Review: solar powered harmonicas

Subject: solar powered harmonicas
From: wilco
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 10:39 AM

Has anyone had any experience with these new solar powered insturments. I am trying to become a more efficient consumer of energy, to save fossil fuel. I attempted to use a Model SOL Hohner (G) solar, leaving it out in the sun during a labor day picnic, befor I played it. Apparently, it over-charged, because it was very, very hot!!!

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 10:46 AM

I did hear about an attempt to introduce a solar-powered banjo, but due to repeated requests to 'stick it where the sun don't shine'.....

BJ

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Amos
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 10:50 AM

I was going to try to convert my old Martin to solar energy but I couldn't figger out how to make the solar beams hold down the bar chords.

A

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 11:55 AM

The best way to power a bodhran is still with a good hot fire ! This also works for plastic Kazzoos - the metal ones just turn black and lose their bit of bog-paper.

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 12:13 PM

I'm not sure if I believe in the existence of a solar-powered harmonica. Don't you just blow into it?

But just in case your instrument is not what I'm picturing -- watch out for Europeans who have no idea of how hot temperatures become in other parts of the world. North Europeans are used to mild temperatures. They can get all excited when the temperature goes over 80 F.

For example, I was reading a library book about hellebores (garden flowers) which said that they can easily handle hot summer weather, such as temperatures in the 80's. Right away I knew I had borrowed an English book.

I have planted some hellebores and mulched them. We are going to see how they handle temperatures of 105.

Moral: if you are reading the manual for a solar instrument, check to see how hot it can safely get.

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 12:24 PM

In my experience, harmonicas do best under glass (in the UK), although they'd be fine outside in warmer climes--but don't overwater! Banjos do best in ring culture; at least, I think that's what they meant at the garden centre.

Steve

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Mark Clark
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 01:04 PM

On the contrary, many professionals water their harmonicas to the point of completely soaking them for long periods of time. According to reports, the practice of soaking has no effect on the stored potential energy.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: wilco
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 05:13 PM

It's my undertanding then that the solar powered harmonica should be well-soaked and planted before it works properly? The instructions didn't say a thing about planting and watering the solar-powered harmonica. very unusual for a fine company like Hohner. I almost blistered my lips yesterday!!!

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Mr Red
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 06:08 PM

call me paranoic but I always thought the harmonica player was a plant.

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Amos
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 07:05 PM

Well, what's just an instrument for an old folkie might well be a plant for the Gummint!

A

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Dead Horse
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 07:48 PM

I've just obtained a chinese Hohner Cajun box, and that didn't come with instructions either. Probably a good thing, too, as they would have been written in pidgin/gobbledygook. But I have figured out what the little buttons on top are for.
The nearest one (for right handed users) converts all the buttons on the side to *black notes* (i.e. Louder)
The next is for Cajun Dance (louder still)
The third is for sea shanties (bloody loud)
The last one is the solar power button, which only works in Louisiana or certain parts of China.
I removed that ones innards, but kept the button so as I can hang my teefer (triangle to you) from it.

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: mousethief
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 08:06 PM

I've seen a Cajun box. Fists like iron.

I'm still looking for lunar-powered instruments. The Bodhrain, of course, is a firm candidate....

Alex

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 08:12 PM

Solar powered harmonicas only play in 3/4 time!

After spending Labor-Day-Weekend at an outdoor arts and crafts festival where our booth was set up next to that of a young harmonicist whose entire repertoire consists of hymns, hymns, and nothing but hymns, I've had to conclude that the sun does, in fact, make harmonicas incapable of playing in any other time signature.

BWL

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Dead Horse
Date: 04 Sep 02 - 12:45 PM

He was probably hoping to be talent scouted as an extra in a prison/WW1 trech movie.

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Dead Horse
Date: 04 Sep 02 - 12:46 PM

Cough, splutter. Insert *n* in *treNch*.

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Gurney
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 02:58 AM

I've heard it said that a bald spot is a 'solar panel for a sex machine,' But if you prefer a mouth harp....everyone to their taste.

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Hamish
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 03:24 AM

Great - I'm gonna get me some. I've got some petrol and diesel powered ones. Not only are they environmentally hostile - but they taste bloody awful. (The paraffin ones are good for camping, whereas, hopefully, the solar powered will be good for, no, I can't bring myself to say it...)

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 09:21 AM

What about a gas-powered instrument for Spaw and possibly LTS who admits to "girly poots" after eating veggieburgers.

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 09:31 AM

I'll stick to the steam-driven kazoo and the clockwork washboard, can't cope with new technology (hence all my typos and HTML errors!)
RtS

Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas
From: Hamish
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 11:59 AM

Dave/Liz: is that what the "squeak" refers to?