Richard Sleigh now a Hohner Affiliated Customizer

Hi Everyone!

I was accepted into the Hohner Affilated Customizer (HAC) program earlier this year. The Hohner company created this program as a way to promote and support the art of high end customizing. Joe Filisko is the inspiration for the program and evaluates and approves people for the program.

If you are aware of my background, you know that I worked closely with Joe Filisko in the 90s developing the customizing methods that became known as the "Filisko Method". I've been building high end Marine Band harps for over two decades, and have written a book on the topic of customizing harmonicas as well as a series of videos that go into great detail on exactly how to set up and tune reeds for world class performance.

However, it was not a slam dunk that I would get into the program. I submitted harmonicas to Joe Filisko for approval just like everyone else and we ended up having a lively back and forth about exactly what 19 limit just intonation is and how to dial in for the ultimate blues harmonica. 

I ended up reviewing every aspect of how I build and tune harmonicas. I questioned everything I thought I knew about customizing and tuning harmonicas. After I got into the program and ordered my first shipment of parts, I re-invented how I build harmonicas by challenging myself to find better ways to do everything I do, including re-designing some of the tools I use and creating new tools for the process.

I now have a flagship model of the Marine Band Deluxe harmonica that has a modified top cover plate that calls to mind the original "mouse ear" Marine Band cover plates. It also has a black acrylic comb that is smooth to the lips and super easy to clean.

I also build Special 20s and can special order and build other Hohner models like the Thunderbird, including double thick reed plate versions of the T-bird and other harps. 

I wanted to wait until I got all of these elements into place before before making any of my own announcements about being in the HAC program. 

You can get a look at the new harmonicas at: https://hotrodharmonicas.com/

I feel grateful and honored to be included in this program and I intend to build the best harps I can build and keep on learning as I do. Thanks for reading this!