I am thinking of starting a harmonica subscription box service. Every month you would get shipped a new harp in a different key and model.
The idea is 12 music keys…12 months….in a whole year you have a complete set and get to try all the different brands.
I know this is a harmonica forum of die hards - but what do you think of this? Would you want this product and service? Be honest here - your not going to hurt my feelings.
Pricing would probably be 80-100 USD a month.
What harps do you have in mind? Have they been checked for tuning, etc. I have all I need but this information many help you determine if this is feasible.
I think you’ll have an issue in regards to who this is actually FOR (i.e., the demographics)
People who want to buy a gift and/or try it out will buy a cheap harp from aliexpress (probably not even a good cheap harp like easttop but something bad) since they will be like “hey, I found this ‘great deal’ for 5usd, why should I spend 50usd on a harp that’s a ripoff’“
People who will care about harmonicas will like to choose their own harps
Unless you have some agreement with the manufacturer or whatever + a large marketing budget/access to ready customers, this seems iffy
Good point. I didn’t think of that and I should have.
I certainly enjoy picking out my next harp…
I was thinking just stock harps from different manufacturers.
One month you might get a Lee Oscar, the next a Suzuki, maybe a Seydel 1847, etc. Every month would be a different key though until you have all 12.
I think this is a great idea for a brand new player. Maybe bundle with the b2b class? I would have signed up for it when I started however, once I got my legs under me I did enjoy doing my research and speaking with other players and of course reading the fourms here! A 100% green horn would benefit from this service. Anyway thats My worthless opnion. Have a gr8 week. Eric.
old harmonica traning books did do that (bundle in a very cheap harmonica as a “free gift/great deal”)
From an economic standpoint a large distributer may well have a lower price they pay as a result of the volume involved. if you package a three harp set and your targeted client base is the beginner this may the way to go. I have every harp checked by a tech I use and when I get them they are fantastic. A packaged deal might be for a beginner that will upgrade as they progress.
True.
I like this idea but honestly probably wouldn’t subscribe… Looking around for new harps and hearing what others have to say is half the fun for me!
But that being said, it’s about what I’ve done over the years. Here is my stable 
How do you like the Harmo harp? I see them all over Amazon, but never see anyone play them.
I love it! Super comfortable, very easy to play and bend, nice tone and it looks great.
Mine is a B, she’s my Wednesday harp
where I live in Venezuela 
@HarpinBobbyMcB I’m curious about the Polar. It looks like it has recessed reed plates, like the special 20s and rockets, is that the case.? That’s a feature that appeals to me. Not that I need another harmonica. Then again, I suppose most people on this forum would say whether or not I need one is completely irrelevant.
I’m digging my Polar!
I actually never really considered the difference between recessed plates and normal sandwich style plates…
Here’s a look at my ladies currently in my rotation:
On the left, from the bottom, are my Harmo Polar in B, JDR Ninja in Bb, Lee Oskar in A, and Rocket in Ab. These all seem to have recessed plates. On the right are my Marine Band Special Deluxe in D, Golden Melody in C, and Kongsheng Route 66 in D, which all seem to have exposed reed plates.
I play one a day on a rotating basis and really don’t feel much difference between the recessed plates and exposed plates. When I first started playing, I had a moustache which got tugged a few too many times, so I did away with it.
I can see how the exposed plates may cause discomfort playing for a long time and be more prone to grabbing facial hairs, but I haven’t noticed a difference with my naked lip.
As for the Harmo, I really like it and I think you absolutely NEED another harp!! 
Mine is very responsive, feels good in the hand and mouth and has a nice tone. To boot, its purty…
So, I’d say it’s a no brainer, GET ONE!!
The only question that might be and must eventually be…
In what key? 
Thanks for the reply, and for the pic. Seeing them juxtaposed like that, the difference is quite stark. It’s only when I play for a long time within the same day, but the protruding reed plates are a bit uncomfortable on my bottom lip. I haven’t heard many other people mention it. Nearly all single notes for me, so that may have something to do with it, or maybe it’s just the way I hold the harp in my gob. A and Bb are my favorite keys.
I’m also mostly a single notes player of popular songs and usually don’t play for extended periods of time though I try to play a little bit throughout the day.
I know many people really love the Blues and that’s cool 
, just a little to sad 
for my taste 
I live yo learn the songs I used to hum along with as a kid, 60’s and 70’s in particular.
The harmonica is such an amazing instrument. It can replicate just about any song or sound in some way or another.
