements to his superiors and they would respond something
like this:  "Ahhh, and tell me again from what university you received your
engineering degree?"  In retrospect, perhaps if he had an engineering
degree he might have avoided some of these expensive pitfalls that have
been described by our list members.  Or maybe even rejected the whole idea
of it.
   I like the guy; but maybe I wouldn't if I had money tied up in one of
these phantom harps.  Fortunately, he told me he couldn't build me a low F
until he got the basic keys produced.  Which he never did.  I tend to think
of him as like a guy in a casino chasing a loss by doubling down on it.
   He also told me that he had received a six figure offer for his design
from one of the harmonica companies, but had decided to build the thing
himself.  If true, big mistake.  I'm guessing he's haunted by this whole
thing.  I know I would be.  I can't think anything worse than not being
able to show your face at a SPAH or any other gathering of harmonica
players, ever.  He's like that old short story we had to read as kids, "A
Man Without a Country".
   I get that an apology is in order, that people are generally forgiving,
and that it might even make Brad feel better.  Over the years, though, I've
seen quite a few similar scenarios where lawyers advise that a formal
apology pretty much guarantees a successful lawsuit for monetary damages.
   I feel sorry for all parties involved.  As I said, I'd be hot too if I
got burned on one these harmonicas.

Mick Zaklan