Re: [Harp-L] A chromatic for Christmas

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

There are several sellers in Europe with good prices on Hohner, Seydel, and 
Suzuki chromatics. I'd stay away from the house branded cheapies (Thomann 
branded chromatics, etc.) The current crop of Hohner Chromettas *, 10, 12 and 
14-hole sizes) are surprisingly good for the money (about 70 Euros). Go a bit 
more upscale and you get into the Hohner 270, always a solid choice, and the 
Suzuki SCX line that are responsive and bright sounding and airtight.

I'd stay away from unvalved chromatics, including the Hohner Hohnica Educator 
and the valveless Seydels. I have never encountered a valveless chromatic hat 
was not unacceptably leaky.
 Winslow Yerxa
Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
Harmonica instructor, The Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance
Resident expert, bluesharmonica.com
Columnist, harmonicasessions.com




________________________________
From: martin oldsberg <martinoldsberg@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sun, December 12, 2010 10:57:48 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] A chromatic for Christmas

A friend asked me for suggestions on a good value chromatic as a Christmas gift 
to his grandfather, an octogenarian who plays a bit of harmonica.
  Books could be written about what I don´t know about chromatics, but would 
anyone say that the Hohner standard models are seriously challenged?
  Assuming the old man´s got, say, ten more years on the planet, my friend is 
rather short on cash, but he won´t insult the guy with a "toy" -- what could be 
a good suggestion here?
 
Thanks in advance.
 
Martin,
in Sweden