Header Graphic
Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > My first Chromatic? Which one should I buy?
My first Chromatic? Which one should I buy?
Login  |  Register
Page: 1

PropMan
1 post
Jul 29, 2013
7:48 PM
I am going to buy my first chromatic harp in the next couple if days. I'm looking at the Hohner Chrominca tenor C and the Hering Baritono, which is also a tenor C model. Both are about $160-$180 and I'm hoping to get some feedback here. I am an intermediate player comfortable only in second position playing tunes I know cold. I'm looking to expand my horizons here, but not spend more than a couple of hundred bucks.

Last Edited by PropMan on Jul 29, 2013 7:49 PM
jbone
1317 posts
Jul 29, 2013
8:03 PM
The baritono Hering is a nice model. The low C register has been really cool for duo stuff with wife/partner in our roots/blues project.
I also love the Suzuki Chromatix, which mine is in G and I find very useful for 3rd position in Am. I have had a couple of Hohner chromatics, 270's, and have yet to be anything like impressed.

There's my 2 cents.
----------
http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
Gnarly
647 posts
Jul 29, 2013
8:35 PM
I recommend the Suzuki SCX-56, or the 64 if you like a 16 holer. One year free warranty, and they are tight and mellow.
Oh yeah, I work for Suzuki US. If it breaks, I'm the one who gets to fix it.
If you have more than a couple of hundred to spend, consider the Sirius. It's even better than the SCX line.
PropMan
2 posts
Jul 29, 2013
9:09 PM
Does the Suzuki come in low-C configuration? I can't seem to find one on line anywhere.
capnj
132 posts
Jul 29, 2013
9:21 PM
My first was hohner super 64 bought used,and top end reeds were shot,go figure.Bought a cx-12 hohner, plastic body design,and am happy.Great warranty with suzuki,haven't compared,but kind of happy with hohners tone.
Kingley
2940 posts
Jul 29, 2013
10:42 PM
The Hohner Chromonica 270 Deluxe would be my suggestion. I also like the Hering 5148. I can't really comment on the Suzuki chromatics as I haven't tried them. Although the Sirius does sounds superb to my ear. If you don't want to spend a lot of cash the Swan chromatics get some good reports over on Slidemeister.com.
Gnarly
648 posts
Jul 29, 2013
11:08 PM
@Propman The SCX (and the Sirius) come in 12 hole, 14 and 16 hole models. The 16 hole model has the low notes like a Tenor or Baritone.
But I retune my chromatics so that they all start on G3, the same as the third hole of a 16 hole (or the first hole on a 14 hole), and find that it is a great note to have on the bottom.
So for a 12 hole, I take a G chromatic and retune it to C, starting on G.

Last Edited by Gnarly on Jul 30, 2013 9:10 AM
Kingley
2941 posts
Jul 29, 2013
11:36 PM
Propman - If you really want the low C octave then get a 16 hole chromatic. I wouldn't bother with any altered tunings at this stage as it will only serve to confuse you. If you plan on just playing 3rd position blues stuff then a 16 hole chromatic will be fine. If however you want to learn to play more than blues, then I'd suggest you get a 12 hole chromatic and forget about the bottom low C octave for the moment. I say this because when you're first starting out, navigating around a 12 holer is far easier than a 16.
fred_gomez
139 posts
Jul 30, 2013
2:51 AM
if you only play 2nd position now, you may blow out the reeds of an expensive new one. a chrometta is much harder to blow out, but its held down with nails. if you take the nails out and replace then with screws you can really blow the hell out of it. if your not handy and cant find a 14 hole chrometta. then get the 280 honer a rebuilt one from a good rebuilder shouldnt set you back much. once you have the 64 in C work on getting some 12 hole 270s. but learn to play the big boys first.
MakaInOz
89 posts
Jul 30, 2013
7:12 PM
Propman,

Figure out what you want first (much more likely to successfully acquire it then!).

12, 14 or 16 hole? That translates to 3, 3 and a bit or 4 octaves. What’s your expectation? Do you want a gig level harp or are you just ‘exploring’ chromatics? What’s your budget? Do you want to leap in at the top end or start at the bottom?

I wanted to experiment and figured there was not much point (other than $$) in getting anything smaller than a 16 holer. Experiment = minimum investment for me. So I got a Swan 1664. It gets pretty good reviews over on Slidemeister and was MUCH cheaper than Hohner , Seydel, Suzuki etc. I am happy with its performance – it is excellent value for money.

YMMV

Cheers
Maka


Post a Message



(8192 Characters Left)


Modern Blues Harmonica supports

§The Jazz Foundation of America

and

§The Innocence Project

 

 

 

ADAM GUSSOW is an official endorser for HOHNER HARMONICAS