[Harp-L] re: Chrometta 8

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

James boutilier writes:

"I read that there is a GIANT difference between a Chrometta "10"   
and the "8" and "12",  that is,  the 10 SUCKED,  but the 8 has good  
quality, metal covers, not so leaky..."

Where did you read this?  I think Steve Baker could chime in here,  
but I'm pretty sure the only significant difference between currently  
made Chrometta models is the size of the instrument.  Every Chometta  
I've seen (8, 10 and 12) all had the same style of metal covers, for  
instance.  And they all leaked like sieves as well.

The problem I see with using the Chrometta is that the one area of a  
chromatic you most want to improve is the slide mechanism, and since  
the Chometta's slider channel is integral to it's body there's only  
so much you can do to improve it.


"And I love that it's small(ish) and Golden Melody Shaped."


It certainly has size and shape in it's favor, but that's probably  
about it.


"Well, the end goal is to make an Irish/Scottish Playing harp --  
single note melody primarily. So, reversed slide, etc...However, they  
only come in a C,  and that seems the most unlikely for this type of  
music....<snip>
(if you can think of a better but similar price ranged harp to start  
with, I'm all ears)."


I just checked the prices at Harmonicas and Stuff ( http:// 
www.harmonicasandstuff.com/hohner-chromatic.html ) and the Chrometta  
8 is $59.95.  I also checked the Koch Chromatic and it is $89.95.   
Now, I'd never usually recommend the Koch because as a valveless  
instrument it can also be described as sieve-like.  But, it has two  
advantages for your purposes.  First, it has a traditional slider  
design which is going to allow you to really improve it by decreasing  
tolerances and such.  Second, it comes in the key of G.  I don't play  
Irish or Scottish music, but a G Paddy Richter tuned slider- 
instrument would probably be very useful and extremely easy to make  
from a Koch in G (two retuned notes).  It's also still fairly small,  
so for $30 more upfront you should end up with a lot nicer instrument  
when you're done.

But, before you make any decisions, buy Douglas Tate's book formerly  
titled "Make Your Harmonica Play Well".  Read it first then decide  
what harmonica you want to try these techniques out on.  You can get  
it from Amazon:


http://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Harmonica-Work-Better/dp/1574240625/ 
ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233448765&sr=8-2


Hope this helps.




 ()()    JR "Bulldogge" Ross
()  ()
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