I think Ive found what I want for Christmas, a Steve Baker . Haken makes it sound great , accompaning himself , sounds like it would be fun , esp. for someone like me who plays alone. Now I just gotta tell Santa
My YT http://www.youtube.com/user/sjeter61?feature=mhum
Steve, I'd check out the Seydel 12-hole Blues Soloist Pro in the low SBS tuning. I say this as an owner of several SBS harps that Ive' customized, and which are wonderful, no doubt.
The Seydel differs from the SBS in the following respects: -It's only got 12 holes, but as you can hear on Haken's video holes 13 & 14 are very squeaky and not of much use anyway. The shorter, more compact design means you don't have to have SBII-sized hands to cup it. - It's assembled with screws, not nails. I needn't expand on how much work this saves nor how it makes for a more leakproof harp. - It's got a fully sealed wood comb with nicely rounded tines for comfort. - It has very slippery and comfortable cover plates.
The Seydel sounds nearly identical to the SBS and it's priced nearly the same or a bit less.
I've got a low-C SBS that I've customized with a wax-sealed comb and screw construction that plays like a dream that I'll sell ya for the same price as a new stock one now that I have my Seydel. Enough said?
Michelle
BTW, I've no connection to Seydel whatever.
Last Edited by on Dec 02, 2010 10:23 AM
Michelle, I am interested in the low C sbs you will sell, Steve ---------- My YT http://www.youtube.com/user/sjeter61?feature=mhum
Last Edited by on Dec 03, 2010 6:48 AM
The only problem with the Seydel version is that the last hole (highest note) is the same as hole 9 on a standard harp. Since I use the hole 10 note a lot, the Seydel version doesn't work for me.
Todd, you have a valid point. But, since these low-tuned harps are absolutely ~made~ for chugging and rhythm work, the loss of that last hole isn't too painful from my point of view. YMMV. 8^)
Michelle, you also have a valid point, however, according to Steve Baker's book, "The Harp Handbook", the SBS tuning was designed not only for chord chugging, but so that "typical bluesy bends can be played in both octaves." I personally tend to think of the SBS tuning as a way to take a harmonica run and continue it into the lower register, and I rarely use it for chugging, but that's just me. If I want to chug, I just grab a low D or low C, etc. I demonstrated both techniques on a SBS in a YouTube video myself... which is perhaps what prompted Hakan to post his video as well??? Anyway, I do like the Seydel version a lot, mainly because it is much shorter and more comfortable to hold, but the missing 10 hole note is something that I greatly miss - I still want the complete 10-hole harp with the extra notes on the bottom. I've even expressed this to Seydel on a couple of occasions at SPAH and at other harmonica festivals. I'm currently working on a design myself using this tuning, but it will be awhile before it's done. BTW, what kind of 10-hole harps are you using?
*nails *very raw finish and quality (unsealed comb etc) *very poor coverplates (reeds 1&2 will buzz most of the time)
you can fix the first two, but the buzz will always be there. unless you really need holes 13&14 - go for solist pro12... ---------- www.truechromatic.com
Jim, any idea as to why Seydel chose to omit the last hole on the high end? I think even if the Seydel had 13 holes, it would still be very comfortable to play. I've never really received a good answer from Seydel when I've asked this question - thought maybe you would know.
The possibilities this tuning offers are much more than just chugging. There are some really cool licks that the lower octave notes can offer.
