Re: [Harp-L] Seydel Session Standard vs. Suzuki Bluesmaster?

[Johnnie Harp <johnnieharp@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Winslow / Frank

Suzuki has claimed phosphor bronze on the Harpmaster for quite awhile but I've only found brass reeds on mine. Bluesmasters have been phosphor bronze over the last 4+ years.

I prefer Harpmasters because the shape of the cross section better matches my embouchure both when tongue blocking and lip pursing. If you look at the end view of both you'll see the difference. The Harpmaster has a more gradual curve and is wider top to bottom. Check this out for yourself.

I find full length covered Seydel Session Steel and Hohner Golden Melody to be too flattish in terms of embouchure profile, as well.

Also, the uncupped Harpmaster is brighter therefore hand muting allows for a wider range of expressiveness to my ear.

Though I prefer full length covers, I  add a couple of pea sized bits of poster putty to the left upper and lower ends of the Harpmaster and mold these to fill in the cover plate right angles creating a full length profile on the left side. I also use a sharp blade at 45 degrees to refine any sharpish right angles on the comb, for comfort.

Here in Vancouver, Harpmasters cost less than Bluesmasters and are the cheapest of the good quality harmonicas.

Also a good way to trial the sound of different combs, covers, reeds, etc is record oneself using different combos in the same session. Listen to this at the time then a few days later and see if you hear much difference. Likely there will be less perceptible difference when listening than when playing. 

Johnnie