MP
3593 posts
Apr 30, 2018
6:24 PM
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The CX-12 is pretty much an old hat as far as chromatic harps go. I believe it was introduced in 1992 but you'd have to ask someone like Winslow Yerxa to get an exact date.
I was given a broken black one in trade for some work I'm doing so I fixed the slide, etc. and I'm sold on this chro. This guy is a champ!! It has warmth, volume, quick response, and a tool less disassembly/assembly. I played it against my two Hohner 64/280s, a pre-war 270, and my G-48 (Gregorie Maret model)
. It is just about equal to the G-48 except that the G-48 is beautiful and may have better slide response...but not much. I recall a friend showed me his gold CX at a gig and I was put off, by what I considered at the time, it's toyish looking design. Actually it's design is possibly it's strongest point. I also suspect that since the slide assembly is internal there is less leakage involved. External slide assemblies I've encountered are famous for lots or a bit of leakage. All said. I still favor the Four octaves of my 280s, the absolute beauty and tone of my Blue and chrome G-48 but I have to say; Anyone wanting to explore the world of chros to figure out what all the fuss is about will find the CX-12 a seriously great harp and very inexpensive as far as chromatics go. 92 was a while ago so I plead no contest. As far as flaws to this harp I have to say nolle prosequi. See Yah
Reasonably priced Reed Replacement and tech support on Hand Made Series Hohner Diatonic Harmonicas.
'Making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time.
Click MP for more info. Aloha Mark
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Last Edited by MP on May 01, 2018 4:39 PM
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AppalachiaBlues
160 posts
May 01, 2018
4:39 AM
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Yes, the CX-12 is a great design, and a best-seller. I think Hohner would sell even more of them if they also offered it with a metal cover at a reasonable price.
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robbert
456 posts
May 01, 2018
6:25 AM
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I also find this to be a great harp. Never liked the design, but my taste changed over the years, and after seeing video of Bill Barrett playing, and reading lots of great reviews about the harp, decided to give it a go. I liked it well enough to get an upgrade to a Powercomb, which allows for even better response. That and an upgraded SCX 64 are in pretty steady use, with a CBH now in reserve. The CX 12 is loud, responsive, and has great tone IMO.
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MP
3594 posts
May 01, 2018
4:10 PM
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I have a CBH comming soon. It's been years since I've played one so I wonder how well that awesome Huang design held up. The slide is pretty brilliant.
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Reasonably priced Reed Replacement and tech support on Hand Made Series Hohner Diatonic Harmonicas.
'Making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time.
Click MP for more info. Aloha Mark
.
Last Edited by MP on May 01, 2018 4:11 PM
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robbert
457 posts
May 01, 2018
4:32 PM
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I love the CBH for its profile, tone, mouthpiece, and general build. It seems indestructible. The high end is not so responsive, and that issue is only addressed with sized comb chambers. However, the CBH remains a great harp, in my estimation. The technology of the SCX, considering it’s low price point, is superior, and with a Powercomb upgrade, you get a really first class chromatic, on a working man’s budget. Even without the comb upgrade, it’s a fine instrument. With that said, I still use the CBH quite often.
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MP
3595 posts
May 01, 2018
4:48 PM
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@robbert. U mention a Powercomb upgrade. Who makes the Powercomb? There are large gaps in my knowlege of after market gear upgrades. Mahalo.
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Reasonably priced Reed Replacement and tech support on Hand Made Series Hohner Diatonic Harmonicas.
'Making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time.
Click MP for more info. Aloha Mark
.
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MP
3596 posts
May 01, 2018
5:00 PM
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Oh, nevermind. Brendan Power of course and he's been at it for a while
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Reasonably priced Reed Replacement and tech support on Hand Made Series Hohner Diatonic Harmonicas.
'Making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time.
Click MP for more info. Aloha Mark
.
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robbert
458 posts
May 02, 2018
3:19 PM
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The Powercomb has sized and ramped chambers, increasing overall responsiveness, a feature you especially notice in the high end on a C chromatic, for instance. For me, that increased responsiveness makes playing the instrument all the more satisfying. It depends on genre of music and how much you play the chromatic, I guess. I play it a fair amount of melodic material on it, and like to get full use out of the high end.
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MP
3598 posts
May 02, 2018
4:51 PM
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Robbert. I too like great response on the high end. Though I love playing blues in 3rd I also like to play it as it was intended. I even wrote a tune back in 93 utilizing the slide button a lot. I bought a Super 64 back then and it played like a champ even though that model was just a 280 with full length covers. It needed christening so i spent about 3 months learning how to play my own melody. It was worth it. I'll mess with reed adjustments but if unsatisfied I'll consider a comb upgrade. I may as well since I need @ least two packs of valves to get all my chros in order. It seems as a rule the last octaves on Hohners don't have valves. Maybe there is a good reason for this. Thanks for all your info.??
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Reasonably priced Reed Replacement and tech support on Hand Made Series Hohner Diatonic Harmonicas.
'Making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time.
Click MP for more info. Aloha Mark
.
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John M G
201 posts
May 02, 2018
5:12 PM
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I've only just started playing around with chromatic seriously for the last couple of years. I bought my first CX-12 [C], my first new chromatic a couple of years ago. I've since added an F, G, Bb and a D and picked up a couple of second hand ones too. I had converted my first C harp to a D which I keep in my study, I ordered a comb and screw set and set up a quick swap over so I can convert it from a C to a D in less than a minute. I like their tone and the integrated mouthpiece is very comfortable to play with. They are available in so many keys too. I had to have a 4 octave C chromatic and got a Super 64 X on special.
I've bought reed plates and spares direct from Hohner in Germany and they are really good to deal with. Any body want to buy a really low time like new Seydel Chromatic Deluxe with the acrylic comb in the key of D
Cheers JG
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MP
3601 posts
May 03, 2018
2:45 PM
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John M G. I've tried the Super 64 X and it's a great harp. It absolutely sings. Definitetly a fav but I'm satisfied what i own already. Not big on Seydel gear. It's really well made but lacks that full sound you get from Hohners and certain Suzukis. As an aside i have a Seydel 1847 w/ its maple comb, steel reeds etc but a stock 1896 next to it outshines the Seydel flagship model in everyway but looks. Odd.
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Reasonably priced Reed Replacement and tech support on Hand Made Series Hohner Diatonic Harmonicas.
'Making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time.
Click MP for more info. Aloha Mark
.
Last Edited by MP on May 03, 2018 2:46 PM
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