HarpNinja
3648 posts
Dec 18, 2013
12:28 PM
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I am ordering one ASAP. I am down to the following:
Hohner Discovery 48
Hohner CX12
Suzuki SCX 48
Seydel Chromatic Deluxe
I want a C 12 holer with solo tuning for sure. I've heard great things about the Suzuki, but generally don't like their reed profiles on the welded reads. The Seydel isn't steel and I might go that direction when I get good enough to buy an "expensive" chrom.
I will be playing some jazz and some blues...the Discovery sounds like the good of the 270 without some of the bad, actually. I am heavily leaning that way. Thoughts?
Loud and fast would be good characteristics. If I play live, it would be with a SM58. I only have an Educator 10 that I've been woodshedding on, so ANYTHING is an improvement.
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My Website
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9000
189 posts
Dec 18, 2013
12:54 PM
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I probably can't help but I can add to the confusion. I'm waffling between a CX12 and an SCX48 in F. The band I'm playing with plays way too much in G and I want more in the arsenal for tonal variety. I really like my CX12 in C and the Suzuki seems to be the harp that folks compare to the CX12. Reviewers often suggest that it has "neutral" tone when compared to the 270 which is the benchmark for blues. Personally, I'm done with wooden combs on chromatics. I'm also toying with the idea of half-valving and I know that airtightness is important for that. The Seydel Sampler is very intriguing....must be airtight because it comes half-valved, but, alas, none of the key combos include F.
Thanks for starting the thread. I stay tuned for what others have to say!
Jay
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Music speaks where words fail.
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WinslowYerxa
459 posts
Dec 18, 2013
3:03 PM
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Here's my personal take on the models proposed:
Discovery: best profile for tongue blocking (slim wedge with no "bump" where mouthpiece meets covers). Reeds need to be raised; too tight for me (not usually true for chromatics in my experience). Tone is mellow, and for me a bit muffled (profiling might help).
CX-12: Great construction, easiest disassembly in the business. Very airtight and loud. Mouthpiece profile is big in the mouth and may take some getting used to. Slide can be a bit noisy, and valves buzz more than most other models.
Suzuki SCX-48: Airtight, very solid construction and design, and good quality control. Tone is a bit blah for me, could probably benefit from embossing to add brightness. Mouthpiece profile similar to a CX-12. Sirius or G-48 are far superior choices if you can afford them (similar construction but more interesting tone and greater subtlety of response).
Seydel Deluxe. Traditional 270-type construction but with acrylic comb and screwed-on reedplates. Square mouthpiece holes (some folks find these hard on the tongue; I'm OK with them). Some have had trouble with slide binding. If you can spring for it, the Saxony is a major upgrade and much cheaper than the corresponding Suzuki models (G-48 and Sirius).
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Winslow
Last Edited by WinslowYerxa on Dec 18, 2013 3:07 PM
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robbert
256 posts
Dec 18, 2013
3:55 PM
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I've played both the Seydel Deluxe, and the Discovery quite extensively. Although I enjoyed the Seydel Deluxe, The Discovery is a much better buy for durability and functionality that doesn't seem to quit. I would choose the Discovery over the Deluxe any day.
I can't speak to the other models.
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harpwrench
740 posts
Dec 18, 2013
4:08 PM
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I like the Discovery
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Frank
3531 posts
Dec 18, 2013
5:44 PM
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The CX12 is a wonderful instrument - (IF) you take to the design...Which I feel is excellent :)
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KC69
347 posts
Dec 18, 2013
6:21 PM
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I have the CX-12 Gold. Friend sold it to me at a great price. I'm beginning work on it, playing songs first on the key board then taking it to the Chrome. Hope that will help move me into the Harmonetta I just bought. I like the CX-12 just fine. I have a Chromatic 64 that I want to get repaired as I get more skills.
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And I Thank You !!
KCz
Backwoodz
Bluz
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Michael Rubin
843 posts
Dec 18, 2013
9:30 PM
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I'm a 270 guy. But I just bought a 16 hole Sirius. It rules.
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WinslowYerxa
461 posts
Dec 18, 2013
10:28 PM
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I totally agree that the 16-hole Sirius rules. But I take it from the original list that Mike is looking for a 12-holer in an under ~$250 price range.
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Winslow
Last Edited by WinslowYerxa on Dec 18, 2013 10:28 PM
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jbone
1450 posts
Dec 19, 2013
3:42 AM
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I have a Hering Baritono C that I like quite a lot. The lower register is nice. I also use an SCX 48 in G a lot and to me it's a very good choice.
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6SN7
404 posts
Dec 19, 2013
5:30 AM
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I bought a CX12 a few years back. Great price, harp sounded good and it was sealed tight.
More recently, I bought a Bb Seydel Deluxe w/ an acrylic comb and round holes. I saw it online at amazon and bought it as my band plays way too many songs in C and it was under 200$. I do find it hard to tongue block on it.
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Gnarly
832 posts
Dec 19, 2013
6:30 AM
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Suzuki SCX-48 has a one year warranty, that covers almost everything except abuse.
And I am the guy who takes care of those repairs.
It's a good value, and has a sweet tone.
The 16 hole is only a little more money.
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Michael Rubin
844 posts
Dec 19, 2013
7:33 AM
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Winslow, I apologize, you're right. I just felt like bragging!
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clyde
325 posts
Dec 19, 2013
8:34 AM
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michael,
your first words were "I'm a 270 guy" sounds spot on to me.
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HarpNinja
3650 posts
Dec 19, 2013
10:34 AM
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I wanted a Sirius, but ordered a CX-12 on sale for $143. I have the Discovery 48 on my X-mas list, but doubt anyone will get it for me. So, I ordered the CX-12, which will come after X-mas and will wait to open it until I know I am not getting the D48.
We'll see how it goes! I figure if I end up playing it alot, it might be nice to have a chrom that I could get in a couple more keys, I dunno.
If I get proficient, though I want a Sirius! I have a gig with a band in January where I hope to play one song on chromatic thanks to some coaching from Mr. Rubin. Even my Educator 10 is super fun to play right now!
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My Website
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Gnarly
834 posts
Dec 19, 2013
11:45 AM
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The bad news is that Hohner's warranty is only 60 days, and does not cover normal wear.
The good news is that the CX-12 is easy work on, and since you do tech work, you should have no trouble.
Enjoy!
Captcha on this post is Teq2Yu--enjoy even more!
Oops--it's Paul, not Mike--so I amend my statement; you can learn your tech skills on this unit.
Last Edited by Gnarly on Dec 19, 2013 11:46 AM
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dougharps
494 posts
Dec 19, 2013
11:50 AM
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Gary, I am pretty sure it is Mike on MBH. On Harp-L it would have been Paul, I think. This forum "handle" business can be confusing!
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Doug S.
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Gnarly
835 posts
Dec 19, 2013
2:11 PM
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Right you are!
I am Gnarly on all lists--
Just for fun, ask for Gnarly the next time you call Suzuki and see what happens!
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