From: Ray Beltran Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 10:41:37 -0700 Subject: A Forwarded Note from Gary "Sonny Jr." Onofrio, Sonny Jr. Amplifiers
I received this e-mail from Gary after I had forwarded him the post I sent to harp-l. I had a reason for sending it to him. It wasn't to find favor with him, or to get freebies or a deal from him. I don't work that way. The reason I forwarded the post to him was because I thought he should know how I feel about his product, and the fact that I called him the "Enzo Ferrari of Harmonica Amps", a statement which I truly believe. I know of his history, and what he did for fine automobiles, and I believe the parallel is true. One of the qualities that Enzo was able to instill into his cars was a personality. One man's vision of what a car should be like. All of his passion, all of his genius, and, yes...all of his flaws. But what resulted was a car like no other. Not one designed by a bunch of bean-counters or analysts. But a car that had a soul...a quality lacking in all others. A car by a driver for drivers. Just like the Sonny Jrs.
Here's what Gary asked me to post for him:
- ------------------------------ From: SONNYTO~ol.com Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 04:58:12 EST To: resgra~ata1.com Subject: Re: Harp Amps, The Big Boys...Let's See What She'll Do.
To all harp players, harp - l enthusiasts; My name is Gary Onofrio, AKA Sonny Jr., designer of the Sonny Jr. harp amps. For the past 6 years I have labored to try and bring you the best harp amp ever built, and by owners opinions, have succeeded in doing so. In keeping the quality to my exacting specifications, and keeping with the one builder, point to point system, this is not a high profit big company adventure.
You have heard that I am discontinuing the amps, there are exactly 25 Sonny Jr. #2's left and one Sonny Jr. #1 left for sale. I have had a liver disease for the past 11 years which recently has gotten aggressive and I must begin experimental treatment, called Interpheron therapy, which has nasty side effects. At this time I must concentrate on my health, my playing, and my full time job running a clinic for heroin and cocaine addicts.
There is no problem with the amp, it's design, and Tom of Cotton Amps, the builder, will be available for many years as support. To all present owners, his phone number is 203-872-1920 - email, Cottonam~ol.com
We have reduced the price on the amps, you can contact David Barrett at the Masterclass to order. To all who have supported me at harp - l, I truly appreciate your trust. To all the others who have at times knocked my character and motives without even knowing me, try and find one of my amps to play through before commenting.
To keep my insane mind occupied through this ordeal I am designing an amp with one 12 or 15", to be used as a Walter tone beast, with the intention of using a mic on stage. My idea of the blues is feeling and dynamics, and if you play an amp on stage that is piercingly loud on stage, the rest of your band has the ability to and will attempt to play over you. I recently played with Hubert Sumlin with my prototype amp, and he wants me and my guitar player to be with him on all his gigs, he is a great, humble man, and boy can he play.
My email is Sonnyto~ol.com - I am not running or hiding, will fight this thing to my fullest, I will be one of the instructors at the Masterclass this year and will pass the knowledge Sonny gave to me on to whomever is listening. Being able to play the harp well is a gift, not a right, live each day to the fullest, tell those close to you that you love them, and remember the laws of Karma are in effect.
Peace to all, Gary "Sonny Jr." Onofrio
P.S. While I was at the last Masterclass with my amps, John Kinder and his wife Julie were also there demonstrating their Harp King amp. The two leading harp amp manufacturers, you'd think we'd be in back biting competition. To the contrary, John, Julie and I had dinner, talked about amps and the business, exchanged ideas, and I got to know them as people, whom I respect for their commitment to their product. We make different amps from different mindsets, and what's so great about America is that there IS choice, and variety. Try each and decide which works best for you as an individual. Sonny Jr.
