[Harp-L] New line of Suzuki chromatics debuts tomorrow

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Although no public announcement has been made in the US, as of tomorrow
Suzuki is introducing the new Sirius line of Âchromatic harmonicas:

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http://www.suzuki-music.co.jp/special/sirius/index.htm

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The new 12, 14, and 16-hole chromatics looks a lot like the
Fabulous and also like the 12-hole GrÃgoire Maret model.

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As you can see here:

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http://www.suzuki-music.co.jp/special/sirius/feature.htm

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These models, like the G-48, have plastic combs with metal
weights fastened into the voids around the slots. Sound spectrum diagrams and
illustrations appear to make a benefit statement for the weights.

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Further down the
page, some claims are being made about what appears to be sound energy from the
reeds, an we can see that the 12 and 14-hole models, unlike the G-48, are
straight tuned (note the âSâ at the end of the model number), while the 16-hole
model is cross-tuned (again, note the âCâ in the model number).

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Suggested retail pricing in Japan (Minimum advertised pricing
appears to follow it in smaller type) appears very reasonable when the figures
are poured into an online currency converter:

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S-48S 37,800 yen = approx. Â$425 US 

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S-56S 40,950 Yen = approx. $460 US

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S-64C 44,100 Yen = approx $495 US

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Whether pricing will be similar elsewhere remains to be
seen. 

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If you speak Japanese (or even if you donât) you can see and
hear Koei Tanaka playing and talking about these three models here:

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http://www.suzuki-music.co.jp/special/sirius/s-48s.html

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Iâm VERY impressed with the G-48, and was hoping for a
16-hole version. I reviewed the G-48 favorably in the October 2009 issue of
harmonicasessions.com, complete with several photos of the disassembled harp:

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http://harmonicasessions.com/oct09/Yerxa.html

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Will these new models deliver the same level of quality in a
wider variety of models at a lower price? Will they replace the Chromatix
series in the Suzuki lineup? I await English-language announcements from Suzuki
USA
and Suzuki Europe.

Â

Winslow



Winslow Yerxa

Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5