SeydelHarmonica (Blues SESSION Standard C)

This definitely a good harmonica. I've tried so many, and this and two others are my favorites. I quite like the Hohner Special 20. My other favorite is a modified Marine Band harmonica that is not available for purchase.This is the cheaper of the two Seydel Blues Session models. This one has brass reeds. The Seydel Blues Session Steel has an orange plastic comb and steel reeds. Steel reeds supposedly last a lot longer than brass reeds. The Steel model costs $60. I like the tone of this one a bit better than the Blues Steel model. There isn't a huge difference in the tone of the two models, but there is a difference. This one sounds a bit more bluesy and old-timey, I guess. The tone difference is because of this one having brass reeds, and the other having steel reeds.The type of metal affects the tone.The tone of Seydel Blues Session models are unique. They have the fullest sound of any harmonica I've played. Sort of like comparing the sound of an electric guitar equipped with humbucking pickups to a guitar with single coil pickups (single coil pickups, most commonly found on Fender guitars, have a noticeably thinner sound than humbucking pickups).The tone of these Seydel Blues models reminds me a bit more of an accordian-type sound than other harmonicas. For that reason, I think they are especially good for folk and Celtic music. These will work for blues too.There are several models which are very similar to this one in appearance. These are the Special 20, Bushman Delta Frost (the same model of harp is also sold by Suzuki and labeled "Harpmaster," and sold by Buckeye Music, and labeled "Soul's Voice"), and the Lee Oskar Major Diatonic harmonica. All of these have the usual shiny cover plates and black plastic comb. But, there are some differences.The Seydel is a lot thicker and a bit longer than the other harmonicas. Also, it has cover plates that are almost as long as the comb. This harmonica, because of its size, feels strange to hold and play, especially at first, and especially if one has been playing Hohners or other models for some time.Yes, the Blues Session Standard is definitely the most uncomfortable for me to hold, even though I have fairly large hands and very long fingers. Being uncomfortable to hold is this harmonica's biggest weakness.Like the Special 20 and Lee Oskar, the Blues Session Standard has brass reeds. The Bushman and related harps have phosphor bronze reeds, which supposedly last longer than brass.The other harps I am mentioning in this review will fit into a harmonica rack, as far as I know. They are fairly comparable in size compared to the Blues Session Standard. This harp will, from what I've read, not fit in a harmonica rack. I won't be able to play this and a guitar at the same time, which is too bad, since I think this harp is especially suited to folk music. Maybe Seydel will get a clue and make their own racks for their harps.Blues Session Standard (which I will sometimes refer to as "BSS") vs. Special 20: Special 20 is a lot more comfortable to hold and play. The tone of these two is definitely similar. The SP20 has a fairly full sound, but a bit less full than the Seydel. I like the tone of the Seydel a little better, usually. I've found the Seydel to be a little more airtight than the Special 20. But really it is a very tough call deciding which one of these I like better. I might actually go with the Special 20.BSS vs. Lee Oskar: I know there are many many Lee Oskar enthusiasts out there, but I am not one of them. I found the Lee Oskar's deeply engraved top cover plate to be uncomfortable, and the harp to be too narrow. Also, I did not like the tone of the Lee Oskar. Even though the Seydel feels kinda bulky, I like the feel and tone of the Seydel a lot more than the Lee Oskar. The Lee Oskar I owned for a short time was almost as airtight as the Seydel.BSS vs. Delta Frost: The DF is the least alright of the models I am comparing. It has cover plates that are somewhat similar to the Hohner Marine Band, but has a plastic comb like the Special 20. I find this to be an odd combination. Also, the DF has a comb that sticks out noticeably further in the back than the cover plates. I don't like this.The DF tone is not great. It is thin, and a bit too shrill. The DF does not project well. Slightly better tone than the Lee Oskar, but not as good as the Seydel or SP20.A good plastic case is included with Special 20 and Lee Oskar Harps. The Seydel Blues models do not come with a case, but instead, a very thin leather pouch, which I do not like. The pouch is smooth outside, but inside is a rougher suede. It is hard at first to put in and remove the harp from the pouch. Also, the pouch isn't vented like plastic cases, which at least have small vents.The Bushman Delta Frost does not come with a case or a pouch, which is a bummer.For the Delta Frost and the Seydel, I bought a Hohner zipper case. It is not vented, but is made partially of neoprene, which is supposed to be moisture-absorbent. I usually let my harps air dry a bit after tapping them out, and before I put them in the case. The bad part about the Hohner zipper case is it has a chemical smell which gets on the harps. And the zipper can be a bit of a bother at times. Other than that, I like the case. Currently, you can buy the Hohner zippered harmonica case here on Amazon for under $6 and free shipping. Every model of harmonica I own fits in these cases.In summation, I think this harmonica is worthy of 4 stars because it has great tone and is airtight. I'm deducting one star because it is uncomfortable to hold, does not fit in a rack, and does not come with a good case.Is this harmonica better than a Special 20? I'd say, for the most part, no. The BSS is a little more airtight, but the tone of the two harmonicas is close, and the SP20 is more comfortable to hold and play. Also, as I mentioned, the SP20 will fit in a harmonica rack, and the BSS won't.Also, you get a good case with the SP20, and with the BSS, you get a the leather pouch, which you might not be happy with. Luckily, you can buy a Hohner case cheap, and not have to go to Seydel's website and pay $20 including shipping for one of their zipper cases.Buy this harmoinca or a Special 20.. either way, you'll have a rather good harp.

This harmonica sounds awesome especially the low tones! Trying to bend is a different story and it's not very air tight. Maybe that's why it's harder to bend notes. But I love to play it just the same because of the beautiful sound!!

To me the Seidel tone is unmatched. The tone on the Seidel Blues Session Standard is just as beautiful as the tone on the 1847 Classic.This design is simpler and the plastic comb makes it affordable, albeit less fancy. To me it’s actual more comfortable, though it’s a bit chunkier.All the blows were perfect as received. A few draws choked up on first play and needed warming up before they could respond well. Still not really satisfied with the 2, 3, and 8 draw, but that may be a problem with my technique. Bending is moderately easy. The one draw carries a massive tone but it resonates after play.Nothing can beat this price for the quality of the instrument.Compared with the Hohner Blues Band this is a better instrument by leaps and bounds. I will buy more keys in this model.

I'm an amateur blues and rock harmonica player. I've bought a few different brands of harps and usually enjoyed playing most of them. This is my first-ever Seydel. The harmonica was a little more expensive than some others and it takes a little more aerobic conditioning (breathing-power) than some other popular harps, but it easily qualifies as one of the most beautifully built and great sounding harps I've played. Its "mouth feel" is perhaps the best I've ever encountered. It's super easy to handle and feels good to play - in great part because of the smoothness of its top and bottom plate design. Seydel is definitely among my future choices for new harps.

Love it

Play good performs really well! A well built harmonica!The reeds are spot welded instead of riveted so they’re not adjustable hopefully they don’t move!Of course that’s if your into fine adjustments on your harmonicas! Haven’t had any issues yet

I have played five Seydels for almost a year. I like the sound and playability of this model more than the Seydel session steel. I originally gave it five stars. I lowered it to four when the replacement I got had a weaker bass register. They are good sounding instruments for straight or cross harp. They last me about three months (half as long as the steel reed model). All Seydels are slightly larger than than Hohners, requiring a different mouth-shape in playing. I find the transition easy. But if you want something that feels like a Hohner, get a Hohner.There are advantages to the Seydel design.All in all, you get what you pay for. It should last for months of moderate use, years of occasional use. And you won't get a better playing harmonica than this if you pay more.All harmonicas are compromises. This one scores high for tone and playability.

Decided to try one of these as a cheaper alternative to the currently inflated prices of harmonicas. About 10 years ago, maybe a little more, the price went up drastically. Fortunately I'm reasonably easy on reeds. A good harp will last me five to 10 years. I've heard great things about the higher end Seydel harps from pro players. This one is a "budget" model. Out of the box it was in tune and had uniform tone throughout its range. It doesn't have the grit that a Special 20 has but it has a tone the player can control. It's well built and looks like it will last. I like it better for melodic stuff than tunes with a lot of bending. In first position it's decent. It's not my favorite but a lot of that is personal preference.

Muy buena armonica con un sonido potente y limpio es una de las mejores armonicas que tengo gracias saludos y comprare de nuevo