This one's been driving me crazy...
Hi Kinya! I've been away a while, but my son is taking lessons now, so I reactivated my account here. Hope you've been well.
Here is something that's been driving me crazy for a while now:
I've pretty much settled on the Seydel 1847 Classic as my go-to harp. I love the darker sound, the size, and the hole spacing. I use the Seydel in all keys except one -- D. For anything in the key of A, I now automatically reach for my Crossover D harp.
For some reason, my Seydel has a real problem on the three bend, either alone or in combo with the 4 draw. It seems stuck for a moment, then it pops into sound. If I pick up my Crossover and play the same lick, it plays smooth and hits the bend no problem. I don't see this with any other Seydel key, just the D.
The Crossover is more forgiving with bends than the Seydel, I know that, and the hole pattern is a bit smaller on the Crossover, too, so they're not an exact comparison -- and it could just be a slight difference in embouchure between the two that exacerbates this. But I'm not seeing the same problem on higher key Seydels and I'm going nuts trying to understand the difference in playability on that hole on that harp.
I could just break down and buy another reed plate, but I want to better undrstand this first. It would also be interesting to learn if this is something I could adjust mechanically myself.
Thanks ahead for the help!
Hi JJ, welcome back.
It has been the experience of many players, that stainless steel reeds on diatonic harmonicas play differently than those made with brass, brass/zinc, and phosphor bronze. Bending techniques can be a tad more challenging than on Hohner harmonicas. I know as a Harp Tech, stainless steel reeds are significantly more difficult to work with than brass (setting reed profile, gap, tuning, etc.).
Seydel harmonicas are wonderful instruments, so try adjusting your harmonica reeds before swapping to another harmonica. My recommendation is to view our Harp Tech Study Series--particulary the lesson on reed gapping. Possibly a little DYI treatment will do the trick. Locating these videos can feel like an Easter egg hunt, so let me navigate for you ...
Let us know how it goes for you, and keep us posted of your Son's progress as well!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya