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.