shaneboylan
26 posts
May 28, 2008
4:26 PM
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I think I might've asked this before but didnt get much of a response.
Up until now I've just been playing diatonic, and soon I'm gonna buy a chromatic harp. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the best chrommies to play blue with? (I'm wavering towards the hohner super chromonica but don't know whether to buy a 12/14/16 hole harp.)
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"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window."
-Steven Wright
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bluemoose
13 posts
May 29, 2008
4:33 PM
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If you are going to play with the "big boy" do it right.
Get a 16 hole right from the start. Might be a bit of
sticker shock at the beginning, these aren't cheap, but better
to do it once then start with a 12, find out what you are
missing and then have to pony up again for a 16.
Just my opinion, wish I had listened to myself. :)
moose
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metalosaurio
10 posts
May 29, 2008
7:18 PM
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Hi, I play the chrom too. I started with a CX12 a year and a half ago, playing mainly jazz tunes, and the 12 holes seemed enough almost for any tune. Just recently I've started playing blues in the chomatic; and just then I have needed the extra holes, specially when doing octaves (George Harmonica Smith playing).
You can do tongue blocking (pull/slaps) and try to fake the octaves but if you want the real sound, you will need a 16 holer. I have a super 64x, wich I got with jazz in mind, and it turned to be great for blues and TB playing. I'm still trying to learn how to do a good octave embouchure (it takes a big bite) on the 64x, 'cause I'm just too used to the enbouchure in the CX12, besides that it's a joy to play with the 16 holes.
One thing to keep in mind if playing blues (and octaves/TB specially), it's to look for an airtight harp. You need lot of air to play those chromatic blues tunes, and a leaky harp will only make it harder. Both CX12 and 64x do just fine in that matter.
I would go for a 64x (probably the airtightest of the 64 hohner series). The Suzuki SC64 gets great reviews and I would love to play it too.
Sadly there's no CX16, and it's too bad because the CX12 it's an amazing harp.
choose well and keep enjoying those chromatic blues, some recommendations to listen would be George Smith Blue Horizon sessions and Rod Piazza's "Harpburn" album (Rod best in my taste).
regards,
Nicolas
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NG
23 posts
May 31, 2008
1:16 PM
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I just changed the nails to screws on a Chrometta 12 and although it made it less leaky I am having to file the slide down so that it fits its groove. Are there any such problems with the 64x? Is it all screw construction?
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metalosaurio
11 posts
May 31, 2008
6:31 PM
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the 64x it's all screws. probable all the 64 hohners and the suzukis are aswell. The CX12 doesn't have any screw or nail, so it's great for doing maintenance.
regards,
Nicolas
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NG
25 posts
Jun 01, 2008
8:50 AM
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Thanks.
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bluzlvr
34 posts
Jun 01, 2008
1:59 PM
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I own 2 Hohner 270 chromatics in C and G (12 hole) and a Suzuki SCX 64 (16 hole). You can still do octaves on the 12 hole and get that George Smith sound, the difference is you can't get those low notes like you hear Piazza doing sometimes. The Suzuki is a nice instrument, but I've found that it takes a LOT more air to play it than the Hohners. I would recommend the Hohner 270 to anybody looking for a chromatic. My next chromatic is going to be the Hohner 280. I just like the Hohners better.
Last Edited by on Jun 01, 2008 2:00 PM
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shaneboylan
27 posts
Jun 06, 2008
6:15 AM
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Thanks for the comments guys - I thkn I;m pretty much decided on the hohner 270 16 hole, just need to mug a few more pensioners and i should have the money for it.
One more thing - if you want to try out some jazz/classical melodic sort of stuff - is the 16 hole ok to use compared to the 12 hole models?
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"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window."
-Steven Wright
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bluzlvr
36 posts
Jun 06, 2008
1:38 PM
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Just to let you know, Shaneboylan, the Hohner 270's are 12 hole and the 280's are 16 hole...
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