Delta Dirt
97 posts
Feb 02, 2010
6:52 PM
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I know this has been talked about plenty of times plus i have checked the many sites of those offering service but i still need someones advice or opinion of where i should go to get a few custom harps made for me.Ive played for about 30 years now in small bars and the last eight or nine with some good custom harps made for me by a close friend. But he passed away recently so im kind of in a bind. I never taught myself to customise like an old player should have.. so lay a few names on me if you would,friends.
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ZackPomerleau
645 posts
Feb 02, 2010
7:05 PM
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Chris Michalek, for one, makes great harps and he's on this board. Joe Spiers is another one. I know Chris does lessons, too, so it'd be worth your while to check him out.
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pharpo
130 posts
Feb 02, 2010
7:07 PM
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Delta - I've bought a couple from DudeHarp....They are not as expensive as most customs and I have been happy with them. there are several options available. I could not believe the difference, the first time I played one.
www.dudeharp.com
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Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But, man, there's no boundary line to art. - Charlie Parker
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harpwrench
163 posts
Feb 02, 2010
8:00 PM
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Have you tried the Manji?
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nacoran
986 posts
Feb 02, 2010
8:46 PM
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Delta- I haven't tried a true custom but some of the customization stuff isn't too hard to do yourself. Gapping the reeds is pretty easy and not to dangerous as long as you go slow, and opening up the back of harps is a cinch. You could probably try one each of the top of each brands line (Suzuki Manji, MB Crossover, Seydel 1847 for about what you'll pay for 1 custom and a lot of the custom shops have a pretty long waiting list. Or you could try a B-Radical, although you will have a wait on that too.) I hear good things about Chris and Joe's harps.
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Kingley
794 posts
Feb 03, 2010
2:00 AM
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If I was buying 'em my money would go to Joe Spiers - http://www.spiersharmonicas.com/
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Ant138
296 posts
Feb 03, 2010
4:43 AM
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Ive just ordered a Customised Seydel 1874 from Ben Bouman www.beta-harp.com
I'm a sucker for a Seydel and not much of a MarineBand fan so its perfect for me.
I think he works as a developer for Seydel
(Thank you Kingley for the heads up on the Beta-harp, i think it was Kingley who pointed me in his direction , apologies if not)
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Last Edited by on Feb 03, 2010 4:50 AM
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toddlgreene
712 posts
Feb 03, 2010
5:09 AM
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DD, My friend Harvey does mine. He just started posting here yesterday. He hasn't been doing it for as long as the others mentioned, but he does an awesome job. Several players locally in New Orleans, including some well-known players, are turning to him. Pick on my profile and drop me a line and I can give you his contact info. Or, next time you're on Rampart, we're reaaaaaal close.
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Todd L. Greene, V.P.
Last Edited by on Feb 04, 2010 5:11 AM
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Bluzdude46
446 posts
Feb 04, 2010
5:11 AM
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I'm a Buddha Harp Man
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The Original Downtown Philadelphia Fatman... Accept No substitutes!
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oda
178 posts
Feb 04, 2010
5:17 AM
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I second Ant138, Seydel are the best harps I've played. They feel good and heavy, too. So a customized one should be amazing! I plan to order one from Bouman. Be sure to ask about the waiting time! I ordered my first custom from Buddha and it's been 7 months.
@jbone, does sleigh sell custom harps? His site only advertises the tools he is selling.
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Ben Bouman
3 posts
Feb 04, 2010
5:51 AM
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thx to all who mentioned my name and my harps.
I worked for Seydel as their quality manager and I trained the workers, showed them how to set up a harp like i do that on my harps. They changed a lot of things in the production line to make sure the hars are built to my specifications and their tradition. So, when you buy a stock 1847 it is already a kind of beta-harp!
On my beta-harps I do things like embossing, changing reed curves, gapping and a few more of my secrets!! :-))
Very soon ( 2 weeks or so) I'll open a webshop where you can buy more custom harps for me. I will also offer a basic custom harp for a very fair price!!
I'll keep you all informed!
fine regards
Ben Bouman
www.beta-harps.com
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oda
181 posts
Feb 04, 2010
6:58 AM
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Bouman, can you tell us a little more on what you do to your harps? I mean all the other customizers tell us what exactly is being done. I like to use that as a measure to see if it's things I can just do myself.
also, can you give some tips on changing the reed curves on a stainless steel reed?
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kudzurunner
1063 posts
Feb 04, 2010
7:04 AM
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Having spent a few days with Ben in the fall of 2008 when I was over in Europe, including performances in Amsterdam and southern Franch and a long (fast!) drive from Point A to point B, I'm happy to see my Dutch brother posting here! Welcome, Ben.
I think it's fair to say that a Bouman/Beta-harp or a harp customized by Joe Spiers, Chris Michalek, or Richard Sleigh, would be a terrific harp for any player. I'm sure there are subtle differences between all four; I can't and won't argue those. I'll just say that any of those four customizers would be a great place to start.
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