Hi, everyone! My name is Bob Kolin and I live in Virginia Beach, VA. I started playing the harmonica two years ago by joining a local beginners club, the SouthSide Harmonica Club. I had just moved here from Richmond, VA and was looking for a hobby that was fairly inexpensive and that I could do pretty much anywhere. So, here I am.
I started playing on a diatonic, but have since moved to the chromatic. My first purchase was a Hohner Chrometta, but I had lots of issues with the reeds sticking, so I bought a Seydel Deluxe about 8 months ago. I've been very happy with it until last Monday when the slide broke down. Fortunately, I contacted Rupert Oysler from Seydel USA, and he offered to repair it for me.
I'm seriously looking to purchase a 16-hole chromatic now, but need some advice. Because of the Hohner price increase, I've been looking at the Suzuki Chromatix 64. But I've also read some posts about others that might be better options to consider, i.e., Hering or the never-before-heard-of-until-yesterday Thoman. http://www.thomann.de/gr/thomann_chromatic_64_mundharmonika.htm
I've pretty much gone sour on Hohner because of my experience and that of another club member who had issues with a brand new Super 64X (reeds sticking; poor customer service). Does anyone have any feedback for me on any of these options other than a Hohner?
Okay...I can't speak about Suzuki (never owned one), but have heard anecdotally that their customer service is excellent.
However, I did buy (after owning only Hohner chromatics - 260's, 270's, Super 64's and 280's) ...one Antique Gold Hering 16 2 years ago, much to my regret. If you think Hohner's customer service is bad (which it isn't), Hering's is practically nonexistent. The windsavers curl for no apparent reason (whether the chromatic is warmed up or not). I'd bought it to have a 'fallback' 16 for Robert Bonfiglio's 2006 Seminar at the Grand Canyon...and couldn't keep it warm enough to stop every single valve from curling immediately and staying curled. It was impossible to play, therefore completely useless for my needs.
I had separate problems with a horrible odor and taste from the chromatic from the moment of purchase (discussed here on SlideMeister). Some of the conclusions came to were that these harps (shipped probably by boat from South America)..might be exposed to insecticide in the ships' holds...causing this vile taste and smell. Eventually one can rid the harp and case of the odor (baking soda, exposure to sun and air, various other methods were discussed), but it took me a long time. I wouldn't play it during that time in case it was toxic.
It's a nice looking instrument, and once I finally replace all the windsavers and possibly have it worked on by someone who knows what they're doing, it might end up proving to be one I'll eventually like, but so far I feel I threw away $140+.
Every other chromatic I own but one is a Hohner..and they're uniformly excellent out of the box. Any fixing is easy, Hohner's reps are always present at the Conventions I attend and usually take care of minor reed misalignments or valve replacements with no hassles. I can't say enough about Sissy Jones of Hohner, who spent hours working on instruments (including mine) at every convention with very little time for herself..a thankless job.
I've learned to open them up myself and clean thoroughly, and even gap a wee bit. Haven't yet tuned a chrom...but I do have Rupert Oysler's DVD...so it's on my list of things to learn (as soon as I can make time).
They have a fuller, richer sound (the Super 64) than the 'tinnier', reedier sound of the Hering. To some people, this sharper sound of the Hering is a bonus...that's what they're looking for. It just isn't what I want at this time. But I'll hold onto the one I own in case I want that sound down the road.
I did buy one 12 hole Seydel chromatic last year from Ruper Oysler. It was the first 12 hole which came close to replicating the full, rich vibrato I get from the Super 64, but in a Bb (not available in any 16). I love playing different keyed chromatics.
I also now play several CX-12's (Hohners) in various keys: C, Bb, A, F and will probably buy even more. I get a big kick out of them...like their tone very much, the ease of dismantling and cleaning, and the short throw...but they're missing the low end keys I need.
The Super 64 is still my 'main axe'. I have three of them and wouldn't trade you for any other 16 at this point in time. For me, the silverplated mouthpiece is just right and the sound of this chromatic, beautiful. If Seydel eventually makes a 16 in different keys, they could possibly lure me away from Hohner...unless Hohner comes out with a CX-16, but for a C...the 64 will always be my favourite.
My .02 cents.
Elizabeth (a/k/a Scotty)
