Just got two Pro Harps one in A and G. So far I’m loving them the colour scheme is awesome and the lacquered covers are so smooth. They honestly feel like some sort of rock version of the Special 20. Great for Tom Petty songs since he primarily used it alongside the Special 20. I wish the Pro Harp got more love because I barely seem them being talked about.
Overall ratings:
Design 8.5/10 Colour scheme is great but the front vents I don’t really like (I prefer the vintage version from the 90s with the Special 20 vents).
Responsiveness 10/10 Super great projection because of the front vents, airtight and minimal air required for this one for a great sound.
This is clearly a more style oriented harp like I mentioned earlier. It is definitely not supposed to be a blues harp. it’s the best for rock or mellow stuff.
Overall rating: 9.5/10 This is probably the best harp I’ve ever bought. I cannot touch my $15 Fender Blues Deluxe anymore because of it. I might try the Special 20 out but I’m not really sure if there’s a major difference.
Hello, my name is Jason and I am a Harmonica purchasing addict. i’m happy to say I haven’t bought a new harmonica in about a week and a half. I did buy some new reeds and slot screws.
I’ve been playing almost three months and have accumulated a few harps, Along the way!
Wow! You’ve been playing for only three months and have this big of a collection already? Kudos to you, my friend. I remember having only four Special 20s during my first year of playing (mainly because I was in high school at the time and couldn’t afford to get many harps) with the keys being in C, Bb, D, and Ab (I really liked how the Ab sounded, that’s why I got it so early on). It’s even more impressive consider you have so many Seydels.
I tend to really dive right in, and live whatever hobby I am doing, I have quite a few now! From surfing to Riding trails on mountain bikes (without electronic assist), snowboarding, and skating. I am genuinely that same kid who wanted all the toys but didn’t have the means. But now I am an adult, and F YEAH! (Sort of 45) Plus, harmonicas are so much cheaper than a surfboard and a wetsuit; all those harmonicas haven’t even come close to a custom surfboard order, so my wife fully supports the harmonica habit. I started with Horner, but I wanted to see what all the fuss was about these Seydels, so I bought the Blue Steel summer edition. I had a horrible time breaking them in, and the paint was chipping off. I spoke with customer service at Sydel, they took care of the covers, and I started an open conversation with one of the guys there. He helped me get through my buyer’s remorse lol. I do say now that they are broken, and they’re wonderful to play and sound great. 1847 silvers obviously sound great. However, I do prefer the. The Marine Band Deluxe or the regular Marine Band for their sound and how easy they are to play. Happy New Year’s. Ps. I enjoy playing harmonica—period! Cheers, happy New Year’s.
Only difference between a man and a boy is the price of our toys. Enjoy em as you cannot take anything with you. 69 and I still play with trains and planes as well as my harps. Only ones I play are Hohner Crossovers and Rockets.
Just wish I started playing the harp when my first planes and trains arrived.
All my harps are Seydel never had a problem with them. Once gapped they are even better. Much better quality than Hohner IMO crappy plastic combs on Hohner harps. On the Seydel silver the comb is solid not a hollow out piece of plastic. Some of the cheaper Chinese Harps are just as good. It’s a bit like the guitar world where Fender and Gibson trade on past reputation same goes for Hohner. Just my opinion.
The Rocket Amp is INSANE. I got 6 of them, the bundled pack, plus one. So I got 7.
Congratulations on your purchase!
I kinda want to hate Hohner for killing the original the original Golden Melody. But they are not worthy of hate–they are just a stupid company, as are all companies..
But they do make really beautiful harmonicas, mostly. I will give Hohner that. So..
… … …
Yeah, I do hate them…
Seriously, enjoy @Dai. The Rocket Amp kicks serious ass.
I’ve been playing for about 3 years. I have not yet suffered from compulsive collecting, but I do seem to be somewhat addicted to playing. So far, that’s working out well for me, although I feel like should play better than I do.
I only have special 20s, the three rocket models, and both new and old golden melodies. The protruding reed plates on the GMs cut my bottom lip if I play them a lot. The special 20s and rockets don’t have it and don’t cut me. I can only assume that other players don’t have that problem, but I do. If I’m ever curious about a different harmonica, I’ll look to see if it has protruding reed plates, and if it does, it’s pretty much a deal breaker for me. I love the rockets, they’re comfortable to play, have a nice tone, and they are loud. Being loud can mean more volume with the same breath or the same volume with less breath, so that appeals to me. I like the look of them also, they look like an upgraded special 20, which I think is what they’re meant to be. I prefer the old zip up case to the new hard case, but the new one is still very good.
This is so intelligent and well-thought I do not know how to reply @PapaCurly.
I quite agree. I agree entirely.
Except… you will become a compulsive harmonica collector. Sorry, bro, it’s just gonna happen. You will enjoy it quite much, and it is so worth it.
So I guess?.. Pinch pennies, while they are still worth something? Actually, pinch quarters. Tariffs are going to kill us on harmonicas. So let’s prepare..
Yeah, the GMs… I know, I know, believe me. I quite agree. I likewise love the Rockets.
Most of all… let’s both just have fun with what we have right now.
That’s about the most I can offer to your very true thoughts.
Have you looked at rounding off the edge of the reed plate? It shouldn’t be doing that to your lip. They are normally really good harps. You might look for a local harp tech to fix that issue.
@LittlePriest Thank You for your kind words. Yes, I may one day fall victim to the collecting bug, I do hear the sirens calling me at times. I live in Australia, and we don’t have many tariffs here, although we do have a 10% goods and services tax. We’re lucky that our instrument of choice is comparatively not that expensive. Agreed, have fun with what we have.
@LoneStar, thank you for replying, I probably chose the wrong word by saying the reed plates ‘cut’ my lip, it’s not as though they’re sharp or burred, but they do wear a layer of skin off the center of my bottom lip, and cause soreness, such that I then can’t play for a couple of days. Maybe is the way I pucker my lip. I’m almost exclusively a single note guy, so maybe that contributes. Sadly, no harp techs near me as far as I know.
@LoneStar First impressions it seems like a good harp.
Feel: feels nice in the hand to hold when playing very comfortable.
Air Tightness: Seems quite air tight no need to gap. Doesn’t seem breathy.
Bendability: Bends very easily no need to gap the reeds (can only speak to this particular harp). Gentle pressure on the bends no forcing it.
Tone: Slightly deeper tone than my Seydel 1847 Silver, not a lot but a noticable difference.
Comfort: Seems a very comfortable harp when playing. Nothing feels awkward about it.
My opinion may vary as I get to know the instument but so far so good. Bought it on an impulse as my Suzuki Bluesmaster and Kongsheng Ting harp didn’t live up to expectations compared to the Seydel but the Rocketamp seems to be holding it’s own so far. Would I recomend it to a beginner, yes most definitely based on this particular harp.
@PapaCurly Have you tried loosening the cover plates and putting the harp with the tines facing down on a flat surface to help make sure that everything is properly aligned and flush? I have several of those Harps and I not had an issue or even noticed the reed plates being on my lips much less rubbing uncomfortably on my lip. If we weren’t so far away, I would offer to take a look at it for you. I am about to open my harp shop and formally get into repairs and restoration of harmonicas, both diatonic and chromatic. I currently have a 68 harp backlog on restoring pre-war and pre-1990’s harmonicas.
