Lee Oskar are much better for the price.

Norm

That's pretty much my take also. The Hohner Special 20's play nice, but they just don't last. In the long run, they end up costing much more than the Lee Oskars.

I still need to order some of the Bushman Delta Frost with the Phosphor Bronze reeds and see how they play and last. I'll add a post when I've done that. We do now have them listed at our Harmonica Store-

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Play on,
Dave Gage

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I agree with your assesment. I ordered two of the Seydel Blues Session harps, one A and one C. I ordered them because I met Charlie Musselwhite who claims they are the best harp out of the box. I have played on the A quite a bit now and this is my take. The holes are slightly wider than those of the Lee Oskar, which is wider than those of the Special 20 and the Marine Band 1896. It takes a little getting used to if you are accustomed to playing a Special 20 or a Lee Oskar. The Seydel Blues Session does not have hole numbers 1-10 stamped on the metal. If you rely visually on the numbers, you will have to learn to do without. Personally, this is not a big deal to me, but it is a distinct difference from other harps I have used. Now, the important thing, the tone. I find the tone to be similar to both the Lee Oskar and the Special 20. As far as bendability, I can hit all of the draws under the 2 and 3 holes without a problem and I think the Seydel is nice in that respect. When I was first starting out with the Lee Oskar, I found the larger and flatter plates at the mouthpiece a little hard to get used to. The Special 20 and Marine Band are both much smaller and more comfortable to play in my opinion. The mouthpiece is not so fat. The Seydel Blues Session has an even fatter mouthpiece than that of the Lee Oskar.

All in all, they are nice harps, but they are expensive. Honestly, I will probably stick with the Lee Oskar first, and the Special 20 second.

I bought the Seydel on Charlie Musselwhite's recommendation, but I do realize that he is endorsing Seydel and as long as he says he likes them, he's probably not paying for them, so I take that for what it's worth.

Harp on!
Don

Excellent post. I don't have much experience with the Seydel harmonicas, so I appreciate what you've added here.

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Quote

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hi,
i've just started learning, so i don't know anything about harmonicas, but when i was talking to charlie musselwhite at the concert, he said the seydel's the best harmonica he'd used. i couldn't resist, and bought one, but i haven't even touched it yet, it's way too damn beautiful!

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Its funny last night I watched the movie Blues brothers 2000 I had noticed that Charlie Musselwhite was playing with a Lee Oskar.
I too am thinking of getting one. They are expensive. I still like my Lee Oskar.
P.S. Thanks for the info
Norm

I plan to order a new Seydel soon.

Tom Welch
Suzuki Hammond (C)
Suzuki Promaster (A)
Suzuki Humming Pipe (C)

I am consideing buying their stainless steel
model soon. There's a new harmonica maker
coming to the USA soon based out of Brazil.

Tom Welch
Suzuki Hammond (C)
Suzuki Promaster (A)
Suzuki Humming Pipe (C)

Alan

1. I'm willing to invest a good bit of money in a harmonica (set) that I'll love.
2. I have a mustache and beard, and occasionally I'll get a whisker caught between the cover and comb. OUCH!!! The Seydel pictures LOOK like they're sleek and would have less risk of that problem.
3. I want to play blues, country and some marine type tunes, first and second position for now.
4. At this point in my musical "career" (this IS NOT my job), I want to minimize the risk of being frustrated and losing enthusiasm because of stiff reeds or any other problem that would deter a beginner. I've always wanted to play, and I'm currently very motivated.
5. Some of the Seydels look like they are the absolute SHIZZLE! If I like the way they play as much as I like their looks, I'm sold.

So, does Seydel meet those needs and, if so, which model? I'm willing to pay well for a harp I REALLY LOVE!

Thanks,

Wes

We can go deeper in one of the live online classes in the next week or two... Seydels are nice, but they wear out like any other diatonic. Your best bet is just to try one and see what you think. Many pros and serious players are playing these or the Hohner Rocket and/or the Hohner Crossover. My top two choices would be the Seydel 1847 Classic or the Hohner Rocket.

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Dave Gage

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1. It plays great. Better than my other two. I find draws and bends are substantially easier on this harp.
2. It's not better for preventing whisker pulling, in fact it's worse IMO.
3. It's not as pretty as the pictures, but who really cares?

Overall I'm very happy with the 1847. Still, I'll probably try a Crossover before I decide what I want for a set.

That's my take, FWIW.