[Harp-L] Fwd: New deluxe version of the Hohner 270

Over on SlideMeister, the harmonica forum confined to chromatic harmonica discussions, Winslow Yerxa broke news about a new version of Hohner's chromatic, the Chromonica 270. It will evidently be unveiled at the Frankfurt Music Fair at the cusp of April, and will be referred to as the "Deluxe" model.

Winslow used Babelfish to translate the announcement in German] to English, but Fernando Bresslau quickly stepped in to clarify it further. Cross-posting is usually a 'no-no', but this probably warrants it, I think. Since Fernando is a Hohner rep, I'll just reprint his comments on the instrument here.

Permit me a personal comment, if I may... I do find it disturbing that the only announcement so far, and hence, flurry of discussion, has been only given to the chromatic mailing list, when I am certain there are as many chromatically-interested players here on Harp-L, HarpTalk and the other lists, as on SlideMeister. I sincerely hope this is not a trend in the making.

Despite saying that, I know Fernando is true to his word and "always listening..." ALL of us can appreciate how much the manufacturers are, in general, paying closer attention to players' demands and wishes than ever before, aided by this fluid information age of our Internet-imbued world. There is even a genuine sense that cooperation [from both sides] has gained significant importance, as well. I hope it continues, since real growth and advancement spreads faster and farther without walls.

Keep us in the loop, Fernando, and congratulations on your company's new offering! There are some rather noteworthy features being added... interchangeability between mouthpieces, adaptability to lefthandedness, [speaking as a 'lefty'!] and the wise switch to screws from nails, for starters!!

I anticipated the coming changes linked to Rick Epping, BTW, considering a long, late night session between him, Doug and me at a harpfest once, [back prior to the XB-40's debut.] We'd all been perplexed regarding response issues in the upper note ranges of our designs, and he'd been making headway on his prototypes and experiments. We all missed a whole concert that night!!! :)

Anyway... interesting to see the many recent advancements in harmonicas developing these days.

So, good luck, Fernando! ... and Hohner!
[You have plenty of tough competition these days, eh?] ;)

Bobbie

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To: SlideMeister@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
From: Fernando Bresslau <bresslau@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2006 20:12:31 +0100
Subject: Re: [SlideMeister] New deluxe version of the Hohner 270
Reply-To: SlideMeister@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Winslow Yerxa wrote:
> >From Did Neumann's Harmonica Player News, an account of the new
> version of the 270 as announced at the badly translated via
> Babelfish. The original German follows for those who read it well and
> might be able to offer a better translation.

Well, maybe I can help with the translation (after all, I already did it
at Hohner some weeks ago :-)

The text below is part of the one which will accompany the actual
harmonica when it is released:

    /"We at Hohner believe that, with the Deluxe version of the
    traditional Chromonica 270/48, we have set another milestone in the
    building of top quality wooden-bodied chromatic harmonicas.  The
    Chromonica 270/48 incorporates a variety of improvements on the
    original classic 270 design, which optimize handling and ensure
    greater volume and faster response, while retaining the rich and
    powerful Hohner classic sound.  It is the ideal harmonica for
    established chromatic harmonica styles and is also well suited to
    more contemporary playing techniques.

    Features:
    /

        * /Assembled with 5 reed plate screws airtightness and
          facilitated maintenance Ø Chrome plated, round holed
          mouthpiece for greater playing comfort.
          (will also fit the standard Chromonica 270/48 and Toots'
          harmonicas)/
        * /Extra thick brass reedplates (1,2 mm) provide a full and
          strong sound./
        * /Natural finished pearwood body with rounded off edges for
          better ergonomics.  The slide mechanismus can be installed for
          left-handed use./
        * /The robust, stable and proven cover design sports an
          attractive engraving."/

Well, now you see that I had to refrain myself in the past months :-)
So many well intentioned suggestions were made by you. And I wanted all
the time to be allowed to say:
"Yes, a wooden bodied harmonica with screws makes sense. So much sense
that we will build one with NO nails at all." Or "Do you like round
holed mouthpiece? Wait a little bit, we will have one available in 2006
(you will be able to order it as a spare part for your existing chroms,
of course)." Or "What about us, who are left handed??"

Well, now you have it. We will be presenting the new 270 Deluxe at the
Frankfurt music fair, and plan to be selling them soon. The first ones
are great, I am sure you all will love it.
In the mean time, you could start thinking about what you would like to
see in the Frankfurt Musikmesse 2008 ;-) (Yes, I know, a CX-16!)
All the best,
Fernando, always listening...
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