Seydel diffferences
Hi Winslow,
I was wondering if you could comment on the differences between the 1847 Classic vs. the Steel vs. the Noble vs. the Blues Session. I can't seem to find a good comparison online.
Thank you,
Taylor
I don't have enough experience with this range of models to comment. I've played the various flavors of 1847 and I like them, but haven't played the Steel Session or Blues Session.
...a set of Session Steels and a 1847 in C. If I compare the sound, I would describe it comparing to cars: The 1847 is like a Ferrari, very powerful sound, loud, shrill. The Session Steel is more like a muscle car - more growling, cannot rev as high (not as loud) but makes that up by punch. So if you want relaxed blues Sonny Boy Williamson II Style, it is rather Session Steel; if you really want to give it large, it's the 1847. Dirk Rolle, a German Seydel endorser, recommended the 1847 for the keys C and up and the Session Steel for everything below. I think that makes sense. I really like the sound of those harps over every other model I have tried (MB, GM, SP20, Lee Oskar, Suzi Bluesmaster&Manji) but to me it seems some people have problems to get used to them after a Marine Band - the reeds behave a little different on bending. And they are not cheap.
If you want to check one out, I can recommend a Session Steel (cheaper) in A (useful lower key). If you do not like the orange comb of the Session Steel (I do) or want to experiment with different comb materials for the 1847 (I did) Seydel sells seperate combs. The noble has little slots on the sides like the Marine Band to make a good cup impossible (no I dont like it ( ;o) ) whereas you can cup the other harps even so that you get Ghost notes (air escaping through wrong holes wrong direction making sound - just release the cup a little). The rest of the difference is just comb material which does not have any influence on sound, just personal taste of mouth feel. If you want to put your harps into the dishwasher like you can with steel reeds (no need to) avoid the classic with the wooden comb. The wood is sealed really well though and absolutely does not swell. It is very slippery whereas the other two are slightly rougher.
Reedplates for the 1847 do not fit the session and vice versa.
Thanks for the info. I love the sound of the Seydels. Unfortunately I have blown through 5 in the past two months.. For some reason my MB and Lee Oskar's last 4 or 5 times as long as the stainless steel reeds. I know it doesn't make sense but it's the truth. And at nearly $100 a pop I can't afford to do the Seydels anymore no matter how much I like their sound. I guess if I was sponsored like Cotton, Musselwhite or Hummel by them it wouldn't so much of a problem but all of the sudden playing the harmonica has become a very expensive hobby over the last couple months.
I read your story in the other thread. Really strange, because I have spoken to players who swear that the Seydels do last longer, and to a Hohner (!) spokesman who said that the steel reeds "break just like brass reeds" (he did not say "just as fast as"...) I have never heard before that somebody said they broke faster.
Did you ask a Seydel representative about it? Maybe they had a production problem in the last two months, or on a certain delivery that your favorite dealer got...
Actually just found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3QnreSDnRI