Well, in the late 40's, a number of manufacturers decided to move their factories to the Western half of the country, leaving behind their old factory, which may have been taken up under new management, and made goods sold to folks in the Soviet bloc. Which worked for both sides, as they weren't able to compete against each other in their markets.I don't usually associate harmonicas with East Germany (DDR, German Democratic Republic),
The musical instrument factories in the Kingenthal and Markneukirchen area are there since 350 years or so, C.F. Martin originated from there before he moved to the US in 1833. Anyway, most factories after Wold War II were privately owned but in the late 1950ies and especially 1960s they were forced to form larger state owned cooperations. Any you would be surprised that the larger amount of instruments made there did not end up in shops in the East block but were sold world wide in large volume! So they did defintely compete with western manufacturers but had a hard time competing agains the Far Eastern companies. Most of they however were not able to compete with the western comanies after the wall came down. Just a few that survived but they made and still make great instruments....leaving behind their old factory, which may have been taken up under new management, and made goods sold to folks in the Soviet bloc. Which worked for both sides, as they weren't able to compete against each other in their markets.
Actually one of the harmonica factories in Klingenthal is the oldest still producing harmonica factory in the world! Founded 1847! So it was not Hohner who was first. Matthias Hohner only founded his company in 1857!Those harmonicas do look pretty close to some Hohner instruments. But I wouldn't dare to guess who originated them.
My experiences with East/West German manufacturers are in a different field. I figured I could extrapolate to other industries.Anyway, most factories after Wold War II were privately owned but in the late 1950ies and especially 1960s they were forced to form larger state owned cooperations. Any you would be surprised that the larger amount of instruments made there did not end up in shops in the East block but were sold world wide in large volume! So they did defintely compete with western manufacturers but had a hard time competing agains the Far Eastern companies. Most of they however were not able to compete with the western comanies after the wall came down. Just a few that survived but they made and still make great instruments.
Ralf
I'm not exactly sure what "COO-washed" means? You mean that RFT tubes were branded as Siemens?I'm still trying to figure out how RFT vacuum tubes managed to get COO-washed as Siemens brand.
Sorry. Country of Origin. Items from East Germany were certainly tariff-disadvantaged, if not outright banned in the US, whereas items from West Germany were given favored status. By getting "Siemens West Germany" screened on them, they were able to sell them without issue.I'm not exactly sure what "COO-washed" means? You mean that RFT tubes were branded as Siemens?
Ah! Somehow could not make that connection with COO last night...Sorry. Country of Origin.
That was very common and a great way for East Germany to get Deutschmarks or Dollars.
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Ralf