Seven.Oh.Three.
295 posts
Jan 28, 2016
2:47 PM
|
I've been plying MB's and MBD's for about five years and love them. Curiosity got the better of me and I ordered two Seydel 1847 classics. One out of the box and one mild custom. I've been playing them for about six months hoping they'll break in but no such luck. I love the tone of the 1847's but the bends are REALLY stiff. Anybody experience this? Is it because I'm accustom to the MBD's and having trouble adapting to a different harp after all these years? Could they really take this long to break in? Is the the Stainless Steel reeds vs brass? What gives......???
Thanks!
7.o.3.
|
SuperBee
3308 posts
Jan 28, 2016
4:03 PM
|
have you adjusted the gaps? i see one is a custom so you'd hope it was well-adjusted already.
i haven't found the bends to be stiff on my 1847, or any 1847 really, unless they're poorly set up. i've played quite a few. and i am primarily a hohner player too.
|
Ian
252 posts
Jan 28, 2016
4:28 PM
|
I have one 1847 classic and although I wouldn't say it's harder to bend it does have a different feel and needs a different, maybe stronger attack?
I dunno, I guess perhaps it isn't as pliable as the MBs....
It was really badly gapped ootb though, needed lots of work.
|
Harpaholic
808 posts
Jan 28, 2016
4:38 PM
|
I own 4 1847 Classics as well as MB, Sp 20's, SS, Crossovers, Rockets, MBD's.
I would not describe the 1847's as stiff. They are all very easy to play. Take less breath force than somw other OOTB harps. My only complaint is they choke up If I use too much breath force. The SS don't.
I have always hammered harps right out of the box, no break in. I average 2-3 years per harp without blowing a reed.
I have several customs, but 2/3 of my harps are OOTB. Only thing I do is clean them.
|
sonny3
308 posts
Jan 28, 2016
4:50 PM
|
I have one 1847 classic and one silver.The Silver PLAYS really nice and easy to bend, on par with MBDs.The classic seems a little airy.My guess would be a comb that is less than flat.I don't think it would need any break in period.
|
Seven.Oh.Three.
296 posts
Jan 28, 2016
5:58 PM
|
Interesting, thanks for the quick responses. I guess I'll pick up a comb and give it a shot. its just weird to play the same key back to back. I can play a long riff on the MBD and then play the exact same riff on the 1847 and feel like I'm having to use more effort and air to get through it. Maybe it is a leaky comb but I assumed (being familiar with MB's) id be able to quickly determine that.
Super bee- yeah the gaps have been set. One was done by a customizer (to remain nameless). I can even see where it's been embossed on the plates. I don't know.
I really like the contrast in tone but not sure i can get down with how much effort and air is needed to play these
|
Killa_Hertz
376 posts
Jan 28, 2016
6:07 PM
|
I would guess the comb as well. By how your describing it.
I have one 1847 its a noble and it plays really well. It wasn't set up great OOTB, but ive accepted that no harp is. The SS play really good aswell.
Before spending all that coin on a comb. See if you can flat sand it and make it any better.
I'm glad you brought this up because I've been thinking of trying a classic. But not if im going to have to put a comb on it.
----------
"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
|
boris_plotnikov
1094 posts
Jan 29, 2016
9:13 PM
|
OOTB 1847 could works a bit stiff but some easy reedwork (proper offset over whole lenght) makes wonders! Marine Band size harmonicas don't lay good in my hands and sounds too bright for me and I hate to worry about tuning consistance. For perfect results I recommend embossing and reed polishing.
----------
My videos. My album with Mikhail Bashakov. Seydel endorser. LoneWolf Blues Co endorser. Harmonica teacher. My facebook.
|
A440
508 posts
Jan 29, 2016
10:56 PM
|
The steel reeds on my Session Steels bend easily, controllably, and consistently, OOTB. That's across a set of 7 different keys ranging from LF to Eb. None of them feel "stiff". So maybe there is a problem with your specific set-up or comb condition.
Last Edited by A440 on Jan 30, 2016 3:13 AM
|
Harpaholic
812 posts
Jan 31, 2016
9:15 AM
|
I get the impression a lot of harp players blame their harps for their lack of technique.
I guess that's good for the customizers!
|
Kingley
3998 posts
Jan 31, 2016
9:57 AM
|
"I get the impression a lot of harp players blame their harps for their lack of technique."
Well said Harpoholic. That is one of the best and truest comments I have ever read in all my years on MBH.
|
harpwrench
1057 posts
Jan 31, 2016
10:54 AM
|
I fix real problems that affect real players on all levels. I do not EVER willingly or knowingly cater to players with poor technique.
----------
www.spiersharmonicas.com
Harp repair and upgrade menu
|
Kingley
3999 posts
Jan 31, 2016
11:32 AM
|
Harpwrench - I don't think Harpoholic meant it like that Joe. I'm sure as I do, that most people in the community respect and admire the work you do.
I do think he's right when he says that "a lot of harp players blame their harps for their lack of technique" though. Especially when it comes to stock harps.
As I'm sure you'd agree, for the most part stock harps (decent models) are better than they have been for a very long time, or even arguably better than they have ever been. In this world we now live in where people are often searching for the quick fix. It's pretty safe to say that many don't want to spend the time working on those foundational things which make good players. And instead may subscribe to a belief that it can be bought. As you, I and many others know of course, that simply isn't true. The bow is only as good as the Indian using it.
Sometimes reading posts in online forums, it appears that beginners can often mistakenly think the harp is faulty if they can't get the 2 draw to sound correctly, or intonate all the bends on hole 3 after only a few weeks of playing . I'm pretty sure that's where Harpoholic was coming from.
Last Edited by Kingley on Jan 31, 2016 12:53 PM
|
Killa_Hertz
398 posts
Jan 31, 2016
12:56 PM
|
I agree. As recently i have found that which harp model i play has far less impact on playability. Biggest difference is comfortability.
Ofcourse i still feel that hohner reeds do feel more plyable, but as boris said they are very bright. Which i used to prefer. But im now finding the more mild harps to sound better. Manji and SS.
I'm curious what a Suzuki tuned SP20 would sound like.
----------
"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
|
harpwrench
1058 posts
Jan 31, 2016
2:10 PM
|
No disagreement on most of that Kingley, my point is I don't take advantage of newbies. But will add that any harp can have problems and it's not always right to blame the player. That's one reason I offer a simple service to gap and tune.
----------
www.spiersharmonicas.com
Harp repair and upgrade menu
|
Cannon
10 posts
Jan 31, 2016
2:25 PM
|
I was a Hohner player...but just bought 3 SS ..did my first gig the other night with them ..I think they will be my go to....love my Crossovers but they are a little too raspy...The SS are very smooth and sound good amplified ...was going to try a 1847 but think I will stay with the SS....an experienced player can make anything sound pretty good but are probably more aware of the difference in a higher end Harp...
|
Harpaholic
813 posts
Jan 31, 2016
2:33 PM
|
For the record, I don't think any customizer takes advantage of newbies. If a newbie thinks their harp has problems, real or not, it's good for the people that do that type of work.
Customizers offer a lot of great services for any level especially newbies that tend to blow out a lot of harps the first couple years, I know I did.
Joe, I have 8 or 9 of your customs just for the sake of owning great harps from the best.
I don't need them because I have 15-20 OOTB Harps that work very well. I didn't own custom harps until I was at an advanced intermediate level.
At that point, I felt I was ready.
I wasn't a good judge of harps for several years after I began to play. I played really crappy harps though my beginner phase, mainly Huangs.
They squealed, rattled, were leaky, hard to bend and poorly gapped.
A lot of that came from poor technique.
Once I got the hang of playing harp, I could make those crappy harps sound pretty dam good!
For those who don't know me as Harpaholic,
may know me as Joebluesharp2 on Ebay
(Joe Flynn) Sparks, NV
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Jan 31, 2016 4:54 PM
|
