Slidemeister (Chromatic & related only - no Diatonic discussion) > GENERAL CHROMATIC DISCUSSION
Hohner Chrometta 8 - opinions
Yumpin_Yimminie:
I'm kind of curious about the build quality, tightness of the Chrometta 8. I'm fortunate to have several 3 octave chromatics. But the Chrometta has just been peaking my interest lately. But I can pass on spending the money if it is terribly leaky or poor build.
Thanks much.
Have a Great Day,
YY ? alias Jim
Grizzly:
The saving grace of the Chrometta line is that they have Hohner reedplates and reeds. I don't think they differ from more expensive Hohners. The comb is plastic, so it's not susceptible to warping or cracking. Except if you drop it. The back, sides, comb and mouthplate are all of a piece. But dropping any harmonica ultimately tends to be fatal.
The covers are thinner than anything else Hohner makes. and the mouthplate holes are bigger. I find it harder to play accurately than other Hohners, because while the spacing hole-center to hole-center is standard, the ribs between holes are thinner. Less room for slop.
It does have windsavers, so it's not leaky like a screen door. Putting tape on the comb-side of the slide improves its airtightness (as reported; haven't tried it on a Chrometta). The slide travel is the longest of any Hohner (probably of any harmonica regardless of brand) and they're noisier.
I have a 12 and a 14, but the 8 should be very similar.
A Chrometta 8? Go for it! You can get one for cheap, under fifty bucks. The tone is hard to beat, even in more expensive harmonicas.
Tom
Larry C:
I strongly recommend the Chrometta 8. In summary: pros- unique and very pleasing Chrometta sound; inexpensive but as playable as an expensive harp; Hohner reputation; can hold and play in one hand (useful while driving car). cons- some might not like the larger holes; thin, bulbous covers prone to denting if dropped - but who drops their harps?; professionals might sneer at you for having a cheap harp or for having an 8 hole. I never found having less octaves to be an issue- I just jumped up or down to the next full octave if I needed a note I could not find.
I bought my Chrometta 8 and a Chrometta 12 in 1989 and did not play either much until years later when I decided to learn to really play harmonica. In 2005, putting my guitar aside, I played the Chrometta 8 every day in my car for about a year and finally had a buzzing valve cover- not bad considering I left it in the car in a hot humid summer and freezing winter.
I have since moved to different harps just to try others and I still like the rich and unique sound of the Chrometta best. But since I started playing a lot of diatonic (chromatically, of course, I stack 2 diatos and play together for chromaticity), I find that I am used to smaller holes and suddenly the large holes of the Chrometta seem odd to me even though they were not noticably large before. I suppose if you are used to smaller holes- even on other chromatics- you might not like the Chrometta. But you might be fine with it-- try it.
henrymouni:
I agree with all of the above.
To me the Chrometta has the best shape for holding and cupping of ANY
Chromatic on the market! Not a sharp edge anywhere.
The only one to rival the contours would be the Suzuki SCT128.
Funny that- the cheapest, and one of the most expensive out of box harmonicas
both have my perfect Chromatic shape.
Henry. ::)
--- Quote from: Lawrence C on January 25, 2007, 11:04:50 AM ---I strongly recommend the Chrometta 8. In summary: pros- unique and very pleasing Chrometta sound; inexpensive but as playable as an expensive harp; Hohner reputation; can hold and play in one hand (useful while driving car). cons- some might not like the larger holes; thin, bulbous covers prone to denting if dropped - but who drops their harps?; professionals might sneer at you for having a cheap harp or for having an 8 hole. I never found having less octaves to be an issue- I just jumped up or down to the next full octave if I needed a note I could not find.
I bought my Chrometta 8 and a Chrometta 12 in 1989 and did not play either much until years later when I decided to learn to really play harmonica. In 2005, putting my guitar aside, I played the Chrometta 8 every day in my car for about a year and finally had a buzzing valve cover- not bad considering I left it in the car in a hot humid summer and freezing winter.
I have since moved to different harps just to try others and I still like the rich and unique sound of the Chrometta best. But since I started playing a lot of diatonic (chromatically, of course, I stack 2 diatos and play together for chromaticity), I find that I am used to smaller holes and suddenly the large holes of the Chrometta seem odd to me even though they were not noticably large before. I suppose if you are used to smaller holes- even on other chromatics- you might not like the Chrometta. But you might be fine with it-- try it.
--- End quote ---
Grizzly:
--- Quote from: henrymouni on January 26, 2007, 01:40:02 AM ---I agree with all of the above.
To me the Chrometta has the best shape for holding and cupping of ANY
Chromatic on the market! Not a sharp edge anywhere.
The only one to rival the contours would be the Suzuki SCT128.
Funny that- the cheapest, and one of the most expensive out of box harmonicas
both have my perfect Chromatic shape.
Henry. ::)
--- End quote ---
To which I would add the CX 12.
Tom
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version