Other web Sites
Harmonica Blues  Harmonica Amps
Harmonica Links Harmonica Pages
• Archives Home
• Years
 · 1992
 · 1993
 · 1994
 · 1995
 · 1996
 · 1997 		 · 1998
 · 1999
 · 2000
 · 2001
 · 2002
 · 2003
 
Web HarpL
Ebay Searches:
Amps:
Microphones:
Effects:
Harmonicas and Gear:
Harmonica Music and Instruction:

 

 

Harp-L Archives

[Previous Message] [Next Message]
[Previous in Thread] [Next in Thread]
[Start of Thread] [End of Thread]

From: jfraz~cusd.edu ("Harmonica" John Frazer)
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 1996 08:20:05 -0800
Subject: Re: blues tools rack

At 11:12 PM 10/1/96, Steve & Anne Price wrote:
> My outrageously expensive Blues Tools rack arrived yesterday and
>as I expected, it did not adjust in the one say I knew in advance I
>needed it to adjust and was likely to be impossible to make work. I have
>long hated racks for a variety of reasons, most of them well known by
>rack players. But I seem to have a special strangeness that goes beyond
>what can be tolerated by rack producers. I need the harp to be point
>down toward my lower jaw at about a 45 degree angle when I play because
>that's just how it is. Racks are generally made to approach your mouth
>level, if you are a giraffe, and other wise they approach your nose or
>glasses that way.

This is exactly true. I just got mine yesterday as well. It is hard to
figure out which holes to use when assembling it. Probably easier as a two
person job. I thought about drilling new holes, but opted to force it in
the wrong holes instead. The holes that made it almost fit the best so far
make the triangular piece of metal poke me in the chest. It does need to
bend down. I am thinking of heating up the metal in order to be able to
bend it. Should be unecessary for a rack costing $60+tax+shipping.

>
> If a normal rack works for you, the blues tools rack will work
>for you better than any rack you've ever tried. It is solid, and it's
>weight makes the harp stay still instead of you having to chase it all
>over the place. I know some rack owners have their special love for an
>old rack dating back to when they first lost their virginity or
>something, but I'm telling you, if a normal rack works for you, this will
>work better.

Steve, you and I are on the exact same wavelength. Name that tune in 3 notes.

>
> For me, however, the angle adjustment was woefully shy of the
>mark. So I spent some time drilling and I almost got it right, and I'm
>singularly bad with tools. It is now usable, but not as delightful as it
>could be if it were just slightly more curved. But I can't just bend the
>thing like I did my old one that's like a thick wire. This is one hefty
>piece of metal, and I'll either have to drill more holes or take it to
>someone. Two holes and I'm there. Lacking two holes and I'm not there.
>I wish somebody would consult me when they're designing a new product.


And me as well. i have some ideas on a better rack and if I get off my ass
and just build it, my problem will be solved. I will keep trying to adjust
this one non-destructively in the meantime.

>But even with it almost there, the difference in my tone is significant
>because the holder HOLDS THE HARP, and you can play it instead of bobbing
>for apples. I'll have it at a gig on Thursday and that'll be the real
>test.
>
> Steve Price

This one is better than the other one I have been using and it doesn't jab
me much more than the old one.

hj

- -- "He has some kind of fantastic instrument that lets out a death sound!"

Harmonica John ph(619)263-6826 PO Box 740613 San Diego, CA USA 92174