Saxony fan club

[Keith]

Orchestra tuned - it was one of the reasons for choosing the Deluxe Steel - the other was the reeds.

Had another practice this morning - it is quite a bit smaller than my CX12, but not so much as to be in any way awkward - beginning to like it already. 

[Jessica]

Congratulations Keith!
(I'm still waiting for my Deluxe Steel, Seydel sent a Solo to my harmonica dealer, instead of the Orchestra I ordered.)

[Doug]

Now you have me excited about this harp too! I like the rounded Suzuki mouthpieces. Is your new harp orchestra tuned?

Jumping in here on your question, Mandrew. The rounded Seydel mouthpiece feels different than the Suzuki mouthpiece. It has a lower profile and feels smaller. I like it quite a bit. But, I've never adjusted to the sound of the stainless reeds. I really tried, but it's a very different sound from the Suzukis and Hohners and I just don't like it. I also don't like the quality of the low notes of the Orchestra-tuned harmonica, at least compared to my Suzukis. I'd recommend listening to a lot of sound samples of the Seydels before committing since they're not cheap. Just sayin'.

[mandrew]

But, I've never adjusted to the sound of the stainless reeds. I really tried, but it's a very different sound from the Suzukis and Hohners and I just don't like it. I also don't like the quality of the low notes of the Orchestra-tuned harmonica, at least compared to my Suzukis. I'd recommend listening to a lot of sound samples of the Seydels before committing since they're not cheap. Just sayin'.

Good point. I really love the sound of the Suzuki PB reeds, and I wonder about the brighter tone of SS. Back to You tube . . .

[Keith]

@ Jessica - Thanks, sorry you're having to wait longer for yours.

@mandrew - I like my CX12's mellow tones, but I also like the ease of these reeds & their tone too - I'm pretty sure there will be tunes which will suit each sound. (Maybe try a Seydel Orchestra S first to see/hear if you like the steel reeds.)

[Mick]

But, I've never adjusted to the sound of the stainless reeds. I really tried, but it's a very different sound from the Suzukis and Hohners and I just don't like it. I also don't like the quality of the low notes of the Orchestra-tuned harmonica, at least compared to my Suzukis. I'd recommend listening to a lot of sound samples of the Seydels before committing since they're not cheap. Just sayin'.

Good point. I really love the sound of the Suzuki PB reeds, and I wonder about the brighter tone of SS. Back to You tube . . .

thats interesting what you say about the low notes. My saxony orchestra is sweet sounding through the entire range, and takes very little breath to activate. Personally, I do like the SS reed sound. I dont have the rounded mouthpiece, however it it very comfortable. One thing about Seydel is that their hole spacing is a fraction wider than the standard, that is a slight adjustment to make when swapping harps. Sometimes i think their spacing is better than the standard. cheers

[Doug]

I may not like the low notes on the Saxony Orchestra because I started on a CX12 and then moved to a Suzuki SCX. In my opinion, both of those harmonicas can take quite a bit of air, and that's the way I've learned to play. The Saxony requires a much softer touch and therefore puts out less volume. It's a beautiful thing in the top octave, but still not the sound I'm looking for. I think the SS reeds produce a more fundamental and focused note and the CX12 and SCX produce notes with more overtones. That may not be entirely accurate, but that's how I hear it.

I really don't want to be a wet blanket about the Seydels. Lots of players love them and sound great on them. And I have to say that the mouthpiece is my favorite. I just have a preference for the brass and phosphor bronze sound.

[Keith]

One thing about Seydel is that their hole spacing is a fraction wider than the standard, that is a slight adjustment to make when swapping harps. Sometimes i think their spacing is better than the standard. cheers

I hadn't measured it, but now that I have, my Swan 1040 isn't that much more, so it's still a good grab & practice partner to my Deluxe Steel & CX12s.

[Blowout]

I think the SS reeds produce a more fundamental and focused note and the CX12 and SCX produce notes with more overtones. That may not be entirely accurate, but that's how I hear it.

According to the spectral graphs in Seydel's marketing brochures, the steel reeds have more harmonics present. I don't know if that is true - it is marketing after all. However, I know that the more harmonics present, the "smoother" the sound will be. That's my experience with sound synthesis: if you desire a slightly buzzier or raspy sound (for want of a better description) then less harmonics are needed. Smoother, purer sounding, more harmonics.

To my ear the Seydel steel reeds do sound smoother than brass or phosphor bronze reeds. Which kind of tallies with their claims of more harmonics. Whether that translates into a "richer" sound is all in the ear of the listener. A lot of people will describe a less smooth sound as richer.

I like the steel reed sound very much, but for a lot of what I play at the moment, I prefer phosphor bronze or brass. In the end it's a bit like having several colors available on an artists palette: it's good to be able to use whatever suits the piece, or pleases the ear. Everything, in the right place, sounds beautiful. At least it would if I could play better

[streetlegal]

I have also been thinking that stainless steel reeds would produce a 'cleaner' sound than brass/bronze reeds. Whether the steel sound is considered better or not comes down to personal preference, but as we notice the difference between brass and phosphor bronze, it would seem that steel reeds would sound more markedly different - perhaps as Blowout suggests offering a smoother sound, with somehat less edginess in transition between notes?

[Doug]

I have also been thinking that stainless steel reeds would produce a 'cleaner' sound than brass/bronze reeds. Whether the steel sound is considered better or not comes down to personal preference, but as we notice the difference between brass and phosphor bronze, it would seem that steel reeds would sound more markedly different - perhaps as Blowout suggests offering a smoother sound, with somehat less edginess in transition between notes?

Smooth, clean, focused, etc. That's how I hear the stainless reeds. Definitely less edgy. To my ear, it's very good for classical music. For Jazz, I want some hair on the notes. But as you say, it all comes down to preference. After all, there are plenty of Jazz cats playing the Saxony. Doggonit, now you guys have got me thinking I should hang on to my Saxony.

[Keith]

Just a quick mention here, as there is now a thread specifically devoted to the Seydel Deluxe Steel.
(We will leave you Saxony fans alone now, )
https://forums.SlideMeister.com/index.php?topic=14740.0;topicseen

[Mick]

I have also been thinking that stainless steel reeds would produce a 'cleaner' sound than brass/bronze reeds. Whether the steel sound is considered better or not comes down to personal preference, but as we notice the difference between brass and phosphor bronze, it would seem that steel reeds would sound more markedly different - perhaps as Blowout suggests offering a smoother sound, with somehat less edginess in transition between notes?

Smooth, clean, focused, etc. That's how I hear the stainless reeds. Definitely less edgy. To my ear, it's very good for classical music. For Jazz, I want some hair on the notes. But as you say, it all comes down to preference. After all, there are plenty of Jazz cats playing the Saxony. Doggonit, now you guys have got me thinking I should hang on to my Saxony.

Well put Doug. I agree - smooth, clean, focused

[RichChrome]

I love the Saxony, mine is in orchestra tuning which I love, this is harmonica is an extremely consistent and reliable instrument. I have had mine for close to four years, I take it out of the box, warm it up, and play.

[blackleejack]

I have also been thinking that stainless steel reeds would produce a 'cleaner' sound than brass/bronze reeds. Whether the steel sound is considered better or not comes down to personal preference, but as we notice the difference between brass and phosphor bronze, it would seem that steel reeds would sound more markedly different - perhaps as Blowout suggests offering a smoother sound, with somehat less edginess in transition between notes?

[...] For Jazz, I want some hair on the notes. [...]

hahahaha

[Donnie Ray]

Just received my Saxony in C and love it I'm carrying it with me every where and playing it every chance I get. It's perfect for stage or street corner. Was on the fence about buying Seydel over Hohner but I'm glad I went with the Saxony. Never played a round hole mouthpiece, but it was surprisingly easy to adjust to the round holes. This is an excellent harmonica very professional instrument.

[SaxonyFan]

I am [pause for dramatic effect] SaxonyFan.

[SlideMeister]

Just received my Saxony in C and love it  . . . . . .  This is an excellent harmonica very professional instrument.

Yeah, I get that a lot! They must be pretty good. 

[AlEx]

Huh ho...

Having started learning to play the chrome one year ago, I have two Deluxe Steel in C. Today, because I had a few reasons to feel proud of what I have achieved lately (professionally and personally speaking), I decided to pull the trigger and ordered a Saxony. I know it's waaaaaay above my needs as a beginner, but I had been wanting it from the beginning  .

I intended to get it in orchestra tuning but eventually went for the standard C solo tuning, in order to compare it with my DLS (and for odd reasons, I like to know that I have three octaves starting from C, don't ask me why...).

Now the big question is: how will I find sleep the two next days until the axe is delivered?

Sometimes I feel like a 38 years old kid 

[Bernie9]

Sometimes I feel like a 38 years old kid 

Physical impairments aside, I think you as old as you think.  I am happy for your joy.
Bernie

[Edward Brock]

ALEx, if you're only 38 you ARE a kid. 
But that's ok, we're all kids of some sort. 
Sleep tight. It should be here soon.

[AlEx]

Thanks Bernie and Edward!

I took a day off tomorrow, so once housekeeping is done, the neighbors will listen to lots of harp playing. Somehow, they too are learning scales  .

[SlideMeister]

Heck, I have a pair of shoes that are 38 years old!

[AlEx]

Those shoes are almost brand new, then  !

I received my Saxony today, and it's a wonderful instrument! I was thinking it would not be much different from my DLS but it actually is.

First, I love the weigh of the harp, I think it suits me better. Then the glide: the mouthpiece is really great. The harp is airtight and very very VERY responsive. And then, the sound: i LOVE it. It is is indeed not as mellow as the DLS, and it has its own character which makes it very expressive.

I'm really impressed and can't wait to get back playing (yeah, my beginner lips need some rest now  ).

[Danny G]

Happy New Harmonica

[SlideMeister]

I'm happy for you! Enjoy the ride!

[Keith]

Well, the inevitable has just happened again - HAS returned & bit me.

So I'll be joining the club with my (just ordered) orchestra tuned Saxony.

This will be my first aluminium combed chromatic, so now I'm looking forward to see how much different it plays compared to my Deluxe Steel (also orchestra tuned).

[frankyb]

Enjoy it! 

[wolfman]

  Let us know how you like it Keith.

   Roman

[Keith]

Just arrived, let it warm up a bit, checked all reeds working OK, & it sounds really nice.
A little bit heavier than my Deluxe Steel, but not as heavy as my SCX-56, somewhere in between the two.
Slide feels easy, maybe a little bit easier than the DLS, but not much in it.
Tone wise, on first impression, a little mellower, perhaps.

Need to have a play on it over the weekend to get a proper feel for it, but I think I like it.

Edit: First impression was somewhat off regarding the weight - DLS=7oz / SCX56=9.5oz / Saxony=9.75oz approx (using cheap scales).

(Also noticed the cover plates are more open than the DLS.)