SEYDEL Blues SESSION STEEL Harmonica A

I've bought a C and an A in the last 3 months. I gig just about every weekend and after running through one of the "new" Special 20's and a Lee Oskar (both key of C) in 4 months I decided to give one of these a try. I was very impressed with the tuning of the reeds - every octave split I played was in perfect tune (tongue block). Someone said these are larger than the Hohners or Lee Oskars but I don't notice any difference when playing. What really surprised me was the tone. I was expecting a bit of harshness from the stainless steel reeds but they sound very smooth and clear. They bend easily and, so far, they seem pretty robust. I play mostly Fingers Taylor style but I also play blues on these and they work fine. I will no longer buy the Hohners or Lee Oskars. The first one of these I bought has already outlasted my last Special 20 and Lee Oskar in the same key.

I received an email from another website about a Fender John Popper signature harmonica. There was a video with John talking about how great his harp was because it had a steel reed plate. It also costs $80. So, I decided to shop a bit and that's when I discovered the SEYDEL steel plate harmonica. It looks just like the $80 one, but only costs $60 on Amazon. I gave it a try. I've been playing Hohner Special 20s. I really like the tone and after a short break-in period, they bend just the way I like. They are reasonably durable. The SEYDEL played like a broken in harp right out of the box. It has great tone and feels really nice in the hand. I haven't had it more than a few weeks so far, but it feels like it is holding up better than the Hohners. I will probably use these for lower registers like the A that I purchased this time. I find the higher register keys last longer anyway.

It's early. I've only had it a couple weeks, but it played great right out of the box. Very tight feel with minimum air required, all the reeds in tune and easily workable for bends. I would say the steel reeds are not as warm of a sound as brass, but it's a nitpick really. A decent mic and amp would compensate easily. Not sure if I love the orange comb, but interested to see if this lasts a lot longer as Seydel claims. If so, I'll be buying many more. Also nice that they come in so many keys, including the Low keys. I have a Low E and a Low D in the regular Session model and just love the sound. I've played almost everything out there, but usually favor Special 20's. I now think I'm a convert to Seydel. Another thing I love is the contoured shape of the cover plates—much better for players with facial hair!

These sound as good as their reputation indicates. They also look nice, but I am a little bummed. I bought four standard keys and two arrived with 2nd or 3rd hole draw issues. I returned the worst one and was sent a replacement in the same basic condition though it worked a little better. All troubleshooting documentation tries to blame the player. I am not a professional, but if all the other holes sound okay, that tells me something is wrong with the build. I hope I am wrong, but I guess it will require fiddling with the reeds which seems to no one's advantage as these are billed as being well made.

I have played Hohner blues harps almost exclusively for 30+ years. Recently I bought one that went flat quickly so I thought I would try another brand. I got a seydel Nobel 1847 and it made the blues harp seem like a toy in comparison. It was heavy, solid and sounded awesome. So I thought I would try this one. Different feel altogether. It sounds ok. Pretty similar actually to the blues harp ( BH a little richer). Something about the feel is off for me. It’s not a bad harp, but unlike the 1847 which was so incredible, this one does nothing for me. Now I get to shell out another $100 for another damn harp. Curse you ‘ Teddy Harp Folsum’. I wish I’d never seen your Live performance. FOLLOW UP Well, it has been a year or so since I wrote the first review. In retrospect I think I was too harsh on the harp. It does in fact play well. I needed to become accustomed to the different feel of the Plastic. It has shown itself to be durable and keep its tuning in a way that the Hohner Blues Harp does not. Not my favorite harp, but a decent solid instrument.

Very smooth mellow sound and easy to play

I had high hopes after my experience with the "D" I purchased. Right out of the box, this one needed some adjustments to 1 and 2 blow. Nothing major, but it made for some tense moments when I thought I may have ruined a $60 harp because the gap was not adjusted correctly at the factory. It is smoother sounding and easier to play than other key of "A" models I've played, but not as much of a difference between this and the D I've got, which blows away EVERY other D I've played. Update: A reed broke after 4 months of playing. These things are supposed to last 5 times longer than regular harmonicas. I guess other harmonicas are only supposed to last a few weeks? I've paid half as much for harmonicas that lasted a year! The D is still going strong, but I am NOT HAPPY with this one!!

Great sound. A bit raspier, which is good in my opinion, than Hohner. I have a Hohner 20, and give seydel a clear nod. Steel reeds are the way to go. Side vents are closed so its a bit muted. Feels good in hand and mouth. Its thicker. Good A harp