Tom585
70 posts
Apr 06, 2018
3:36 PM
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I have a student who wants to learn to play chromatic harp but doesn't have a lot of money to spend. She's a college student. The only chromatics I've purchased for many years are Hohner Chromonica 270s and they seem to cost about $200 these days, too much for my student.
Can you make some recommendations of less expensive chromatics that are of good quality for a beginner?
Thanks!
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WinslowYerxa
1552 posts
Apr 06, 2018
4:34 PM
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The danger with inexpensive chromatics, just as with inexpensive diatonics, is that you go too cheap and you get junk - leaky, out of tune, etc.
Danny G at newharmonica.com has some relatively inexpensive East Top chromatics, including a private label item called the Caberet (yes, that's how it's spelled) that is closer to the $100 mark. East Top has been making low-priced, solid quality harmonicas for the last few years.
Want to spend even less? *Some* of the Swan models are OK. Others not. I've seen absolutely unfixable manufacturing flaws ins some of their chromatics - bowed comb fronts that couldn't be corrected by sanding. A good place to ask about those would be at the chromatic forum on slidemeister.com, as several of the denizens over there play Swans and know which ones to steer clear of.
Avoid anything without valves. Valveless chromatics are way too leaky, and lack the tonal focus you can get with a valved chromatic - which is part of what gives the chromatic its unique sound.
Gone are the days when you could buy a 270 for $20 and a 280 for $25, like when I first started in 1968. And decent sub-$100 chromatics are a thing of the past as well.
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Last Edited by WinslowYerxa on Apr 06, 2018 4:35 PM
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Sarge
679 posts
Apr 06, 2018
4:35 PM
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The best deal on a chromatic is the Swan 10 hole, cost is around $21.00. I have 2 of these and they play fine. They are valveless so no sticking valves and suprisingly not very leaky. Here's the link.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Swan-Chromatic-Harmonica-10-hole-40-tone-soft-bag-package/281825247334?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
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Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives alone.
Last Edited by Sarge on Apr 06, 2018 4:37 PM
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jbone
2537 posts
Apr 07, 2018
5:59 AM
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All good counsel gentlemen. I will add this. I took a like new Hering chromatic to a pawn shop in Vegas to see what it might bring. Under $20 was what I was offered. about the same for a Bob Dylan Hohner harp with special case and booklet. A pawn shop may be an option if you were willing to have one cleaned up and checked out by a good harp tech. I have a Marine Band in G I got some years ago at a flea market for like $3. A good cleanup and it's worked fine ever since.
One other thought is, Hohner Chrometta. These are relatively inexpensive and play pretty well, at least when I bought a couple 20 years ago. No idea what they cost now but surely less than a lot of other decent chros.
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shakeylee
736 posts
Apr 07, 2018
10:35 AM
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A hohner chrometta eight is presently $99 at rockin’ ron’s.
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Steve Harvell
237 posts
Apr 07, 2018
12:18 PM
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I have a "Swan" 1664 Chromatic Harmonica and I love it...had it for over a year and still plays wonderfully...plays like a much more expensive chromatic...
These are only $63 on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Sounds-Chromatic-Harmonica-W1664/dp/B00KXV4QRY/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1523128631&sr=1-2-fkmr0&keywords=swan+16+hole+chromaric+harmonica
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BnT
163 posts
Apr 08, 2018
12:08 AM
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I have two brand new Seydel Chromatic Deluxe harmonicas and would drop the price some for your friend if she's interested.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/msg/d/new-seydel-chromatic-deluxe/6554848976.html
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BnT
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AppalachiaBlues
151 posts
Apr 08, 2018
11:23 AM
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A good starter chromatic at a reasonable price is the Hohner Discovery.
I would not recommend the Chrometta.
For a little bit more money, a Suzuki SCX48 or Seydel DeLuxe are both good instruments, but these are in the USD 150-200 range, like the 270 Deluxe. I believe it is worth saving up for this class of instrument, if at all possible.
Last Edited by AppalachiaBlues on Apr 08, 2018 11:28 AM
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Tom585
71 posts
Apr 08, 2018
7:37 PM
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Thanks, all. I will talk to my student on Tuesday and offer your suggestions.
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jbone
2538 posts
Apr 08, 2018
10:14 PM
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I have 2 SCX48's and love them both.
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