Chinese CX-12 clone, Viking Age , Odin-12

[HarpMart]

Hello Chromers,

Came across this CX12 clone at AliExpress:
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwj4hPrytqr4AhXcJDQIHWUdDB0QtwJ6BAgXEAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aliexpress.com%2Fitem%2F1005003339365224.html&usg=AOvVaw03Kp-qYfKkN2Z7nnp40jVT

$89 US free ship.

If the above URL doesn’t work just Google: “ aliexpress odin-12 viking age chromatic harmonica”

This is not the 1st CX-12 copy. There was the Golden Butterfy. You can read about CX-12 design history here:
https://chromhistory.blog/2019/05/29/cx-12/?utm_source=pocket_mylist

I had read about the Golden Butterfly CX-12 clone years back, but didn’t bite. But more curious about this one. Reason is that I have respect for recent Chinese production standards that have improved. My favourite chrome is the KongSheng Lyra. I bring that and a CX-12 to all my gigs.

I should mention that it is not an exact copy, but certainly based on the CX-12. Very cool looking. But does it sing?

Anyone had experience with this Viking Age Odin-12?

[The Lone Harper]

Unfortunately there are no English subtitles available, but the presenter summed it up in English as:

"You can get it at a cheaper price and sound similar to the CX-12 series, with louder volume, but sound like almost China harmonica's reed."

[Grizzly]

From the Odin 12 link: It's also available in red and green. It has a mouth-area profile similar to a CX 12 Jazz.

I gave away my WH 12, and own a WH 10. Not Hohner quality. I own at least six CX 12s.

Tom

[HarpMart]

Another demo (same guy , brief, more playin):
https://youtu.be/JbDcxtsOONY

[SlideMeister]

Sounds much better than my WH-12   So far. I like it.

[Grizzly]

Looking at the first video is worth it. He shows taking apart the Odin 12, which reveals a screwed-on back plate contacting the slide, and a "leaf" spring instead of the CX 12 coil spring. Seeing him adjusting the reeds' gapping and tuning doesn't tell us much without a translation, though.

He seems to compare the reeds to those other harmonicas, especially a Suzuki SCX, so are the reeds brass or phosphor bronze?

Tom

[SlideMeister]

Just to be a pain in the shorts, I wanna hear one with an old fashioned, throat vibrato. YMMV and "just my opinion" and all that, of course,  but that deep, "Yah-Yah" thing is an incredible turn-off for me. 

[Edward Brock]

It has a mouth-area profile similar to a CX 12 Jazz.


Looking at the mouthpiece I was thinking it was "Jazz" inspired
or at least very much like the Jazz. I still don't play a CX but I DO like
the Jazz style mouthpiece better than the regular Black CX. Maybe one day...

[Grizzly]

are the reeds brass or phosphor bronze?

Website says they're brass.

tom

[Jimmy Halfnote]

Might be worth the punt for anyone in the market for a CX-jazz model but put off by the Hohner price..probably CX plates would fit to make it interesting. Personally didn't care for the sound at the lower end, but it has been given some thought to be fair. That was a clever way of adjusting the gaps but he was a bit quick with that craft knife..made me twitchy ..the valves looked interesting,in fact the whole clip was interesting .
                                                    jh.

[harp_unstrung]

You know what would be really cool ... if they made it in a 16/64 ...

[The Lone Harper]

Those who have access to Facebook can go to Wang Ecki's page

https://www.facebook.com/wang.ecki.5

 and see photo's of Kongsheng's new KB-12 model that looks suspiciously like a CX-12. It's a shame that they haven't made a unique and very desirable design change like a 14 or 16 hole model. It will be interesting to hear feedback on how it plays and sounds compared to the CX-12.   

[Grizzly]

Here's a link to pictures of the KB 12, AKA BOOGIE.MAN. Looks like it also comes in white. FYI, ABS plastic is white; color can be added, as in the Odin 12 green and red models.

CX 12 models other than the black were either painted or plated. The Gold's ABS was white.

https://wx4.sinaimg.cn/large/8ffd5041gy1h1qtppwmsaj20rs794dys.jpg

(click on image to enlarge)

Tom

BTW, the construction, other than the shape of the casing, is virtually identical to the Odin 12.

T

[stephenb]

The gentleman in the video is named Ming, he's the lead chromatic player in the Sirius Harmonica Ensemble from Taiwan. He has a large number of videos on youtube and a few other Asian sites, regrettably all are in Mandarin. I've spoken with him and he is contemplating an English language video at some point in the future.

Thanks kindly for this post.

[truckpartsaus]

Just to be a pain in the shorts, I wanna hear one with an old fashioned, throat vibrato. YMMV and "just my opinion" and all that, of course,  but that deep, "Yah-Yah" thing is an incredible turn-off for me. 

Tap on the arrow on the red chromatic there is little bit of vibrato happening there. Noticed that they come in red, green or black. It’s got your name on it. 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003429746662.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000023.3.67c124f8OOpOHd

[SlideMeister]

"Viking Age???" Nah! I'm Hungarian; Ingo's the Viking!

[Gary Richardson]

The Boggieman got me while in the vendor area at SPAH.  Bushman Harmonicas was one of the vendors this year.  Tom Hall had the KB-12 for sale with other Kongsheng harmonicas.  The price was $69.99.  Tom had two colors, white or dark grey.  I noticed that he sold all that he brought with him.

[Vale]

I decided to give it a try: my new KB12 Boogie Man should be arriving home soon

[SlideMeister]

I see WH12's again, but I can't find any reference to a KB12 Boogie Man. Is it a Chromatic?

[wolfman]

Let us know how you like it ,Vale .

  Roman

[Vale]

I see WH12's again, but I can't find any reference to a KB12 Boogie Man. Is it a Chromatic?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256804246953415.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt

It is a chromatic.
Good or not, I don't know (yet).

[SlideMeister]

Yeah, I see it now. Sixty nine bucks.

The WH12 is like $129 now, but the case is worth about forty bucks. I actually play my WH more than my CXGold.

[Gary Richardson]

I checked out your link Vale and saw that they come in the key of A and G also.

[Vale]

I checked out your link Vale and saw that they come in the key of A and G also.

Correct, Gary, they come in C, G, and A and they are available in white or dark gray.

[SlideMeister]

I really like the G and A options. Never liked the C.

[Lockjaw Larry]

Vale, I do not find the G and A option.  Perhaps its because I’m using my iPad?  I tuned a 365 G up to an A but I prefer a lower octave so maybe their A would suit me.

Lockjaw

[Vale]

Vale, I do not find the G and A option.  Perhaps its because I’m using my iPad?

Lockjaw

If you move your cursor on the small pictures, it tells you which one you are about to order (see attached pics).

[Vale]

Vale, I do not find the G and A option.  Perhaps its because I’m using my iPad? 

Lockjaw

Larry, I do not have an iPad/iPhone, so I cannot be helpful with that, but it works by clicking on each of the images, on my android phone. Only then it tells you the key you are looking at (see attached pic).

[Vale]

Konsheng KB12 Boogie Man: just delivered... and fresh OTB.
I am attaching some pics and a short exercise piece by Alberto Varaldo.
It is recorded with the phone and it is played by me :'(, so please pardon the poor quality 

[wolfman]

 Thanks for the post Vale.

  Roman