[Harp-L] Chromatic harp buyer questions

[Jesse <jvboden@xxxxxxxxx>]

Good people, I searched the archives (and thanks for posting that link, very
helpful) but didn't find quite what I was looking for. I asked these
questions on a chromatic harp board and got lots of good answers, but ended
up more tenuous than before about buying a chromatic harp. I play some basic
blues harp. I know a bit about music, scales and theory, as flute is my main
instrument and I can read music to a degree when I have to.

I don't want to use the chromatic harp to play blues a la Big Walter or
George Smith, and I wont be playing classical, orchestral and so on. I am
more interested in playing standards, improvising, jazz blues, and other
such material. I like Coltrane's mellower period, same with Miles Davis,
west coast cool, Paul Desmond, Stan Getz, Bossa, etc. Toots rules - okay, so
that is that.

I have bought a couple of used Hohner chromatics over the years, but they
always seemed too cumbersome and never worked very well - so I was not
inspired. I want a modern design that is relatively trouble free.

Questions - What are good options in the $200 or under price range for
someone like me?

Someone recommended the Hohner Tenor version of the CX 12 and that does look
good - I am leaning towards it. Some say the CX 12 is too fat to be
comfortable in the mouth, however. What say you?

Do I really need more than 12 holes to start out with?

If not going with the Tenor, should I stick with a C tuned harp to start?

How does the Suzuki SCX compare to the Hohner?

Can you recommend a good learning resource - book/DVD - for a beginner on
chromatic with some knowledge of music and diatonic harmonica?

 Sorry to be so long-winded, I am supplying in advance all the details that
the chromatic board folks were asking for to save a longer discussion. Feel
free to reply offline if you prefer. Your help is sincerely appreciated.