boris_plotnikov
755 posts
Aug 18, 2012
12:18 PM
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I was very sceptical about big six. I always thought that Big Six is nothing more than a souvenier and demo for stainless steel reeds. I first get myself Big6 folk in C. It was nothing more than fun, actually it feels closer to middle octave of LowC,
But after seydel started to produce Big Six in keys other than C I got interested in Big Six in F.
Actually Big Six have slot lengths from 3 to 8 of regular 10 hole seydel diatonic. That means that reed have to be softer for the same pitch. Actually Big6 in F feels like regular Bb, Big6 in D feels like a regular G, big six in C feels like Low F, big six in Bb feels like low Eb, big six in A feels like lowD, big six in G feels like low C. Actually I don’t really like even C as it’s not as articulated as regular C, while Big6 in F is really special harmonica, much better than regular 1847/session steel in F which is stiff for my taste.
I really gets interested in Big sixes in high G, Eb, E, HighA and possible higher.
BTW now it’s possible to order Big Six Config so big sixes blues richter tuned are available up to high C (have to feel like a regular F), while folk tuning (richter holes 4-9 octave down) is available up High Eb.
http://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel1847.admin/secb6ca944825/?ViewAction=View&ObjectID=15575&Page=5
BTW big six config can be fun in some tunings like augmented, wholetone or double richter.
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Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
Last Edited by on Aug 19, 2012 2:38 AM
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Joe_L
1987 posts
Aug 18, 2012
12:54 PM
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They just felt like normal harmonicas to me just shorter. They are sort easy to cup with a microphone. It feels like i could suck the reeds out of it.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
Last Edited by on Aug 18, 2012 12:56 PM
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Martin
122 posts
Aug 18, 2012
1:14 PM
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Is this a recommendation to get Big Six harmonicas? They look funny, I admit, but really, you pay more to get less of a harmonica?
That means they have to seriously good on those existing six holes -- unless one is of that bluesharper ilk who never goes beyond hole six. (Generally because they can´t handle the upper octave.) Which to me would be a bit like never playing the high E string on the guitar.
Or am I wrong?
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CarlA
101 posts
Aug 18, 2012
1:38 PM
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It would be easier(and cheaper) to throw a chop saw on a regular harp between hole 6&7!
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AirMojo
296 posts
Aug 18, 2012
2:31 PM
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I have a classic Big Six (blues model) in C, and its a great little harp... I would like to have one in the key of A and Bb, but why do they have to be so much more expensive than the classic wood-combed C ?
Seydel cannot be selling too many of the "newer" models.
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jim
1283 posts
Aug 18, 2012
3:22 PM
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They have way fewer people working at the factory, that's why.
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Free Harp Learning Center
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boris_plotnikov
756 posts
Aug 18, 2012
3:47 PM
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Martin
To be honest I think that Big6 in C and lower is not really interesting as they have narrow range and too soft responce for my taste. For me it's for fun only. While big6 in high keys is really good and I really recommend them over regular harmonicas. Actually high notes on F harmonica is too high and I don't really miss them.
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Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
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boris_plotnikov
872 posts
Sep 18, 2013
1:12 AM
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Recently I was borrowed to play with a chamber orchestra. And we decide to play Bach "Air On A G String". It's in D. At first sight I thought I will play it on a chromatic, but I also can play it on diatonic in 1st position, using precise bending on the 3rd hole and 5 and 6 holes overblow. Unfortunately it was really easy in A, Bb, B or C, while I had to play it in the original key (D). So for regular D diatonic it was PITA, because of too stiff reeds. Every time I had some fail: off pitch bend and/or undercontroled overblow. So I get myself Big Six in D and the tune become very easy! Video/audio will come soon.
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Excuse my bad English.
My videos.
Last Edited by boris_plotnikov on Sep 18, 2013 2:34 AM
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boris_plotnikov
874 posts
Sep 18, 2013
1:16 AM
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And my friend and coleague presented to me Big Six harmonica in HighC! Just for fun.
Sorry it's in Russian, but you can check the sound!
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Excuse my bad English.
My videos.
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easyreeder
397 posts
Sep 18, 2013
5:29 AM
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Boris, thanks for that. I've been talking myself out of the Big Six for a couple of years because, though I wanted one as a pocket harp, I didn't really need one. You've changed my mind, I'm going to give it a try.
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