Overblow = overrated( at least for me) High end solos are annoying sort of like the " tapping" craze on guitar Different but so what after a while I prefer Marine Band original and Deluxe- Crossover good to but not really necessary- I like the fact that you can get the small harps deep in the mouth for tone Seydel session ( I think) is a great $35 harp ( RockinRon)- plays like a special 20 but has a little heft I do have a few low special 20's which I like ( dont think they make them anymore) Otherwise Special 20 feels light and cheap Thanks for your reviews
I tend to agree RE the OBs/ODs. I practice them (a lot) 'cause it's a fun extra thing to do, but I don't play them live - flimsy tone and they don't really quite fit into my playing absent the 6 OB. That said, in today's age, if you're going to review a harp, you pretty much must add whether or not the harp can OB - the folks want to know, even if they themselves can't perform the technique. So here we are.
...you can put the crossover into water for longer to clean it because of the bamboo. If you need only new parts of a Hohner bluesharp, like new reedplates, you can order it from Horner's c-shop.
Thanks so much for posting this. There is a some crazy synchronicity going on here; 4 weeks back I got a Thunderbird (mostly the same thing but in low keys), today I got a Seydel Classic 1847 Bold Body. Sadly found out I'm probably not going to be a stainless steel reed fan. I like how it sounds, but I'm not really enjoying playing it, and that really matters in my view. So I was eyeing these cross overs and wondering if that might be the way forward for my regular keys, but nervous of ordering given the Seydel experience today. You and I seem to have a very closely matched view of what you need from a harp, so I pulled the trigger on a crossover and that should be here tomorrow. I feel so much more positive about it all than I did earlier today. Thanks for the valuable insight. Be well.😉
Let me know how the harp works out for you! I like 'em, they DO need gapping and such, but once that's done, they're really nice. I couldn't afford to buy a gigging set of them tho....
@@Tim48103 Well, it arrived, and it's right out of the box playable, just like the Thunderbird Bb was. Loud with what has become my normal breath, so not going to need as much as I used to. The change going from a Seydel session standard (6 years with them) to Hohner Crossover in C is extreme, this new one seemingly playing faster and possibly more accurate without any extra effort. It's a little brighter than my MB basic classic which I have used for 30 years. It's not too different to notice apart from the extra volume really. Bends so very easily, I might have to keep an eye on myself because I am used to working so much harder than this requires, and I suppose it could wreck things if I don't give the harp some due consideration. Now as for expensive, well yes, and yet no, not really, this is not a budget harp and it keeps it's end of the deal as does the Thunderbird, which 4 weeks ago I felt was a tad overpriced, but My Seydel Classic 1847 Low G experience yesterday showed me exactly why it's fair value. These are better built, and that all there is to it. Bamboo is remarkably pleasant sounding, and brass reeds are for the win in my view. I did wonder if they are really phosphor bronze but they say brass in the specs, and sound like to other in my collection. Now if they would just make me a replacement for my MB 365 in G but made in this new style I could let the old lady retire, because she's looked after me so very well for more than 3 decades. I already know they won't but it would be so very nice and we can all dream. Thank you once again for your part in all this. It encouraged when my spirits were under attack. I got to add, I now have the distinct impression that the mildly exotic Seydel's are quite possibly made to sell rather than to play. These are a safe purchase in my view. Only rider being spares in future, they have to make them easily available if they want to keep hat credibility they just earned. Be well.😉
Hey Tim I get the sustainability thing about bambo but the problem is you have to glue several pieces together to get one solid piece. Not sure if I like that idea. But too rich for my blood anyway. Nice review !
I doubt Hohner is using bamboo for any earth-conscious reasons, actually - probably has more to do with keeping the combs from swelling and so forth, and anyway, their normal go-to of pearwood is not exactly a nearly extinct rainforest hardwood. HOWever - anything we do, whether by accident or design, to avoid that planetary handbasket is a win in my book.
So personal opinion, maybe it's my playing style but I've had 2 Seydel Harps. The Blues Session Standard and Solist Pro. Both had a reed issue in less than 6 months. Got a Dabell Contender in Low F. Thing plays awesomely and responds quickly, especially for a low Keyed Harp. I'd be curious to Compare a Suzuki Manji and Hohner Crossover because of the Bamboo aspect.
@@NateWilson922 Those Seydel models aren’t really a good representation of Seydel, they don’t have steel reeds, which is what Seydel is famous for. Their harps are super robust, and well made, but the prices are nuts. The Manji and Crossover aren’t really the same, the Manji has a synthetic rubberized comb where the Crossover has a slick sealed bamboo comb. The Crossover is a better instrument otb, but they both play equally if you can customize the Manji.
@@NateWilson922 MBD is the model I always stear folks towards, and the sp20 if they prefer recessed reed plates. You can’t really beat the MBD for timbre, price, and quality otb. If you haven’t tried them already, check out the DaBell Noble… it’s on-par with the MBD and has nicer coverplates.
Thanks for this great review, Tim! I think the only time I would shell out that much money for a harp is if it needs pretty much zilch adjustments and gives me overblows straight out of the box. Is there any such harp?
The Arkias out of France fit that bill. They're another chunk more expensive though and really probably qualify more as a custom than they do a stock production harp. However, other than those, no, haven't found one.
@@landztranz Probably. BUT - have you tried any harps from the Kongsheng lines? While not consistent in that regard, the 6 OB is more present than not from their harps. I've been pleasantly surprised by the inexpensive Kongsheng TinG harp, for example - the C and D TinGs I have there are OB friendly thru 4, 5 and 6 actually. The B and F#, not so much, but still have the 6 OB. Ditto the Dabells - the Contender and the Nobel, anyway, usually have the 6 OB if not more. Not sure about the Story - haven't messed with those in a while.
@@landztranz honestly, most modern harp models will have the 6ob otb, with only minor tweaking needed to get them to sound easily. I can’t remember the last harp I purchased that wouldn’t ob the 6 otb.
I am dissapointed with mine too. I had to gapping and the sound is too shiny for my taste. The deluxe tone is much more correct. The crossover is very good but overrated and what the hell i dont like small harps. 😅
Same here! I have a a SP20, two Rockets, a Manji and a Promaster. I decided to buy an Easttop 008K just for the heck of it and it ended up being the easiest to play and my favorite. It’s responsive and I can play all holes with no problem. No issues with the -2 like on some. The Easttops are cheap and China made so they are looked at as junk. Personally I think Easttop builds a quality instrument for half the price. Ive not yet tried Kongsheng or Conjurer yet but I will at some point. I was disappointed with the Manji. I haven’t even used it. Also the Easttop is surprisingly air tight. Easy to draw bend for me. Anyway this of course is all just my opinion. Everyone is different.
Love your honest reviews
So hard to find on UA-cam
Overblow = overrated( at least for me)
High end solos are annoying sort of like the " tapping" craze on guitar
Different but so what after a while
I prefer Marine Band original and Deluxe- Crossover good to but not really necessary- I like the fact that you can get the small harps deep in the mouth for tone
Seydel session ( I think) is a great $35 harp ( RockinRon)- plays like a special 20 but has a little heft
I do have a few low special 20's which I like ( dont think they make them anymore)
Otherwise Special 20 feels light and cheap
Thanks for your reviews
I tend to agree RE the OBs/ODs. I practice them (a lot) 'cause it's a fun extra thing to do, but I don't play them live - flimsy tone and they don't really quite fit into my playing absent the 6 OB. That said, in today's age, if you're going to review a harp, you pretty much must add whether or not the harp can OB - the folks want to know, even if they themselves can't perform the technique. So here we are.
...you can put the crossover into water for longer to clean it because of the bamboo.
If you need only new parts of a Hohner bluesharp, like new reedplates, you can order it from Horner's c-shop.
I look forward to your reviews Tim.
What do you reckon to Lee Oskars ? . Some folk swear by them.
Here's a brief review I did of them a while back: ua-cam.com/video/VWyTKYvMlFA/v-deo.htmlsi=YX1oVYFnKzUSDphG
Thanks so much for posting this. There is a some crazy synchronicity going on here; 4 weeks back I got a Thunderbird (mostly the same thing but in low keys), today I got a Seydel Classic 1847 Bold Body. Sadly found out I'm probably not going to be a stainless steel reed fan. I like how it sounds, but I'm not really enjoying playing it, and that really matters in my view. So I was eyeing these cross overs and wondering if that might be the way forward for my regular keys, but nervous of ordering given the Seydel experience today. You and I seem to have a very closely matched view of what you need from a harp, so I pulled the trigger on a crossover and that should be here tomorrow. I feel so much more positive about it all than I did earlier today. Thanks for the valuable insight. Be well.😉
Let me know how the harp works out for you! I like 'em, they DO need gapping and such, but once that's done, they're really nice. I couldn't afford to buy a gigging set of them tho....
@@Tim48103 Well, it arrived, and it's right out of the box playable, just like the Thunderbird Bb was. Loud with what has become my normal breath, so not going to need as much as I used to. The change going from a Seydel session standard (6 years with them) to Hohner Crossover in C is extreme, this new one seemingly playing faster and possibly more accurate without any extra effort. It's a little brighter than my MB basic classic which I have used for 30 years. It's not too different to notice apart from the extra volume really. Bends so very easily, I might have to keep an eye on myself because I am used to working so much harder than this requires, and I suppose it could wreck things if I don't give the harp some due consideration. Now as for expensive, well yes, and yet no, not really, this is not a budget harp and it keeps it's end of the deal as does the Thunderbird, which 4 weeks ago I felt was a tad overpriced, but My Seydel Classic 1847 Low G experience yesterday showed me exactly why it's fair value. These are better built, and that all there is to it. Bamboo is remarkably pleasant sounding, and brass reeds are for the win in my view. I did wonder if they are really phosphor bronze but they say brass in the specs, and sound like to other in my collection. Now if they would just make me a replacement for my MB 365 in G but made in this new style I could let the old lady retire, because she's looked after me so very well for more than 3 decades. I already know they won't but it would be so very nice and we can all dream. Thank you once again for your part in all this. It encouraged when my spirits were under attack. I got to add, I now have the distinct impression that the mildly exotic Seydel's are quite possibly made to sell rather than to play. These are a safe purchase in my view. Only rider being spares in future, they have to make them easily available if they want to keep hat credibility they just earned. Be well.😉
Very well said! Thanks for the follow up report - great to hear.
Hey Tim I get the sustainability thing about bambo but the problem is you have to glue several pieces together to get one solid piece. Not sure if I like that idea. But too rich for my blood anyway. Nice review !
I doubt Hohner is using bamboo for any earth-conscious reasons, actually - probably has more to do with keeping the combs from swelling and so forth, and anyway, their normal go-to of pearwood is not exactly a nearly extinct rainforest hardwood. HOWever - anything we do, whether by accident or design, to avoid that planetary handbasket is a win in my book.
LOL I like Seydels but it's the PRS of harmonicas for sure. Are Bloos Dentist Harp Players a thing? If they are, they play Seydel.
lol - yep, all of the bloos dentists doctors and investment bankers that I know play Seydels.
Well then what are the Gibsons of the harmonica world?
Hahaha, you nailed the ‘Seydel Folks’ 😂
So personal opinion, maybe it's my playing style but I've had 2 Seydel Harps. The Blues Session Standard and Solist Pro. Both had a reed issue in less than 6 months. Got a Dabell Contender in Low F. Thing plays awesomely and responds quickly, especially for a low Keyed Harp. I'd be curious to Compare a Suzuki Manji and Hohner Crossover because of the Bamboo aspect.
@@NateWilson922 Those Seydel models aren’t really a good representation of Seydel, they don’t have steel reeds, which is what Seydel is famous for. Their harps are super robust, and well made, but the prices are nuts. The Manji and Crossover aren’t really the same, the Manji has a synthetic rubberized comb where the Crossover has a slick sealed bamboo comb. The Crossover is a better instrument otb, but they both play equally if you can customize the Manji.
@@norfolknwhey4787 good to know. Yea the prices are nuts for Seydel. I have been enjoying MBD. Great tone and playability.
@@NateWilson922 MBD is the model I always stear folks towards, and the sp20 if they prefer recessed reed plates. You can’t really beat the MBD for timbre, price, and quality otb. If you haven’t tried them already, check out the DaBell Noble… it’s on-par with the MBD and has nicer coverplates.
Another non biased review ❤❤❤. Can you please compare crossover with the green color Easttop blues player (pro 20) ?
The DeBelle sounds very good at about half the price.
Totally agree. The DaBell harps are really good all across their line.
Thanks for this great review, Tim! I think the only time I would shell out that much money for a harp is if it needs pretty much zilch adjustments and gives me overblows straight out of the box. Is there any such harp?
The Arkias out of France fit that bill. They're another chunk more expensive though and really probably qualify more as a custom than they do a stock production harp. However, other than those, no, haven't found one.
@@Tim48103 How about just one itty-bitty overblow, or two, like the 6, for sure, and maybe one other? Is that too much to ask from an OOTB harp?
@@landztranz Probably. BUT - have you tried any harps from the Kongsheng lines? While not consistent in that regard, the 6 OB is more present than not from their harps. I've been pleasantly surprised by the inexpensive Kongsheng TinG harp, for example - the C and D TinGs I have there are OB friendly thru 4, 5 and 6 actually. The B and F#, not so much, but still have the 6 OB. Ditto the Dabells - the Contender and the Nobel, anyway, usually have the 6 OB if not more. Not sure about the Story - haven't messed with those in a while.
@@landztranz honestly, most modern harp models will have the 6ob otb, with only minor tweaking needed to get them to sound easily. I can’t remember the last harp I purchased that wouldn’t ob the 6 otb.
I am dissapointed with mine too. I had to gapping and the sound is too shiny for my taste. The deluxe tone is much more correct. The crossover is very good but overrated and what the hell i dont like small harps. 😅
They ARE tiny, aren't they? Takes some getting used to.
Eh, I'll stick to conjurerer, easttop and kongsheng.
I think that's an excellent call.
Same here! I have a a SP20, two Rockets, a Manji and a Promaster. I decided to buy an Easttop 008K just for the heck of it and it ended up being the easiest to play and my favorite. It’s responsive and I can play all holes with no problem. No issues with the -2 like on some. The Easttops are cheap and China made so they are looked at as junk. Personally I think Easttop builds a quality instrument for half the price. Ive not yet tried Kongsheng or Conjurer yet but I will at some point. I was disappointed with the Manji. I haven’t even used it. Also the Easttop is surprisingly air tight. Easy to draw bend for me. Anyway this of course is all just my opinion. Everyone is different.
marine band deluxe is better harp irregardless of bamboo comb of crossover
very similar, and less expensive - tuning is slightly different, but it's a toss-up between the two for me.
Why do I keep seeing videos with people playing harmonicas while dressed as if they are at a gym?