THE BEST HARMONICA FOR BLUES? 

Will Wilde makes a £3.50 harp sound like a £100 one, whereas I can do it the other way round!

You can play a Zippo lighter and it will sound awesome. You are simply a master.

His comments on being at a certain level of proficiency to feel/understand the benefits of customized harps are spot on. My very good buddy is a top shelf customizer (does Rod Piazza's, Harman rip, Billy Watson, Johnny Mastro, Tom Richmond,etc), so I get all my customized harps very cheap and can afford to experiment with any harp I want. I even have a customized Low F Thunderbird with a Zajak comb. I don't care what comb the harp has, I'll play it if it's in tune. Once you get a customized harp, it'll last longer, play better, and stay in tune longer BUT once you're at that level to understand it. A tuned harp drawing 3-7, 4-8, 5-9, or 6-10 octaves will flutter with precision. And that makes me wanna play. Happy Harpin!

Will Wilde - your harp skills are astonishing, inspirational,and second to none in my honest opinion. You’re fucking legendary!

The best harmonica for blues, is the brand/model that you can carry with you at all times, and one that you’ll be compelled to practice on the days you don’t really feel like it. For me, it’s these: Cheap: Fender deluxe (w/reed gapping) Easttop 008k Kongsheng amazing 20 Better: Special 20, LO, blues steel Best: Rocket, Seydel 1847(favorite), Crossover After many attempts at finding the perfect harp, I’ve realized… The secret isn’t the harmonica, it’s the person holding it! Also, learning to adjust reed gaps and flattening the reed plate is huge. With a little bit of know how, anyone can make a cheap Easttop play like a much more expensive Hohner.

Very good comparisons - simply one of the best - Thx

So cool to see you perform twice at the SPAH conference in St. Louis, Will. Wow! You inspire me 🙏🎵

The wood comb has a more mellow and warm tone compared to the rest plastic one.

I remember getting my first Special 20 and Marine Band after playing and learning on the $8.00 Fender harp I got with Musician’s Friend rewards. I love that with harmonica playing your technique and musicality really shine over your equipment to a huge degree.

Great video. Thank you. The best harp is the one you play. The one you enjoy playing.

Thank you for this video. It says a lot about an endorsed artist and the company they endorse when they acknowledge that others may also make a good product - thanks for being genuine!

Thank you Sir.... Great info for harp player's ✌🏾

I finally got a Lee Oskar and my playing is instantly better than on my Hohners or Suzukis, which inspires me to try for the same sound from them. Really impressed with the Fender Blues Deluxe. For a third the price, they seem like a pretty great way for a beginner to collect all keys. Most at that price are only in C.

The first time I recognized you, was in that incredible "Free Bird Solo" video and I thought, you were an american. But then, I heared you talking and I was surprised, that you are an english guy :) I like that so much! Keep up the good work mate :)

im really liking the golden melody comfy and responsive

You know that this is nothing new to me, but it's always good to hear you playing. Thanks, Will!😎

Thank you Will for this very informative harmonica video! I will check out your tutorials on how to play that harp!

Thanks for the video dude!

Thanks Will for this video; its very informative. This year I switch from Hohner to Seydel, the main reason was because Hohner reeds tend to break even though playing soft and taking care of them. So in the long run it can become a money issue is you are learning to play harmonica seriously. When started to play Seydel it to me a while to getting use too them. Now I prefer Seydel over Hohner; I feel that the tone is better, no raspy sounds, clearer notes (sound more defined). And like you said they don’t get out of tune. And the reeds don’t break. I feel with Seydel ratio price vs quality of the instrument is fair; not the same with Hohnner. Once again thank you for this video a liked it a lot!!

I've been playing the harmonica since l was 7yo (now 70yo.) and l wholeheartedly agree with you 100%. I'm one of your 'many subscribers' and l greatly admire your harmonica playing. I think you're fantastic. I love your style of playing and listening to your channel l have learnt so much from you, which has made me a much better player, thank you. Watching from Australia. 😊👍👍

Great video, Will! You really do tell it like it is, without any of the bullshit and spin you hear from so many pro players. :)

Really enjoyed this. Thank you

This is a great video! Thanks Will!!

Great video. Very helpful, thanks Will 🎶

Thanks for all this info, I’m new to this and love watching your material my brother. Thanks 💪🏾

Great video. Thank you!

very interesting comparison. But if you want a harmonica specially designed for overblows, I can only recommend the Arkia harmonicas...

I use Hohner rockets and rocket lows. Pricey but once you try them there’s no going back.

Nice one Will good info straight from the hip.

great comparison; Thank you Will !

Thank you, very very interesting!!

Fantastic. Playing two side by side you can really hear the difference which you point out.

I've just started playing an 1847 classic after playing Hohner harps exclusively for the past 30 years. I love both but I'm slightly preferring the Seydel now :)

Great video, as usual, Will! You could wrap a piece of paper over a comb & make it sound original! Always looking forward to the next video! Hope you & your family have a blessed time over the holiday season! 🥂

best blues harp player. so good to listen to your playing!

My takeaway from this video - if I want to play badass blues, I gotta be Will Wilde 😄

I play a range of hohners. Special 20's, blues harps, and marine bands. Got every key with some of the flats. I like hohners. They sound good and are readily available in the US music stores. The point is you need all of them to be effective as a harmonica player. Not just a "g" or "c"... Especially when playing cross harp style

I’ve only been playing since August, and the first heart I picked up was the special 20. Being a beginner this one seems to do me really well. But, you’ve got me curious about the Zeidel now!🐠🦯 15:24

Thank you. I purchase many harps from many brands for comparison...just because. But I haven't gotten around to customs. Your comparison was very informative.

Thanks Will. It's nice to hear your every presentation

I bought my first hohner blues harp harmonica because Blues harp was written on it.😂

I realize there are other harps you couldn't get to but was surprised no Marine Band. Anyway, one probably not too many people know about are Yonbergs, made in France. They are totally unique in design, look and sound great though I have had some out of the box that weren't as responsive as I like. I'd still like to try your Wilde tuned harps. And maybe Brendon Power's tunings.

I have C keys for Hohner Marine Band, Special 20, Blues Harp, Golden Melody, Crossover, and East Top. My favored harps though are Lee Oskars, and I have a range of keys for them.

i enjoy your music . my dad listened to Charlie Musselwhite a lot when i was young ,he could play along really well and you remind me a lot of that sound . thank you for sharing .

awsum brother thanksss

I just ordered the seydel 1847 silver in low C ! Been years since I played the mouth harp but since I’m retired now I can spend more time doin blues !

Спасибо за это видео. Ты подтвердил мои взгляды.

Thank you for that great program. Glad I found it. Thank you for your work. 😁

One of the most radically different feeling harps are the Hohner Golden Melody and the Seydel 1847, but those are the 2 harps in my setup. I like that they are so different in their feel. The GM’s are really good for gentler playing. The Seydels have a bigger low end and are great for harder playing. . .but, not too hard - on any harp, unless ya wanna keep replacing reed plates.

For my playing style, (a lot of first position and at a 45 degree angle), the Kongsheng Mars1 and Mars2 are my choice. ...round holes that sit deeper into your mouth, so smooth your hands roll across it. My top notes don't sound so shrill... The Mars1 plastic comb gives your the sense of playing a guitar with nylon strings, while the Mars2 gives you a nice brass peal with its chambered aluminum comb. To me, breath control is important and these allow me the most. Most ship requiring no modifications, but of course knowing how to easily gap a 3, or 2, or lowering a blow 3, gives me an amazing airtight instrument that's a joy to play.

Got one of your rock tuned Seydels.. I need to collect a set, love the tuning

Very helpfull thks

Thanks, quite helpful. Always been a Hohner player and when I decided to give Seydel a try, I have made the mistake apparently of going with the Session Steel, which was not responsive enough, even on a D harp.

Good info

hey there bro nice to find your channel yesterday:) i started playing around on a $3 harp from a cheap shop had it for years and worn out the reeds lol but i started copying techno songs and violin awesome fun. Thanks for your time :)

I purchased the honer special 20 in C about 2 years ago. I really need to pick it up again. I arrived here via your free bird video. Jaw dropping. It’s given me the impetus to dust off the honer. 👍👍👍

Great info 👍

Will: As a total novice to harmonica, but someone who owns both Seydel (1847 & Lightning) and Hohner Rocket Amps, I can tell you that the Rocket Amp is much easier for me to bend notes on than the Seydel. The Seydels make very clear, precise notes, as does the Rocket Amp, but those steel reeds are really hard to bend when you are just learning. When I got the Rocket Amp, I was able to bend notes within five minutes of taking them out of the box. Which do I prefer? Both! And one day I want to get some of your Wilde Tuned Seydels when I get better at playing. Great video! Cheers.

Great playin' :)

Great video Will

Thanks Will, never played a Seydel harp before, but if I buy another harp, I might try one. Anyway, I think you would make a plastic party favor harp sound good. Like you said, some harps might be set up better than others, but in the end, it's the guy or gal playing it that really makes the difference.

7:54 - hahahaha... yes indeed. My first harp was Hohner Blues Harp in Bb. And I bought it because it said "Blues Harp" on it. LOOL Excellent harmonica... I still have it ~15 years later. I don't play it much anymore but it still sounds great when I do pick it up.

Great video Sir! LMHO You do tricks as well... the "Harmonica Finger Twirl" @ 4:09 & 4:19😀😀

Will, no Lee Oscars? No Marine band? You are a master no question. But personally I find the greatest difference is the comb material. Wood is always leaky, plastic good except on the cheapest harps and I own a Suzuki with an aluminum comb. Excellent. Any Lee Oscar plus Special 20s too, but the 20's reeds blow more easily. Thanks for your inspirational work.

Good video .salutes from Colombia

I play East top 008 and love it

Very professionnel very humble no fake. Your a real model Will. I would like you to say something about toots theilemans. Tanks

Great vid. Thanks

Hey Will - great vid!

Great coverage of an age old debate. I love the pros/cons and demonstration. The arguments seem to stem from playing style. I don't expect a player like Mark Hummel to have a use for puckering. I do feel like lacking some degree of blocking skills is a matter of "missing out", like not having bends or overblows... This is another excellent WW video. It's nice to hear the simple approach of keeping learning fun! Are we cheating by having this type of expert instruction at our finger tips?

What is amazing how those old time blues guys got along without $150.00 harps in every key and five grand Senheiser mikes. Maybe the velvet lined titanium cases did the trick. or the roadies who did all the heavy toting.

You are absolutely right, you get what you pay for. When I brought my first set of cheap harmonicas, I developed a bad habit of playing too hard, so when I brought my first Hohner special 20 I blew it across the room, but right now I'm really enjoying Wilde tuned seydel, thank you for sharing.

So, everything comes good for blues, in special the Seydel 1847 Classic 👍

In a nutshell, they're all the same but different. Nice video. I perhaps think people thinking about starting (e.g. me) are trying to figure out what would be best before stumping up some cash when they won't really know until they dive in what is going to work for them.

Very informative

Things come full circle .I remember the $5 , made in Germany, chrome & wood ,Hohner "Blues Harps". My reenrty into music , and sanity, came by way of a $ 5 children's (junk)model , plastic Hohner in C .Now, have found an affordable sub , a Fender in G , for 12.00.

Whin I first started around 15 years ago or may I a bit less I bough a Suzuki ‘pure breath’ MR550 I think it was called. Rosewood comb and plates. Described as a ‘warm and breathy sound’. But it sounded really bright to me. A lovely tactile thing though.

I came here from watching him solo Freebird, and never in a million years would I have guessed he'd have a soft English voice. 😲 I just automatically figured he would sound distinctively Southern American with a deeper gruff voice.

Thanks…informative for a beginner like me.

I was laughing about the beginners buying a Hohner blues harp because it has “blues” in the name comment lol! I’m one of the guilty ones sad to say. I couldn’t play Mary had a little lamb but thought the blues harp purchase would automatically make me sound like Big Mama! 🤣. Too funny! I about died when Will made that comment because that was exactly me. Oh well! What did I know? Haha!!

I recently saw the SPAH duet with Jason. Love Jason. But I don’t think there is a better blues rock player than Will Wilde.

Wanderfully nearly scientific test as is your experilent in this kind of comparison! THANKS A LOT, Respect to you, Master!

Best harp comparison I’ve seen so far….I wish it included a Dm harp for the tone comparison….I love your videos and music, you are really an impressive player….thanks for sharing….

You are an alien, man! Thanks for sharing!

I found it really helpful.

For playability, quality and price (value), the Kongsheng harmonicas (Aliexpress) for around 25 quid aren't too bad.

In my opinion, special 20s are the best Bang for the buck.

Thanks Will I am now spoiled. I got your Wilde tuned harp last Friday… I can no longer play any harp other then that seydel ya sent me (I own many harps never a seydel). Your tuning is so much fun and useful. The seydel is ridiculous. Totally buying another few after the holidays.

thanks a lot !

Cool Will. ThankYou. Very impressive how You blow fine blues though a 3 pound harp😀

I played Lee Oskar for 30 plus years now, but have a bunch of Easttop and Kongsheng harps. Lots of options now.

Been in love with Crossover for a couple of months but so $$

I always appreciate your videos. For me, i was disappointed with the sydel. Bought a D and Bb. I guess my expectations were to high thinking at a 100+dollar price point its got to be better that a hohner blues harp...or maybe i need to practice more😂 cheers

As a noob player I can say that not being able to play on $50 harmonicas is much more pleasant than on $3! I have anniversary marine band C and rocket low F, can make basic chords, clean notes, a couple leaks and some bends, and on my babies these stuff still sound cool even it’s not something advance, so it motivates to keep training

Good job on this review Will! You should do another for equal temperment tuned harps.

I have watched you for awhile now. I can't find one I like something just isn't right. I would love to have your shit, haha. More importantly meet you. Love what you do hommie! Keep it going!

I moved to the Special 20 because they are pretty cheap and the plastic comb means I don't have to worry about the wood and the nails in the standard Hohner MB are a pain. But recently I got a Hohner Crossover and quickly noticed how responsive the reeds are, particularly up the top. The reeds also have a kind of pleasant ring.

Thanks Will. Learned a lot here. Actually the leaky Chinese starter didn’t sound that bad.

You rock

I like Lee Oscars the best, but I didn't know there was so many different brands available. Thanks for the info.