Please answer only if you know what both models are. Which one would you prefer to get if you were given a choice between those two?
They share the same brass reeds. Yes they are sometimes fragile but let's say you're getting a thoroughly tested one that isn't likely to let you down.
The session has a plastic ABS comb:
Solist has a "sandwich" beechwood comb:
Price is exactly the same.
There may be a third option to pay +$10 and get a Solist Pro with a maple comb (same as on 1847):
So the question is - which one would you prefer, Session or Solist (or maybe Solist Pro for extra $10)?
I'm asking because I'm about to get many of those for my upcoming project, so a small research in player preferences would be nice. ---------- www.truechromatic.com
i would go with the Solist pro. i have 5 of them and next to the 1847 i think they are the best out the box harp there is. They bend amazingly well and are extremely comfortable to play.
Ive heard good things about the regular Solist aswell but for $10 more the Solist pro is your best bet in my opinion. The sessions play very well too but im not keen on the coverplate shape or plastic combs in general. Let me know how you get on. ----------
I would pick the Session over the Soloist, but the difference is not huge in my opinion. Seydel makes nice harps, although they are slightly longer than most other brands. The length difference causes problems for some folks, but I haven't had any difficulties switching back and forth between brands. (Maybe because I haven't been playing long enough to know better!)
I prefer the covers on the Session. In fact, I bought a few 1847s and purchased Session/Favorite covers and screws for them (the hole patterns are the same, but the Session cover screws are longer). That jacked up the price of the 1847 harmonicas by about $20 each. I guess I REALLY like those covers!
The maple combs are very nice and probably worth the extra $10 if you go the Soloist route. The maple combs are sealed, and the holes are rounded (as opposed to the rectangular edges on the beechwood combs).
The comb on the solist is sealed too by the way - it has a smooth lacquer finish, but yes - it's more rectangular.
I'm not choosing those for myself - I'm trying to find out what YOU will prefer to get.
Trying to get a scope of the demand to get the models that suit the most.
I may go 50/50 on the session/solist (because price is the same and they'll pack any ones I choose for the set), OR all solist pro's beacuse they cost more.
My goal here is to get a cheap model that will be affordable even after I'm done with them (can't tell exactly yet). Besides, if it will be a model that most like - even better.
Sessions have much less potential as overblow instruments. If anyone would need session covers - yes I have them. But if that's what most players prefer - I'll get the sessions. ---------- www.truechromatic.com
All three models are fine harps, so, as usual, personal preference is going to play the biggest part in the long run.
Aside from repeating some of the above, I would add the following:
To my ears, the session has a for more muted tone than the other two, which I'm not especially keen on.
There's no question that the Solist Pro has a very well made and comfortable comb. Having said that, I think that many players simply hold the harp too tightly, which causes all sorts of problems, including the comb hurting your hand, and a poor seal when playing wah wahs. I found out the latter by trial and error, but had it confirmed when I bought Gindick's book. I used to suffer from both of these problems, but now, none of my harps hurt my hands.
Tone wise, the humble Solist is my favourite of the three. Dave Payne has said - and I'm paraphrasing here - that it sounds very much like the vintage Marine Band. The only thing I don't like about them is that they are only available in 8 keys. I e-mailed Seydel to ask if there were any plans to make them available in the other four, but was told that there wasn't.
I don't think there are many vids on YT of someone playing the Solist, so here's yours truly playing one about a year ago. I think the sound quality should give you a fair idea:
Jim, I'm not sure I follow you there. My Sessions aren't leaky, they don't hiss. Their overall design just gives them their own particular tone, just like any harp. ---------- YouTube SlimHarpMick
I don't mean they hiss... No, they play fine. I have many of those. But when it comes to overblows, that type of comb is not the best. That's what I meant - they have less potential than "sandwiches".
i haven't played either yet, but checked out as much as i could prior to ordering and the solist pro appealed most...i have ordered 3. i decided to buy seydel because they can come from europe to oz for same price as buying marine band in local store (actually i get 3 solist pro shipped from europe and about AUD$15 cheaper!), and they are getting very good reputation/endorsement...i need some more keys so this is my choice...try something i dont know and beyond that, i'd choose the solist really just on aesthetic appeal...i like wooden combs for no really ggod reason except i like them, and i like the trad shape covers... not saying i would not buy a session...but all else being equal, the solist appeals more i mainly play hohner BH(MS) and MB1896/2005...looking forward to see how these compare
I would go for one 1847 or a bigSix. One reason you might want to get a Session can be low and superlow keys that are not sold as Solists (weird but they surely can since the reedplates are the same. ---------- www.truechromatic.com
Hi jim, I have a solist pro in c and i love it. The only problem I have with it is that my 4 draw whent flat in 2 months. I don't judge Seydel because of this, I plan of buying Seydel harps again, I love the wood comb. I have to say that I'm curious about the session but reluctant of trying one because of the full lenght cover plates, the covers are the only thing I don't like about my suzuki bluesmaster.
If you can repair it yourself - ask for a replacement reed, they'll send it. Or if you have more broken harmonicas, I can do it for you ---------- www.truechromatic.com
I have both a session and several Soloist Pros. Soloist Pro has a great sound but seems to need more air than a Special20, Manji, or Delta Frost. Still, well made and good sounding harp.
Full length covers might be more closed in the back for strength? Maybe? If it's the shape itself giving it the different tone maybe someone could design covers that ran the full length but had little walls to block off the ends of the chambers.
jim, do you know if SeydelUSA will also send individual reeds to us here in the states? Or is only Sedely Germany that does this. I have to SP's with blown reeds that I would like to fix up. I've removed the damaged reeds (I custom made my own reed de-riveter), but I wasn't sure where to get single seydel reeds after Dave Payne went over to Harrison. Any idea on the price for single Seydel reeds (in euros is fine, I can do the math).
As for your question: I've only played SP's, and they are mighty fine harps indeed. The reed life is not good. I know Ant has not had any problems, and my reed-busting problems are probably due to the fact that I'm more used to playing Marine Bands where I can really lean on the bends without much damage (I've yet to bust a Marine Band reed in almost 4 years of heavy playing). However, for tone, ease of playing, and looks, the SP is very difficult harp to beat.
Well when I have any problems (or if one of my customers has busted reeds) I write a polite letter to the right person and get the reeds.
Seydel brass is indeed more fragile. I advise to polish out the milling marks on the reeds. Seydel are aware of the reed fatigue on their bras models, and send out replacement reeds if you ask them. Contact Rupert Oysler in the US.
jim, like I wrote above the only harp with full lenght covers that I have is the Suzuki Bluesmaster and it has less volume than the others and the tone is muted. I'm intrigued by the session because of the low keys and all the tunning.
Blues13, I have a LLF Blues Favorite. It definitely needs to be miked, but the tone is amazing. It sounds like a saxophone. I'm not sure if mine is Equal or Just tuned. I asked them to surprise me. I'm thinking Just because the chords are like butter. The bending is hard on the low end but blow bends are easy up top. I'm definitely going to be getting more Seydels in the future.
I missed a Charlie Musselwhite concert last month due to major spinal surgery, my friends brought a harp for him to sign for my collection...he signed one side of a spent MB and wrote Seydel on the back cover....Charlie emailed me to emphasize his suggestion. I bought a Soloist C and love it...responsive, very well crafted and dynamic. I'm ordering a set from Rockin' Ron's as soon as I scratch the cash together
I can offer a little better price - but only slightly better. But you'd be getting those from overseas then, so I guess that you should just go for Ron's.
maybe this is going slightly off topic, but maybe not too much. i just received my 3 new solist pro harps. first impressions: quite impressed. F has always been a tough key for me, but the F SP was great to play; better straight OOb than my MS BH after a lot of careful re-gapping and playing-in...the other 2 were just as good...very like my MB 2005. Reading this thread though i gather i should take care to warm them up well and play gently..take it easy on the bends? seems they do bend very easily. i have never replaced a reed...special tools i guess?
I'm a Seydel endorser. Although I really would rather not do a gig or session without an 1847 Silver, given the parameters of your question, I prefer the Session.
