The Harmos steel guitar was featured prominently in the November Guitar One "New Gear" section. Although Guitar One staff caught the Harmos at the Summer NAMM show in July, they decided to separate it from the other "standard" fare they reported seeing at the show and include it in a unique location in their December issue.
In addition, Total Guitar, an excellent U.K. based Guitarzine completed a very favorable review of the Harmos Sacred Steel six string in their January issue. Their article including comments about the Harmos like: "It would be difficult not to be impressed with any of these tones, but having four (different pick-up voices) to choose from is a real treat." and "I was able to summon limitless sustain and tonal nirvana. . . a beautifully thought-out instrument. . . ." "Give it a try".
An updated Harmos website is in process. We expect to include more artist testimonials and really really really get some good sound samples generated. Along those lines, it has been much more challenging than expected to generate the instrument sound samples for our website. We have been trying to get at it for over six months, but with instrument construction and pedal steel prototyping, we have just been unable to get our sounds together. Our apologies.
PLAYERS:
Harmos recently sold new 8 string Sacred Steel model guitars to well known Sacred Steel artists Calvin Cooke, Maurice Beard and Alvin Lee as well as young artist Shawn Hickman. These gentlemen play their guitars on stage as performers as well as sacristy artists. Calvin has been seen at numerous locations "praying and crying" with his 8 string Sacred Steel Model Harmos. He says, " I love my 8 string :-)".
We continue to work with Robert Randolph and Jerry Douglas on refinements to our guitars. Jerry recently played his Harmos Steel on the Nationally syndicated Prairie Home Companion radio show as well as in recordings with Bela Fleck and Winton Marsalis. When asked during the show by Prairie Home Companion host Garrison Keillor about his unique steel guitar, Jerry replied "I like it . . it?s a great guitar".
To hear Robert Randolph, listen to the theme music for the NBA on ABC. Robert and the Family Band generated those licks and they sound awesome!
We are working on Prototype B of the Harmos Pedal Steel Guitar for Robert. We sent our "A" version to him in November. It lead him to reveal to several people - "I can do things on this Harmos guitar I can't do on anything else." Even though the Harmos sound and string feel was in the PSG version, there were some pedal and knee lever issues in prototype "A" which needed addressing. Robert postponed his November recording session with the expectation that he will have a fully functioning Prototype 'B' Harmos Pedal Steel for his recording and touring needs by January 03.
RETAIL:
Thanks to the retail outlets who have provided market opennings for our guitars. We were especially gratified to see Scotty's Music, holder of America's top Steel Guitar convention every Septmeber in St. Louis, feature the Harmos steel guitar as Instrument of the month.
Scotty's included some great shots of the Harmos Stringmaster model on their website - http://www.scottysmusic.com
We were also pleased to have our guitar available through nationally renowned Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI via their website at http://www.elderly.com
Harmos Steel Guitars are also available at:
Emerald City Guitars in Seattle - http://www.emeraldcityguitars.com
Cambridge Music in Boston - http://www.cambridgemusic.com
Willie's American Guitars in St. Paul, MN - http://www.williesguitars.com and
Stars Guitars in Cedar Rapids, IA - http://www.starsguitars.biz
We are very grateful to each of these businesses for helping get these guitars into the hands of interested players and artists.
PRODUCTS:
DON'T FORGET, HARMOS MUSIC IS OFFERING A HOLIDAY DISCOUNT THROUGH THE END OF JANUARY 2003.
10% OFF THE RETAIL PRICE WITH A FREE HARD CASE TO BOOT.
SEE http://www.harmosmusic.com or the retailers listed above.
Several people have discussed getting a gauged nut for their guitars. Replacing the nut bar on your Harmos Guitar is pretty easy to do. Contact us for the replacement parts. Depending on the nut material we can get you a machined gauged nut for between $20 and $40. Call or Email us.
Contact:
Harmos Steel Guitars
Telephone: 612.382.5393 or 612.695.4107
Fax: 702.995.8908
Toll Free Voicemail: 800.523.3513
Email: info@harmosmusic.com
