mlefree
605 posts
Mar 01, 2016
10:02 AM
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I've been pretty vocal about my frustration with my single SS reed harmonica, an 1847 Silver in the key of A that I half-valved myself.
I pride myself in being able to repair and customize my own harmonicas. I have full sets of vintage cobbled together Marine Bands and more recent Special 20s and Suzuki Promasters. I've replace nails with screws, flattened and finished combs and reed plates (where applicable), shaped and gapped reeds and done some light embossing (don't like the sound when I do too much of that). I also like to maintain my own harmonicas, though I'm a soft player and seldom break reeds. I'm very fortunate to have a treasure trove of old, "dead" donor harps that will keep me playing for the rest of my playing life.
I was naturally quite disappointed when I found my most expensive harp (by a significant margin) impossible for me to work on and very difficult for me to play. Being so accustomed to working brass reeds, SS represents a totally new horizon for me. Very different techniques are necessary to make even small changes. The forces needed to make tiny changes in SS reed shape or even offset would totally destroy a brass reed. Bottom line: the harmonica was unplayable for me for all intents and purposes and I could do little to nothing to change that.
In desperation I sent it to an unnamed world-class player and technician friend to see if s/he could fix it. S/he kindly and generously agreed and sent the harp back fully "tweaked." I can scarcely describe my disappointment when I found little if any improvement in its "playability." I chalked the whole saga up to experience and retired the harp to my collection of different models that I use to make patterns for my leather harmonica cases. Hardly a good use for a $100 harp!
I'll be the first to admit that I've been pretty vocal about my disgruntlement with my SS harmonica. I've issued frank public statements about it on the various internet gatherings of harmonica enthusiasts even to the point of steering new players away from them. This in spite of the legion of SS reed enthusiasts. I now officially retract all of that.
I was surprised when a well-known and highly respected chromatic customizer and repair technician by the name of Michael Easton kindly offered to work on the harp. Surprised on two levels. First that such a well-known technician voluntarily took the mantle of working on it. And second because, though I knew he is a fine diatonic player, I (stupidly) didn't realize he was also an accomplished diatonic tech.
Mike kept me well informed with regular progress reports. He was telling me pleasant things about what he was doing with this most recalcitrant of my harmonicas. After tweaking it and taking time to make sure his adjustments settled in, I received the fated and well-traveled harmonica yesterday in the mail. It was with no small amount of trepidation that I tried it out, hoping for the best but prepared for continued disappointment.
BOOM! Completely different performance! No more difficult, forced, airy, weak bends. Gone. A thing of the past. All the notes sound consistently with minimal effort. All the bends easy to achieve and maintain.
This harmonica, that same one that was so difficult for me to work on or play, now performs indistinguishably different from my best brass reed harmonicas. The only way I could tell the difference is by the slightly different timbre. I am simply amazed!
The real interesting part of this story is how it coincided in time with Mike's recent announcement about expanding his business to include diatonic customization and repair. I don't know but my Seydel 1847 Silver may well represent his inaugural work. I should smash a bottle of champagne on it not only to commemorate the Maiden Voyage of Fathead Diatonic Harmonica Services but to celebrate the resurrection of my 1847.
Thank You, Michael Easton!
Michelle
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SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
Last Edited by mlefree on Mar 01, 2016 10:15 AM
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barbequebob
3177 posts
Mar 01, 2016
10:26 AM
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Michelle, that's a classic example of why going to RIGHT customizer is important and for most people wh are reading this, many people go to one just solely by the cheapest price alone and going by who does the best overall job and their ability to work on certain harps. It amazes me how some players go to a low priced customizer, for example, who doesn't play overblows and expects that same guy to be able to make overblows work on them, and in your case, someone who probably isn't fully familiar with working on harps with stainless steel reeds, which tends to be harder to work on just based on the very fact that stainless steel is a lot tougher and stronger than all of the different types of brass. Rupert Oysler, who works for Seydel and has been a customizer, has said that they require a different kind of work.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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Cotton
65 posts
Mar 01, 2016
11:48 AM
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Mike did a GREAT job on my antique Rolmonica. Most of these never play like they did 80 years ago---because the harp leaks so much air. I sent the harp to Mike who flattened/ sealed the comb- installed new windsavers. With new gaskets that I made it plays like new. I know it is just a novelty, but everyone who sees it play----smiles. Great Fun.
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2chops
493 posts
Mar 01, 2016
1:34 PM
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I currently have 2 of my chroms in Mikes hands. They’re still in process. But there were a couple of things that came up and he has kept me in the loop every step of the way. I know that he’s put a bunch of time into them so far. But he’s most interested in doing the job correctly rather than just hurrying through it and making a quick buck. Which is why I sent them to him in the first place.
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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Goldbrick
1335 posts
Mar 01, 2016
5:47 PM
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"This harmonica, that same one that was so difficult for me to work on or play, now performs indistinguishably different from my best brass reed harmonicas. The only way I could tell the difference is by the slightly different timbre. I am simply amazed!"
Ok- great that it plays well but what is gained here ?
Expensive harp that needs additional expensive work to play as well as a $40 Special 20
Sounds like one could just buy a 5 pack of sp 20s and pass on the Seydel
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1847
3250 posts
Mar 01, 2016
5:50 PM
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you cheap bastard..
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Killa_Hertz
673 posts
Mar 01, 2016
7:04 PM
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It was just a fluke harp i think.
Im not very experienced with harp work and i have no problem doing the reed work on my seydels and getting them to play great.
It is harder than brass ... well not harder i guess .. but alot different.
Michelle i had the same experience with my first Manji. I just couldn't get it to play right. I put SO much time into that harp trying to get it right. In the end i think it was a mix between a shitty comb and warped plates. I got the plates straightened out and put a bluemoon Hogany on it. Its hard to put down now. Its one hell of a harp. Definitely one of my favoritez.
The SS reeds are great. I love my Session Steels and 1847s. Glad you ve seen the light. 8^)>.
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
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Mahcks
65 posts
Mar 02, 2016
8:58 AM
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I've had the exact same problems with all the Seydels I've tried.
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mlefree
606 posts
Mar 02, 2016
9:11 AM
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Goldbrick has a point.
I'm real big on Special 20s. They're relatively inexpensive, I can work on them myself and I have a lot of donors.
The point of my post was twofold. First, I felt I had to come clean after all the griping I've done about SS reeds. I figured that something was amiss because so many other players swear by them. I wanted to publicly state how I have been mistaken about SS, and that in the right hands even a difficult harp can be rendered ultimately playable. Clearly my own skills at working SS reeds are woefully inadequate.
The second reason was to help publicize Mike's (re?)entry into the diatonic repair and customizing business. Mike's highly professional, easy to work with and he does superlative work. He has the ability to listen to a few words about how you like to play and suss out just the right way to set up our harp. His is a service the blues harp community should be aware of. Contrary to long-held popular belief, Fathead Musical Instruments is not "all cromatics all of the time."
The bottom line for me personally has not changed, though. I now have a beautifully playable 1847 that I'd previously consigned to my bone yard, but it will probably be my only one. I simply can't justify the added cost given my soft playing style. I just don't break reeds on my brass harps but if and when I do I am well-equipped to repair them.
Michelle
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SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
Last Edited by mlefree on Mar 02, 2016 5:52 PM
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Killa_Hertz
679 posts
Mar 02, 2016
2:19 PM
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Michelle I never have problems with seydel OOTB. They still have to be gapped n such, but they are great. (For me)
My main reason for liking the seydels is Not the Durability of the reeds. I feel that both the SS and 1847 are just very comfortable harps to play and they sound great. I think they have a quality feel like the suzuki with the light playabilty of the hohner. My 1847 noble in D is lightning fast. And sounds beautiful. I love the wider covers and just overall profile of the seydel harps aswell.
As ive gotten comfortable with so many different models, it's hard to pick a favorite. I play em all. SS, 1847, SP20,Manji,Marine Band classic deluxe crossover. It's hard to pick which one is "best". They all have their own thing going. All prices being the same i would have alot more 1847s. They are one of my favorite harps. But you're right, it is hard to justify.
Like i said. I had an almost identical experience with the Manji. But that same harp is now one of my favorites. And ive bought a few since then. But Manjis are also alot cheaper. Lol.
Michelle what's you experience/feeling toward the Session Steel?
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
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harmonicanick
2394 posts
Mar 02, 2016
3:00 PM
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Yes but those steel combs abrase my poor little lips..
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mlefree
609 posts
Mar 03, 2016
4:09 AM
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Killa, I've never tried a Session Steel. I have my stated reservations about collecting very many SS reed harps. (I also have pretty strong dislike for those orange combs.)
I might mention that I do own a Seydel Harmonica MD harp. It's built on a Noble frame (with special comb and tuning). Other than the fact that I have difficulty working on it (obviously out of lack of experience) it is the nicest instrument I own.
Its anodized aluminum comb gives me no annoying Galvanic reaction with the reed plates whatever as do my Suzuki Promasters. It has a nice "heft" to it and it sounds great. I just wish the reeds would stay put after I adjust them. Stubborn little beast to work on but as I say, a beautiful little harmonica.
That's the extent of my SS experience. I also have a low C Seydel Solist Pro 12 holer in brass, before they switched the model to SS reeds. Its a terrific harmonica, one of my favorites. Honestly, if they were still offered with brass reeds, I'd be expanding my collection. Nothing to not like with that one.
Michelle
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SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
Last Edited by mlefree on Mar 03, 2016 4:09 AM
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Killa_Hertz
686 posts
Mar 03, 2016
5:34 AM
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Hmm.
I also love the noble comb. I have a promaster also and Hate that metal comb. The taste and the shape of the tines.
I just put together a piece meal 1847 noble in A last night. I bought a circular tuned noble used. I then bought a set of plates in A from rons.
Its a lil early to pass judgment on it yet. It plays good. But honestly if i were to have bought it new, I think the money would be better spent on a Manji with a Blue Moon Hogany Comb. But ive been wanting another noble and this one was cheap so.....
I don't have a problem with the orange. It doesnt bother me none. They play really nice. I think you would like one. I really don't have the same problem working on the Stainless reads. It's true that in comparison hohnerz are super easy.
I think I'm thru buying 1847s, fire a while atleast. Unless i come across some more cheap used in mint shape.
Edit: I tweaked this A 1847 a bit at lunch. It plays alot better already. They are Still a little pricey, but i suppose since reed replacement on the 1847 cost the same as a new Marine band. So once you have the initial investment, the covers and comb should last a good long while.
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Mar 03, 2016 9:24 AM
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