[Harp-L] Broken reeds etc

[fjm <bad_hat@xxxxxxxx>]

My impression is that Steve was commenting on the advertising claim that 
Seydel makes about the longevity of their stainless steel 1847 reeds. 
How we went from there to Hohner bashing is confusing to me.  "the worse 
quality harmonica right out of the box ever made" That's a very strong 
statement.  I'll consider it to be hyperbole because it simply isn't 
true.  I think it's wonderful that Seydel has experienced a resurgence 
with their new ownership.  Their innovations especially availability of 
custom tunings are a blessing to the harmonica community.  That nobody 
ever complains vociferously about Seydel is I think more an indication 
of the politeness of this list and and overall cultural constraint here. 
 Hohner for whatever reason has become a target.  It's simply 
acceptable to bash them.  To Christelle, I'm happy you've found a 
harmonica line that works well for your playing style.  Your 
disappointments with the recent Hohner production must have been vexing. 
 Nobody likes to spend their hard earned monies on instruments that do 
not work for them.

I will append my subjective opinion here.  I've bought 2 recent 
production Hohners.  A Marine Band Deluxe in the key of A and a low Eb 
Special 20.  The Deluxe was superb out of the box and even better 
customised.  The low Eb was very nice and it remains completely stock 
and I use it on a regular basis.  Very small sample size.  I have 6 
Seydels.  I liked them initially.  I don't really play any of them on a 
regular basis these days.  I haven't been able to make the adjustment to 
the different reed profiles and comb hole sizes.  I will be buying more 
Seydels.  The 12 hole combs have me intrigued.  Oh I have bought some 
SBS Hohners recently.  They are always superb.  I know a lot of people 
have trouble with this model and claim that they are sieves.  This just 
hasn't been my experience.  The SBS line has been the most consistent of 
any of the stock Hohners I've bought over the last decade and a half.  I 
have never ever broken a reed in an SBS.  They drift in tuning after a 
very long time but they don't die.  I actually had Pat Missin retune a 
hard used F SBS to F# and I am still using this harmonica untouched 
since then 5 years later. I'm nobody and I have no endorsement 
agreements with anyone.  fjm