kudzurunner
177 posts
Dec 01, 2008
3:11 PM
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A few months back I started a thread and asked you guys where you purchased your harps. I got a number of excellent suggestions. For years I purchased all my harps at Sam Ash and Manny's Music in New York, down on 48th Street; a few times, many years ago, I did good business with Kevin McGowan at his "Best Little Harp House." After a bad experience with Harp House last year--it's no longer run by Kevin--I was casting about for a new supplier.
About a month ago, after somebody suggested Musician's Friend, I ordered two harps from them. They sent me four! I suspect that somebody in-house recognized my name.
In any case, bribery works every time. Musician's Friend is now my "official" supplier. (Gussow always tells you as much truth as he possibly can, even when it hurts.)
Since I had that good experience with Musician's Friend, and to help meet a need that I'm sure exists, I've created a new page on the site entitled "HARMONICAS for sale," with links to Musician's Friend and, for my European friends, Thomann's, another mail-order place that came highly recommended. Here's the link:
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/buy_harmonicas.html
As you know, I don't carry any ads on this website, apart from the one big one on p. 1. I don't need the money and don't want the clutter of a zillion little AdSense ads.
I have, however, jointed the affiliate program at both Musician's Friend and Thomann's. This means that when you purchase a harmonica or other gear by way of a link on this website, they kick me back a modest percentage. It's something like 5%. Call it a tip.
This is an experiment, and a contingent one. I value my integrity and don't make recommendations--such as where to buy harps on-line--lightly. If anybody has a bad experience with either of these places, please let me know. I will let THEM know. Should bad experiences accumulate, you may be sure I'll reassess.
If you've got a good local music store that sells you harps for a reasonable price, by all means patronize it! I patronize Rebel Music on West Jackson Ave. in Oxford, Mississippi, about two miles from my front door. Problem is, they don't always have MB harps in the keys I want. For some of you, in any case, mail-order is the way to go.
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Blackbird
11 posts
Dec 01, 2008
5:27 PM
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Thanks for the Musician's Friend link here, Adam. I'll try it the next time I buy harps or related gear online, and post feedback of the experience.
As for patronization:
When in Seattle, the best local/independent brick & mortar harp source has been Dusty Strings in the Fremont neighborhood (www.dustystrings.com) for a good supply of harp keys and styles. They have ordered harps for me that they didn't normally stock (Weltmeister) and have always been friendly in their service. Their prices are average to fair, compared to online or corporate giant music stores which can still undercut 'em by a few bucks.
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oldwailer
354 posts
Dec 01, 2008
8:46 PM
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I've never seen the harps at Dusty Strings--they have about a thousand world class guitars that rip my attention whenever I go there! Very cool music store...
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TylerLannan
21 posts
Dec 01, 2008
8:53 PM
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if you have never checked out coast2coastmusic.com it is a must. Great prices and fast delivery ; )
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*you can only keep what you have by giving it away*
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DanP
17 posts
Dec 01, 2008
9:44 PM
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The only problem I have with Musician's Friend is that they don't stock Suzuki harmonicas which is what I mostly play these days. They do have the Folkmaster but I've not seen the Bluesmaster or Harpmaster on the site. But for people who play Hohners or Lee Oskars,it looks to be a good on-line dealer. I have heard good things about Musician's Friend from people who have ordered musicial instruments from there.
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Blackbird
12 posts
Dec 01, 2008
11:29 PM
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Oldwailer -
Check in the main guitar showroom - there's a counter with a glass cabinet full of harps! Most of the Hohner models, a few Lee Oskars, possibly still a Weltmeister or two, and a few chromatics and other harps. I bought a Chromonica 270 there that I still don't know what to do with, yet.
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kudzurunner
182 posts
Dec 02, 2008
4:59 AM
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When in New York City, by the way, Alex Music on 48th Street is a cool little shop that stocks harps at a good price.
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snakes
49 posts
Dec 02, 2008
12:56 PM
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DanP
I play Suzuki's too and have found a good online site to purtchase them. I am not affiliated with them and don't even live close as I am near Seattle and they are Indianna or Minneapolis or something. Prices are near to the lowest on Amazon and they ship the harps to you quickly. They are called Harmonicas and Stuff. They are here => http://www.harmonicasandstuff.com/. I hope this does not break the rules of the forum, but I have had some bad experiences with just going after the cheapest price every time when I want a new harp. I'd rather pay 50 cents to a dollar more for the harp and get a rapport established with the business. I don't even want to go into the "new" harp I bought off ebay story... Again, if this recommendation was out of line let me know.
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Hollistonharper
2 posts
Dec 02, 2008
2:26 PM
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DanP and Snakes--I recently bought a suzuki harpmaster and bluesmaster from theinstrumentstore.com. They also sell through amazon.com. They delivered immediately and are significantly cheaper than the prices on harmonicasandstuff. Definitely worth checking out.
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kudzurunner
184 posts
Dec 02, 2008
9:04 PM
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Several folks on another thread spoke highly about Coast2Coast Music. I took a good long look at their website. It looks terrific--much more harp-friendly than Musicians Friend. And I'm unnerved to discover that Musicians Friend has a Better Business Bureau rating of D+. I am going to reassess.
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Miles Dewar
101 posts
Dec 02, 2008
9:49 PM
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D+!!!! that's good to know. I'll go through Coast2Coast. They say the delivery is fast too. 3 days is not bad at all.
---Be Positive---
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snakes
50 posts
Dec 03, 2008
12:41 PM
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Thanks Hollistonharper I'll check them out.
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XHarp
6 posts
Dec 03, 2008
4:19 PM
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I used to get harps from Little Harp House too but not recently.
Playing Oskars mostly but I also have a Herring's. The Just tuning is a really nice tone to my ears and they sound really great through the PA.
Anyway, I've just bought from local music shops but I can't find the Herring's anywhere locally and they are hard to find on the www.
Anyone help me out?
And has anyone had a Suzuki Bluesmaster choke during deep bends? I am trying one but Monday I had it crap out and miss the note completely. The band noticed it too but noone else seemed to care.
I stripped it to see if the reed was hanging up but everything seems fine. It did it again today. It's like the reed stalls and doesn't vibrate. Never had that happen with a Hohner or Herring or Oskar.
Thx.
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"Keep it in your mouth" - XHarp
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phil
11 posts
Dec 03, 2008
5:56 PM
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hard to find good harps locally so have used coast2coast a few times. good prices, although the tumbling aussie dollar has made it less attractive. but....last order was 4 days from order to my front door, 500k from nearest major city in australia..unbelievable, their turnaround time is very quick.
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P.J.
Guest
Dec 05, 2008
2:30 AM
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If you're in Jacksonville, there are some localy owned stores and some franchises, which are willing to price-match and even wage war with such on-line giants, like Musician's Friend.
George's, Guitar Center and Music Man of Jacksonville are the stores that I've recently done business with, when I'm not shopping on line.
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RyanMortos
36 posts
Jan 08, 2009
4:11 PM
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I'm a little irritated with Coast2Coast. My first order with them they tell me days later that they had to put it on back order. Why they don't mark there items out of stock is a mystery to me. Now I don't know how long I got to wait for them to receive it and ship it. I'm hoping they'll cancel the order altogether and I'll try somewhere else.
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~Ryan
PA
Ryan's Tube
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Chris Jones
9 posts
Jan 08, 2009
5:24 PM
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Ryan,
Yes I went through a similar ordeal from C2C. Email John Watts and he should cancel your order like he did mine.
After getting the rest of the story, I am more irritated with Bushman Music. From all the reviews it seems like the Delta Frost is the cats meow, I'm to the point that I don't give a shit about trying one now.
Tried getting a DF through Coast to Coast with no luck. Went straight to Bushman Music to make a order on 12/12, they charged my card withought shipping harp. I called Wednesday and they said Christmas wiped them out.
I think Coast to Coast tries to do the right thing, yes it would be great if they would properly mark the stock. I'm frustrated with mail order and need to get used to harps I can buy locally like MB's and SP20's. With my Coast to Coast problem I blame it on poor Bushman service, I would bet they are still waiting on their shipment from them.
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RyanMortos
37 posts
Jan 08, 2009
5:53 PM
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In my case it was a Suzuki Bluesmaster in the key of A. A popular key to stock I would think? Maybe it is that their stock was wiped out over Christmas but I don't really want to wait 2+ weeks to get it. Especially if there is another harmonica site that does list whether or not things are in stock then I wouldn't get my hopes up. I don't think my local music store carries much as far as harmonicas unfortunately. Maybe some of the other above mentioned sites do have what I'm looking for in stock.
I Emailed their customer service department asking to have it canceled. How would I Email John Watts to ask him and recommend that they add that information to their site?
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~Ryan
PA
Ryan's Tube
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djm3801
15 posts
Jan 08, 2009
6:27 PM
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I ordered a Bushman in A. Got an e-mail ON Dec 31 saying it was out of stock (OK, I ordered in on December 30 so that may be they were sold out). I e-mailed them on Jan 1 saying if they had a G to send that. Shipped on Jan 6, I got it today. I am fine with that. Good chance they may have been closed for the holiday since Dec 31, do not know. I have gotten about 6 harps from them and this is the first delay. Twice I got them 2 days after ordering, but I am in PA and I think they are in MD. Still pretty good. No complaints.
Dan M.
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SteveL
6 posts
Jan 08, 2009
8:29 PM
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I just bought some stuff from C2C - ordered it on 23 December, and received it on 6 of Jan. I live in New Zealand, and we have a couple of public holidays during that period, so I was really happy with the service. I was going to buy from Amazon, but they don't ship harps outside the US??
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snakes
70 posts
Jan 09, 2009
12:31 PM
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For those in metroploitan areas I am getting Marine bands and Special 20's for $27.95 from my local Guitar Center stores. Price is the same at both stores in the Seattle area that I have visited.
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Blackbird
24 posts
Jan 09, 2009
1:06 PM
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Snakes - I've had less luck at GC Seattle. While they do sell the Hohners and Lee Oskars at competitive prices, they often shrug and recommend I go elsewhere when they're not stocked in the key or model I want. Most of the time I never ask 'em for any weird keys. They just seem to treat the harps as an unimportant accessory.
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Thunderfromheaven
3 posts
Jan 09, 2009
3:20 PM
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I live in New Zealand so don't have the availability of choice you guys in the US have. Most shops here just stock silver stars or cheap stuff from China.
I do have a whole load of MS Cross harps because chrome is tough on my dry lipped playing. I own a selection of different other brands, Lee Oskars, suzuki's, Seydels etc but now use a guy in the UK who hand tunes Hohners simply because they play better than I have ever manged to achieve by gapping them myself and they are actually cheaper than I can buy elsewhere. He also does odd tunings if you need them on a hohner so no need to use a Lee Oskar reed set.
He does service old MS harps which is handy because he will put in a set of hand tuned Meisster class reeds in any old MS harp and send it back for less than the price of a new one (+ P&P). I like cross harp covers with the better meisterclasse reed plates.
He used to do Larry Adlers chromatics so that speaks volumes. The exchange rate is quite good for the US at the moment and he uses paypal which helps. So if you like MS Hohners you can't go wrong.
http://www.southx.biz/dannecker/shopcustomdiat.htm
I've played on and off for 18 yrs or so and there is nothing worse than a harp that plays badly out of the box and finding it doesnt get any better after messing with it.
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snakes
71 posts
Jan 09, 2009
4:31 PM
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Blackbird,
That is a good observation and I have to agree. I am enough of a beginner that it has not been an issue as I am mostly a Suzuki harp owner. I have just recently been buying the Hohners to try to give them another shot and have not had to be too selective about key. I definitely would call them first and see if they have the key you need as they don't really invest a lot of effort in harmonicas. I am lucky as GC is walking distance from my work. I just thought the price was fairly competetive as the local music store where I live charges $34.95 for the same harps. Good add though Blackbird.
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Chowda30
9 posts
Jan 09, 2009
8:34 PM
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I have used Musicians Friend. I bought a shure green bullet from them ($99.00). I bought about 8 special 20 harmonicas with a 30% discount coupon ($15.75 a piece). I also bought a eppiphone amp that I hated. Luckily, It had a giant dent in the top and they had to refund my money, but I dont think they would have taken it back if it wasn't damaged. Everything worked out in the end for me.
However, I had a drummer friend who was screwed royally from them once. He swore them off big time. My 2 cents.
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Tuckster
73 posts
Jan 09, 2009
11:07 PM
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My 2 cents. I've bought a lot of stuff from C2C, and they've always been prompt and efficient.Had maybe 2 harps back ordered,but for me,it was no big deal.I always have one backup in the major keys, so I can wait on a backorder.
Last Edited by on Jan 09, 2009 11:08 PM
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wheezer
42 posts
Jan 11, 2009
2:20 AM
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Hi,
First fo X harp, try gapping that reed that is choking,
it sounds to me that the gap needs to be slightly increased.
I tend not to buy harps here in 'rip off U.K.'. Before the £ fell against the $ I was buying harps at almost half price from the U.S.A. compared to prices in the U.K.
I now tend to only buy harps when I want to try ones I've not used before. Other than that I buy second hand Special 20's,the old type Pro Harps (pre MS) and Marine Bands and rebuild them.
The few new harps bought recently came from Ebay.For
Suzuki Promaster 350v I use Bluzerd (1010). I believe
this guys name is Kevin and he is very helpful. If he does not have the harp you require listed he will do his best to get it for you and his delivery time to the U.K. was about 6 days. He is also a player himself.
The only other recent purchase I have made is a Huang
Star Performer (a delightfully quirky harp). This also came via Ebay from Fred-swflorida(28100). This was also about 6 days delivery and the cheapest postage charges I've ever found.
p.s. If you want parts for rebuilds on Hohner M.B's
google 'harponline'. They stock everything from individual reeds to acrylic combs for the M B.
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Andrew
63 posts
Jan 11, 2009
4:16 AM
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Wheezer says, "Before the £ fell against the $ I was buying harps at almost half price from the U.S.A. compared to prices in the U.K."
Yeah, when I saw that video by Adam about buying MBs in NY for 20 bucks, I was going to email him to say "They are hand-made in Germany; they cost 20 bucks in the US and they cost 50 bucks in the UK. How does that work?"
But now there's buck-pound equality and they cost 25 bucks in the UK, it all becomes totally meaningless.
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Chris Jones
18 posts
Jan 24, 2009
3:56 PM
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Just wanted to toot C2C horn a bit, I've place a couple orders since and they were very quick. My tip is to call and check inventory and not trust the website to be current.
I've got a Bluesmaster and it's insane. I've been playing Peidmonts for so long, it seems custom :). I want to also report I'm still waiting on Delta Frost from Bushman Inc., order placed 12/12 and card charged, now that's some bullshit.
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unclevit
1 post
Jan 24, 2009
8:55 PM
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tks for all inputs on stores. i used to buy from harmonicastore.com But mostly, I did when i traveled. Local sellers are also good for me. MB costed me $19-20 for all keys (2007-2008), delivered. Too bad, they don't have websites. Sounds good on C2C. Also, check ebay's bluerd store. Suzuki is very low $$ there. Good winds.
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johntrem
22 posts
Jan 25, 2009
3:14 AM
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For all who may be unaware, Musician's Friend IS Guitar Center (That Which Consumes All Other Stores).
Don't misunderstand, I've done business with both numerous times and so far, have no complaints. One negative aspect is that MF/GC is such a monster corporation that one has the experience of dealing with such if problems arise. Also, when the Guitar Center appeared in my local area it drove numerous independent music stores out of business which I really hated to see happen. So when Adam professes some trepidation regarding MF/GC's Better Business Bureau rating, it is probably because it is a monster corporation, but this is the age of the giant, all consuming corporation.
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lumpyW
1 post
Jan 25, 2009
12:07 PM
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in the UK, http://www.harmonicas-direct.com/ give good service, with quite competitive prices. I ordered some reed plates recently and they arrived by royal mail the next day.
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3 cav 84a
6 posts
Jan 25, 2009
2:29 PM
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G'day, I just ordered the Suzuki Bluesmaster boxed set 6 harps from some bloke in the USA. I saw that he was selling individual Bluesmasters on eBay starting price of $22. I emailed him at kpincorpor@aol.com and asked if he sold the 6 harp boxed set and this is his reply
"Hi, I will need to order it. The MR250-S (Box set) is $112. The MSRP is $169.95.S/H is $14. Thanks."
The shipping and handling is to Australia which is very good price but the harps work out to $18.66 per harp and the box is for free.
I have played the Harpmasters and like them a lot, just thought I would try the bluesmasters to see how they go, regards Neil
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Randy G. Blues
1 post
Jan 25, 2009
9:07 PM
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My Recent and Last Dealing With Bushman Music Works
THE SYNOPSIS
9/19/08 - placed an online order (I believe my third of fourth order with them) for harps and reed plates (this order totaled about $130)
10/7/08 - called to add to order - one additional reed plate $10.80. Order had not yet been sent out, so this was an easy add.
11/19/08 - Called to find out when order would ship. Told shipment arrives there +/- 11/21/08 and so my order would ship out shortly.
12/3/08 - Called again to find out about order. Got berated for calling so much. Told I was a "squeaky wheel" kind of person who thinks that if I keep calling my order would get shipped sooner. Told that they would just cancel order and send me my money back. I said I just wanted what I had ordered in September and wondered where it was. Told truck arrives 12/5/08. I should have my order by 12/13/08. I gave him my E-Mail address (which he stated was not in his records), he read it back to me at my request, and I requested that he send me an E-Mail to assure me that it works. No E-Mail ever arrived.
12/29/08 - Still no order. I was done with all this and wanted my money back. I E-mailed for a refund, then called on the phone later that afternoon and talked directly to John and canceled both orders and asked for a full refund. Amount and address was verified and I hung up.
12/29/08 (later that same afternoon)- John Hall called me three times and gave me a detailed reason why my order never shipped. Said order was held up in shipping department because two of the harps I ordered are out of stock and they have trouble getting them. Promised refund and to send my long-delayed order to me at no charge to apologize and as a good will gesture. I had him verify my E-Mail address and asked for him to send me an E-Mail to assure that it works. No E-Mail ever arrived. Stated that he didn't want to lose me as a customer. At this point I figured things can happen, and was satisfied with the explanation, although still not pleased with the way I was treated on 12/3.
1/09/09 - No refund has been issued and no goods have been delivered. I contacted my credit card company and filed a dispute for a full refund of both charges.
1/13/09 - As of today no refund and no order. No contact at all from Bushman since the phone calls on the day I canceled the order (12/29/08). I posted another reply on alt.music.harmonica talking about how poorly this has been handled and how undependable Bushman has been to me as a business, etc. I also stated that I would only communicate with them in writing from this point forward.
1/14/09 - (the day after I posted on alt.music.harmonica) I receive an E-mail from Bushman stating, once again, that parts are in the mail and refund to my credit card has been issued. The first E-Mail message I have received concerning this refund/unsent order situation.
1/16/09 - The refund from Bushman for $132.95 now appears on my credit card statement, but they failed to credit me for the additional $10.50 from the second order I placed as they had agreed to do.
1/19/09 - An E-mail from Bushman I received today now states that the reason the refund was slow to post was due to how old the charge was, and it also states, "I also arranged a very nice selection of products, and one super nice surprise that you don't even know about, to ship out to you today (I actually pulled it and arranged for it to go out last week while I was in Anaheim for the NAMM show, but my people didn't ship it as I asked them to, so it is going out today)." [This is three weeks from the day he stated that the refund would be issued and the package would be mailed.]
1/22/09 - Phone call from Bushman this AM; I checked the caller ID, saw it was Bushman, and so I did not answer. E-mail with tracking number arrives a little while later. According to tracking info, parcel shipped 1/19/09 and will arrive here tomorrow, 1/23/09.
1/23/09 - Parcel arrives. The contents were:
1 - Reed plate/comb assembly - new - key of C
1 - Reed plate/comb assembly - new - key of Bb
1 - Delta Frost harmonica - USED - key of A
1 - Lee Oscar Harmonica - USED - key a Dm
1 - Lee Oscar Harmonica - USED - key of Em
1 - heavy leather snap case for 6 harmonicas
Not included were the three "A" reedplate sets I had ordered which were what I really needed because of the repeated failure of the 5-draw reed on these harps.
I never wanted to take the time nor the expense to find a different harp. I like the DF's for lots of reasons— They have a good sound, are well tuned and set up right out of the box, are responsive, and are relatively affordable for the quality they offer. Unfortunately, it seems that the decision to change harps has been made for me by Bushman. Sad, really. Great harp, but based on my recent experience in dealing with them, not a great business.
I have 10+ pages of detailed, chronological documentation covering this entire situation. I originally did not want to just post a "don't do business with these people" message as I find that those just sound like one pissed off person trying to ruin a business. I could post the entire thing if it would serve any need, but I think this suffices for the moment.
I think that the details I have shared create a mass of evidence that anyone thinking of dealing with Bushman directly would be well served by reading. Suffice to say that after what I have been though my dealing with Bushman or buying any more Bushman products is at an end.
SOME SUBJECTIVE COMMENTS
I have been playing harmonica for fun, on and off (mostly off) since the late 1960's. Beginning in mid-2007 I was invited to a friendly jam in a friend's home and it motivated me to get back into music so I bought a cheap set of Chinese-made harps to augment the four or five Lee Oscars I already owned at that time. In late 2007 I found a weekly blues open mic jam at a bar and started playing there. I dropped by another open jam or two a few times as well. As I got serious I looked for better harps and discovered the Delta Frost and put away all my other harps. Right from the start I liked these harps a lot.
I am now in a group and we have been rehearsing weekly, working on a CD and are going to be "touring" locally. More than ever, I now depend on my harps so I need not only a dependable harp but a dependable source of the harps as well.
When it comes to business dealings, and in personal matters as well, actions speak louder than words. A person can proclaim their honesty day in and day out, but history teaches that those who proclaim their honesty loudest and most frequently are very often the least honest. I do not know John Hall personally— I only know him from my business dealings with the Bushman Company and from our phone conversations. At this point I can only judge him by his actions, or by his inaction as the case may be. He told me that he would issue a refund on Monday, December 29, 2008, and in the end I had to resort to calling my credit card company to get them to retrieve my money.
John said I would have a parcel from him in "a couple of days," and it took 20 mailing days before the parcel arrived here.
Be warned that the Bushman policy states that they charge your credit card when the order is placed, NOT when the order is shipped. So for all this time they have been sitting on my money, and in my opinion I did not receive a level of service that is in line with such a policy.
During all this I dreaded having to change harps to another brand, and I even said so to John. I had been playing the Bushman Delta Frost seriously for fifteen months and I think they are the best harps out of the box for the money currently available— at least of those I would play and have tested so far. The Phosphor Bronze used in their reeds really does have a great bluesy sound that makes a difference in this price range. It is also a very responsive and efficient harp. I would highly recommend it to just about anyone other than the fact that the supply of them, or at least the supplier, seems undependable.
Some recommended the Suzuki Bluesmaster, and so I got one and found the set up and sound inferior to the Delta Frost. I could also comment that replacement reedplates for the Bluesmaster are not available, but at this point I can say the same thing about the Bushman reedplates; at least to say they seem quite unavailable to me. I picked up a Harpmaster just to have an emergency backup for my "A" harp and found that the Harpmaster is very brassy and piercing in tone compared to either of the above two harps. I now use these two Suzuki harps as carry-around pocket harps.
I cannot play Hohners as the square corners are too sharp for my hands, and because of that I have not bothered to even try any.
I bought a Seydel Blues Session but do not like it much at all. It would take too much work to get it to play the way I want.
Early on I tried some Lee Oscars. For me, the hole-number stampings on their recent shipments (last year or two), besides being ludicrous, are far too deep and it makes them like playing a cheese grater. The backs are also very closed down which muffles the sound. I also find them less efficient and less responsive than the better harps I have tried. But allow me to add that Lee Oscar himself called me after reading a letter I sent the company and offered to do what he could to make things right for me. I thanked him and turned down his kind offer, and told him it was not necessary as I didn't play the LO's any longer, but that was still better service than I had received from Bushman. Thanks Lee! I still appreciate that call.
[Number stampings on a 10 hole harmonica!? If you can't count to "10," start at "3" by taking up the triangle and work your way up from there....]
If there is any good news in all this, I have found a harp I like more than the DF's... a LOT more. I recently got a "Seydel 1847 Classic" harp. Just a few weeks ago I would not have believed that I would buy one harmonica for nearly $100, but I did. I REALLY like the sound... a LOT! For three times the price of the DF's it should sound great, and it does. I am growing accustomed to the hole spacing as it is just a little wider than the DF's or the Bluesmasters, but the sound is... astounding. The covers are unstamped around the mouth area and they feel delightfully smooth. They are responsive and should last a lot longer than other reed materials. I played the 1847 Classic for the first time at one of my group's rehearsals on January 7, 2009 and the tone of these harps is fantastic. I have found my new favorite harp and have ordered five more!
When I was considering the Seydel Soloist Pro I left a voice message concerning the reeds of Seydel harps with Rupert Oysler and he returned my call the very next morning(!). As it turns out, all Seydel harps have brass reeds except for the 1847's and the "Big 6" which have stainless steel reeds. Once again, great service, this time from Seydel.
So there you have it... My latest and last experience with Bushman and my discovery of a better harp.... My recommendation in regards to Bushman is caveat emptor.. Better yet, find another harmonica and shop elsewhere.
"You live and learn. Then you die and forget it all."*
- Ray Lum
* [This was the original title of Ray Lum's biography written by Willliam Ferris, the book has been retitled: "Mule Trader: Ray Lum’s Tales of Horses, Mules, and Men"]
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Jaybird
29 posts
Jan 26, 2009
7:10 AM
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To Randy G. Blues,
I noticed that Bushman sent you a couple USED harmonicas. I didn't know that Bushman was in the business of selling USED harmonicas. I wonder if it is Bushman's policy to accept USED harmonicas for return as well?
So Randy, how to you like playing those USED harmonicas you got from BUSHMAN?
Last Edited by on Jan 26, 2009 7:11 AM
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Miles Dewar
151 posts
Jan 26, 2009
7:55 AM
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Damn Randy! LOL. Nicestory.
I buy my harps at "The Music Center" in Kenosha Wi.
They have the greatest selection around. There's about 100 harps in their glass case.
-Yep had plenty of dreams about knockin' that place over. lol
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---Be Positive---
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RyanMortos
59 posts
Jan 26, 2009
9:11 AM
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Randy, thats nuts! Especially when you spend that sort of money, that service stinks.
No wonder some of the internet 3rd party sites have stock issues. I have to agree, if you cant have the item in stock and sent within 3 weeks then you shouldnt show that you have the item to sell and definately shouldnt charge someone before its in the mail.
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~Ryan
PA
Ryan's Tube - Containing [0] uploads and counting...
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Hollistonharper
12 posts
Jan 26, 2009
10:15 AM
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Hi Randy,
You wrote a thoughtful, articulate even-handed synopsis of your Bushman experience. There is no reason to take your story with a grain of salt. I'm sure it's all true, I've got my own issues with Bushman over delivery. I've communicated with John myself, partly on his harp forum. And there have been posts on his forum from other dissatisfied customers.
John actually posted a message on his forum where he explains the reason for poor delivery (See Bushman Customer Service thread started 1.20.09). I thought it was an incredibly honest thing to post in public. He explained that due to the credit crisis, he can't borrow money to build his inventory and he doesn't have the cash to up stock to meet demand. I'm a little offput to learn that he hasn't been completely forthcoming in the past about reasons for the delay in delivery, but I kind of get that he has been under a lot of pressure to keep his business afloat...
He has posted a big mea culpa on the same Bushman thread I mentioned above, and has apologized for the service issues. He announces a new policy that if you order on the phone you will be told whether an item is in stock, if you order online you'll get an email letting you know to expect delays. He'll also provide free shipping on all your order for the entire year.
I'm not an apologist for John, but I am (like you) a huge fan of Delta Frosts. I agree that it's a great instrument at a great price. So out of my own self-interest, I hope harp players will give Bushman a chance and see if John's promises for improved service stand up. While I recognize that the best solution would be immediate delivery, his fix will at least manage our expectations and let us know when we'll have to look elsewhere for a harp key we need immediately.
Good luck with the Seydels, but at $100 a pop we need Bushman to succeed!
Mark
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Sally
1 post
Jan 29, 2009
4:20 PM
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I am a new harmonica player. After experimenting with an inexpensive Hohner Bluesband for a few days, I think I am ready for a better harmonica. After seeing what people say about the Bushman company I will definately NOT get one of those Delta Frosts.
Can someone tell me what is a good harmonica to get that is NOT made by the Bushman company?
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JTThirty
19 posts
Jan 29, 2009
4:25 PM
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Oh, you'll get PLENTY of opinions. I started on Marine Bands and still play Marine Bands. I love the new Deluxe Marine Bands even though they are more expensive, I've yet to destroy one--so if they outlast the standard model x2 or x3, then the additional price is worth it. I've had good luck with Coast2Coast music--prompt service. Shipping a bit high, so order a few things at once.
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DocJon
26 posts
Jan 29, 2009
7:40 PM
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I have a Delta Frost I ordered from Coast-to-Coast, and it arrived in a timely fashion. I find it more responsive than the Hohner Pro Harp I had previously. I can't remember what Marine Bands are like to compare them. The first time I picked up a harp many years ago, it was a Pocket Pal. I was happy when I stepped up in class to the Marine Band, but then found I had a sore throat every time I played the darned thing. After awhile, I realized the allergies that treated me so badly in Wood Shop were hurting me when I played the Marine Band. So no more wood combs for me.
I've heard some things about dealing with Bushman directly, and I don't think I would ever do that based on what I heard. If you order through Coast-to-Coast, I think you'll be safe, since I think they indicate what harps they have in stock. Let THEM do the dirty work and deal with Bushman, and you can deal with Coast-to-Coast.
Even in the short time I used a Marine Band, I found the wooden comb and resultant swelling to be annoying. Why put up with it if the comb doesn't affect the sound? I guess my allergies made it so I don't even have to consider it.
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Jaybird
33 posts
Jan 30, 2009
2:14 PM
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Hollistonharper said...
"John actually posted a message on his forum where he explains the reason for poor delivery (See Bushman Customer Service thread started 1.20.09). I thought it was an incredibly honest thing to post in public. He explained that due to the credit crisis, he can't borrow money to build his inventory and he doesn't have the cash to up stock to meet demand. I'm a little offput to learn that he hasn't been completely forthcoming in the past about reasons for the delay in delivery, but I kind of get that he has been under a lot of pressure to keep his business afloat..."
I carefully checked the Bushman forum and couldn't find anything like this there. It must have been deleted by John Hall himself. Maybe you can post a link?
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djm3801
24 posts
Jan 30, 2009
4:51 PM
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Sally,
I have been at this abotu 10 months. Love the Delta Frost. I like my Special 20's too. I would not rule out trying one. Call Coast to Coast and see if they have stock before ordering. They have been fabulous to me except right after christmas, I order a Delta Frost A and they were out of them so I told them to send a G instead and I got it in a couple of days.
I like the Delta Frost but that is me.
Dan
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Bluzdude46
4 posts
Feb 04, 2009
6:21 AM
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First of All Hi Adam, I'm Michael and I met you at a seminar you did in Frederick MD last few or so months ago. Nice job by the way enjoyed it and the CD, learned a few things after all these years. I have better practice habits now.
Anyway to get back on subject, despite whatever rating they have I have nothing but good to say about Musicians friend.com, as good a price as anyone, I've always got good product, decent shipping times and rates. they have never told me out of stock on anything. Being the impetous gear head that I am, that counts big for me When I want it I want it NOW. LoL
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