Re: [Harp-L] why custom harps

[MundHarp@xxxxxxx]

<< cdgaldos@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

I have  one simple question , and follow up questions:

( just regular 10 hole  diatonic)

Why customize a harp?

Follow up: (only for 10 hole  diatonic)

Is one harp (brand) better to customize then an  other?
>>
Mass-produced harmonicas are just that... Made by the tens of  thousand.
They are (these days) made to a better standard than they mostly were  
manufactured, 40 or 50 years ago.
Different players have different tuning needs.
 
Custom harmonicas are ... Mainly built by people who think
"I can IMPROVE that... I can do better than that"
 
THAT's why they command a premium.
 
I happen to like stainless steel combs... NOT BECAUSE they sound  better.
 
But because they play better!
 
The most expensive custom harmonica I have ever purchased is a Renaissance  3 
octave chromatic... Instrument number 8, built by Doug Tate and Bobby  
Giordino... ILUS harmonicas. Built about 12 years ago.
The "Renny" is now built in limited quantity, at about  $6,200 USD... 
By Seydel Harmonicas in Germany.
 
Bhttp://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel.sf/en_GB/?ObjectID=128213y
 
Why pay  $6,200.00  when you can get a Hohner 270... with the  same range 
For less than $200 Bucks?
Why 
Because it's better!
 
Same reason a violin player might invest ..now.. MILIONS in a  Stradivarius..
You can buy a basic violin for $100, second hand... A Strad is VERY "Second  
Hand"... Perhaps 15th hand!
 
But there are other great custom chromatics, based on the Hohner 270
Michael Timler, in Germany builds WONDERFUL harps!
He also builds GREAT 10 hole diatonics
 
_http://www.planetharmonica.com/ph5/VE/Hybrid.htm_ 
(http://www.planetharmonica.com/ph5/VE/Hybrid.htm) 
 
There are lots of customizes who build 10 hole diatonics...
 
Tony Danneker, with his "MS" Hohner based Danneker Blues.
 
It's a great harp.
 
But there are other customizes with cult status.
Joe Fillies, for example, who specializes in "Marine Band" HM  customs...
But if you want one, it will take a while.
Or there is Richard Sleigh
 
Steve Grimm builds great "Dude Harps"
 
Mark Lavoie makes wonderful diatonics with titanium combs.
To the Hohner MS system.
They are GREAT!
 
But there are quite a few others...
 
Just look them up with a search engine like Goggle.
 
If I was an electric guitarist I'd buy Gibson or Fender Custom Shop, or a  
PRS...
 
But I'm a Harmonicist
 
So I mostly play Renaissance.
 
I apologize to the other excellent harmonica builders I haven't  mentioned.
 
If you want the best instrument, go to a specialist builder....
Fid a good one... And enjoy!
 
Kind regards
 
John Walden
 
London 
England
 
PS
I also have many "regular" harps... just from the production line.
They play ok!
JW