Tombo Ultimo

[Jack Ely <IMS_ELY@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

    I just received my TOMBO Ultimo harmonica thanks to the efforts of Hugh 
    Messenger. I thought I would post my first impressions. I will leave 
    comments as to playing, tuning etc., to the experts.
    
    a). DESIGN: I was expecting to see a LEE OSKAR harmonica without his name 
    	on it (as in other Tombo diatonics I've seen). I was quite surprised 
    	to see a totally different design. Not unlike a Hohner Meisterklas or 
    	a Suzuki Pro harp in design and feel. Rounded cover-plates with very 
    	narrow opening at the bottom. Rounded corners. Seemingly very air 
    	tight - the cover-plates are smoothly formed and close fitted.
    
    b). HEFT: Even though the comb is plastic I felt like I was hefting a 
    	Meisterklas. Has a good heavy (yet not boat anchor) feel to it.
    	I can only attribute this to the claimed heavier reed plates, reeds, 
    	and the brass coverplates. Looking at the reeds, without taking the 
    	covers off, they do look very thick - at least at the rivet pads.
    
    c). This is not an attemt to claim the Ultimo is better or worse than the 
    	Lee Oskar models - just different.
    
         Jack Ely - Columbus, Ohio  --New Addr--> IMS_ELY@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx