kudzurunner
59 posts
Jun 29, 2008
11:13 AM
|
Hey gang:
I find myself in the unexpected position of needing to purchase a couple of stock Marine Band harps by mail order, with rush delivery.
If this forum is good for anything, it should be good for pooling our collective wisdom on this point.
Where should I buy my harps? Which is to say, where have YOU purchased mail-order harps (USA only) and would you recommend them?
I used to shop at Kevin's Harps--I was on a first-name basis with Kevin McGowan, who founded the operation--and occasionally I'd buy from them in later years, after he sold the business. Last time around it took three weeks to get a Marine Band, key of C. Never again.
I've heard troubling things about Harp Depot on Harp-L. HarpExpress is run by the same folks. So I'm disinclined to shop there.
All I want is a few cheap (less than $30) stock Marine Bands, keys of C and F. Rush delivery. Tell me who I should call. Give me a web address. I don't need a harp specialist, BTW; a reputable music store is fine.
Last Edited by on Jun 29, 2008 11:14 AM
|
superchucker77
51 posts
Jun 29, 2008
11:33 AM
|
The fastest place that I know of is www.coast2coastmusic.com
If you place an order by credit card today, you will get your harps by tuesday. They are very fast. There prices are also rather good. I have ordered from them several times via money order and they have been great.
You might also want to try www.musiciansfriend.com they are also very fast in sending out harmonicas, but coast 2 coast specializes in harmonica sales. I think that there the best.
So I would recomend either those two companys, or to drive up to memphis and get some from amro music. They just got in new stock. I bought two my self a few days ago and they are playing great.
By the way, you might also consider buying from www.amazon.com. They sell marine bands and you can often choose 1 day shipping.
Last Edited by on Jun 29, 2008 12:07 PM
|
DocJon
22 posts
Jun 29, 2008
12:21 PM
|
I second the Coast-to-Coast recommendation. They're fast, inexpensive,specialize in harps, and, IIRC, they state when placing the order if the item is in stock. I purchased my seemingly hard-to-obtain Bushman Delta Frost there, and will definitely buy from them again.
Last Edited by on Jun 29, 2008 12:23 PM
|
eharp
51 posts
Jun 29, 2008
12:32 PM
|
next he is going to ask why the 2 and 3 draw dont make any sound. (newbie!)
|
PD
Guest
Jun 29, 2008
12:54 PM
|
Hey Adam,
I've gotten great service and pricing from these guys:
http://www.dcmusicstore.com/
|
bluzlvr
42 posts
Jun 29, 2008
1:11 PM
|
I would third Coast 2 Coast. I placed an order at around 1 p.m. on a Wednesday, West Coast time, and recieved my order on Saturday morning...
|
Bb
9 posts
Jun 29, 2008
4:03 PM
|
I'd also say musiciansfriend.com. They are a big box kinda store, but I've never had a problem getting things fast from them. Plus, last year before Christmas they had Marine Bands and Special 20s on sale for $19.95. Sweet deal. Sure am hoping they do a repeat on that one this year.
Probably hoping aganst hope, however.
-Bob
|
Me Again
Guest
Jun 29, 2008
4:34 PM
|
Adam, I live in Australia and have been buying Harps from the US from Harp Depot.For the past year have been buying every 2 to 3 months ordering between 3 & 6 harps at a time. I have nothing but praise for the service I receive. I order Harps on a Tuesday over the net (Monday in the US) and I receive them delivered to my door in 2 days ie on Thursday from DHL. Harp Depot confirm my order and provide DHL tracking info so I can follow each step along the way. Delivery cost is $12.95. The overall cost is very cheap for me as harps cost twice as much here and local music stores never have the brand and key that I want and usually have to order in and delivery is slow. I am amazed at the service frm Harp Depot and have no hesitation about using them again.
|
Patrick Barker
77 posts
Jun 29, 2008
6:31 PM
|
For a standard marine band if you don't want to wait for shipping a local guitar center usually does the job, although they don't always have all the keys in stock.
|
SUNDOG
15 posts
Jun 29, 2008
6:57 PM
|
Coast-2-coast Is best in the east and fast .
Here's the link
http://coast2coastmusic.com/cgi-bin/cart/DADJ4.html
r, Neal
Last Edited by on Jun 29, 2008 6:58 PM
|
oldwailer
99 posts
Jun 29, 2008
7:04 PM
|
If I needed harps fast I'd start at Amazon.com--of course their main warehouse is in Seattle and I'm just 40 miles up the road from there. They won't always have what you need--in that case I'd go with coast2coast next.
Personally, I wouldn't want to deal with Musician's Friend again--although they are great until there is a problem--then they promptly do not answer or respond to any query. You won't need the details on that comment.
|
Jeff
117 posts
Jun 29, 2008
7:20 PM
|
In terms of quickness and selection, Coast2Coast wins hands down.
And they carry everything: Seydel, Bushman, Hering...all great brands places like Amazon and Musician's Friend don't carry.
And I would also state to NOT order from Harp Depot. They used to be great. But the shop is being run by different people (the store is located right near me in Ohio). Simply search the BBB, Harp-L and Bushman's board and you'll see *countless* negative posts about them in the last year or so.
I had two orders with them in the last 7 months. And the first order took 2 months to arrive while the second order took 3 months. They refuse to answer their phone and take typically 6-7 weeks to answer their email. There's guys on the other boards that have outstanding orders from over 2 years ago!
C2C is where it's at.
Last Edited by on Jun 30, 2008 7:36 AM
|
New_B
14 posts
Jun 30, 2008
9:33 PM
|
I suggest that you stay away from The Best Little Harp House, also. I've been waiting over two weeks for the Bb harp I ordered.
I'll try Coast2Coast, next time.
|
Suzukisucker
1 post
Jul 01, 2008
12:07 PM
|
I adjust my frustration over Harp Depot..(5 juli 2008) My story:
Last year, ordering with Harp Depot, from the Netherlands, the service and prices where great. For that reason I ordered again in march this year. I was waiting for my order since then (3 months). NO replay on my complain, NO reaction at all. So I thought my money was gone. I was sending E-mails for about seven time’s before I received an answer.
This time it was a personal E-mail from Harp Depot explaining that they where having trouble with DHL for a while. They promised to send my package on their costs again. To my surprise I received a DHL notification within the hours also. Trying this out I good see that the package was on its way!
Saturday morning (4 days after the replay from Harp Depot explaining) the doorbell ring and DHL was on my doorstep with the package. Everything I ordered was delivered in mint condition.
It took a while but everything worked out well and for a very good price.
If Harp Depot keeps up this new service I will be ordering again but before that, I will keep up surveying the different harp forums and reed about other peoples experiences with Harp Depot before doing so.
Last Edited by on Jul 05, 2008 3:41 AM
|
harpmonkey
59 posts
Jul 01, 2008
4:24 PM
|
If anyone can wait for the order, I ordered a Low Eb and Bb MB from http://www.villagemusicstore.com
I had to leave a phone message and then the call was returned. The harps arrived, new, in the case and packaged OK. The price was $16.99 each. and shipping was only a few dollars. I got them in about a week.
They are not high tech with their order system, or their "web store", but I am pleased and would buy from them again.
for what it's worth
|
Bb
10 posts
Jul 03, 2008
11:41 AM
|
Holy $#!*, Harpmonkey! I just got off the phone with them and you're right – $16.99 for my flavor harp – Special 20. I ordered 5 harps and with shipping was under $100.
Just about everywhere else charges almost $30!
I'm floored by their prices. Hopefully I'll get them as promised. They seemed like nice folks...
-Bob
|
Dduck
11 posts
Jul 03, 2008
1:17 PM
|
Gee Adam, you live in a big city. Why not call a couple of the local music stores? Finding a stock C and F shouldn't be that much of a problem.
|
Aussiesucker
Guest
Jul 03, 2008
8:23 PM
|
Adam, you have such a fantastic website that is accessed by all who love the harp. Suggestion - why don't you include an e-store for harmonicas? I'm sure there must be many web retailers out there that would hold stock, pack and ship for you. Prices need to be sharp, products & range spot on, and reasonable good service. You also would overcome your very own problem in accessing harps. Just a suggestion.
|
harpmonkey
64 posts
Jul 05, 2008
7:35 PM
|
Cool Bb.
I was pleased and will order again.
|
Scoltx
11 posts
Jul 06, 2008
4:20 AM
|
Adam has probably got his harps by now, but I've always been happy dealing with Elderly Instruments in Lansing Michigan. For me it's cross border shopping and the shipping takes a little longer due to Customs. But I usually get anything I order from them in 2 weeks to Canada.
They are folk/ roots music specialists and sell recordings as well as instruments. Mostly stringed instruments, Guitars, Banjo's, Mandolin's etc, but a decent stock of Harps.
Also where else can you buy a Zydeco Rub Board online? ;)
Check em out at http://elderly.com
I just received my latest order from them yesterday, a MB 364 12 hole Low C, a Bluegrass and Country Harmonica Tab book and a CD of DeFord Bailey.
|
Philosofy
31 posts
Jul 06, 2008
7:46 PM
|
Here's my experience with Harp Depot (or, more correctly, my wife's experience.) She ordered two Delta Frosts for my birthday, and specifically asked that they not require a signature, since I would be home when they would be delivered, and I would answer the doorbell, but I never check the front door. Harp Depot assured her they could do this. When the harps came, the DHL box said "signature preferred", and they rang the bell. I got the box, and had my birthday surprise spoiled.
|
harpmonkey
66 posts
Jul 06, 2008
10:13 PM
|
Hey Phil I am so sorry you had your birfday ruined.
Please end me the harps.
That will make it better.
Oh, and your welcome, it's a sacrifice on my part, but hey, for the cause...
|
Spl20
1 post
Jul 07, 2008
11:19 AM
|
Just got off the phone with them $25+ for Spl20 harp, they must of got a price update
|
