Seydel 1847 Lightning Review 

Excellent craftsmanship

Absolutely great! Very exhaustive review

Gorgeous harmonica .

Sounds cool! Thanks for sharing.

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

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!!

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.

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.

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?

Try these for an expensive Harp.. Antony Dannecker

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

the heavier weight matters for me and probably older people.

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

​ @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!

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.

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

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.

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...😉

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

Soooo.... It's all chrome

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