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Elk River Harmonicas

Elk River Harmonicas
since 2007
Cross Lanes, WV

Double Reeds (Tremolos and Octaves)

As the legend goes... at the Thie factory in Austria a worker was upset about being forced to work on Sunday was goofing off and tuned one of the twin reeds of a double-reed harmonica a little bit off, creating the tremolo effect. Thie heard it and rushed in. The worker expected a scolding, but instead got to knock off for the day. For the rest of the 19th Century, Thie was the premiere maker of tremolo harmonicas.

Thie's grandson sold the company around 1906 and invested the money in a sure-fire investment that would see him through the rest of his life- Austro-Hungarian Empire treasury bonds. Unfortunately for Mr. Thie, after World War I, both his T-bonds and the empire itself went kaput.

The story doesn't end well for the buyers either, the company had to close during World War I. Johann Kostler bought the liquidated equipment, including 10 reed milling machines and 30 screw presses. Kostler is still business, only they make auto parts instead of harmonicas.

Tremolos

Fanfare and Fanfare S

The Fanfare and Fanfare S are built using the body of the new Seydel Chromatic Deluxe. They feature an acrylic body, metal mouthpiece and windsaver valves to make them more airtight. The Fanfare has brass reeds while the Fanfare S is the first tremolo harmonica to feature steel reeds.

Fanfare: G,A, Bb, C and D.... $115.95

Fanfare S: G, A, C and D.... $199.95

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Mountain Harp

Double-sided tremolo with solo tuning note placement. C harmonica on one side, G harmonica on the other. Plastic body. Available in 80-reed and 96-reed versions (96 is shown).

Mountain Harp 96 .... $79.95

Mountain Harp 80... $71.95

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Sailor

Tremolo harmonica with solo-tuning note placement, plastic body. Available in 48 and 40-reed versions (48 is shown). Key of C only.

Sailor 48... $45.95

Sailor 40... $41.95

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Elk River Harmonicas
since 2007
Cross Lanes, WV