[Harp-L] Re: 12-hole solo system diatonics

[Helmuth2849@xxxxxxx]

Hello, Rainbow Jimmy.
 
The closest 12-hole diatonics to fit your needs would be either the Huang  
Cadet Soloist or the Hering Master Solo. They both are solo-system note  
placement, like the standard slide chromatics. It's a guess that they are only  
available in C.
 
Both models have plastic combs, screws holding the reed plates to the comb, 
 screws holding the top covers to the bottom covers, and the reeds are 
riveted to  the reed plates
(like the Lee Oskar diatonics).
 
The Huang Cadet Soloist is the least expensive of the 5 known brands  
available in the USA(Hohner #364S Marine Band Solo Tuning; Seydel Solist Pro 12;  
Suzuki S-22; Hering Master Solo; and Huang Cadet Soloist). It has a good 
sound,  and is reliable. It has a cardboard case.
 
The Hering Master Solo is slightly longer (left to right) than a  
traditional 4" diatonic. It has an excellent hard plastic case, and the first 5  
holes are valved. The sound is bright.
 
The other 3 brands are not like a Lee Oskar diatonic, or like a slide  
chromatic.
 
The Hohner Marine Band Solo-Tuning (solo system note placement) has a wood  
comb, with nails holding the reed plates to the comb, unlike the Lee Oskar  
diatonic. It's an excellent harmonica, with a soft vinyl case. It's a guess 
that  it may be available in C only, with a warm, full sound.
 
The Suzuki S-22 has a plastic comb, like the Lee Oskar, but the rest is  
unlike the Oskar or 
standard slide chromatics. It has 22 holes, and a modified solo system. The 
 middle octave C notes aren't duplicated as blow notes on a C harp, as the  
standard slide chromatics are.
It's a guess that each reed has it's own chamber, and thus it's a valveless 
 harp.
 
The Seydel Solist Pro 12 solo-system harp has (a guess) a wood comb, unlike 
 the Lee Oskar diatonics. It is available in any note configuration, on 
special  order. I have not played this brand, so a description of it's tone is  
impossible.
 
John Broecker