03 Sep 02 - 10:39 AM (#776176) Subject: solar powered harmonicas From: wilco 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!!! |
03 Sep 02 - 10:46 AM (#776179) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Bullfrog Jones 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 |
03 Sep 02 - 10:50 AM (#776181) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Amos 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 |
03 Sep 02 - 11:55 AM (#776220) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Dave Bryant 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. |
03 Sep 02 - 12:13 PM (#776229) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: GUEST,leeneia 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. |
03 Sep 02 - 12:24 PM (#776233) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Steve Parkes 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 |
03 Sep 02 - 01:04 PM (#776260) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Mark Clark 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 |
03 Sep 02 - 05:13 PM (#776381) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: wilco 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!!! |
03 Sep 02 - 06:08 PM (#776409) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Mr Red call me paranoic but I always thought the harmonica player was a plant. |
03 Sep 02 - 07:05 PM (#776451) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Amos Well, what's just an instrument for an old folkie might well be a plant for the Gummint! A |
03 Sep 02 - 07:48 PM (#776471) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Dead Horse 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. |
03 Sep 02 - 08:06 PM (#776477) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: mousethief 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 |
03 Sep 02 - 08:12 PM (#776480) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Bee-dubya-ell 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 |
04 Sep 02 - 12:45 PM (#776900) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Dead Horse He was probably hoping to be talent scouted as an extra in a prison/WW1 trech movie. |
04 Sep 02 - 12:46 PM (#776903) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Dead Horse Cough, splutter. Insert *n* in *treNch*. |
05 Sep 02 - 02:58 AM (#777295) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Gurney 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. |
05 Sep 02 - 03:24 AM (#777309) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Hamish 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...) |
05 Sep 02 - 09:21 AM (#777422) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Dave Bryant What about a gas-powered instrument for Spaw and possibly LTS who admits to "girly poots" after eating veggieburgers. |
05 Sep 02 - 09:31 AM (#777431) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Roger the Skiffler 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 |
05 Sep 02 - 11:59 AM (#777495) Subject: RE: Review: solar powered harmonicas From: Hamish Dave/Liz: is that what the "squeak" refers to? |