Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast

John Cook interview

August 11, 2020 Neil Warren Season 1 Episode 19
Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast
John Cook interview
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Show Notes Chapter Markers

John is a harmonica repairer and customiser. Following years of experience as a toolmaker John moved into repairing musical instruments, initially for woodwind instruments, before tapping into a rich vein of work repairing harmonicas. As well as many private clients, he now does repair work for the big three manufacturers. 
This has led to John now making quite possibly the only hand-made harmonica in the world today, under the name The Great British Harmonica company.

Select the Chapter Markers tab above to select different sections of the podcast (website version only).

John's website:
http://www.johncookharmonicas.com/

Julius Berthold book:
http://www.johncookharmonicas.com/book-julius-berthold

John's saxophone stands:
http://www.saxrax.com

John's engraving website:
https://www.johncookengraving.co.uk/

YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBdedNWMD0l6o3Y1Nyv1sLw


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

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Early influence of father and grandfather to become interested in tools
Became apprentice toolmaker at Ford
John’s own harmonica playing
John’s harmonica influences
John’s initial involvement in the musical instrument business
Made saxophone racks
James Brown’s sax player liked John’s stands
John’s shop: East Coast Music, where he focused on repairs
How harmonica repair business started building
Does Hohner, Seydel and Suzuki repairs
The growth in harmonica repairs
Buying second-hand harmonicas
Hohner Accredited repairer
Seydel repairs and Julius Berthold book and Suzuki repairs
Other UK repairers who have come before
Basic things to make your harmonica work better
John’s maintenance workshops
Basic tip for chromatics
John’s customisations and experimentations
Most interesting harmonica John has repaired
Awards
John’s favourite harmonica tool
John’s research into history of harmonica making
John is making the first ever handmade harmonicas in Britain
Will people be able to buy these harmonicas?
John also does hand engraving
Materials which will be used in the harmonica
Material reeds will be made from
Reeds will be screwed not riveted
John’s plans for The Great British Harmonica company
Reed and reed plate are the key component
How much are the harmonicas going to cost?
John has improved procedure to clean harps during repairs during pandemic