Rick Epping joins me on episode 37. Rick worked for Hohner USA for 18 years and played a pivotal role in improving the quality of their harmonicas back to their former glory. While at Hohner, he also developed the XB40, the all-bending harmonica. Rick is also an expert customiser of harmonicas and can be credited with the creation of embossing reeds to improve playability.Rick has a real passion for playing Irish music, to such an extent that he even moved to Ireland so he could immerse himself in the music. He has released several albums with notable Irish groups for us to enjoy his traditional music playing.Rick is also adept at playing harmonica on a rack, perhaps with the less orthodox instruments of the concertina and the banjo.Links:Article by Rick on harmonica types used in Irish Music:https://www.celticguitarmusic.com/irishharm.htmArticle on reed longevity:https://www.bluesharmonica.com/rick_eppings_paper_reed_longevity_revisitedPat Missin page on the XB40:https://www.patmissin.com/reviews/xb40.htmlEasy third tuning:https://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/5490922.htmBrendan Power's Slip Slider harmonica:https://www.brendan-power.com/SlipSlider.phpIron Lung:https://www.brendan-power.com/IronLung.phpHarmonica UK Chrom Weekend: (2021 info will be available from May 21)https://www.harmonicauk.com/cw/Willie Clancy Summer School:https://www.scoilsamhraidhwillieclancy.com/HarmonicaUK Virtual Chromatic Weekend:http://harmonica.uk/HUKBlog/chromatic-weekend/Videos:One man show for Irish Cultural Centre:https://irishculturalcentre.co.uk/2020/04/28/music-rick-epping/YouTube workshop on harmonica maintenance:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yKDUhAgmRgAnother harmonica maintenance workshop:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIsHOn-65uY&t=1608sSession that Brian McDonagh, Philip Duffy and I held every Tuesday for 15 years:https://youtu.be/Lt-BUD37SwANHL Concert: Buckets Of Rain:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRvTwBYng4APodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations: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_GBSpotify 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-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsor:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at