From: CWILLIAM%gw2m~gmsmtp.samhsa.gov Date: 26 Jan 96 17:12:08 EST Subject: joe Filisko custom harmonica
Several of you have asked so here is my review of the new Joe Filisko diatonic harmonica (key of C) my wife gave me for Xmas. The comb/body is solid brass with round holes-the only round hole diatonic made that I am aware of. My wife says it is easier to play for her and she is not a player.
The brass cover plates are not identical. The top cover is flanged a bit flatter than a Marine Band cover and the bottom cover is flanged very similar to a Marine Band cover. Both covers have the Marine Band type end slots with the covers almost flush with the brass body -which protrudes a little from the cover plates. And the top cover seem to slightly bowed or curved when viewed from above. The back opening of the cover plates curved outward with no center post and thus the back of the harmonica is wide open-even more so than a pre WW2 Marine Band. The covers are attached in the middle of the body with a brass nut and bolt. The top cover is number 1-10 and has gothic printing of FILISKO nicely etched in and the bottom cover is etched on each end with Filisko Custom, a dove with bird in mouth, and the saying He who has ears to hear let him hear
The reed plates are attached with what appear to be 5 brass screws/bolts in the rear of the reed plate. The reed plates match the size of my Cross Harp and Pro Harp reedplates but are rounded and are probably Special 20 reedplates as it came in the Special 20 plastic box. He also makes custom wooden boxes. He has fine tuned it so it plays chords and octaves without the beats or pulses and set the reeds for overblows and draws. The 1 hole overblow is pretty easy but not as clear (probably my technique or lack of) as the 4, 5, and 6 overblows. The 6 overblow is so clean and loud you would think is was just a normal blow or draw. This is the easiest harp I have played for overblows and overdraws. The reedplates are mounted with the reedplates pretty close to the front like a Golden Melody. When tuning the reeds there are smooth bevel marks on the end of the draw reeds for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and the number 8 was flattened with a clean chisel mark but that may have been done at the factory. I have not as yet removed the reedplates to see how the blow reeds were tuned. I did not see any chisel chatter marks on the reeds.
This harmonica is IMHO a real one of a kind work of art. Even when handled by a non-player it is readily noticed as a well crafted hefty instrument and obviously not a toy. The tone is bright and very clear and really responds well to cupping either in acoustic playing or with a bullet mike. Bend notes are clean and it is the best diatonic harmonica I have ever played. I believe the cost is now over $100 and at least a 4-6 week wait. My only criticisms are that I would probably prefer the original Meisterclasse reedplates but they are probably not readily available and some players may prefer the feel of plastic covers like the Special 20 and many other harps (Lee Oskars. Tombo, Proharp). He probably uses the Special 20 reedplates because they are readily available and replaceable and have the mounting holes which the Marine Band plates do not. Is a Special 20 reedplate (reeds) the same as a Marine Band reedplate except for the mounting holes? I honestly don t know but it plays great.
I will tell you one thing - if you ever get in a fight and have one of these in your hand when you hit them - it would almost like getting hit with brass knuckles.
For the life of me I have misplaced my contact information for Joe Filisko so if anyone would like to share that with the list that might be helpful. I think the info that came with this got tossed by my wife accidently when we were taking down the XMAS tree. This review is not intended as a sales pitch and from speaking with Joe he is already very busy customizing harps for a lot of pros. Hope this review answers most of the questions I received directly (John Thaden especially). I don t know if Joe will put windsavers on but I don t remember reading that he does in his promotional literature - Sorry Mike :-(
This could be a great gift for your favorite harmonica man or woman. Choo Choo Charlie Williams, Clarksville, Maryland
PS. Tout s'en va, toute passe, l'eau coule et le couer oublie." >-Gustave Flaubert From the last harp-l digest what does this mean?
