Ant138
30 posts
Sep 19, 2008
12:27 AM
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Has anyone checked out the Hohner advert on Modern blues harmonica home page for Signature Bob Dylan Marine bands?
$250000 for eight marine bands that have been played and signed by Bob Dylan. Check it out, it is crazy. If you cant afford the set you can buy single marine bands signed by him for $5000. Who would buy these insane priced harps?
I didnt think he could really play harmonica anyway, what a load of tree huggin hippy rubish!!!
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bluesnut
36 posts
Sep 19, 2008
1:48 AM
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I prefer to play harps not used by someone else my self. MB's are made of wood ain't they? Who knows what Bob was eatin' before he played them, I guess it costs extra for the chunks stuck in thar. Jus funnin' alittle. I like Bob's version of Baby please don't go on you tube
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Oisin
12 posts
Sep 19, 2008
3:42 AM
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Have you read his interview with Hohner (available by clicking the link on the home page of this site)? If I was someone interested in harp, this interview wouldn't exactly inspire me rush out and buy a harmonica, especially one of his! I thought someone as influential as Bob would have answered other than in monosylables.
I think Hohner would do better investing in quality control of their harps instead of paying a not very good harmonica player bizillions of dollars to endorse
a harp that only Russian football club owners can afford.
If anyone is interested, I have a marine band which I've written Bobs name on and you can have it for $10. Only one busted reed which "Bob" blew out in 1965.
Oisin
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rustywater
19 posts
Sep 20, 2008
1:58 PM
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I recently moved to Germany and was hoping to get a job in the Hohner quality control department, the thought of sitting on my backside all day doing sod all really appealed to me, when I applied they said, what is a quality control department!!!
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superchucker77
68 posts
Sep 20, 2008
5:40 PM
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llllllllloooooooooooooooooooollllllllllll!!!
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danielbs
20 posts
Sep 21, 2008
12:11 PM
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For $25,000 i'd expect dylan to show up at my place come morning time and cook me a mighty fine breakfast.
Later on he would perform for me and my close friends (you are all invited) in a private venue, that he would have paid for !
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Swampblood
1 post
Sep 21, 2008
1:41 PM
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I agree that the harps are highly overpriced and that the idea of playing a harp that Bob Dylan had his mouth on doesn't really appeal to me at all, but you have to keep in mind the fact that he was a terribly influential dude who just happened to play the harmonica. Sure, he was no Little Walter, but I enjoy Bob's playing just as much as I enjoy Little Walter's. It's not that he "couldn't play harmonica," he just played a different style. I also found it quite comical that his answers in the interview were so terse. It's such a quintessentially Dylan thing to do.
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kudzurunner
110 posts
Sep 21, 2008
1:53 PM
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Ouch! I must confess that I hadn't actually checked out the ad. Truth is, my website carries only one ad: the Hohner ad, front and center. It started with the Hoodoo Hand mic; later, my contact at Hohner asked me to swap that out and swap in another--the Dylan ad, or the one before. I've lost count. I'm on the second or third ad. They pay me a very modest fee, when I remember to invoice them every couple of months.
But I hadn't actually checked out what the ad was selling.
That's the truth. You know by now, hopefully, that I'm a guy who values his integrity. Often that means being quite a bit more frank than merely commercial considerations would dictate that I be.
In any case, please flame on, if you think the ad deserves it.
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kudzurunner
111 posts
Sep 21, 2008
2:03 PM
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Well now.
The TRUTH is that when Hohner asked me to swap in the new Dylan harp ad, I obliged, then checked out the first 15 seconds, which consisted of old B&W footage of young Dylan strumming and joking with an audience about needed a harmonica. This touched me. I started the harmonica, among other reasons, because my father, a painter, used to play THE FREEWHEELIN' BOB DYLAN when he was painting his big canvases, and I loved "Honey Just Allow Me One More Chance" and "Oxford Town" (I live in Oxford, Mississippi) and all the other songs on which Dylan blew nice wheezy distinctive harp.
So naturally I was fine with the ad. But I didn't realize that it was an ad for two different products: a $25,000 collection of seven Marine Band harps, signed AND played by Dylan, and one harp for $5,000, signed and played by Dylan.
Whew. I love Dylan and I love Marine Band harps. But that's a heck of an upscale product for a little website like mine.
Here's a question: What should I charge for a Marine Band harp that I have played and signed?
Heck: I still have the harp in my desk drawer on which I recorded "C. C. Rider" and "Groovy People" on the HARLEM BLUES album. (Not for sale.)
Please use this forum to suggest specialty harp products that Gussow might peddle from Modern Blues Harmonica. How about a Marine Band harp that I have blown out all the reeds on while trying to keep up with Satan? Or maybe I could package a new harp with some actual Mississippi dirt. I've got lots of that in my backyard.
Last Edited by on Sep 21, 2008 2:04 PM
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Oisin
13 posts
Sep 21, 2008
3:22 PM
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How about a "The Adam Gussow Sell your soul to the Devil in return for the ability the do overblows" Kit with your own fold-out crossroad?
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superchucker77
69 posts
Sep 21, 2008
3:51 PM
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lol.
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geordiebluesman
74 posts
Sep 22, 2008
4:47 AM
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Hey guy's,don't be so hard on Mr Dylan,I know it's a lot of cash he's trying to raise but have you any idea how much the tone deaf little twat has to spend on singing lessons?
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snakes
26 posts
Sep 22, 2008
11:59 AM
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How about an Adam Gussow Marine Band that was used while busking with Mr. Satan? That should be worth at least 5K if you take the musical experience associated to the harp into account. As for Mr. Dylan I won't trash his voice or harp playing merely because of my respect for his lyrics. Like other songwriters (John Hiatt comes to mind along with Randy Newman)his forte is not the musical presentation of his creations. On a serious note I would pay a more reasonable price for a Gissow MB for the display/collectibility. Don't know if I'd be willing to play it myself, but I'd love to have it on display in my little hovel I call a library.
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oldwailer
199 posts
Sep 22, 2008
4:52 PM
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I love Dylan's music--but I'm probably from the generation Adam's dad is from--
But Man! I wouldn't pay big bucks for a harp played by Dylan--have you ever seen his teeth? Last I knew, he smoked 5 packs a day! That would be a really nasty harp!
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Blind Melon
6 posts
Sep 23, 2008
7:01 AM
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I personally think the words "Bob Dylan" and "harmonica" together in the same sentence is an oxymoron. It would be like Ford Motor Company using the Pinto as a marketing tool.
Now I do acknowledge the influence Bob has had on American music as a song writer, but lets face it, Bob was not a very good harp player...he was not a very good singer...but he definitely could write songs!
Maybe if only Hohner was selling harps that Little Walter or Big Walter had used....now that would get people's attention.
But whenever I feel a little discouraged about my playing ability...like after listening to some of the great harp players....I just put on a Dylan record and after listening to Bob's harp playing, I feel a whole lot better about my own playing.
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Trueblue
Guest
Nov 08, 2008
12:19 AM
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I think you will find that Bob Dylan has influenced far more people into taking up the harp than all the great blues Harp players put together. I happen to like blues but there are many that prefer listening to folk or Bob Dylan style playing.
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harmonicanick
49 posts
Nov 08, 2008
1:34 AM
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Paul Jones was being interviewed and was asked what would you give Dylan for his birthday?
'Harmonica lessons' was the terse reply!
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DanP
8 posts
Nov 08, 2008
6:36 AM
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I think Bob Dylan is a better harmonica player than some people give him credit for. "Blonde on Blonde" is one of my favorite albums and I like his harp playing on that record. He even plays some decent blues harp on the song "Pledging My Time" from that album. Some of his playing is unconventional but it fits in well with the style of songs that he is playing. No, he is not a great blues harpist but just because some of his riffs are simple and played in the straight harp mode does not make him a bad harmonica player. The same can be said about his guitar playing. Some of his guitar playing is simple but that does not make him a bad guitar player either.
Last Edited by on Nov 08, 2008 2:27 PM
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Trueblue
Guest
Nov 08, 2008
1:18 PM
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Harmonicanick- who in the hell is Paul Jones? Everyone, everywhere knows who Bob Dylan is ie an 'ikon' a giant in the music industry. A Dylon harmonica is a collectors piece and in future if traded will produce solid returns ie much better than Wall St! I happen to like blues music but I am not hung up on it ie there are other styles that are as suited or may even be more suited to the harmonica. Whilst I like the blues the overall following and appreciation of blues harmonica is sadly not large. More people relate to melodic playing of folk, classical, irish, country etc. I have family members that hate blues harmonica, ie me playing I understand, but they cannot stand listening to CDs of the people we look up to. Its all music and its all great but we cannot tell people what they should or shouldnt like.
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Anon
Guest
Nov 08, 2008
1:50 PM
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Yes a harp personally signed by Little Walter might have special significance for a blues harp musician but wouldn't rate as a collectable on which to make money. Me, I would like to be able to play as good as, and in the style of Christelle ie popular stuff. I would also like to be in a position to afford a collection of Seydel 1870s to play. Maybe if I sell my Dylan Signature Marine Band in 10 years I could buy the Seydels plus a Mercedes (only kidding - but I wish!)
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harmonicanick
51 posts
Nov 09, 2008
1:27 AM
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Paul Jones was lead singer with the Manfred Mann Band in the '60s
I think they had hit singles in the states.
Anyway he now presents a weekly blues show on BBC radio and he is an expert harp player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjBos4qOcu0
link is him playing work song by Nat Adderley
He is president of the National Harmonica League (UK)
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Anonymous
Guest
Nov 09, 2008
12:50 PM
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Harmonicanick thanks for the link to Paul Jones. I now know who he is. Can't say that I'm overly impressed with his playing to the extent that he should ever comment in a derogeratory way(by suggesting lessons) about musicians who are IMHO obviously far better ie Bob Dylan. OK so its different style but that does not make it inferior. Over on your side of the planet is a harp player that I do admire called Brendan Power. Brendan from my observations does not seem hung up on any particular style. It's all good.
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Miles Dewar
61 posts
Nov 09, 2008
1:30 PM
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You know, I Was gonna ask you that same question. How much for a Marine Band Signed by you. I would definately purchse one. Seeing as how you are the person who sent me in the directions that led to EVERYTHING i know about blues. It would be something good to have and retire to a shelf.
So then, How much Dr. Gussow?
---Be Positive---
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harmonicanick
52 posts
Nov 10, 2008
1:48 AM
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Anon,
You are right, Paul plays blues style but he can sing pretty well. Presumptious to comment like that about Dylan?
I think it was tongue in cheek...there is no arguement about Dylan's stature. In fact they are co-presenters, because Bob Dylan has been doing a series of shows for BBC radio investigating all the styles and influences of modern music of all genres.
Brendan Power is a real virtuoso and innovator. I went to a workshop with him many years ago and the he offered to re-tune anyones harps so they could play Irish folk music! Opened my eyes to different styles.
If you can try and geta cd called 'Triple Harp Bypass' -
Collection of Irish stuff with Brendan, Filisko and another guy i cant remember name.
Played last night with Eddie Martin check out his new cd available in the states 'Contrary Mary'
Harp on'
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Honkin On Bobo
9 posts
Nov 10, 2008
7:52 AM
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I'm tryin' to figure out how rich you have to be to be able to afford any of those Dylan harps. By the way, Hohner also has produced a Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) harp as well. Not used by Steven but embossed with his signature. It costs more than a regular Marine Band or Special 20, but not like the Dylan harps.
Hell, for $25,000, you could buy a full set of Hohner Marine Bands, a Fender Sratocaster, a few private lessons from Adam and a guitar instructor of you choice and still have enough left for a trip to Mississippi, Beale Street or Clapton's next guitar fest. And I like both Dylan and Aerosmith.
I wouldn't flame Adam for the ad though. The man has given away enough free knowledge to have a lifetime exemption from the capitalist $%#^!! charge.
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Bani Ram Den
Guest
Nov 10, 2008
10:07 PM
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I love Marine Bands & I would pay anything for one. How much are they without Mr Dylons name on them?
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