Re: [Harp-L] Endorsements

[David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I know there were two Seydel 1847 Silvers aboard the Alchera during the Transpac solo sailboat race from California to Hawaii (then they sailed back to California). 
He mentiones it here, look for the Alchera log from 7/20... 
http://www.sfbaysss.org/TransPac/transpac2008/race_tracker/log.html
The idea was it's corrosion free, so good for salt water sailling. That's not a dishwasher, but the salt seas are pretty corrosive. The guy's lady bought one 1847 Silver from me to send him as a gift he'd get at the halfway point, I told Seydel about it and they sent him another and some other stuff. 
The reason it is dishwasher safe is the same reason it was a good choice for a solo trip across the Pacific, because nothing really rusts. That includes the rivets.ÂChanges were the plastic comb, German silver reedplates, non-corrosive rivets and the big project, was the stainless steel, self tapping screw, which I think was one of the biggest obstacles to overcome in making the silver, getting that screw designed and made. 
On the round holes, I don't know, it affects playing and how it feels, but I don't think it has anything to do with tone. But I do know that the round holes make the playing area of the hole wider, the comb teeth more narrow in the middle without sacrificing comb strength.
Dave
________________________
Dave Payne Sr. 
Elk River Harmonicas
www.elkriverharmonicas.com 
----- Original Message ----
From: Joseph Bernard <bjosephmex@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, September 5, 2008 10:44:07 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Endorsements

While we are all making endorsements letâs not forget Winslow Yerxaâs book which can be purchased at the citations below. ÂIâm going to buy it as a Christmas present to myself in a few months so I can get all of Winslowâs stuff organized into one place. ÂIt has been my observation that authors often sell their own books [autographed] to make money from the sale as well as the copyright. Is there any such deal that I should know about?
http://www.amazon.com/Harmonica-Dummies-Sports-Hobbies/dp/047033729X/ref=tag_tdp_sv_edpp_i
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/Harmonica-For-Dummies.productCd-047033729X,subcat-ARTS.html
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Harmonica-for-Dummies_W0QQitemZ170258131568QQihZ007QQcategoryZ268QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-047033729X.html
http://www.smarter.com/music-books/harmonica-for-dummies-/pd--ch-1--pi-10219412.html
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601-2739880-1695355?asin=047033729X&afid=yahoosspplp_bmvd&lnm=047033729X|Harmonica_For_Dummies_(For_Dummies_(Sports_&_Hobbies))_:_Books=&ref=tgt_adv_XSNG1060
I wouldnât hold my breath waiting for Dave to favorably compare the Marine Band Deluxe with the Seydel 1847. I donât own either, but one must wonder who Hohner is marketing the Marine Bands to. Like most harmonica technicians, Dave modifies the Marine Band and sells it.
http://www.elkriverharmonicas.com/Elkcustoms.html
My guess is that Dave would include any additional tweaks you wanted made to them no charge, or for a very reasonable price. I canât imagine that the price of a Marine Band Deluxe is any reflection of the increased cost to Hohner, rather than recognition that Hohner is competing with harmonica technicians like Dave. To me the much maligned Marine Band [with itâs nails rather than screws] is one of many fine harmonicas FOR ME! Tinkering with a Marine Band isnât a problem, itâs a challenge. However, I would recommend the Special 20 or Golden Melody to someone that didnât share my outlook. 
One of the great things Seydel does is put sound samples on itâs webcite.
http://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel.sf/en_GB/?ObjectID=211764
http://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Seydel/Products/10201/SubProducts/10201C_Chrom
http://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Seydel/Products/15301/SubProducts/15301C
I honestly canât hear the appeal of steel reeds over the internet. Otherwise, what is the appeal of owning an incredibly durable harmonica? A flat harmonica is a good candidate for learning how to tune! Itâs the easiest tuning task imaginable, and you do it on a harp, that in your judgment, has lost itâs value. 
I own many Seydel Sessions and Soloists and am very satisfied with all of them. I just donât see the appeal of a metal comb, steel reeds, or rounded channels. [None of which I own.] Iâve been told by knowledgeable people that it doesnât make any difference what material the comb is made out of. Iâve even been told that the rounded channels of the Soloist Pro donât impact sound. I have trouble with this one! Note that Seydel compares the steel reeds with brass reeds absent cover plates in their sound samples. I also have trouble with the notion that cover plates do not impact sound. Yes, Iâm pretty good at math and understand the wave-lengths are long and the cover plates are in close. I was in on this discussion about a month ago. 
The way I play, and the fact that I live at altitude, heat distribution and water vapor are a big concern. For me, wood combs are best, plastic combs are OK, and metal combs are trash. Nice thick western reeds are also good for blowing out water vapor. 
The thing that Iâd really like to know is how the plastic combed 1847 does in a dishwasher? I also donât see the appeal, but Iâm curious whether or not it works. Has anybody out there done that?



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