Buzadero
26 posts
Feb 10, 2009
11:13 AM
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As I am a recalcitrantic misanthrope, who is an against-the-grainer, let me just re-emphasize the beauty, majesty and wonder that is a "Buddha-Tweaked" harp.
The Testament: Your playing will benefit from request-review-approval and ultimately, ownership of a Buddha Harp. Enlightenment will be yours.
Chris creates the coverplates by hand-hammering a proprietary alloy of metallurgic alchemy on a thousand year old anvil that was used for many generations by Japanese sword makers. The reedplates are heated, pulled, folded, and hand pounded over and over in a process that requires thousands of cycles to align the molecules into regimented formation from Turkish bronze he gets from the Zyldjian cymbal factory in an exclusive arrangement that he has with them for only the most perfect batches.
The reeds themselves are tapped out very delicately from spent shell casings of armor-piercing rounds from Delta and SEAL detachments.
The combs are the real artwork. Chris has perfected a milling technique that involves chewing the comb material (whether wood, yak horn or yeti toenails) with his teeth. After years of using the almost lost embouchure of "teeth blocking", his front teeth are honed to perfect cutting blades, with engagement edges that rival most close toleranced laser sharpened edges.
Once the comb is made, he then pressure seals it at over 400 degrees in a vacuum chamber immersed in a secret blend of Godiva chocolate, baby oil, DOT 4 brake fluid and creosote, that is saliva impervious and proof-tested in the extreme weather lab at McMurdo Station.
The entire process is subjected to an extensive and rigorous series of quality control checks by retired NASA engineers now living in the greater Phoenix area.
This is a process that you cannot hope to duplicate by yourself. Don't try it at home. The risks are too high.
I will tell you that, as the fortunate owner of now four of these little pocket masterpieces, I am a very satisfied customer. My arthritis has gone, I no longer need eyeglasses, and my hair has begun to regrow. You can't get that from an out-of-the-box harp. My wife is overjoyed that my erections are bigger and more powerful.
I've said it before, and I'll repeat it here now:
Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to just one of these beauties. Apply for ownership in your favorite key. Try it for 30 days. If your not completely convinced that both your playing and your personal health and self-esteem have benefitted by the experience, simply mail the harp back for a no questions asked non-refund return.
Think of a harmonica analogically as you would a Harley. You can buy one stock....but, no one leaves it that way. You tweak the bike to your personal tune and preference. But, as a hobbyist, you cannot hope to approach the art and craftsmanship of a bike worked over from the ground up by a pro.
Apply now, operators are standing by.
~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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RyanMortos
73 posts
Feb 10, 2009
11:33 AM
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Hilarious. Hopefully that was meant to be :)
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~Ryan
PA
Ryan's Tube - Containing [0] uploads and counting...
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Buzadero
28 posts
Feb 10, 2009
11:56 AM
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Absolutely not. I do own Buddha Harps. In fact, when I went home this weekend, there was a fine one (in G) waiting for me. I've owned hundreds of harps over the past 30 years. Some were fine and some were very frustrating "out of the box". Some brands were more consistent than others. But, with any production line, there will be differences in finished products. The guy turning the knobs on the machines potentially will do it with slight differences on Friday afternnon, rather than Monday morning. If the production needs to turn them out faster to satisfy a greater demand (say, in the weeks following some harp exposure to the masses on American Idol), they might crank up the output and consequently relax the tolerances a bit.
The hack that wheezes in and out through these goofy little things trying to play "Oh Susanna" won't know the difference. But, the player trying to develop a relationship and master nuance with his instrument will be more sensistive to the tolerances and craftsmanship of a harp that has been lovingly treated by someone who cares. Of course you can learn and do it yourself. It's a noble and worthwhile skill. And, as the Gato de Fiddle said, it has the potential to save you lots of money. Personally, I am a fumble fingered brute, more at home with striking tools or cranes than little files, feeler guages and toothpicks. But, as my wife will tell you, my tongue and lips are capable of very fine and dexterous manuevers, both in and out of the box.
Yes. I can bend and overblow all but the sloppiest stock harps. And, am quite content to haul them in my bags when I go offshore to work. But, I can appreciate the quality and craftsmanship of a custom-tweaked-hotrodded harp as a much finer tool, capable of all the same moves as a stock harp.....but with so much more pleasure.
~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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GermanHarpist
76 posts
Feb 10, 2009
2:43 PM
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"teeth blocking"... hilarious.
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http://www.youtube.com/germanharpist
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djm3801
36 posts
Feb 10, 2009
4:47 PM
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Buzadero,
Good one. Very funny indeed! Had to read it couple of times to catch all the great lines. Thanks.
Dan M.
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Zhin
110 posts
Feb 10, 2009
6:22 PM
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Besides the the tears I'm wiping off my face I think I got a hernia from laughing so hard.
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oldwailer
497 posts
Feb 10, 2009
8:01 PM
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This isn't funny at all--I don't own any Buddha harps. What in the hell do I tell my wife to get her to understand why a set of Buddha harps is more important than car payment, rent, or food???
I guess I just need to decide if the harps are more important than a wife of 38 years. . .OK! I decided--now, where do I place the order?
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Buddha
43 posts
Feb 10, 2009
8:18 PM
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Buddha Harp $175
includes composite comb that replaces the factory plastic/wood comb
add $50 for brass or aluminum combs
Zen Harp - $150 (Golden Melody, Special 20, Marine Band, Blues Harp
etc) (Models with wood combs are sealed to prevent swelling)
Harmonica is set up using factory supplied parts only.
Lotus Harp - $85 (Golden Melody, Special 20, Marine Band, Blues Harp
etc) $95 if you want the factory wood comb sealed to prevent swelling.
Harmonica is set up using factory supplied parts only. When all you
need is a harmonica that plays better out of the box. Cover plates and
combs are not modified. The reeds are distressed, tuned, set up of
optimum play-ability and gapped. Less nuances are available on a harp
set up like this BUT it still plays better than ANY out of the box
harmonica.
To order send pay pal to mojodeli@yahoo.com please add $5 for shipping
in USA $8 shipping to UK and AUS $11 for Shipping to Asia $15
shipping to middle east.
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Andrew
110 posts
Feb 11, 2009
12:23 AM
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Buddha, I'm interested that you replace a MB's wooden comb with a composite one. We are led to believe that the secret of the MB is in the pearwood. What do you think about that?
(having asked this, I find the more I play my one GM, the more I like it)
Last Edited by on Feb 11, 2009 12:23 AM
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Buddha
44 posts
Feb 11, 2009
5:37 AM
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If you're looking for cut up lips then YES unsealed pear wood combs are the ticket.
I like the density and feel of the composite combs. I can also do them in cool colors.
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Buzadero
30 posts
Feb 11, 2009
7:52 AM
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Andrew,
I am a laborer of the most menial magnitude. If it were not for the fact that I perform these most mundane and brainless tasks in an unnatural environment, I would be a minimum wage worker.
In my thirty years of being a rubber-coated fool, I have done just about every silly task you could be asked to do underwater or in the sea/air amphibious interface.
Underwater Janitor is a term I use to try and offset the perception that it is somehow glamorous.
~Buzadero
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lumpy wafflesquirt
7 posts
Feb 12, 2009
9:56 AM
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lol
anyone got any screen wipe to get the tea of my screen.
unfortunately I had to try to explain what I was laughing at to a non harp player.
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Patrick Barker
175 posts
Feb 13, 2009
7:41 PM
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"My wife is overjoyed that my erections are bigger and more powerful"
lol I gotta get one of these harps
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"Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
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Miles Dewar
174 posts
Feb 13, 2009
9:18 PM
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lol oldwailer
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---Go Bears!!! (Richard Dent for Hall of Fame)---
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Arbite
11 posts
Feb 14, 2009
9:44 AM
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If iam looking for a Custom Set-up for blues, iam a non overblower, is it the same set-up? Do you hook me up Buddha or do i go somewhere else?
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Buddha
49 posts
Feb 14, 2009
10:11 AM
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I can definitely hook you up.
my email is groovygypsy@gmail.com
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Andrew
122 posts
Feb 14, 2009
10:38 AM
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OBs are possible, not compulsory!
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