Seydel 1847 - Easy Third
The Easy Third tuning is the go-to choice for Irish music
The Easy Third tuning fills in the missing notes in the lower octave, giving you access to most of the notes which aren’t possible on standard Richter or Paddy Richter tuning. With the Easy Third tuning, you can play octaves between hole 2–5 and 3–6 draw — which is a huge advantage. Another great feature is the beautiful minor chord available on the entire draw side — thanks to hole 1, 2, and 3 draw now matching holes 4, 5, and 6 draw. The only difference from standard Richter tuning is in holes 2 and 3 draw, which are tuned to match hole 5 and 6 draw. That means the lower octave mirrors the middle octave, so anything you can play in the middle, you can now play down low too.
Tuning layout with retuned notes highlighted in red
Blow | C | E | G | C | E | G | C | E | G | C |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Draw | D | F | A | D | F | A | B | D | F | A |
"Seydel is the only brand in the world that offers this tuning. You can order directly from them by clicking HERE, choose a quality controlled version from my webshop or go for a fully customized one"
"For melodic and rhythmic playing, the Easy Third tuning is my go-to choice! It fills in the crucial missing notes of standard Richter tuning while expanding the available octave and chord range—making it incredibly versatile for a wide variety of musical styles.
This simple alteration makes it possible to play melodic lines without relying on bends—it really makes life easier when playing Irish trad, and many other styles too, from folk to blues, and beyond, it adapts seamlessly.
The only note still missing is the major seventh, which, in many styles—especially Irish music—is either a passing note or not needed at all. For me, that’s a small trade-off for the overall gain.
I personally use the Easy Third tuning for about 90% of my harmonica playing."
1847 Easy Third QC
This is the quality-controlled Seydel 1847 Easy Third model. Harmonicas are mass-produced instruments, and due to limited time in factory production, they often leave the line with poorly gapped reeds, inconsistent tuning, and other issues that will affect playability.
Each of these harmonicas has been carefully checked and adjusted to correct the most common factory flaws. The result is an instrument that performs to the level we believe any stock harmonica should which makes it more enjoyable to play.
Please note: these are not custom harmonicas and shouldn't be compared to the fully customized models further down the page. If you're looking for greater response, better bends, overblows, improved volume, and refined tuning, take a look at the custom options below.
- 1847 Keys of D, C, Bb, A, G, LF & LD
- Custom keys on request
- Walnut comb
- Tuned to Equal Temperament
- Quality controlled by J.A. Harmonicas
- 1847 Easy Third closed cover plates
- Water resistant wood comb
Price
1847 Classic 1300:- Swedish Kronor
Price
1847 Classic 2400:- Swedish Kronor
1847 Easy Third Basic
The Basic J.A. Custom Seydel 1847 Easy Third model is a great introduction to our custom harmonica lineup. Each one is individually numbered and carefully set up for improved performance over the stock version. This level includes our Basic reed work—a solid upgrade from factory setup, though not as refined as our higher-tier models.
You’ll get better response, smoother bends, and noticeably improved tuning compared to stock. The playability across the range is more balanced. Optional custom performance combs are available (+450 SEK) for added response and volume, though the stock 1847 combs are already excellent—especially compared to other models like Marine Band.
- Flat-sanded draw reed plate and comb for better airtightness
-
Reed curvature and gapping according to Basic specifications
-
Well-tuned to your choice of temperament (included at no extra cost)
- 1847 Easy Third closed cover plates
- Water resistant wood comb
- Available in D, C, Bb, A, G, LF & LD
- Custom keys on request
- Better bends than stock
- More volume than stock
- Well tuned
1847 Easy Third Advanced
The Advanced model takes everything from the Basic version and adds further refinements for serious players. You can now achieve stable overblows on holes 4, 5, 6, and 7. Bends play smoother, and the harmonica delivers a wider dynamic range.
Don’t be put off by the word "overblows"—it’s a common myth that overblow-capable harmonicas are fragile or can't handle aggressive playing. That’s not true here. These are built to be both expressive and durable.
Custom combs are available (+450 SEK), though again, the stock comb is already excellent on these models. If you’re stepping up from the Basic version, you’ll immediately notice greater control, volume, and flexibility.
- Very well-tuned to your choice of temperament (included at no extra cost)
- 1847 Easy Third closed cover plates
- Water resistant wood comb
- Available in D, C, Bb, A, G, LF & LD
- Custom keys on request
- Effortless bends
- Huge volume
- Slightly embossed reed slots
- More detailed reed curvature and gapping compared to basic
Price
1847 Easy Third 2900:- Swedish Kronor
Price
1847 Easy Third 4100:- Swedish Kronor
1847 Easy Third Master
The Master model is our most popular choice—and for good reason. It includes everything in the Basic and Advanced versions, plus deeper customization and performance enhancements across the board.
This model offers incredible volume and a wide expressive range. You can play whisper-quiet or push it to impressive power without losing control. Custom combs are optional, and while they do enhance performance, the stock comb already holds up remarkably well.
- 1847 Easy Third closed cover plates
- Water resistant wood comb
- Available in D, C, Bb, A, G, LF & LD
- Custom keys on request
- Smooth, effortless bends
- Tremendous volume
- Fully embossed reed slots
- Re-profiled & polished reeds for longer life and better response
- Perfect reed curvature
- Tuned to perfection
1847 Easy Third Top of the line
This is the pinnacle of what we offer for the Seydel 1847 Easy Third. Every detail is addressed with precision and care, making this one of the finest custom diatonics available. Every single reed is removed and the reed plates are modified to extend reed life and increase the dynamic range. Holes are drilled and machine tapped for stainless steel reed screws, and all surfaces are flat-sanded to ensure maximum airtightness and precise fit. Each reed is carefully re-profiled, polished, and reattached using stainless steel screws for durability and optimal performance. The finest possible reed curvature is applied to give the best response, and the harmonica is then tuned to exacting standards for superb intonation. Finally, the reed plates undergo a treatment that prolongs reed life and helps maintain tuning stability over time. The harmonica is fitted with a custom-made performance comb that further enhances response and projection. The result is an instrument capable of whisper-light bends, perfect overblows and overdraws, incredible dynamic range, and exceptional volume—all while maintaining tuning stability over time. This is a true top-tier harmonica, built for players who demand the absolute best.
- 1847 Easy Third closed cover plates
- Water resistant wood comb
- Available in D, C, Bb, A, G, LF & LD
- Custom keys on request
- Whisper smooth bends
- Incredible volume
- Fully embossed
- Polished & Re-profiled reeds
- Reeds attached with screws
- Tuned to perfection
Price
1847 Easy Third 5800:- Swedish Kronor