John Cook interview

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/

Chapters

• 2:16 Early influence of father and grandfather to become interested in tools
• 5:15 Became apprentice toolmaker at Ford
• 6:13 John’s own harmonica playing
• 7:51 John’s harmonica influences
• 9:31 John’s initial involvement in the musical instrument business
• 11:18 Made saxophone racks
• 13:56 James Brown’s sax player liked John’s stands
• 16:21 John’s shop: East Coast Music, where he focused on repairs
• 17:39 How harmonica repair business started building
• 19:17 Does Hohner, Seydel and Suzuki repairs
• 19:52 The growth in harmonica repairs
• 20:20 Buying second-hand harmonicas
• 21:59 Hohner Accredited repairer
• 22:55 Seydel repairs and Julius Berthold book and Suzuki repairs
• 23:49 Other UK repairers who have come before
• 25:41 Basic things to make your harmonica work better
• 27:17 John’s maintenance workshops
• 28:59 Basic tip for chromatics
• 30:27 John’s customisations and experimentations
• 33:14 Most interesting harmonica John has repaired
• 34:07 Awards
• 34:42 John’s favourite harmonica tool
• 37:29 John’s research into history of harmonica making
• 41:19 John is making the first ever handmade harmonicas in Britain
• 45:44 Will people be able to buy these harmonicas?
• 46:09 John also does hand engraving
• 46:25 Materials which will be used in the harmonica
• 49:54 Material reeds will be made from
• 52:09 Reeds will be screwed not riveted
• 52:26 John’s plans for The Great British Harmonica company
• 53:50 Reed and reed plate are the key component
• 55:01 How much are the harmonicas going to cost?
• 56:46 John has improved procedure to clean harps during repairs during pandemic