laser
Guest
Nov 24, 2008
5:22 AM
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I've played harp for about 6 months and I've aquired quite a good control over my bends, recently I've also mananged to do a couple of overblows. I'm just using a normal straight out of the box harp, specifically the Seydel Blues Session.
I'm considering buying a custom harp though, just to give myself a better chance of mastering the technique of overblowing. So I've checked out a couple of different sites, and mostly they offer different setups. To me it seems there are mainly to setups, the basic/blues/bend setup, and the overblow setup. So I'm guessing that I want the overblow setup, but I'm just wondering does this setup in essence also include the basic setup, or is this two completely differnet setups?
Also I would really like tips on who makes good custom harps for a decent price. I don't really need the world class customization, just a good customization for a good price. One specific customizer I've been checking out is Ben Bouman and his Seydel 1847 Beta harps. Is his $165 overblow setup a good deal?
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Chris Michalek
Guest
Nov 24, 2008
5:43 AM
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I'm trying to be objective as I can.
Think about this when you're looking at a customizer.
The best players make the best technicians. Ben is a pretty good player but isn't one I would consider in the group of "Overblowers" So how can he set one up for OBs? There is a lot more to setting up an OB harp than setting gaps and embossing slots.
I own and have played harps from the "top" customizers in the world. I have had to tweak and re-adjust every harp I have ever recieved with the exception of one harp from Brad Harrison. As an OB guy only Brad Harrison has come CLOSE to making the perfect OB harp.
That said, I am an OB guy and I make harps. I would tell you my forte is setting up harps for advanced playing because I am that type of player.
Now if you wanted a harp set up for blues, guys like Ben would be at the top of the list of guys I would recommend. I have never tried one of his harps but have heard from people I trust and therefore can say he makes a nice harp for blues playing.
Leaving myself off of this list I rank the builders as
1. Joe Filisko
2. Brad Harrison
3. Richard Sleigh
4. Jimmy Gordon
5. Joe Spiers
6. Pat Missin
7. Brendan Power
8. Ben Bouman (from what I hear from friends who would know)
I wouldn't bother with anybody else.
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harmonicanick
66 posts
Nov 24, 2008
11:27 AM
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Chris is an expert player and is qualified to talk about customisation and overblows.
You have been playing for 6 months,why worry about custom harps? (they are expensive)
Enjoy the ones out of the box...follow Adam's advice about new harps just to make them flexible..(I like Golden Melody)
Get to know your harps - take them apart and give them tlc
and practise all the time.
Last Edited by on Nov 24, 2008 11:32 AM
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Miles Dewar
79 posts
Nov 24, 2008
12:48 PM
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I've been playing for 9 months, and i just started to emboss reedplates. Chris has a very useful video on youtube for embossing reeds. Just remember one thing. GO SLOW! Just make a couple strokes with the socket, and plink. I satrted out and did like 5 strokes and plinked and molded the metal too far, and seized up my reeds. I didnt know how to file them down until recently. Just practice on an old harp that you are not too fond of.
Chris has some useful vids, check them out.
GOOD LUCK and GO BEARS!!!!
---Be Positive---
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guest
Guest
Nov 26, 2008
5:03 PM
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I wouldnt dare emboss with a socket. Thats Mickey Mouse.
You have to move the reed over and emboss 1 side at a time as they are NEVER the same reveal on both sides and you will overdo one side or the other.And you will have to actually press the reed into the slot to check the angle it swings at. Especially when filed too heavy handed.
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Chris Michalek
Guest
Nov 26, 2008
7:22 PM
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Nice bud...
Sockets, pennies, tuning forks work just fine just before a gig. I always carry a socket in my back just in case I have to run across the street for a spare harp.
You can't do precision embossing with a socket but most don't need harp built to that level.
Most of the customizers I know build shittier harps if they don't know the player or think they are bad player. Yet they put in extra time for a player like me...hmmmm what does that say about the customizer?
If there are any questions about my building practices all of the harps I build are harp I would use on a gig. Sad that it's not the same for the other builders.
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Joe Spiers
Guest
Nov 26, 2008
9:19 PM
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Dear "Guest"
Jason Ricci has at this point invested more money than anyone else into purchasing my harps and loves them- yes, he pays full price. Guess what? I use a socket. Guess what again? A few of them haven't had the slots embossed at all, are just as powerful, and overblow perfectly.
Chris Michalek,
Genuine technicians ascend an ever continuous learning curve for the love of their craft. The respect they might eventually earn is merely a bonus. You have chosen another path, by attempting to damage the credibility of others in order to further promote yourself and your wares. Your behavior is offensive. I hope Karma blesses you justly.
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Philosofy
89 posts
Nov 26, 2008
9:59 PM
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I have a question for the experienced customizers. I can see why Honer, etc. don't produce top notch reed plates out of the box. I've played for 21 years without knowing you could tune a harp up! But I'm curious why they don't design the cover plates better. I have two Lee Oskars, key of A. One is pretty old, maybe 20 years, and I noticed the cover plates on the old harp don't open up much in the back, but the newer harp has a considerably bigger opening.
I would think the reed plate is something easy for the manufacturer to improve, so why don't they? Is there a good reason?
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Chris Michalek
Guest
Nov 27, 2008
5:58 AM
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Joe,
Where have I damaged anyone's credibility? Truth is truth and opinion is opinion. Don't make the mistake of thinking I'm new to building harps. I've been doing it a lot longer than most - I started learning from Dick Gardner in 1988 who by the way uses the ball of a tuning fork for embossing.
I have played harps built for other people and they were utter crap compared to what was built for me. I'm not naming names but I've been told outright by other guys that I spend too much time on my harps when "most players don't know the difference" Well **I** know the difference and I would never build something less than what I would play myself or send to other pros.
That said, Joe, I've played some of your harps that were amazing blues harps.
I know who made the Mickey Mouse comment I found it to be quite radical considering the conversations I've had with him in the past.
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Joe Spiers
Guest
Nov 27, 2008
8:35 AM
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Chris,
It's possible that I've overreacted to your statements, but I find this offensive:
QUOTE:
"Most of the customizers I know build shittier harps if they don't know the player or think they are bad player. Yet they put in extra time for a player like me...hmmmm what does that say about the customizer?
If there are any questions about my building practices all of the harps I build are harp I would use on a gig. Sad that it's not the same for the other builders."
UNQUOTE
By making a blanket statement like this, people are left to make assumptions based on incomplete information- so anyone's credibility can take a hit. It's not worrisome to me, I'm confident in what I'm doing. But it's offensive nonetheless.
Thank you for your positive comments about my harps now and in the past. It wasn't my intention to imply that you are new to the craft, nor am I making any sort of assumptions about your work, I haven't seen it. My point is that you apparently have a flawed concept that other builders have stopped growing. The best builders continually evolve their craft, and some hopefully evolve as humans. There's plenty of work for those that can do it well, and there's no need to kick everyone else in the nuts to sell your harps.
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Anonymous
Guest
Nov 27, 2008
9:25 AM
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It would be a great help if chris would name them so we can avoid them. . . . . .i wonder if chris would appear on the list.
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Chris Michalek
Guest
Nov 27, 2008
9:45 AM
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It's NOT a blanket statement and it certainly doesn't apply to everybody. I have lots of friends who are top-notch players who all have the same conclusions.
On top of that there have been a couple of customizers who have mentioned to me personally that there are different harps for different folks. "They won't know the difference"
Be honest, IF I were to order a harp from you would you take extra effort to make sure it was a better harp because you know you're building for me?
I have tried harps from many of the "top shelf" builders. If I were really trying to boost my own sales then I could easily give my real opinion on each one. I don't need to bash others to build my harp business, I'm overloaded as it is.
Consider this, what made me make the comment in the first place? The was the Mikey Mouse comment that I KNOW was derived from my youtube video. Perhaps the person I was jousting with is one of these people who admittedly builds harps at different levels. Why don't you find his comments offensive?
My concept is NOT flawed, it's the truth as I have experienced it and based on anecdotal evidence from trusted friends who KNOW what a good harp plays like.
I'll say it again, I've met folks who hand me a harp build by xxxxx and when I play it, it's a serious WTF and it saddens me as a player and builder that certain builders have the gall to put out shit because they think they can get away with it.
I'm certainly not perfect but I don't send out anything I wouldn't play myself or send to a player like Howard Levy.
The bottom line is if the comment doesn't apply to you then don't claim it. If wanted to kick other builders in the nuts all I have to do it start talking about harps I played at the most recent SPAH or events.
I've been very fortunate with playing the way that I do. My ability has afforded me the honor of having many builders send me harps to sample or critique. You handed me one of your OB harps to try at SPAH if I recall correctly.
When I had my day job and had a fair amount of disposable income, I used to support the builders that I liked the best by buying their harps. I have only purchased harps from a few builders because I thought they were great harps. These harps have been very consistent for me.
Lastly, I've played some amazing harps built by you and that's the reason I always recommend your services in the past and currently if I am overloaded with work as I have been over the past few weeks. I also have other friends that have said very positive things about your harps.
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Luke juke
Guest
Nov 27, 2008
11:46 AM
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I've only gotta wait another 2 to 3 weeks for a brad harrison custom to come. Cant wait.
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Joe Spiers
Guest
Nov 27, 2008
3:52 PM
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Anyone who orders Stage III instruments from my website certainly receives the same attention I would devote to an instrument built for someone like you.
If someone wants to spend less money, they have the option of ordering a Stage I or II, and my time invested is reflected in the pricing. My analogy is that you can't buy a Porche for the price of an F250. An F250 is still a great vehicle, but you shouldn't buy one expecting it to do what a Porche does. And you shouldn't buy a Porche if you're gonna go mudding.
I do know that what you are saying about some builders is certainly true, in a bad sense. My contention was that your initial comment about it did seem like a blanket when you threw it out there, given that I do perform different levels of work based on the customer's needs, for different prices. I hope we have reached a friendly resolve. Thank you for your positive comments.
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