Re: [Harp-L] A new harmonica - Planetone



I pretty much came to the same conclusion(s) when I read this. People talk about improving the harmonica. and what do we get? Another clone of the same old thing with a few changes that do NOTHING to enhance the harmonica. It's all hype. Who caress what the textures or colors are. Who cares about numbers on the covers. They're there for beginners. You're supposed to know where you are within the first couple days/weeks. As for textures, who even WANTS that. The mouthpiece should be as smooth as a baby's bottom and the only thing texture could do is provide a better gripping surface. You can do THAT yourself.
As for colors, I have a black plastic wristwatch. I don't want a florescent orange or a chartreuse green or a safety yellow one.


A nagging question has arisen that I will find hard to get over:
1... Made in China? Everything I have ever had from there has not lived up to the normal life span expected for that particular product. Ask any woman about sheets, pillow cases, and other textiles from China. Ask any man about the tools. Ask any chef about the cutlery and ....believe it or not....the CHINA. Ask ME about the furniture.
I have nothing against China and if the idea is to save money, go for it, but I learned as a child on my grandfather's knee "You only get what you pay for and usually you don't get THAT" and "Ain't no free lunch". The Wal-Mart is full of wonderful stuff from China aimed at the financially challenged market. In such cases, I ADMIRE China, but for my harps...no way.


No, I will wait for that outfit in Brasil? to release what THEY are working on. And who is Johnny Mars anyway?

smo-joe


On Feb 15, 2007, at 9:38 AM, Robert Coble wrote:


Here's an excerpt from the "news flash", detailing some of the "design
innovations" found in the new Planetone harmonica line:


"One of the Planetone harmonicas features several design innovations
including round holes rather than square, numbers featured on the front of
the instrument rather than the back, and a textured surface to help novice
players feel what notes they are playing."


"The instruments will also come in a range of different colours."

(Those are DIRECT quotes from the article.)


Since these are the "design innovations" touted by the manufacturers
themselves, one can only assume these are the most important "improvements"
from the manufacturer's viewpoint. (Otherwise, why not tout the REAL "design
innovations"?)


1. Round versus square holes

Funny: I have several harmonicas from Hohner (the 600-lbs gorilla in this
market) with round AND square holes. Maybe these entrepreneurs are only
familiar with the Hohner Bluesband harp sold in Cracker Barrel restaurants
and other fine musical stores?!


2. Numbers on the front rather than the back

Funny: I thought the numbers were on the top plate. I guess they are on the
top BACK. I thought that was so the player could "lip read" the numbers in
order to know which hole he is playing without looking. Maybe with my
bifocals and the numbers on the top FRONT, I'll be able to see the hole
numbers as I play... (See 3 below.)


3. A textured surface to help "feel" what notes are played

Funny: Perhaps this is a bid to capture all those blind harp playing newbies
who will go on to become the next incarnation of Sonny Terry. (No offense
intended to either Sonny Terry nor to any other blind player.) I was of the
impression that "feeling" had something to do with the MUSIC, not with the
texture of the covers. Maybe I missed something really important that would
take me to the next level...


4. A range of different colours

Funny: I thought that TurboHarp (and others, including Hohner) had already
come out with "coloured" covers. (No offense to any English persons living
outside the American colonies over spelling "colour".) Maybe the idea is to
"colour coordinate" with matching gig bags, which is the company's main
product...


Summing up:

Some great American wits once opined:

1. "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American
public." H. L. Mencken US editor (1880 - 1956)


2. “There's a sucker born every minute.” P. T. Barnum American circus
entertainer [At least that used to be true in America; the rate seems to
have greatly accelerated in recent years, so garnering a 5% market share in
America in 2-3 years seems almost too easy. After all, we are the creators
of the "Pet Rock" phenomenon!]


I am an American, I love my country, and I love my countrymen, BUT:
I HAVE MORE MONEY THAN BRAINS AND I WANT ONE N-O-W!!!!!

"Send In The Clowns!"
Crazy ('bout GOOD harps!) Bob
--




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