Seydel 1847 Lightning Review

[@ikust007]

Excellent craftsmanship

[@nicolasacchetti3919]

Absolutely great! Very exhaustive review

[@ikust007]

Gorgeous harmonica .

[@robertbrunston5406]

Sounds cool! Thanks for sharing.

[@docsharmonicablues]

I really like the feel, sound and quality of my 1847 Lightning. That said, I was unhappy with the reed gaps and shapes. Therefore I had to do some adjusting of both of these to match my playing style. I found your comparison to the DaBell (and your comments concerning "reedy" sounding harps such as most Hohner models) interesting, but this aspect of the sound is a very personal preference -- and I prefer the Lightning sound. But that was a very good and accurate observation. As far as injuring yourself with the stainless steel comb: I have never had contact (or at least not hard contact) between my teeth and the comb of *any* harmonica that I have ever played. Again: that is perhaps a good point that you made, but it is also another of those very individual factors that cannot be generalized to all players/harps out there. Would I buy another Lightning? Perhaps, but I probably would buy an 1847 Classic, considering the price of each. Thank you for your excellent videos and clear, honest presentations!!

[@Tim48103]

Excellent review. You were much nicer about it than I was, lol. Harp on, brother!

[@studogable]

From the looks of the harp you're using, you've given it some good use. That's a pretty good testament to how much you like the instrument :) $135 (which translates to $1,600+ for a set - and the price is even higher on Amazon) is pretty steep. However, a top-of-the-line Fender Stratocaster (new, NOT vintage) is over $2,000. I'll stick with my Special 20s that I can still get for $40 if I scrounge. However, compared to our six-string brothers and sisters, harp players are still getting off light. Thanks as always for your perspective.

[@brucelangsteiner4599]

Good, solid review, Jonah. Thanks! I noticed it doesn't have any relief where the comb meets the side plates like a Marine Band Special 20. Is that a positive feature for playability?

[@docsharmonicablues]

What are you talking about? I have an 1847 Lightning and cannot see what it is that you mean is different than Special 20 ... please explain.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

I honestly don’t think it matters, but that’s interesting …I never noticed that difference in particular.

[@dinnuwicaksono]

I don't understand why seydel says its polished reeds, in fact it is dull and still has milling marks. Sounds just advertisment for me. In term of quality and play ability this harmonica is good, but personally I prefer 1847 noble.

[@cincinnatipedalsteel4347]

Where can you find semi custom harps at this price point? Every custom I’ve seen has started around $200

[@gewglesux]

Try these for an expensive Harp.. Antony Dannecker

[@BruceOfTheApes]

The Seydel Lightning is tuned to compromised, and the DaBel Noble is tuned to equal temperament thus the Nobles so called raspiness compared to the smoothness/mellow sound of the Lightning. I don't own a Lightning, but play 1847's Classics. I have a DaBel Noble as well, and find that both of these harps are very well built and are superior to other models in the same price range.

[@tyronejohnson7979]

@ That price point Id rather get Blue moon custom Double Reed plate. special 20...

[@allenhawker3911]

Same here!

[@AbcAbc-zn8uo]

In my opinion it's not a good deal. Too expensive... For almost 140$ dollars I can by a custom harp, which plays much better.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Yeah, I would have to agree. The comb on this harp is novel, but I would much rather have a customized (or even semi custom) harp at this price.

[@AbcAbc-zn8uo]

@@HarmonicaRevolution I have watched review of this harmonica on Tim Douthit's channel and he said one important thing - this harp is so expensive, beaceause this stainless steel comb is very expensive to produce. It is similar to Hohner Meisterklasse, you have to pay more for this comb, which makes harmonica more expensive and isn't actually better than plastic or wooden combs, which are cheaper to produce.

[@J0eR0e]

​ @Jonah Fox - Harmonica Revolution I would be interested in your opinion on the 1847 Silver Harmonica and possible differences to the Classic and Lightning... do you plan to review the Silver too? I'm not sure to buy the Classic or the Silver Version!

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

I don’t plan on reviewing the silver. I’ve tried it, it feels just like the other 1847 models with a plastic comb. They all feel pretty similar (they are all great), I would just choose based on preference. Do you like wood (classic), plastic (silver), aluminum (noble), or stainless steel (lighting)? I prefer wood combs, so the classic is my favorite.

[@J0eR0e]

@@HarmonicaRevolution Nevermind, thanks for answering! ...I simply can't understand why the plastic comb version has the same price tag as the wood version, it don't need lacquer and it comes pretty much finished out of a machine. I prefer wood, I really like the looks of the Silver version... but I don't like being ripped off, so I guess I tend to the Classic

[@lennylink8772]

the heavier weight matters for me and probably older people.

[@denisgoisot9601]

Hello. Merci pour ces essais très intéressants. Mais arrêtez de dire des sottises à propos du poid des Lee Oskar: 65gr environs, alors que le Special 20 n'en fait que 60...😉

[@jeffhildreth9244]

I wanted a Seydel until I owned one... next.

[@ronnieblanchet4072]

There is good, and then there’s better. SOLI DEO GLORIA (To The Glory of God Alone) Father, Son & Holy Spirit -Ronnie

[@tobyjamison6801]

Soooo.... It's all chrome

[@soslothful]

Stainless steel in 1847?! Stainless wasn't invented until 1913.

[@milforddekalb6429]

1847 refers to the year that Seydel began producing harmonica.