[Harp-L] re: Seydel vs. OTC harps

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

First, I'm not sure what "OTC" means in the subject line, so if you  
could clear that up it would be appreciated.

Now, Guy Buxman wrote:

"I've been playing Lee Oskar major diatonics almost exclusively and the
occasional Honer Blues Harp.  With all the discussions about premium  
harps
from the likes of Seydel, Working Man's Harps, etc, I'm becoming
curious;  might an intermediate player discern much difference  
between say,
a stock Lee Oskar and a Seydel Blues Session Standard?  If so, what  
might I
expect to find?  I've always presumed that unless you're a heavy  
overblower,
you don't need anything custom."

There is nothing custom in any way about the Seydel line.  They are  
stock harps as are Lee Oskars, Hohners and the rest.  Indeed, while  
Seydel quality and quality control has improved dramatically in the  
last ten years or so, I don't think they are at the level of Lee  
Oskar in that regards yet.  I would recommend trying a Seydel (and  
other brands as well) to see what you like, but don't expect a  
significant difference from Lee Oskars in terms of performance--any  
good quality stock harp is about the same in this arena (with  
individual plusses and minuses).

A customized harp is one which is set up for you, one at a time by  
someone who knows what they are doing.  It should be tuned to your  
specifications, set-up as you like gap-wise and otherwise adjusted to  
your desires.  A factory cannot do that.  Factories have to set harps  
up to a "one-size-fits-all" standard which undoubtedly won't be  
exactly what you want.  That is why customized harps are more  
responsive to your playing and so forth (of course, the best  
technicians also can do things to improve performance in ways  
factories can't as well, which further contributes to the superiority  
of custom harps).

Even high-end harps like the new Suzuki Fire Breath, the Seydel 1847,  
and the Hohner MB Deluxe are still stock instruments with regards to  
the set-up.  While I have yet to try any, the idea with these is that  
they offer some new innovations to the market along with a high level  
of quality control and perhaps a bit tighter overall set-up than most  
instruments, and thus the increased price.  But, they are still not  
going to play as nicely as a customized harmonica set-up exactly as  
you want it.

Hope this helps.



 ()()    JR "Bulldogge" Ross
()  ()   & Snuffy, too:)
`----'