Bushman John Lee Steelie Harmonica Includes Free USA Shipping

Bushman

  • $79.99
    Unit price per 


I love this harmonica!  It’s so special – the way it feels, the way it plays, the way it sounds – that it deserved the very best name.  I named it after 3 important men in my life – John Lee Curtis aka Sonny Boy Williamson I (March 30, 1914 – June 1, 1948) the founding father of blues harmonica, John Lee Hooker (August 22, 1917 – June 21, 2001) my favorite bluesman, and John Lee Hall, (February 25, 1944 – January 23, 2022) my father who instilled in me a never-ending love for music.

The John Lee is the first harmonica ever to feature Smoothie Cover Plates.  The brushed stainless steel covers are not painted or powder coated – they’re just completely slick, making for a super comfortable, super fast harmonica.  The hole numbers are positioned out of the lip zone to improve comfort and slickness even more.  There’s a deep finger valley in each cover plate for your index finger and thumb to lay in while holding it.  The finger valleys are not only comfortable, they keep the instrument right where you want it.  The ends of the Steelie’s polished aluminum comb are concave so the harmonica lays perfectly in the crotch between your index finger and thumb.  There’s no other harmonica anywhere that offers this many comfort features, and then you have the playability!  The easy, loud, fast, sound it produces seems magical – like it’s impossible.  I’ve never experienced a harmonica that bends so easy – draw bends, blow bends, over blows – whatever you call on it to do, it does!  The harmonica technicians who make the John Lee use an easy-bender reed gap recipe that makes those bends possible right out of the box, with no customization or adjustments necessary.  All I can say to them is, Namaste!  The John Lee Steelie features a polished aluminum comb whereas the John Lee Original which features a plastic comb.

Available in 13 keys including the 12 major keys plus Low F.

Weight 6 oz
Dimensions 5 × 2 × 1 in
Keys

A, Ab, B, Bb, C, D, Db, E, Eb, F, F#, G, Low F



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Customer Reviews

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D
David Sneade
Five Stars for the Bushman John Lee Steelie

First impression right out of the box (and its zip lock case) is how substantial it feels. It has a certain hefty weight the tells me that I’m about to play a real instrument. It the makes you aware of its design immediately — obviously, this horn is built by and for serious harmonica players. It fits in the hand not only comfortably with its thumb and finger groove but feels ready for action — shedding or performing. The brushed stainless steel cover plates give the mouthpiece a tapered look for both comfort and embouchure support. I especially like the back of plates which are open yet folded giving the potentially loud instrumental a softer tone than most totally open backed harmonicas. The square holes are beveled and finely finished and polished allowing for velocity and accuracy. The sound is exactly what I was looking for in a diatonic harp. Although the comb is aluminum it is not one to make your fillings rattle. Yes, the high end is bright but not metallic. There is an evenness to this horn from top to bottom. The same balance of attack is there from 1-10. And, most importantly, the tuning is rich and creamy. Play octaves at 1 and 4, 4 and 7, or 7 and 10 and they are true. The modern player will be happy to know that the John Lee is also made for over bending. What is so cool about it is the gaping done at the factory allowing for much cleaner and easier bends that don’t sound broken but bent. Admittedly, I was skeptical when I first heard some of the hype of this new wonder harp. Now, after years of searching for a reliable diatonic that would satisfy my needs as a performer, I am endorsing this harmonica the best way that I know how. I will be purchasing an entire set (12 keys). John Lee would be proud to see his name inscribed on these hoodoo babies. “I’m just trying to make you understand” that I like these harps. — Chet Williamson