I'm looking to buy a harmonium, a tabla set, and a dhol. Dhol is just for fun for my wifey but the harmonium and tabla are for myself. Now, I'm just an amatuer harmonium player and only tinkered with tabla for probaby 12minutes my whole life.
So I've been going crazy trying to get the best deals like everyone else. But the information I'm getting is so confusing. For example, I'm looking for a top of the line scale changer harmonium because someone said that only a scale changer would quickly allow me to transpose keys and be able to help me accompany other singers. But David Courtney in his Harmonium Description page advised otherwise. So, what do I do?
Also, one Tabla player told me to get the heaviest bayan I can get to get the heaviest tone and to be more stable than a ligher one. But Raganet.Com also says that a heavier set of tabla may decrease the volume of the the theka being played. I'm very confused, I don't know what I should get.
However, here are the Tabla, Harmonium, and the Dhol set that I'm looking to buy for now.
The harmonium in the link is made by a reputable company. Ask the shop for written assurance that it is well tuned with return privledges on the even that it is not. It's been said before in this forum - that the only real problem with scale changers is that too many are made with uncured wood. Uncured wood is more of a problem in scale-changers because of the tolerances involved with the moving parts. As long at the wood is cured, a scale changer that works well when you buy it - will continue to work well as time passes.
Bad Ustad (Jan 19, 2004 09:27 a.m.):
The harmonium in the link is made by a reputable company. Ask the shop for written assurance that it is well tuned with return privledges on the even that it is not. It's been said before in this forum - that the only real problem with scale changers is that too many are made with uncured wood. Uncured wood is more of a problem in scale-changers because of the tolerances involved with the moving parts. As long at the wood is cured, a scale changer that works well when you buy it - will continue to work well as time passes.
Thanks BU! I'm open to more advises from you and others and won't buy it until I'm certain that I'm bit more knowledgable about the purchase.
I bought a Harmonium from kalakendar
I just want to say how pleased I was with the service that I got from Mickey. They are first rate musical instrument dealers.
I finally bought a scale changer harmonium, prof. tabla, a dholak, and a Riyaz Elec.Tabla from Kishav Music. My brother just had to pick it up for me because i'm not close the store.
The harmonium seems very nice. However, there is one key that makes a vibrating noise. Another thing is that, the bellow and valve combination is a bit confusing. I've had other harmoniums but this is a bit odd. I have to bellow like crazy in order to play a normal tempo song.
That tabla and the rest seem very nice. Especially the Dholak. I paid a total of $1480 for all the items. I just got them tonight at 9pm. So I'll have to call up Keshav tomorrow afternoon to find out whats up with the Harmonium.
Hi Adam,
I had no idea that you were "Agmay" when I saw your post. I did not reply as I have been too often accused of scrounging for free publicity. In any case, as I told your brother - bring the harmonium by for any ajustments that it may need. As the weather in our area has been hovering around 8 degrees Farenheit it is not unusual for a new harmonium to get a "buzz". These are easily fixed. The best thing as you live close by, is to come in and I can show you how to make the adjustment yourself. About the bellows.
I believe this is your first scale-changer. Most people's early experience with harmoniums are with non-scale-changers like Sangeet model or a Signature 23 or a BINA 23B. This style harmonium has a sort of big bed-spring inside the bellows that acts as a "return". Proper scale-changers don't have a spring in the bellows. This is because classical players prefer to have complete control of the bellows. The trade-off is that the player does have to be much more active in working the bellows rather than being on auto-pilot like with spring- loaded models. So in the beginning - working the bellows can seem like a lot of work. All our harmoniums come waranteed with regards to adjustments for buzzes or mechanical noises - for one year, with the understanding that the customer must bring the harmonium in to the shop for the adjustment.
See you soon,
KD
Even though the harmonium is a slight problem. The rest of your products were just perfect. And also that your customer service is so nice, I'm going to recommend you to more of my friends.
I purchased a DMS-45 from, well, DMS.
I found I. Singh to be exceptionally helpful. I really luv my Harmonium.
It does not have a Scale Changer, nor does it have the famed ' Tremolo'. It is
reasonable well tuned. I am very fond of playing, Church Hymns and Gospel music on it. And it seems to work out OK. I haven't learned any Hindu Sangaat, Sangam etc. I would Highly recommend a DMS Musical Instrument. The tone of the DMS-45 seems to go right threw ya. Sorta of a Viseral feeling.
I heard a rumour that the evil dwarfs killed Agmay, chopped him
up and fed juicy morsels of his body to the starving children that work
in Keshav's child labor factory!
