I really have no experience with the Seydel line of harmonicas and I am in the need of a LOW F# harmonica... I would appreciate any input...and thanx ahead for your help..Thank You
do yourself a favor, get a blue moon corian session steel comb, order some reed plates and a set of 1847 coverplates and screws and you will have one nice low F# harmonica. ---------- .
Got a Low F# 1847 Seydel Noble from Greg Jones at 16:23 custom harmonicas not long ago. Had him tune it to A442 pure ET (they usually come compromise tuned to A443). EXCELLENT harmonica. In fact, I bought a set.(all tuned to A442 ET). Best OOB harps I've ever ever owned.
Two things you may not like (or may need to get used to): cover plates are relatively thick. I like this because it forces you to open your mouth wider which helps maintain good embouchure. But to some players this may be uncomfortable. Also, on the low models the comb is 7.2mm thick as compared to 6.2mm on standard keys which is a big difference.
The stainless steel reeds are somewhat harder to play, but have a very even response. They respond well to good technique. So it forces you to maintain good technique and not get sloppy, which is a good thing if you are an experienced player. Great harps IMHO. Played properly, the stainless steel reeds really sing!
I do not ordinarily use high F# harps. I prefer Low F#. I've had Low F# in other models made for me by Joe Spiers that all turned out great. Tom Halchak of Blue Moon can probably make these, too.
Last Edited by hvyj on Mar 16, 2017 5:37 AM
I agree with hvyi: Just received a Low F# Seydel from Greg Jones and it plays great!!! I went the cheaper route and got the "session steel." Works great for me and you can choose the cover you like. ---------- ---------- And I Thank You !! KCz Backwoodz Bluz
Last Edited by KC69 on Mar 16, 2017 6:36 AM
If you're not stuck on buying Seydel, I recently bought a Brendan Power "Lucky 13" in F# so I'm covered for low and high F#. It plays great. My only observation (since I'm used to having harps re-tuned to "compromise-just" intonation, and these are Richter) is that it sounds sharp to my ear. But it's a very good harp and I like the versatility. I seldom play an F# but this way I only need one harp whether I want to play low or high. ---------- BnT
Are you looking for Seydel specifically? If you are looking for cheap, there's a Low F# Big River on eBay for $23 (last one). Might be a good deal if you just want to cover that key without springing for a Rocket Low or Thunderbird.
I hear ya, Arrick. I bought my Big River Low F# off eBay. And almost the same price, too (close to $23.00). All my harps (diatonics as well as chromatics) purchased either on eBay, or Rockin Ron's. Of course though, I need to perform my monthly inventory. Seeing what I own versus what I don't have yet. But I remember getting my Big River Low F# two weeks ago. Great harp, too.
My Seydel 1847 Silver Low F is my favorite low key harp, and I like my Low D Session Steel a lot.
However, I have an F# Marine Band Deluxe that is really good, too.
I bought Low Eb, Low E, and Low F# Big Rivers a few years ago at discount at a SPAH when Hohner was closing them out. They were just OK OOTB, but with Andrew Zajac Dark Combs they each are much improved and are now very good low keyed harps costing much less than any alternative option.
My Low F Promaster, my first low key harp, was leaky. I haven't tried any low Manjis... yet. ----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Mar 20, 2017 7:39 AM
The Low Manjis are great--try them at SPAH! Sorry about the leaky ProMaster, way past warranty--have you tried the plates on another Suzuki comb, the parts are pretty interchangeable.
Yes, the plates are on a Delta Frost comb, better, but not as good as the 1847. I may try another comb as I haven't given up on the plates yet. ----------
Too bad that Hohner stopped making the SP20 in low registers to push buyers toward the T-Birds. I'm still using my SP20 Low F# that I've had for years and it still plays fine. My lows are a combination of Hohner, Suzuki and Seydel since it seems only Seydel produces certain keys in the low registers like Db.
Thanx to everyone for the great input! I am having a custom harp built for me as we speak using NOS "Big River" reed plates....looking forward to getting it...I am playing now with "The Stranger Blues Band", the best group of seasoned players I have ever had the pleasure of working with...we have 3 tunes were I need this harp....
Just wondering if MS Low F# reedplates (for the Big River) are available if they have discontinued that harp? And how does one obtain a Marine Band in the low keys?
Last Edited by Pablo42 on Mar 22, 2017 8:51 PM
Hey Pablo. I dunno much about MS harps, but for marine bands, you can't really get a low tuned one anymore. So you can retune a G to F# or F, or get lucky and find an old stock or good 2ndhand. Or if you have plenty $$ to splash about, you can take Hohner's preferred option and buy a Thunderbird.
OK, SuperBee, thanks. Perhaps when this Big River goes, a Thunderbird or Session Steel. Funny, I had a 1969 Superbee & wrecked it on the road just leaving Tucson for Nogales... apropos of nothing.
Last Edited by Pablo42 on Mar 23, 2017 6:38 PM
Hvyj. That is one of the best descriptions of Seydel harps I've heard. I agree. You just can't beat the tone of these things. And I believe the width of the harps does really effect your tone and embochure in a positive way.
The reeds are a bit more stiff, but they really feel like you have ahold of something substantial.... especially when you lay into a bend. Going back to harps like hohner or lee Oscar just doesn't feel right after getting used to Seydel.
I have Seydel Session Steel in Low F#. I love how it feels and sounds with new bold cover plates (from Low 1847 models). Very good combination! It was played in this harmonica.
