Pluto
6 posts
Jul 27, 2009
10:23 AM
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Earlier this month I thanked Buddha for his video on embossing. For the first time I successfully embossed a harmonica. Aside from making the overblows easier, it seemed that all you had to do was think about the next note and it would magically play.
In my subsequent attempts to duplicate these efforts I've failed miserably.
I consider myself fairly handy. I have an engineering background and was a machinist and aircraft mechanic in a previous life. I should be able to handle this task!
My question is to those that know these things, why don't you put on a workshop? I would be willing to pay big bucks to have a pro oversee my work, and comment on what it is I'm doing wrong.
Now, I realize there is this underlying concern that you would be passing on secrets, but I can't imagine it would impact your business. There will always be those who just want to buy a modified harp.
Please comment
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Buddha
872 posts
Jul 27, 2009
11:57 AM
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Jason and I covered this in both of his rockin at the rockies. I've had a few people come to my house to study with me for a week. That's always a possibility.
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kudzurunner
607 posts
Jul 27, 2009
12:29 PM
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Chris, why not put on some sort of workshop--Harp Mods 101--at SPAH? I have no doubt you'd suck foot-traffic away from every other event.
I'll make you a deal: do that, and have somebody film it, upload the videos to YouTube, and I will create a brand new page at MBH (if you want) devoted to your wisdom on this particular issue, with your email and any other contact information you might have posted prominently wherever you'd like it on the page. I'll do this purely out of a desire to serve the harmonica community. We can call the page "Tweaking your harps," or whatever you'd like.
Just a thought. No pressure.
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Buddha
873 posts
Jul 27, 2009
12:55 PM
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not at SPAH. I might make my own videos later. Richard Sleigh will be at SPAH and that's his turf there.
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Bluzdude46
85 posts
Jul 27, 2009
1:39 PM
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I know I've tried embossing in the past with mixed results on SP20. seemed like I kept having to go back and undo what I'd done and it took days to get a harp right with a few that were just ruined. I marked this off as learning curve. However I picked up on Chris' embossing video and have done 2 Marine Bands since then. One came out reasonably better and the last one I did was SMOKING!! I now use a 7mm socket and a tiny screw driver as a plinking tool. Thanks Chris.
Last Edited by on Jul 27, 2009 1:39 PM
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ChrisA
53 posts
Jul 27, 2009
2:17 PM
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IMO, the learning material already available on youtube from people like buddha, elkriverharmonica, sites like overblow.com and others can take you a long way towards being successful at setting up your own harps. The key is taking your time, pay attention to small details, work in small increments. I have only been at this for a few months now and i have done 7-8 harps so far and even successfully setup a few big rivers of all things for overblows! A small tip i have discovered for myself since i never heard anyone mention this, i work over a white top table with a spotlight shining on the table about ten inches behind my hands which allows working from the light reflection without having to lift up the reedplate towards the light source all the time, the light reflection is smoother and shows all the details on the edges of the slot very well.
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ness
41 posts
Jul 27, 2009
2:22 PM
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Pluto,
Before showing up at Buddah's house for some one-on-one, be sure to let him know you're coming. See 'so much for attack dogs' thread for the reason. :^)
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tookatooka
330 posts
Jul 27, 2009
2:31 PM
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I think kudzurunners idea for a special tweaking page is a great idea. We could embed all the tweak videos on youtube on it so they are in one place and add more as they become available. Get lists of spares suppliers. Hints and tips. Who supplies combs. Who can modify if we get stuck. Tuning tips. Maybe branch off into amp tweaks, mic tweaks, list online tuning apps etc etc.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
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Pluto
7 posts
Jul 27, 2009
2:40 PM
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Buddha-
Keep me posted if you ever do put something together. I'd attend in a heartbeat.
I'm in Portland, so AZ is less than 2 hours away.
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ChrisA
55 posts
Jul 27, 2009
4:00 PM
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tooka, gathering everything already existing is a great time saving idea.
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djm3801
177 posts
Jul 27, 2009
6:15 PM
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I think that folks would readily pay for a well made - I did not say a Oscar winning - DVD with tweaking instructions , tuning, solving common problems (like my 2 draw that will not bend all the way on my F harp, but I digress), differences in harp construction - hell you know more than I do about questions and answers. Yes, there are others out there but Chris has quite a following. Do not think it would take away from the custom harp business and it beat giving it ALL away on youtube.
Where did I put that 7mm socket, anyway? Craftsman OK or do I need a SnapOn socket? Really, I know I would put some money up for a DVD by Chris.
Then again, in 1976, I was driving by a music store and bought an Alto sax for the hell of it - I think I was drunk - and played it for a week with the mouthpiece on upsidedown till I got a book. Pre-internet experience.
Dan M.
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Bluzdude46
87 posts
Jul 27, 2009
6:51 PM
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You go Dan the One man Band!! Adam I think he may need your foot drums and a cymbal tied to his .....
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Kingley
290 posts
Jul 27, 2009
11:54 PM
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"I think that folks would readily pay for a well made - I did not say a Oscar winning - DVD with tweaking instructions , tuning, solving common problems"
Rupert Oysler has had one out for years.
It's pretty much stated as the best guide to have when it comes to learning fixing your own harps.
His Harp repair seems to not be working, but you can get hold of him here: http://www.myspace.com/rupertoysler
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Bluzdude46
89 posts
Jul 28, 2009
2:03 AM
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What I woul find really useful is to see a video that shows all the differences between Hohner, MB, MS System, SP20, GM, Seydel 1847, Solist, Solist Pro, Blues Session, Hering and Suzuki models show them broken down reference the different tunings, measurements,tolerances. Show the good and the not so desirable parts of all of them. This would give Harp players all the info needed to decide the direction they wished to proceed down this looooong trail of being a harp player that sets up his own harps. Rupert can't do that he's now the US rep for Seydel.
Last Edited by on Jul 28, 2009 2:04 AM
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Buddha
879 posts
Jul 28, 2009
7:27 AM
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I've thought about making a proper customizer's video to sell along with my tool kits but I simply don't have time right now. If I weren't working double time at the moment my harp wait time would be over nine months. I've been working about 14 hours + per day just to get this stuff done.
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Pluto
8 posts
Jul 28, 2009
7:29 AM
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I have all the videos available. Oyslers is great.
The problem with anything online or with a video is you CANNOT ASK QUESTIONS! And I have a ton. For instance Oysler mentions all that can be done to facilitate overblowing, but he doesn't mention what the minimum is, or what if any professional players do. Howard Levy implied he just modifies the offset.
Questions questions questions...
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
119 posts
Jul 28, 2009
8:03 AM
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Pluto, think you could make it to West Virginia on Sept. 19?
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Buddha
880 posts
Jul 28, 2009
8:19 AM
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how about this winter when it's cold everywhere else... I'll put on a workshop on building and customizing harps. Maybe we can turn it into the ultimate harmonica weekend. I'll see if Jason is available, hopefully Adam is available and we'll teach how to be a baddass modern harmonica playing musician, how to build your own harps like a jedi night, how to lead a band, how to market yourself, how to get gigs, equipment, how to practice, recording sessions and we could even have a spanking machine for the poor performers and evil doers.
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Buddha
882 posts
Jul 28, 2009
1:05 PM
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I'm nobody's first choice as a spanker. I don't mess around when I have a monkey's paw in my hand.
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Bige610
1 post
Jul 28, 2009
1:15 PM
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what tools do i need for modifying and tunning. I am getting the rupert video here soon but would love some other insite.
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Buddha
883 posts
Jul 28, 2009
2:21 PM
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I sell all the tools you need to make monster harps. You can't get the right tools anywhere else unless you make them yourself. Even Rupert has my tools.
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Bige610
2 posts
Jul 29, 2009
5:38 AM
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how can i get intouch with you buddha
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Buddha
885 posts
Jul 29, 2009
5:41 AM
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groovygypsy@gmail.com
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Bluzdude46
95 posts
Jul 29, 2009
5:43 AM
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Wish I woulda known you sold tool sets. I've pieced together a pretty good box but I've done things like buy pack of 6 sizes to get the 1 I needed, that sorta thing.
Question: What size are the nails in the Marine Band and where can I get them? Tip: Don't Ever, ever, ever drop one of these puppies, they dissappear easily.
Anyone know of a good method of opening backs and where the video is? I did a couple with heavy pliers but it leaves crinkles and gouge marks.
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Kingley
294 posts
Jul 29, 2009
5:52 AM
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Most people seem to use a hammer and some wood to open the backs up.
I use a small vice as it gets the best results I have seen. I get the fold very smooth and with no crinkles using the vice method.
I think Dave Payne has a video on YouTube showing the hammer technique. Just look under ElkRiverHrmonicas.
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Micha
18 posts
Jul 30, 2009
1:35 AM
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Buddha,
What is included in your tool set and what is the price? Do you send to Europe?
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Buddha
888 posts
Jul 30, 2009
5:10 AM
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micha contact me off list. yes I send over seas
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Oliver
90 posts
Jul 30, 2009
5:49 AM
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I experimented opening the plates of a marine band with an old brass candlestick holder... It had just the right kind of rounded hammer-like end. The results were, lets say, rustic.
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Pluto
9 posts
Jul 31, 2009
7:50 AM
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Chris
I want to keep this thread alive. I'd love for you to put together a "clinic" in the fall. I may become a pest about this. :)
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Buddha
892 posts
Jul 31, 2009
8:18 AM
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I'm up for doing it. I would even put it on myself though I prefer not to.
What we need is another rockin in the rockies or possibly the first Sizzle in the Desert.
Now that I'm full time with work that is 100% harmonica oriented it would be fun to put on another Harmonica Summit.
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