KONGSHENG
Hello. I just bought a Kongsheng harp one week ago and after playing it for 5 times I found that one of the reels was stucked not producing any sound, when I've opened I just realized that It had written the Key of the harp inside of it with highlighter as well as I found some minor scratchs in the coverplate that is inside.
Is this normal for a new harmonica? Because I have the feeling that either somebody has used it before or fixed... Perhaps is normal if they assemble it manually.
Thanks!
I've never opened a Kongsheng, so I don't know their usual practices. Scuffing of inside parts is fairly normal. I've never seen pen markings from the factory on reedplates, though I have seen ink-stamped lettering or other information, often identifying the key or smoething that might be batch or routing information.
Where did you buy it? The fact that a reed isn't working may be reason for a warranty return and replacement.
I could not find it nowhere else so I bought it from a Chinesse Store called "Do Re Mi Muiscal Instruments". I have taken a look and seems than the reed was stucked with some saliva. but the thing is that I just used for 1 week and I did not use it after eating, drinking beer or something like that apart from that I used it just to play the first holes not 7th.
I will talk with them and see if they replace it just in case, because for me it is suspicious to find those problems after one week of use.
Thanks for the info!
Winslow: It would be interesting on this Forum page to read your thoughts about offshore harmonica purchases. I don't know what country Joak is in, but that he couldn't get a Kongsheng from a US supplier like Rockin' Ron's, or a UK supplier like Sonnyboys leads me to think perhaps he's in a country where getting them from a more local online or brick-and-mortar retailer is difficult. There are a lot of stories (some good, some horror) about ordering from Chinese on-line sources. In some instances the product is genuine, but comes without the warranty that would accompany an order from an authorized dealer. But I've also heard about used harmonicas being sold as new, and even downright fake imitations being sold. In the past I've purchased two harmonicas from offshore sources when I couldn't find any US source, and I've been fortunate with my experiences. One was a Suzuki baritone tremolo I wanted for the sound effects, and I found a Chinese seller at a really, really low price. I understood that it would come without any sort of US warranty; that it might be a fake; and that it might not ever arrive at all, but the price was low enough to take that risk. Frankly, I don't know if the harp is actually genuine, but it clearly came new, and plays nicely. The other was another price break for a Tombo 2116 Melody 16-hole tremolo that looked to be a fun thing to take hiking or camping. The harmonica isn't available at all in the US, as far as I can see. It also arrived, and appears to be genuine. Not sure if it was manufactured in China or in Japan, tho' the paper lining in the box appears to have Japanese rather than Chinese characters. When it comes to regular harmonicas for my arsenal that someone else might actually hear me play (e.g., Hohner, Seydel, Suzuki, et al.) I'll stick with a known US retailer (like Rockin' Ron's) even if it costs more. But when it comes to unusual stuff that might be fun, whether Amazon or eBay, it can be worth it to take a chance. (And I'm fortunate that in the $25-$40 range, having my money disappear or having a lousy harp arrive isn't that much more of a problem than if I invite a guest out to dinner at a restaurant and he or she orders a wine from the pricey side of the list that in a million years I'd never order for myself.) Thanks!
Sorry I forgot to mention that everytime I try to play 2nd bend on 3 blow (F), there is a unpleasent ringing sound made by the reel that in my Hohner crossover I do not have and I am not sure whether it is a matter of the model or is because the reel could be broken.
Thank you again