toddlgreene
305 posts
Dec 30, 2009
6:34 AM
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Either the Solist Pro(rant time:it irks me that 'solist' isn't really a word, and it's right there on the cover plate! Pat, I'd like to buy a vowel-can I have an O after the L?)or a Suzuki Manji will be my next harp purchase. Of those on here that own both, which would be your choice and why?
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~Todd L. Greene, Devout Pedestrian
"listen to what you like for inspiration, but find your own voice"
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
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CJames
92 posts
Dec 30, 2009
9:32 AM
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haha, i've always just automaticaly read it as 'soloist'...weird. I'd also like to try both those harps soon, looking at getting a Solist pro 12 next though
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djm3801
285 posts
Dec 30, 2009
10:19 AM
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Sort of an apples to oranges situation. If you like the size and spacing of a Golden melody, the Solist Pro will be to your liking. The Manji feels a lot like a Special 20. From a playability perspective they are both good, with the Manji requiring less air. I found the Manji to be a little more responsive as well. Manji sounds brighter, Soloist Pro warmer. Soloist pro workmanship is beautiful. Manji good but cover plates scare me. Opinions may differ and always will.
Last Edited by on Dec 30, 2009 10:20 AM
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Pimpinella
9 posts
Dec 30, 2009
10:20 AM
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Hi
Todd, you're of course wrong...
Solist is of course a quite real word! You just didn't get that because of your poor german ;)
SCNR ;)
Solist is just the german word for soloist.
Besides that, go for the Manji, because it's the better harp by far. If you're looking for a Seydel, get a 1847 or 1847 Silver, avoid the 1847 Silver+ though.
HTH
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toddlgreene
308 posts
Dec 30, 2009
10:28 AM
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@ pimpinella, yeah, I need to brush up on my German, but more important German words such as hefeweizen, reisling,schwarzbier and gewurztraminer always distract my attention and cloud my learning ability ;-) I stand corrected.
Interesting comparisons thusfar;thanks guys. Now, how would the Crossover fare against these two?
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~Todd L. Greene, Devout Pedestrian
"listen to what you like for inspiration, but find your own voice"
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
Last Edited by on Dec 30, 2009 10:46 AM
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Pimpinella
10 posts
Dec 30, 2009
2:14 PM
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Hi
I prefer the Crossover over each of them (and actually over every stock harmonica i ever tried).
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bluzlvr
290 posts
Dec 30, 2009
3:04 PM
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I haven't tried the Manji yet, but besides the fact that the 4 draw on both of the Solist Pros I ordered went bad within a month, I found that the cover plates had an annoying facial hair grabbing habit (the corner where the plate bends to the left above the 1 hole.)
http://coast2coastmusic.com/cgi-bin/cart/SE11301.html
That little opening would snag me every time. Ouch!
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gene
327 posts
Dec 30, 2009
5:27 PM
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Bluzlvr,
Just shave off the left side of your moustache.
:D
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jonsparrow
1521 posts
Dec 30, 2009
5:34 PM
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i only have the manji but i like it alot.
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Kyzer Sosa
64 posts
Dec 31, 2009
1:56 AM
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The Manji is the smoothest harp Ive ever put on my lips... I noticed, quickly, the comfort level, and the very ends of the teeth on the comb are even with the reed plates instead of slightly recessed as in most other harps. Im looking for a crossover, but for my money, Id go with a Manji...All this, having never owned a Sydel.
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snakes
419 posts
Dec 31, 2009
10:09 AM
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Buy a Manji. I don't own a Solist, but I do own an 1847, (2) 1847 Silvers, and a Blues Session (& they are all fine harps) and would say I like the Manji the best (with the 1847 a close second). When my OOTB sets are complete I'll have a set of Fire Breaths and Manjis for single notes and chords. I tried a lot of different harps and am just an intermediate player, but have had a knack for finding quality products no matter what the type of product in my life experiences so far.
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nineveh_harp
34 posts
Jan 04, 2010
10:40 PM
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I own both a Manji and 2 Solist Pros. They are really WAY too different to compare directly, but I prefer the Manji myself. I own 9 Seydel 1847s and I think those are the best. The Solist Pro has a warmer sound, but the Manji is more airtight, much louder, and more comfortable to play. The only thing I hate about it is that the cover plates are WAAAAAAY to weak... which of course wouldn't be a problem at all if they were supported... but they're not.
The Crossover is as good as the Manji in quality and playability, but it cost more. The Crossover's overblows don't squeak as much and the tone is just bit grittier. Also, the Solist Pro and Crossover sport a compromised tuning whereas the Manji is tuned ET.
-Sam
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nineveh_harp
35 posts
Jan 04, 2010
10:45 PM
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Pimpinella,
I'm totally with you on "Avoid the 1847 Silver+"
I love the Seydel 1847 Silver and 1847 Classic, but the Silver+ just doesn't make the grade for some reason! I thought I was alone.
-Sam
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Airdale
12 posts
Jan 05, 2010
5:21 PM
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I have 2 Solist Pros in D, and G, and one Manji in B flat. In my opinion both are very good harps. The Manji seems to be a bit brighter in sound, the Solist a bit mellower with it's wood comb. I find that the Solist is a bit easier to play since the holes in the comb are a tad larger. The Solist does not have the holes marked, but I don't find this to be too much of a hinderance. The Manji is screwed together with Philips head screws which makes maintenance easier while the Solist is held together with posi drive screws. I'll be needing to find a source for that driver. Right now Im leaning towards the Solist as my choice, but time will tell.
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Jay-Eye
6 posts
Mar 05, 2011
2:16 AM
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I realise this is an old thread but....
@bluzlvr: "That little opening would snag me every time. Ouch! "
Boy! I hate that! That's why I changed all my Lee Oskars to Suzy Bluesmasters ;0)
Now I'm wondering how the Manjis and 1847's behave in the mustache biting dept?
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jim
759 posts
Mar 05, 2011
6:33 AM
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1) Seydel 1847 silver PLUS has been discontinued
2) Manji & the Solist Pro are rather different to compare them. Manji has a very different tone, and some don't like that. Solist Pro sounds more like what you expect. The covers are much better on the solist, but will catch your facial hair. 1847 don't have that problem. I forgot how manji covers look at the front, so I can't say if they are "Lippenfreundlich" or not. But manji covers are awfully fragile. They are so thin that I thought Russiahas stopped supplying steel to Japan LOL. The comb of the solist pro looks and feels much nicer, but the spacing is wider than on the manji. That's why the solist pro is more airtight than a marine band - wider tines allow extra screws through them, while an mb deluxe has only 3 of them at the back. Look at a used comb of mb deluxe and see what I mean. Manji comb looks frightening. It is some kind of composite material, but it looks like a bar of old soap, Soviet style. The responsiveness of an ootb manji is better. Repairing a seydel is no problem - reeds are riveted and spare parts are sold openly, including reeds. Manji reeds are welded, making them extremely complicated to repair. Hint for the suzuki factory guys if you are reading this: if you made rivet holes in the reedplate and welded reeds, repair would become a billion times easier.
3) Crossover is virtually an mb deluxe with a different cover stamp and comb. Let's face it: hohner buried their best product - the old non-ms meisterklasse, which was an absolute work of art. Crossover is not even closeto it. If you see old meisterklasses sold, get them. They are likely to require tuning, but that was absolutely the best hohner.
Free Harp Learning Center
Last Edited by on Mar 05, 2011 6:37 AM
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Joch230
438 posts
Mar 05, 2011
7:27 AM
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@ Jay-Eye The Manji tone is great! I generally don't like a warm tone for a harp so I most likely wouldn't like the Solist Pro. I love the tone of a Marine Band and the Manji is similar. The Manji comb didn't frighten me either! And the cover plates are fine unless you are superman and tend to squish your harps. Just a heads up that Jim is a Seydel Endorsee. If you do a search on this forum, you will see that the complaint that the Solist Pro blowing out reeds is a common one. I have a bunch of Manji and haven't blown anything out out on any of them. So the easy reed replacement issue on the Solist Pro probably is important.
-John
Last Edited by on Mar 05, 2011 7:28 AM
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rpoe
242 posts
Mar 05, 2011
8:13 AM
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I have a Manji in Eb and a Solist Pro in A. More like an apples to orange comparison, especially given they are different keys.
I like them both equally. I haven't done anything to the Manji and it is very responsive. I did gap the Solist Pro and it too is very responsive. Both are very air tight instruments.
Sidebar: I don't consider gapping a reed to be "customization" It's part of setting the instrument up for the way I'm built and the way I play. I did it (adjustments) when I played bass clarinet and French Horn. It's not rocket science. I think of it like adjusting the seat position in your car to suit your physical build and driving.
anyway...
I don't feel a big difference between the wood versus the composite (>50% wood fiber) comb. Nothing that affected playability.
There was a bit of a funny taste for the first few times I played the Manji but this faded (outgassing of the composite?) quickly. Beer helps..... (-:
I like the size of the manji better (slightly smaller) but don't have a problem with the Solist Pro.
Yep, the Manji covers are not as well supported as the Solist Pro. Not a problem for me while playing given I don't put the harmonica in a death grip. I do see where the odds of it getting crushed in my pocket or backpack to be a little higher. With a little work (this I consider customizing), I could change out the hardware and provide additional support...
I think each are very nice looking/playing harmonica's in their own way. Both rank high on being easy on the eye to me and both are high quality well built instruments.
In the end, I would/will buy either one again. Great harmonicas for the $$.
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Rob
Rob's Tube
Last Edited by on Mar 05, 2011 8:35 AM
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jim
761 posts
Mar 05, 2011
8:28 AM
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I'm not a seydel endorser.
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Free Harp Learning Center
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rpoe
243 posts
Mar 05, 2011
8:37 AM
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nice shirt... (-:
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Rob
Rob's Tube
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groyster1
899 posts
Mar 05, 2011
8:51 AM
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dont own any seydels priced too high I own 3 manjis that I got for 42.50 they are a great value-I love sp20s but did not mind paying $10.00 more for the manjis
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rpoe
244 posts
Mar 05, 2011
9:21 AM
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Here's another plug for Rockin Ron's. I bought my Manji for $44 (that includes shipping), he called me within a few hrs of my ordering because my card was acting up, shipped it and had it to me in a couple of days.
You can also get a Solist Pro for $40 shipped from Ron.
http://www.rockinronsmusic4less.com/index.html
FYI - I haven't blown out a reed on my Solist Pro. Actually, I haven't on any harmonica I have.
I really, really like both harmonicas. So much so I couldn't pick one over the other given my small sample size of 1 each. I have a bunch of SP20's and a few Marine Bands.
I too don't mind spending the extra on the Manji/Solist Pro over the SP20's. Marine Bands are hit and miss. I have an incredible one in Bb but had a crappy one in A I had to rebuild.
Good luck. Gotta go lay some tile......
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Rob
Rob's Tube
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boris_plotnikov
458 posts
Mar 05, 2011
10:28 AM
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Different harps is a matter of taste and addiction. Manji has too soft covers with side vents, I'd prefer another coverplates. It has great response OOTB, and even greater after customizing, especially holes 4-10. But I dislike tone and response of bottom octave (holes 1-3) and low bends. Anyway I have only manji and use it rare. So it's very possible that I can get used to manji and I'd start loving it. First seydel 1847 I have seemed like complete sh*t to me comparing to golden melody. Now 1847 is my favorite harp, just I adapted my style to 1847 and I think I'll play them exclusively soon.
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Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
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Ant138
805 posts
Mar 06, 2011
6:45 AM
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Ive got one Manji and 5 Solist pro's.
Dont get wrong the Manji is a very good harp and is louder than the Solist pro but for playability and comfort i gotta go with the Solist pro every time:o)
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http://www.youtube.com/user/fiendant?feature=mhum
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blueswannabe
96 posts
Mar 06, 2011
9:14 AM
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the soloist pro is well constructed. However, I have found the reeds to be very soft and quickly wear out, and I mean quickly. I would love to find some replacement reeds for my soloist pro because I do like the feel of the comb and cover plates. I love the manji, well constructed and bright.
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Gnarly
14 posts
Mar 06, 2011
10:20 AM
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Just a reminder, one year warranty on all Suzuki harmonicas--you break 'em, I fix 'em--for free!
And Jim, they spot weld the reeds in Japan, we in the USA don't have much to do with that.
I got good at repairing Hohners by replacing reeds with donors with the rivet intact before I got my current job with Suzuki, but have gotten pretty good at using the tools they have provided to replace the welded reeds with donors using screws.
And Joe Spiers has the same tools, so he is a good bet for out of warranty work as well.
We do out of warranty work but have to charge for that service, and Joe's work has a well deserved reputation.
Haven't tried a Crossover yet, but I retuned a Seydel Solist 12 to Fourkey, and I thought it was a great harp.
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jim
764 posts
Mar 06, 2011
11:45 AM
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@Gnarly:
Wow, I didn't actually expect a reply from someone working for Suzuki.
One question for you if you don't mind. Let's say I've repaired the reed one time - assuming I have a big drill to make a hole for the screw.
What am I doing to it when it breaks again? I suppose it would be very difficult to make a hole in the new reed again - in exactly the same place, but not being able to align the reed with the reedplate (there's a screw sticking out)?
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Free Harp Learning Center
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chromaticblues
665 posts
Mar 06, 2011
2:35 PM
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Todd you play Lee Oskars and your going to buy a Manji? I like the coverplates of the Manji, but the tone is just wierd! The Sydel will not last anything even close to LO's. The thing with LO's is the coverplates sound like shit and the comb has that SP 20 sound. Uh not good! But the reedplates are GREAT! Maybe the best reedplates made today! I've customized a couple of these and its amazing how they sound and play. I put Blues Harp coverplates and wooden combs sanded flat. That combination is the only thing that I would even consider switching to if Hohner stoped making Marine Bands!
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REM
47 posts
Mar 06, 2011
5:36 PM
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@Jim: I'm not sure I completely understand what you're saying. If you've already replaced one of the reeds on a suzuki (Brendan Power has some great videos showing how to do this), when the time comes to replace that reed again the process should be pretty simple. Most of the tricky work is already done. You'll already have the hole drilled (and tapped) in the reed plate, so all you'll need to do is drill a hole in the donor reed and then screw it on to the reed plate.
As for drilling a hole in exactly the same spot on the new donor reed, it's not really neccesary to be perfectly exact. You just need to drill the hole in the reed slighty larger than the hole in the reed plate (just like you'd normally do when using bolts to replace a reed on a riveted harp). This larger hole allows you to move the reed around a bit until you find the right alignment, and then screw it down tight.
But if you're really concerned with getting the hole in the same exact spot, it's not too difficult. You'll want the hole centered at the center of the reed pad (the little square at the end of the reed). I use a straight edge and an exacto knife and I scratch a little X on the reed pad. I make the X by marking two lines connecting the diagnal corners of the reed pad square (this is easier to do than it is to explain), this forms a little X and where the two line of the X intersect is the center of the reed pad. Then you simply drill a hole at this point.
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MIKE C.
55 posts
Mar 07, 2011
8:06 AM
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Not to "nitpick" but the Manji is not equal tuned. It is a compromised tuning that is however closer to equal tuning than the compromised tuning of a Marine Band.
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Sausagescoffer
29 posts
Mar 07, 2011
8:57 AM
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Crossover over Manji every time for me! They ROCK!!!
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