New Seydel Nonslider Chromatic Harmonica

[robertpcoble]

Oh, the wicked thoughts whizzing through my head!

The only thing I've ever disliked about my Seydel Chromatic Deluxe (with Spiral tuning starting on note G3 as a special order) are the sticky windsavers. Every time I think about playing it instead of my diabolics, it usually takes less than about 5 minutes for a windsaver to stick, and then I'm cursing it under my breath as I put it back in the box to try another day.

BUT, if the comb and reedplates are the same between the Chromatic Deluxe and the NonSlider, then I can have my cake AND eat it too! Swapping the Spiral Tuned reedplates into the NonSlider (if it works) is SERENDIPITY!

Here's the note layout for my Seydel Chromatic Deluxe with Spiral Tuning:

UPPER
1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9---10--11--12
G3--B3--D4--F4--A4--C5--E5--G5--B5--D6--F6--A6
A3--C4--E4--G4--B4--D5--F5--A5--C6--E6--G6--B6

LOWER
1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9---10--11--12
G#3-B#3-D#4-F#4-A#4-C#5-E#5-G#5-B#5-D#6-F#6-A#6
A#3-C#4-E#4-G#4-B#4-D#5-F#5-A#5-C#6-E#6-G#6-B#6

BTW, I AM aware that B# == C and E# == F (enharmonic notes).

You get triad chords on every scale degree!

You get a longer range of notes (G3-B#6 [C7]).

Best of all, you can get rid of the windsavers and the slide!!!

I can hardly wait to try this out!! (Unfortunately, there is the issue of timing it so I have plenty of spare time and the spousal unit is out of the house; she's not a big fan of my harmonica tinkering because of the time it takes.)

Crazy (ain't it OBVIOUS?!?) Bob

[robertpcoble]

First impression: The NonSlider Chromatic is at least as, or more airtight, than the standard Seydel Chromatic Deluxe. I'd say about the same as my Seydel diabolics. The volume seems to be comparable between the two models.

Crazy Bob

[frankyb]

First impression: The NonSlider Chromatic is at least as, or more airtight, than the standard Seydel Chromatic Deluxe. I'd say about the same as my Seydel diabolics. The volume seems to be comparable between the two models.

Crazy Bob

Thanks Bob.  More good news!

[Otter]

I'll be curious to see if anyone manages to play double stops across the rows - it seems like it would be tricky to do, but would open up some new possibilities.

[streetlegal]

The more I hear about this harmonica the more I'd like to try one out. I suppose that the sharp slide/flat slide thing might become a non-issue with this mouthpiece - because it doesn't really matter whether the mouthpiece is tilted up or down - but mentally I think I'd be happier with for example C scale on top and B scale on the bottom - or maybe this is the time to think more about trying another altered tuning - like augmented - and  approach it as an entirely separate instrument to slide chromatic.

[Corinto]

Thanks for your comments "Crazy" Bob!
Mine will be here in october, birthday present, ... I hope so, 

[robertpcoble]

So Grandma took our granddaughter to VBS this evening, and I was "hands free" to take the NonSlider apart and look at the guts.

I took off the covers (two screws and two barrel nuts). I removed all of the screws holding the reedplates together (5 long screws along one edge, two screws in the middle for the bumpers for the covers, one long screw threaded into one reedplate on one end, and two very short screws [one from each side] on the other end. I then removed the mouthpiece (two screws, one on each end). On the mouthpiece side, the reedplates are slightly beveled so that the long edge of the mouthpiece fits over the long edge of the reedplates. My assumption is that this provides the airtightness between the mouthpiece and the comb/reedplates (and it IS airtight). When I reversed the reedplates (swapping top for bottom), I found that the beveled edge was important: the other side of the reedplates is not beveled, preventing the mouthpiece from fitting outside and thus sealing the comb/reedplates.

It appears the reedplates are identical length and width to the standard Deluxe reedplates. Since I haven't taken my Deluxe apart, I'm assuming the reedplates are interchangeable (regarding the various holes for fastening the reedplates together as well). There is a  rubber bumper (held in place with a screw) to hold the covers up on the NonSlider; on the Deluxe, little pins are used instead.

The covers on the NonSlider have a slightly different curve near the end where it bends down, and appear to be slightly higher in the center than the Deluxe. Other than that, they are probably interchangeable, although the NonSlider covers seem to be more oriented toward the diatonic covers than the Deluxe covers.

So, the idea of swapping the reedplates to change the tilt direction for sharps/flats appears to be - not possible, unless I missed something and didn't put the reedplates in the correct position (which is likely).

For now, I'm just going to try to learn how to play it as a solo tuned instrument.

How hard could it be?!? (I'M KIDDING!!)

Crazy Bob

 

[frankyb]

Thanks Crazy Bob.  Very interesting.  If I decide I want Orchestra tuning I will have to wait until (hopefully) it is offered by Seydel.  Also, glad to hear more confirmation that it is airtight. It is very hard, waiting for mine.

[brorat]

Hey Bob.  Can you post some pics?  Thanks!

[SlideMeister]

And a sound file?

[Keith]

On the mouthpiece side, the reedplates are slightly beveled so that the long edge of the mouthpiece fits over the long edge of the reedplates. My assumption is that this provides the airtightness between the mouthpiece and the comb/reedplates (and it IS airtight).

That's an interesting feature, & as you say, is likely why it's so airtight, (same principle as 'olives' in plumbing).



For those that may not know what I'm talking about.

Plumbing olive
Olives, also known as ferrules, are used in compression fittings to help create a water tight seal. They sit on the pipe in between the compression nut and the main fitting body. ... The olive remains inside and as the nut is tightened it grips the pipe to create a water tight seal.

Itching to get my hands on mine! 

[robertpcoble]

Sorry, guys, but I don't have the means to do decent pics or sound. My laptop has a built-in camera but it sucks. I only use it to take pictures of crochet amigurumi (stuffed animals) that I make for my granddaughters - just so I have a reminder of the things I've already made. About the only thing that can be seen in the pics is what kind of animal it is overall. It's lousy for details. I have no idea if the thing will record, or how to do it.

I used to be a computer nerd - it's been over 17 years since I fought in the computer programming wars. I gave it all up when I retired and steadfastly refuse to get back into it. Too much information to have to keep uptodate on, and I have too many other things that absorb my attention - like PLAYING music.

Sorry,
Crazy Bob

[brorat]

Hey Bob.  Does your phone have a camera?

[robertpcoble]

I have a flip phone, not a smart phone. It has a camera but again the pics it makes are too small to make out any details. I'm not a Luddite, but I don't try anymore to keep up with the latest and greatest technology.

Sorry,
Crazy Bob

[brorat]

I have a flip phone, not a smart phone. It has a camera but again the pics it makes are too small to make out any details. I'm not a Luddite, but I don't try anymore to keep up with the latest and greatest technology.

Sorry,
Crazy Bob

  Understood!  One of my sisters still loves her flip phone!!

[Rechmbrs]

Seems like the mouthpiece might be changed to even further enhance this.  See photochopped version below.  Present mouthpiece and modified mockup on bottom.  I moved the holes by half a hole (tone) to the right.

RONC

[Grizzly]

That's exactly how the Tombo S 50 is laid out (except for the "sharps" being on top)! It does increase the distance the lips have to travel, being diagonal, but something the mouth can accommodate. I like it because of the horizontal progression/regression patterns.

Too much retooling, though, for Seydel.

Tom

Actually, progressing verically from top to bottom of the original, then to the next hole in the top row, requires diagonal motion anyway. No big whoop. And, it's even more distance!

T

[frankyb]

Never got use to the mouthpiece on my Tombo S50.  It is very rough and the holes are small.  Maybe the need to move up/down and diagonally was a problem too. For me, I think the Seydel approach will work better.

[Grizzly]

Aha! Not like a Tombo S 50. There is only one reed per chamber. Does that make the enharmonics more accessible? By puckering to cover two holes, it plays more like a slide chromatic. I admit not having a Seydel to compare to. Might it just as easy?

Tom

[frankyb]

YES!!!  Got a notice today that my Nonslider is on its way!


Crazy Bob, do you know how long it took to get to you after it was actually shipped?

[robertpcoble]

AFAIK, I got the shipping notice when it left the factory in Germany. Two weeks after that, it arrived. You can contact Rupert Oysler via the Seydel web site; he might be able to give you a more definitive answer. I'm assuming that Seydel ships to Rupert, who then ships out to US customers.

Crazy Bob

[frankyb]

AFAIK, I got the shipping notice when it left the factory in Germany. Two weeks after that, it arrived. You can contact Rupert Oysler via the Seydel web site; he might be able to give you a more definitive answer. I'm assuming that Seydel ships to Rupert, who then ships out to US customers.

Crazy Bob

Thanks.

[Keith]

Received notification that my Seydel Nonslider has arrived in the Country, money sent, should have it within 2~3 days....

(Mine was ordered on the 21st June.)

[Gnarly He Man]

Can't wait to hear Flight of the Bumblebee (or Hora Staccato)!

[Doug]

Can't wait to hear Flight of the Bumblebee (or Hora Staccato)!

Now that made me laugh! More than hearing it, I want to see someone play Flight of the Bumblebee on the nonslider.

[robertpcoble]

My speed playing ambition ran out with Orange Blossom Special!

Crazy Bob

[Keith]

My Nonslider has turned up - on first acquaintance the blow notes in the first hole were dead, so I've had to adjust them from the start - might need some more adjusting, but I'll leave it for now, & try to get used to the mouthpiece.

[SlideMeister]

Yeawn!

Ha ha! Yeah, I know, I'm a rat!

[frankyb]

My Nonslider has turned up - on first acquaintance the blow notes in the first hole were dead, so I've had to adjust them from the start - might need some more adjusting, but I'll leave it for now, & try to get used to the mouthpiece.

That is too bad and not like Seydel.  Hope they are not rushing them out the door.  Looking forward to your thoughts on the Nonslider.


Frank

[Gene Oh]

My Nonslider has turned up - on first acquaintance the blow notes in the first hole were dead, so I've had to adjust them from the start - might need some more adjusting, but I'll leave it for now, & try to get used to the mouthpiece.

My opinion: It takes time to get used to anything new. The question is "how long?". I am interested in knowing if it is easy or tough to get used to the Non-slider.