Re: [Harp-L] Seydel 1847 and Session Steel side by side

[Michelle LeFree <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Richard Hunter wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> As described in this post to my website:
> http://www.hunterharp.com/the-seydel-1847-is-getting-to-be-my-favorite-harp/
>
> I recently acquired brand new Seydel 1847 and Session Steel harps in the key of A, and I decided to do a side by side comparison.  I recorded the results, and they're very interesting.  When I play these harps, I hear clear differences in the sound.  When I listen to the recording, I can barely hear the difference--in fact, I'm really not sure which harp I'm playing at which point in the recording.
>
> The differences are obvious when I'm playing the instruments--the 1847 is a more enjoyable instrument to play, and to my ear it sounds less harsh (and a little less dark) than the Session Steel, which I certainly hear when I'm playing. But if you can hear clear evidence of that on the recording, you've got better ears than me.
>
> Take a listen for yourself--the recording is about 30 seconds long.
>
> Regards, Richard Hunter

That's interesting, Richard, as it largely echoes the player's 
experience at the Brendan Power and Vern Smith fated 2010 multi-player 
"Does comb material make a discernible difference" experiment (at which 
I was the official inter-player harmonica sanitizer. ;^) ). Players 
could tell the difference but listeners could not. Some harps "felt" 
different, I think because some comb materials transfer resonant 
vibrations to the hands and lips more than others. Other times players, 
as you say, could hear the difference even though the same cover and 
reed plates were used each time (Marine Band reed plates and combs with 
side vents).

I wonder if you or others could offer an explanation for why the two 
Seydel harps sound different to the player? Aren't the reed plates and 
reeds essentially the same? Could it be the difference in the comb 
designs, sandwiched vs. enclosed? Also, can you expand on why you feel 
the 1847 is more enjoyable to play? Does the difference in combs and/or 
cover plates account for it or is it the set-up or resulting "feel" of 
the reeds or simply the sound you hear as a player?

Thanks,

Michelle