RE: [Harp-L] Seydel low low F

["Steve Shaw" <moorcot@xxxxxxx>]

> From: fjm <mktspot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> I ordered mine online and received it in about a week.  Played it a day or 
> so and then retuned some of the notes.  I've lived to regret it, one of the 
> notes I touched up is now balky to start to sound.  The lower 3 reeds are 
> all valved which makes it clicky to play.  I've got a low A that I retuned 
> myself from a couple of the lowest available Lee Oskar plates.  I think I 
> like it better but then again it's not as low as the low low F.  
> Interesting valve material used on the Seydel.  The harmonica comes in a 
> paperboard box with a polishing cloth and a leatherette pouch to store the 
> harmonica.  I'm thinking this is kind of a work in progress, meaning I'll 
> have to go back inside this harmonica and try and get it to where I like 
> it.  They aren't cheap but neither are they out of line expensive.
 fjm


I was thinking of getting a Seydel low C, but I noticed the steep price 
difference between it and the more regular-pitched harps.  Then I dug out an 
ancient "Echo Vamper" that someone gave me and put some newer (non-rusty!) 
covers on it, and, with a bit of retuning and tweaking here and there (and a 
lot of sterilisation ;-) ), it's made a damn good low C harp.  That would be 
equivalent to a Hohner 364 in C.  It is big and fat in the mouth but it has 
a good, loud, raunchy sound and it fits the bill for me for my occasional 
low C needs.  Cheap to buy, too!

Steve

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/trad_irish_harmonica
HEAR my CD clips: http://www.gjk2.com/steveshaw/cd.htm