A basic comparison of 10 of the likely TOP HARPS made today...each customized by David Kettlewell, with airtightening if needed, Sliders, and ERGO buttons.
SEYDEL SAXONY, SUZUKI FABULOUS, SUZUKI SIRIUS, SUZUKI GREGOIRE MARET SAPPHIRE, HOHNER SUPER 64, HOHNER SUPER 64X, SUZUKI SCX, KONGSHENG LYRA, EASTTOP 1664, 22 year old Hohner 270, old style black and gold Hohner Super 64x, AND PSARDO ELITE. (Note that the 3rd harp shown with straight tuning is a short throw slide Suzuki Sirius (not clear here) and that the 2nd Hohner shown with silver covers is the Super 64, I called it a Super 64x at the end of its segment.)
(I regret that I don't have a Seydel Symphony here today, as it's one of the best. Perhaps another day.)
(Airtightening involves stoning the comb top flat, then lapping the mouthpiece into the comb, and often polishing the slide. The ERGO buttons are made on a 1947 South Bend lathe, the Sliders essentially made by hand. The Kettlewell Frictionless Mouthpiece Slider provides easy, friction-free movement to new note hole positions, ends use of saliva to lubricate thus keeping harp much cleaner, and provides the player a relaxed embouchure.)
These harps are owned by collector David Deibel. I do not know if he is willing to sell any.
David's website with many videos and articles is MASTERSOFHARMONICA.COM
His book LOVE OF CHROMATIC HARMONICA...TECHNIQUES AND ADVICE FROM THE WORLD'S BEST! is available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon.
David's Facebook Groups you'll enjoy are...LOVE OF CHROMATIC HARMONICA...CHROMATIC HARMONICAS...CHROMATIC HARMONICA REPAIR...CHROMATIC HARMONICA CUSTOMIZATIONS...CHROMATIC HARMONICA REVIEWS...JAZZCATS...BEAUTIFUL MUSIC ON CHROMATIC HARMONICA...and MASTERS OF HARMONICA.
