-kk-
1 post
Oct 23, 2016
3:27 PM
|
Hi gang, first time poster, long time lurker.
I find myself in a position to try a new harmonica at the moment. I started playing Special 20 (when they were actually affordable) 17 years ago. Its been a good 5 or so years since I played but looking to get back into it now, and Im going to treat myself to a few Seydels.
I have also decided to get them in all in power bender tuning, and half valved. I am looking to get the 1847 classic low body in Low G - that one's pretty easy. This one is more for curiosity (with the low keys) and the intention is to explore rhythmic playing.
The other two keys Im interested in is A and Low C, and for these Im undecided whether to go for the Session steel or 1847 classic. They are not cheap and my initial thoughts were to go for 1847 if Im spending this much. I would be interested to hear your experiences in difference in feel, tone (especially brightness/ shrillness), and volume range for each harp (esp low volume vs high volume playing, think slow jazz mood).
I play mostly amplified (clean and dirty), blues, rock and jazz.
Any opinions or suggestions would be welcomed.
Thank you!
|
nacoran
9269 posts
Oct 23, 2016
4:53 PM
|
I haven't played an 1847, but I've played the Sessions steel. It's a nice harp. Personally, I like the full length covers on it a lot. They just feel more comfortable in my hands. You are talking about getting two keys, so why not get one of both? No one said your set has to match. It can actually make grabbing the right one easier in a hurry.
I think you are going to love the low harp. I've got 3 Seydels and two of them are low tuned. They are a lot of fun to play.
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
First Post- May 8, 2009
|
STME58
1863 posts
Oct 24, 2016
12:02 AM
|
I have an 1847 Nobel in Low F and a Session Steel in Low D. They are both nice harps, but I prefer the 1847. Nates suggestion is a good one as this is a highly personal and subjective thing. I believe the cover plates are interchangeable, though I have not tried it. I did discover, when someone asked me what it would take to tool up a custom full length cover for a Lee Oscar, that the Session Steel cover plates fit Lee Oscar Harps.
|
kormin
3 posts
Oct 24, 2016
2:33 AM
|
I have a lot of 1847 and Session Steel and I can say that it is very good harmonicas. I completely switched to Seydel (before I played the SP20 and GM) I think 1847 bit louder and brighter than the SS. After customizing the response bends and overbends same. tightness too. In Noble and 1847 reedplates are same. I like 1847 with coverplates from the SS. Take both models in different keys for comparison.
----------
in harp we trust
|
Killa_Hertz
1835 posts
Oct 24, 2016
5:10 AM
|
I have many seydel harps. I have session steels, and 1847s in classic and noble. Personally in the 1847 i like the classic best. The comb is more comfortable imo and i like the nonvented covers.
On my session steels i have switched almost all of them to 1847 coverplates. I like the full length plates just fine, but i prefer the feel of the 1847 covers.
Its really hard to pick between the two. They really are both great harps. I think nate is right on. Try both.
I have an 1847 noble in A and I prefer to play my SessionSteel in A. (Its actually one if my favorite harps. )
I have a session steel in C, but i prefer my 1847 Classic. Lol. So ... go figure.
Get one of each and see what you like best. You can't lose, they are both great imo.
One thing i will add is that seydel harps are much bigger than most hohner models. So if you have small hands or a small mouth you may have issue with them. Just so you know. And the new bold body harps are even bigger. Most people have no issue with this, but it is something to consider.
----------
|
nacoran
9270 posts
Oct 24, 2016
7:52 AM
|
STME, that's interesting to know about the covers fitting LOs. I'll have to give that a try.
At one point I talked to the guys at Seydel by email. I'd seen a picture of an 1847 (clearly stamped) with long body covers. I don't know it was a limited amount of stock or a regular option, but at least at the time you could order a version of the 1847 covers as full lengths.
Killa, a tiny bit bigger. 99.77 to 102.56 according to my calibers. 71.68 to 76.31 from the left inside of the 1 hole to the right inside of the 10 hole. You're more likely to notice the hole size difference than the length. (That was comparing my Crossover to my Blues Favorite.) They are a almost exactly the same width, but the Seydel is widthy-er for more of it's length with the full length covers.
I've got smallish hands (and arthritic), and the Seydels, to me, feel better in the hand.
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
First Post- May 8, 2009
|
Ian
381 posts
Oct 24, 2016
8:21 AM
|
Of those two... I'd go 1847.
I have several and they are very good although they are not my go to harp anymore.
Just be warned... If you commit to buying two of those, more will follow and that's potentially a big investment.
Also, if you have facial hair, expect some whisker snagging.
|
Killa_Hertz
1836 posts
Oct 24, 2016
8:24 AM
|
Nate
The hole sizes are bigger, yes. And while it is a small difference, it feels like a much bigger difference while playing. imo anyhow.
I was actually referring to the width of the harp though. Compared to a 1896 they are much bigger. Again, small differences really seem more extreme than they actually are. Atleast that has been my experience.
for example, One reason I prefer the marine band deluxe over the crossover and 1896 is because they are ever so slightly thicker. Or atleast they "feel" that way. I think it's the difference in the angle in the front of the cover plates. I've never actually measured.
I agree that the seydels feel more comfortable. They fit my hands better also. I have just heard people complain about both issues.(hole size and harp size) So I figured I would put it out there.
----------
|
-kk-
2 posts
Oct 24, 2016
12:50 PM
|
Guys, thanks for the input. One of each makes a lot of sense, the OCD freak in me did not think about this! I'll give them both a go and see how the cookie crumbles.
Cheers everyone... Im really looking forward to this!
|
Sarge
579 posts
Oct 24, 2016
8:35 PM
|
You can get the 1847 with full cover plates from PT Gazell's site.
----------
Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives alone.
|
SuperBee
4207 posts
Oct 24, 2016
9:52 PM
|
if i had to play one of those and could choose between them, it would definitely be the 1847, classic or silver. the session is not my kind of thing.
|
bossharp
1 post
Oct 25, 2016
5:52 PM
|
I like the summer special Session Steel harps the best. I have had a little trouble with the D harps for some reason and have gone thru 4 now. I play really hard on a few songs in A so that might be my problem. I'll be trying out the replacement reed plates next month. .
|
Killa_Hertz
1837 posts
Oct 26, 2016
4:22 AM
|
Thanks Sarge.
But does anyone know where to buy Session Steels with 1847 style plates?
I have over half a dozen session steel covers laying around, because I had to buy them separately.
Unless someone wants to trade .... lol.
----------
|
