Canadian Harp Gear
One hassle Canadians face compared to mainland Americans is the cost of shipping gear to Canada and all of the associated import costs. I guess it's just not Canadians but the rest of the world though it's a bit grating when you can see the US from my backyard (that was intentionally Palinesque!). Are there Canadians on the site with knowledge of where to obtain harmonica gear in Canada? For instance, I recently came across a Lone Wolf harp pedal distributor near Montreal. Is there a way to get together as a group to share information about gear we may be looking for or have for sale?
Hello Hank,
I'm in Toronto. Surprisingly less harp here than one might have thought as blues is often secondary to jazz. I've used Musician's Web as they're in Hamilton to try out Suzuki and Seydel but it turns out I'm a Hohner guy. There's a source in Newmarket, just north of Toronto called Wilson Music that's everything Hohner so he's now my go to harp buying place but when the time comes to grab a chromatic I may have to give the other manufacturers another look as wood combed chromatics don't seem appealing at this time.
Amps and mics are thin here but like you I've also bought from US sources and found USPS to be the preferred way to ship.
I'm going to be in Toronto in November for a niece's wedding and hope to make a jam with another harp playing friend (Mike Angelo) who lives just east of TO. I'll give you a shout before we come out and maybe find time to meet up - beer? coffee? jam?
I grew up in the Queen and Bathurst area and then moved out to Etobicoke before coming to BC. The place hs sure chamged since i left but I'm looking forward to the visit.
For what it's worth I'm loving my Seydel chromatic but have to admit the Hohner CX12 (different key from my Seydel) sure has a beautiful dark tone. And for mics, Greg Heumann is the only go to guy as far as I'm concerned. Phenominal service and nothing but quality products.
Take care
Retired now but spent my entire working career in 4 different downtown office buildings all within a 3 block radius of Yonge and Queen. Trying to picture what Bathurst and Queen looks like today. It's a place where I think of lots of things going on but kids growing up there isn't something that immediately comes to mind. Must have been very cool.
I spend the summers in a small town in BC called Terrace of about 14,000. I have found a good supply of harps and Mikes as well as amps at the Sight and Sound Shop in town. What they didn't have they are more than willing to order for you. I find the prices quite competative to the US as well.
Hope this helps
Chuck D.
Hey SmokeJS - I'm finding that a lot depends on which courier the shipper uses because of things like customs and brokerage fees. I'm happiest with USPS although once it hits Canada Post it almost becomes a crap shoot for delivery time. Rockin' Rons has been absolutely great for service and shipping methods. In Canada, I'm finding Axe Music to be good for a lot of harmonica related goods. Service and delivery has been good the few times I've ordered from them. Musicians Webstore is one outfit some friends have ordered from. SOmewtimes I have heard that depending on what you order, there may be some delay in shipiping because it they don't have it in stock, they will order it from a supplier so that takes time. Seydel is good to order from directly and Rupart Osler has been fantastic for information and service!
I'll certainly keep an eye here to see what other Canucks have experienced. I'm in VIctoria BC - where abouts are you?