Rustys26
54 posts
Feb 01, 2016
1:03 AM
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So I have a harp in my pocket every time I leave the house. Usually an A or Bb, but I always have one...feel naked without it. The pre-departure check every morning includes: wallet, keys, phone, pocket knife, and harp.
I'm curious as to if you all do this as well? I mean, the obvious answer for someone who plays an instrument that can fit in your pocket is "yes"....why wouldn't you? Because of this, I think in the last 8 years I have probably gone a total of 40 days where I didn't play the harp at least once throughout the day. Can anyone top that?
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JInx
1156 posts
Feb 01, 2016
1:15 AM
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Same here
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eebadeeb
91 posts
Feb 01, 2016
2:41 AM
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Same
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Ian
262 posts
Feb 01, 2016
3:36 AM
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Big six on the keys. Sp20 in the car.
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CharlesR
11 posts
Feb 01, 2016
3:38 AM
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I don't keep a harp in my pocket.
But I do keep some harps permenantly in my car. And when I leave my house, I almost always use the car to get around.
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Killa_Hertz
401 posts
Feb 01, 2016
4:37 AM
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Rusty i have a bag that goes with me everywhere. It has 6 harps(in a seydel soft case) and some minor tools. Those are for if i want to play to jam tracks in the car or I pretty much have the key for whatever song comes to mind.
Two harps stay in the car incase i forget the bag for any reason. The pocket check is also Phone,Keys,Knife,Wallet,Harp. Pocket harp is usually whatever harp I'm facinated with presently. Was the Bb Manji for the last month or so. Now it's my C Session Steel. The little leather pouches work pretty good for keeping lint n stuff out, but i want to make a real slimline hard indestructible single harp case. Cus I'm always worried I'll smash my harp. I tried a modified blues harp case, but it was tough to fully seal.
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Feb 01, 2016 4:39 AM
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MindTheGap
1082 posts
Feb 01, 2016
5:10 AM
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Knife?
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MindTheGap
1083 posts
Feb 01, 2016
5:11 AM
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Knife?
What's with all the knives?
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2chops
478 posts
Feb 01, 2016
5:26 AM
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Phone, wallet, keys, pocket knife & a Bb harp. When I have my day bag with me, which is about 1/2 the time, I have a G, A,C & D that are always in that bag. In my Jeeps glove box I keep a C, G & D.
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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kham
54 posts
Feb 01, 2016
5:30 AM
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I rode my bicycle across Canada 1 1/2 times, once across Australia and Portugal to Vietnam in 2005. More often than not I was racked riding.
Aside from long distance bike tous, I always have one in pocket, one in the car and one in the barn just in case I changed my dirty farm pants...
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RyanMortos
1529 posts
Feb 01, 2016
5:37 AM
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Same here. I nearly always have a diatonic with me. Though the key and type changes depending on things like if I'm practicing something specific on my lunch break or not. Think the last few months I've mostly had a key of D Suzuki Manji. Before that I was carrying key of C Hohner golden melody for the longest time. I don't leave a harmonica in the car. I don't carry a pocket knife normally.
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~Ryan
See My Profile for contact info, etc.
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Littoral
1358 posts
Feb 01, 2016
5:47 AM
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I usually have the whole box in the car. I take them out when I'm going somewhere that I could play but told myself I wouldn't. That seems to be more often lately.
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Rontana
280 posts
Feb 01, 2016
5:48 AM
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I generally stick a Marine Band in my shirt pocket, but also keep a couple of old Harpmasters (which I never liked that much, but they play okay) in the glove box of my car.
That said, I rarely play while driving. I'm uncoordinated enough that doing so creates a risk roughly akin to simultaneously juggling, texting and performing a bootlegger's turn (two of which I do poorly, and I can't text at all)
That's just me . . . other folks probably have no problem with driving while playing (I'll bet DWP gets you a ticket in some states/countries)
Last Edited by Rontana on Feb 01, 2016 5:49 AM
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SteveTech
39 posts
Feb 01, 2016
5:54 AM
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I nearly always have one in my pocket to run exercises and scales with.
I also bring a small set to work to practice whatever I'm currently working on during my lunch break.
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-Steve
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STME58
1543 posts
Feb 01, 2016
6:33 AM
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On of the things that attracted me to the harp was its portability. You just cant put a trombone in you pocket. I also find it easier to find a space to play a harp. It seems to be more acceptable to sit on an outdoor bench and play harp than it does to play a trombone there. I frequently find myself among smokers as I look for a place near the building I am in at the time where I can play a little harp without bothering too many folks.
You will seldom find me without several harps in my pockets.
Recently I have taken to keeping a trumpet in my car. While not as convenient as a harp, it can be played in the drivers seat and I will bole a few notes when I park and before I go into the building. I find that different instruments teach different things about music and what you learn on on transfers to the other. I could never pick up a trombone and play a melody I had just heard until the harmonica taught me how the scales work.
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florida-trader
873 posts
Feb 01, 2016
6:35 AM
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I have a harp in my pocket 100% of the time and 2 or 3 more in the car. Wallet, keys, phone, pocket knife, and harp. That's me.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
Last Edited by florida-trader on Feb 01, 2016 6:36 AM
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Barley Nectar
1098 posts
Feb 01, 2016
7:02 AM
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I keep a 7 pack in the car. A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G. Have a work harp for fridays that is in a hard box. There is just nothing like getting a construction crew to dance!...BN
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Goldbrick
1292 posts
Feb 01, 2016
8:13 AM
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wallet , keys, guitar socket slide, case knife, smith 32 cal revolver
C or A harp in one of those nice hohner pouches that mb deluxe uses
Bongos in the truck and often a uke
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2chops
479 posts
Feb 01, 2016
8:23 AM
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@BN...My last tree job was as a crew leader at a Christmas tree farm. The guys loved it when I would break up the monotany with a tune or two. Especially on the hot days when we were trimming and the rows were 1/4 long or better. Every once in a while the lead foreman would stop by at lunch time and say, "We need music. Ron, what can you do about it?" He knew I kept a harp or two in my lunch box, and the guys worked better with a lively tune fresh in their heads. That was the best part of the job.
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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RyanMortos
1530 posts
Feb 01, 2016
9:29 AM
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I don't play while driving. Though sometimes I do in my car when it's parked.
So, what's the chosen pocket knife of harmonica players?
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~Ryan
See My Profile for contact info, etc.
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nacoran
8913 posts
Feb 01, 2016
10:22 AM
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I'd say I have one with me about 90% of the time. Occasionally if I'm rushed I forget to grab one, but it's rare.
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Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
First Post- May 8, 2009
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2chops
480 posts
Feb 01, 2016
11:20 AM
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@RyanMortos... My current darry is an older one of these.
http://www.outdooredge.com/product-p/pocket-lite.htm
Outdoor EDGE Pocket Lite with a black handle. Got it about 15 years ago or so.
Edited for more info.
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
Last Edited by 2chops on Feb 01, 2016 11:23 AM
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harmonicanick
2358 posts
Feb 01, 2016
11:25 AM
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@Goldbrick
Lol, I was waiting for the gun reference from you gun crazy yanks:)
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A440
512 posts
Feb 01, 2016
11:25 AM
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I keep a Seydel Solist Pro C on me 90% of the time. The leather sleeve keeps it clean but does not take up space.
The Seydels are pretty crush-proof. The Solist Pro is not a loud, brash harp, so it can be played quietly and discretely at the bus stop or while walking in the city.
It is my only Solist. If the reeds ever fail, I will pop in a set of steels.
Last Edited by A440 on Feb 02, 2016 11:04 PM
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Kingley
4000 posts
Feb 01, 2016
11:50 AM
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"So, what's the chosen pocket knife of harmonica players? "
For me it's a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife, Spartan model. Very versatile knife indeed. I use it for harp because it has a built in plinker and the smaller of the two blades is good for tuning harps too. I have one in my harp tool kit and always have one in my motorbike jacket too.
As for harps. I nearly always carry one in my motorbike jacket too.
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JInx
1157 posts
Feb 01, 2016
11:57 AM
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Case CV medium stockman
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Rontana
282 posts
Feb 01, 2016
11:58 AM
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@ryan mortos
Pocket knives are a must.
I always have small Swiss Army Knife on my keychain (used to work for them) but I'm itchin' to buy a Columbia River "Shenanigan" model. Talk about form and function . . . it's a beauty.
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eebadeeb
92 posts
Feb 01, 2016
12:05 PM
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Shrade Old Timer
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Goldbrick
1293 posts
Feb 01, 2016
2:44 PM
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case bone handle trapper
or Schrade locking single blade trapper
oh yeah- the revolver.
I live on the edge of the Everglades
Gators, Crocs, cotton mouths and assorted 2 legged varmints
U Brits cant even have a lock blade folder my cousin tells me. He is in Birmingham
Last Edited by Goldbrick on Feb 01, 2016 2:48 PM
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gmacleod15
264 posts
Feb 01, 2016
5:13 PM
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In tow is in my truck which is never far away. I keep an A Bb C D G. Like Kingly I always have my mini Swiss Army knife.
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
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Gnarly
1633 posts
Feb 01, 2016
5:21 PM
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I carry a diatonic in C and a 12 hole chrom tuned to Orchestra bebop everywhere I go.
Oh, and a Swiss Army knife and a Leatherman knife. Whatever . . .
Last Edited by Gnarly on Feb 01, 2016 8:25 PM
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Rustys26
55 posts
Feb 01, 2016
5:38 PM
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@MindTheGap a pocket knife does not mean I'm some crazy psychopath. It is an important tool that very often comes in handy...you never know when you might need it, but when you do, you are usually really thankful to have it.
Also, I don't carry my harp in a case...I play Marine Bands so the cover plate does often get squeezed shut in my pocket, but I don't mind much...plenty of air can still escape and if it's too bad I just buy another one.
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2chops
481 posts
Feb 01, 2016
5:57 PM
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@Rustys26...You are correct sir. A good knife is probably the most important tool one could have at the ready. I've carried one always since I was 10. I can't tell you how many times I hear, "Hey Ron, let me see your knife a minute.".
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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dougharps
1141 posts
Feb 01, 2016
8:12 PM
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I almost always have one or more harps with me, usually C and A.
I carry a lock blade Swiss Army Adventurer pocket knife. I like the smaller Tinker, but I don't like a blade folding in use. I had to shorten the blade of the Adventurer to be legal in Illinois.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Feb 01, 2016 8:13 PM
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florida-trader
874 posts
Feb 01, 2016
8:37 PM
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I make a tool out of a short piece of copper wire so I can adjust the gaps on my harps with the covers still on it. I put a little angle bend in it and buff the tip round and smooth so it won't scratch the reeds. Anyway, I keep one of these wedged between the moulding around the windshield and the ceiling panel above the visor in my car so whenever a reed gets stuck, I can use it to wiggle it loose.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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Chris L
99 posts
Feb 01, 2016
9:43 PM
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A dollar store hard shell camera case holds three harps very nicely, so a C,D and A are in my jacket pocket at all times.
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MindTheGap
1085 posts
Feb 01, 2016
11:36 PM
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Rustys26 - No I didn't think it meant that! I was just noting that several people mentioned it their pat-down-leaving-the-house routine. In the UK though, it's more of a thing. There's rules about the type etc.
But on that subject, when I was doing woodcraft and archery with my boys, I'd take an Opinel rather than Swiss army. Because it has a neat locking mechanism making it safer to use. Although it doesn't have all the accessories.
Re harp tools, it's screwdrivers, toothpicks and cocktail sticks.
I used to carry a harp with me, that was part of the attraction. But I don't any more because I found I was aimlessly noodling, and I didn't like that.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Feb 01, 2016 11:50 PM
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Rubes
965 posts
Feb 02, 2016
1:25 AM
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Most always pack my hot rodded MB in C of course for the most versatility..in a Promaster hard cream ergonomically shaped case...
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Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
Dads in Space at Reverbnation
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TBird
177 posts
Feb 02, 2016
6:44 AM
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I rarely carry a harp in my pocket. This thread might have motivated me to start though! I just worry about a harp in the pocket getting all banged up and lint and junk getting stuck in the reeds. I also really don't like the feeling of too much bulky stuff jammed in my pockets, so a case might not be the answer either.
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Be humble for you are made of earth.
Be noble for you are made of stars.
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STME58
1548 posts
Feb 02, 2016
8:21 AM
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The Hohner soft zippered cases do a good job of protecting the harp without adding a lot of bulk. You get one with a Crossover and they are available separately.
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TBird
178 posts
Feb 02, 2016
8:52 AM
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This thread may ALSO have just motivated me to buy a Crossover. :)
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Be humble for you are made of earth.
Be noble for you are made of stars.
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2chops
482 posts
Feb 02, 2016
9:26 AM
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@TBird...I don't like a bunch of bulky stuff iny pockets either. For my single "always with me harp", I use one of those Hohner leather single pouches with the snap close over flap. It looks like one of those pouches that would hold a Buck folding knife. It has belt loop on the back and I clip it to my key carabiner. The biner is life support approved. So I have no worries of it breaking and then loosing my keys & harp.
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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Raven
70 posts
Feb 02, 2016
7:09 PM
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You should never leave home without your Suzu Keys and a well-hohnered knife.
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Garlic Breath
38 posts
Feb 02, 2016
8:13 PM
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My 4:30 morning routine. Coffee, try to think of an excuse to call off work, realize my wife would be pissed, eat, pack lunch, brush and dress, decide which harp or harps to take. E, F, or D if I'm feeling like wailing out an energetic solo, Bd most times, A or G if I'm feeling like just laying down a groove with some little embellishments and classic turnarounds. Always at least one harp, often two. Depends which song is stuck in my head, or what riffs I've been dreaming of. The latest one is "It Takes Three" by Dave Barret, Gary Smith, and Ali Kumar. Good old all purpose Bd harp. I always arrive 15 minutes early for work, and play till it's time to go in. I get another few minutes at coffee break, and before eating my lunch. Like Adam, my car is my mobile woodshed. I work at the Reese's candy factory in Hershey, Pa., and the big tiled shower in the locker room is reverb heaven. I've been hesitant to play there since I would soon have an audience. This forum has turned me on to so many inspirational songs that folks have posted. Thank you all for making me a better player!
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Killa_Hertz
411 posts
Feb 02, 2016
8:37 PM
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Tom the copper wire deal is a good idea.
I have more knives than i can even count. Ive been carrying a knive since grade school. Since the CUB Scouts.
Right now the one that's been most in my pocket is a leatherman skeletool. But usually some type of Kershaw easy out.
A knife is a must. I don't know what i would do without one.
My pocket harp has been everchanging lately. The Marine Band was my goto harp. These days I'm finding it hard to settle on one.
Anyone Else have this problem?
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
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dchurch
16 posts
Feb 03, 2016
4:22 PM
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Always at least 1 harp typically 2 or 3. I like to pack one of my custom 7 hole harps in the funky little change pocket. Most of my jeans have that feature. I have found a few belt style bags that work well.
Darn near always carry a knife. My current everyday knife is the Spyderco "Cat". It's a lock blade folder with a clip. Nice small knife that is quick and easy to open with one hand. Hardly a day goes by without me using the knife for something.
I'm guilty of playing harps while driving, but not in traffic. That's easy to do where I live.
STME58: I used to play my trumpet on a back road commute to work. I bought "pocket trumpet" last year but have not played it much.
I just got home from a 3 day ski trip. I played 2 of the 8 harps that I brought with me.
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It's about time I got around to this.
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Killa_Hertz
422 posts
Feb 03, 2016
4:55 PM
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I'm very interested in your 7 hole harps.
I have a couple nice wooden combs that i broke a tine on. I was thinking of doing this.
How did you go about it. Seems simple enough, but everything SEEMS that way til you try to do it. 8^)> Any advice you can give on making one?
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
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dchurch
18 posts
Feb 03, 2016
5:45 PM
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The 7 holers do make towing a harp that much easier. They fit perfect in that front change pocket. Here's a link to the off topic build. PM or post there for more details.
7 hole Marine Band DIY
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It's about time I got around to this.
Last Edited by dchurch on Feb 03, 2016 5:46 PM
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STME58
1550 posts
Feb 03, 2016
9:15 PM
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I had a scout band meeting tonight and between what I had in my pockets and what I had in my car I had a couple of dozen harps, a keyboard, an amp a couple of penny whistles, a trumpet, some music stands but I'll be if I didn't forget my trombone which I usually use when I lead the group. I can not yet read music to well when playing the trumpet so I hit a lot of wrong notes. I think it actually inspired the kids to see their leader screwing up so badly but keep on going. They were playing better than I was.
Last Edited by STME58 on Feb 03, 2016 9:15 PM
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Gnarly
1641 posts
Feb 03, 2016
9:36 PM
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All for a good cause mate!
PS Your Ultimo is next on the bench . . .
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