First quality harmonica- which key?

Gear
1

Hello,

I am a beginner and I currently have two Suzuki Bluesmasters. My C harmonica sounds pretty bad and my 3 hole bend rattles, squeals and sounds like a dying cow. I like the A, and the bends sound better, but not great. I know I need to improve my technique.

I’m looking into buying a higher quality instrument, and only plan to play for my own enjoyment. Locally, I can get a Marine Band Deluxe, but only in C. I can get a Crossover in A, I like the sound of A better, but realize most lessons are in C. Further, the Crossover is more expensive.

For a beginner willing to make the initial investment, but not planning on buying several higher end instruments, what would you recommend?

Thank you.

2 Likes
2

C and A are good starting keys. I mostly play my A harp, but most learning material seems to be in C.

I would recommend Lee Oskar for a newbie. They are fantastic for the money, and last a very, very long time. The only downside is that you can’t really overblow on them, but that isn’t a super common technique anyway. Amazing and kind customer service.

I like Suzuki, but there customer service is horrible. The Suzuki Manji is among the best sounding harmonicas I have ever heard, but mine corroded with normal play, and the company would not back me up at all, blaming me for the problem. They eventually sent me a new one after 2 years of going back and forth…I don’t let things go.

Hohner has that nice crunchy blues sound, but I am not impressed with their quality when compared to other brands. They sound great, but don’t seem well made.

Seydel makes a good harp, but is very expensive. I use Seydel Session steels for some keys, with no major issues. I had one with a cracked comb, and they sent out a new comb no questions asked.

Easttop spooked me because they taste like chemical solvent. I don’t want to eat that!

I think that is every major brand out there - let me know I can help more.

1 Like
3

Thank you for your response.

I can get a Lee Oskar for around the same price as a Seydel Session Steel Special Summer Edition.

I think I will go for one of these in C. Do you have any thoughts on the differences between the two?

Thanks.

1 Like
4

Yes, I have both a Lee Oskar and a Seydel Session Steel.

Both are great - my Session Steel has some light rust on the rivets, but still runs strong. I like it. I would give Seydel a win on sound alone. You can overblow a Session Steel, so if you want to learn this technique, This is important.

My Lee Oskar is a tank. No rust, ever. I don’t like the sound as much, but it still sounds good. I really like the traditional shape of the harmonica with Lee Oskar, I never really got into the pillow shape of the Session Steel.

Out of the 2, I play my Lee Oskar the most. Never gave any issues, and is super reliable. Overblows are pretty rare, and chances are you won’t need them for regular harmonica stuff.

If I were you, I would get one of each if you can afford it. :grin:

5

Yeah, I’d love to buy both, but my wife has different ideas.

Which would you recommend for learning to control bends?

1 Like
6

Either works good for bending. Is they make sound when you draw or blow air, they will bend.

Bending is done with your tongue, not by any special apparatus inside of the harmonica. You are able direct the airflow in special ways to manipulate the reeds to produce other notes.

7

I feel that you should get high quality harps at the start. A chain is as good as its weakest link. I have a Crossover in C and then added a G, A and Bb. I had all my harps gone through by HARPSMITH, which is a great tech that will set your harp up correctly in every respect. If you like the harp and have some medium quality harps chances are you will upgrade to a Crossover or something equivalent. Point is how much money you spend over the long haul to get the harps you really like and play well. I dislike wooden combs as moisture and porous wood make for ongoing problems. Others may feel otherwise. Getting a good, well tuned and airtight harp will make playing much more fun and in the long run less costly. I am trying a Rocket to see how it stacks up. Most tunes for beginners are in C, which is not a bad choice. You can get a Crossover in any key. Google up HARPSMITH and discuss the issue with him. He is very knowledgeable and more than fair. He will tell you what is best for you not his wallet. My favored harps are Crossovers but the Rocket may change that for some tunes. I like the harps HARPSMITH set it up all play very well, Bends are easy and each note tuned as it should be.

I feel upgrading now is a good idea as my harps will never be the weal link in my play. Like you I play solely for enjoyment , Like you I have no interest in joining a band or anything else. Playing on my deck for the rest of my harp journey is what I want, nothing more. Look at HARPSMITH on U Tube and you will get an idea of how he runs his business. He is also extremely helpful. He sets up harps for the big boys and why he spends the time with me is an unknown. Everyone gets first class service. I do not like trying to fix things like air leaks but very much enjoy playing a good harp. Hope this helps.

1 Like
8

Mine (in C &A) have no more taste smell than my other plastic comb harps. Maybe you’d was ultra fresh from the factory?

2 Likes
9

I agree with @DavidW – or at least I share his experience. None of my Easttop harps are among my favorites, but they do have nice prices.

2 Likes
10

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Custom is out of my price range right now, but I am willing to spend for a decent out of the box harmonica. I am only lip pursing.

I went to one of my local stores to look at the Marine Band Deluxe, Lee Oskar and Seydel Session Steel.

The Marine Band Deluxe looked OK, but I’m concerned about the comfort and a bit about the longevity and air tightness of the wooden comb. I like a bluesy tone, but am first concentrating a single notes

The Lee Oskar looked a bit bulky, and I understand the tone might be a bit less pleasing, but perhaps really good for a learner.

The Seydel Steel looked good, but it appears it might be a bit harder to play and maintain a good seal due to it’s shape. However, it also looks like it could be very comfortable.

The salesperson then tried to sell me on a Special 20. Perhaps this is the best for me right now?

Everything is in my price range, but I feel I left even more confused about what I want.

I went to another store, and they tried to sell me a Suzuki Bluesmaster, telling me they are the same quality as a Special 20. They did not have Seydel, Lee Oskar and only a regular Marine Band.

The Bluesmaster I have mostly sounds OK, but my 3 draw bend rattles and it sounds like torsonial vibration.

So, I’m bouncing around like crazy here, probably making too much of it all, but I want to get it right as I don’t have much money.

Finally, I don’t play too hard, so I’m not overly concerned about blowing out reeds.

Any further thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.

1 Like
11

Just get a Lee Oskar or Special 20. Both are great harps and you can grow into them.

2 Likes