[Harp-L] Black Rock Harmonicas sells fantasies, great to display, not play

[Steve Klein]

I reposted this with the correct links, since not all the links were correct:

I have been playing harmonica since 1969 and have tried various enhancements for acoustic harmonica. I am sharing my opinion to help others. I have zero financial interest in any of these products. An important note, none of these are for gigging in a bar, unless you have added amplification. They are great for enjoying at home or outside, in a quiet place.
Recently, I tried out 3 horn-appearing attachments from Black Rock Harmonicas that were newly created. The “Mini pocket amp” ($200), Trumonica ($25O) and the Saxaphonica ($325).
They all are beautiful handcrafted works of art.  If you want something to display, this is it.  If you want something to play, not so much.  Other than in their appearance, there is nothing that makes these sound different from a regular harmonica. THEY DO NOT SOUND LIKE A TRUMPET, SAX OR HORN!! They do not significantly alter the tone. The weight of these dangling from the harmonica, on the largest two, makes it hard to hold for long and impractical for hand effects.
It appears that BlackRock harmonicas is selling fantasies. Who wouldn’t want to get a true Mississippi Saxophone. I was one sucker that fell for the phony claims! They do look nice displayed on my shelf though :(


Here is a demo of all 3 horn-appearing attachments and also the harmonica by itself: https://youtu.be/6mnGGop0UAI

Two, enhancements for acoustic harmonica that I would recommend, as they are both easy to hold with the harmonica and get cool effects and are inexpensive ($45 inc. shipping) is:   "Wee Verb Wah" made by Robert Delirio Temple. I loved it! Here is a demo: 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/harmonicaeffects/permalink/3714791488556069/

I also like The Harp Wah made by Roly Poly for muting effects. Price is $54.92 Here is a demo:
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/harmonicaeffects/permalink/1507038015998105/


-----Original Message-----
From: Chad Nordstrom [mailto:chad.nordstrom at xxxxx] 
Sent: Monday, May 3, 2021 9:49 AM
To: Steve Klein
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Black Rock Harmonicas sells fantasies, great to display, not play

You posted the same link for everything.

> On May 3, 2021, at 09:32, Steve Klein <stevenlois1 at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> I have been playing harmonica since 1969 and have tried various enhancements
> for acoustic harmonica. I am sharing my opinion to help others. I have zero
> financial interest in any of these products. An important note, none of
> these are for gigging in a bar, unless you have added amplification. They
> are great for enjoying at home or outside, in a quiet place.
> 
> Recently, I tried out 3 horn-appearing attachments
> <https://www.harmonicamute.com/product/harp-wah-wah-claw-handle-combo/?fbcli
> d=IwAR19ZM-ayHD_tIcd4XBNhQGnJ45TRr6YkaiLTvuAC531GOcbQjfsutO7UI0>  from Black
> Rock Harmonicas that were newly created. The "Mini pocket amp" ($200),
> Trumonica ($25O) and the Saxaphonica ($325).
> 
> 
> <https://www.harmonicamute.com/product/harp-wah-wah-claw-handle-combo/?fbcli
> d=IwAR19ZM-ayHD_tIcd4XBNhQGnJ45TRr6YkaiLTvuAC531GOcbQjfsutO7UI0> They all
> are beautiful handcrafted works of art.
> <https://www.harmonicamute.com/product/harp-wah-wah-claw-handle-combo/?fbcli
> d=IwAR19ZM-ayHD_tIcd4XBNhQGnJ45TRr6YkaiLTvuAC531GOcbQjfsutO7UI0> If you want
> something to display, this is it.  If you want something to play, not so
> much.  Other than in their appearance, there is nothing that makes these
> sound different from a regular harmonica. THEY DO NOT SOUND LIKE A TRUMPET,
> SAX OR HORN!! They do not significantly alter the tone. The weight of these
> dangling from the harmonica, on the largest two, makes it hard to hold for
> long and impractical for hand effects.
> 
> It appears that
> <https://www.harmonicamute.com/product/harp-wah-wah-claw-handle-combo/?fbcli
> d=IwAR19ZM-ayHD_tIcd4XBNhQGnJ45TRr6YkaiLTvuAC531GOcbQjfsutO7UI0> BlackRock
> harmonicas is selling fantasies. Who wouldn't want to get a true Mississippi
> Saxophone. I was one sucker that fell for the phony claims! They do look
> nice displayed on my shelf though :(
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> <https://www.harmonicamute.com/product/harp-wah-wah-claw-handle-combo/?fbcli
> d=IwAR19ZM-ayHD_tIcd4XBNhQGnJ45TRr6YkaiLTvuAC531GOcbQjfsutO7UI0> Here is a
> demo of all 3 horn-appearing attachments and also the harmonica by itself:
> 
> 
> <https://www.harmonicamute.com/product/harp-wah-wah-claw-handle-combo/?fbcli
> d=IwAR19ZM-ayHD_tIcd4XBNhQGnJ45TRr6YkaiLTvuAC531GOcbQjfsutO7UI0>
> https://youtu.be/6mnGGop0UAI
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Two, enhancements for acoustic harmonica that I would recommend, as they are
> both easy to hold with the harmonica and get cool effects and are
> inexpensive ($45 inc. shipping) is:   "Wee Verb Wah" made by Robert Delirio
> Temple. I loved it! Here is a demo:
> <https://www.facebook.com/groups/harmonicaeffects/permalink/3714791488556069
> />
> https://www.facebook.com/groups/harmonicaeffects/permalink/3714791488556069/
> 
> 
> I also like The Harp Wah made by Roly Poly for muting effects. Price is
> $54.92 Here is a demo:
> <https://www.facebook.com/groups/harmonicaeffects/permalink/1507038015998105
> />
> https://www.facebook.com/groups/harmonicaeffects/permalink/1507038015998105/
> 
> 
> 
>