Re: Subject: [Harp-L] 1st Chromatic ?

[MundHarp@xxxxxxx]

I'd go for a CX-12 tenor "C"...
John "Whiteboy" Walden
Just now...
In England.
 
 
In a message dated 10/2/2011 1:55:30 P.M. GMT Daylight Time,  
EGS1217@xxxxxxx writes:

If you'd  like, go here to get a TON of input from a whole slew of  mostly  
chromatic players - along with their reasons for their  choices:

_www.slidemeister.com/forums/_  (http://www.slidemeister.com/forums/) 



It's been asked many,  many times before, so either type the question into  
the search  engine or begin a new topic. It's a relatively ongoing focus of 
  
conversation there given that new chromatic players join all the time and  
most  of the long-term players have quite strong opinions about their  
favourite  chromatics, along with the windsaver question (to valve or  
not?)...

While I personally love the CX-12's and think they're the  perfect 
chromatic 
for those transitioning from diatonics (ease of  dismantling, cleanliness,  
ability to bend, tone, etc)...it'll still  all depend on how you play, what 
kind  of music is your focus, what  YOU want from the instrument and, of  
course, your finances.  

I'm particularly fond of playing CX-12's in 'other' keys, A and Bb  being 
my 
favourites since I'm mostly into R&B and Contemporary Jazz  music and like 
to  play along with the music of Peter White (my  favourite guitarist) and 
a 
lot of  Saxophonists. Naturally, though I  have C, Tenor C, G to play along 
with my  fellow chromatic players at  club meetings and at SPAH, etc. I 
love 
CX-12's  because they're fun.  I also still play a Super 64 Chromatic when 
I 
need the  extra notes.  I'd highly recommend the bigger instrument as well 
since even  a  player with small hands can play it with no real problem. 

I'm an ear  player who can read a little - find it very easy to switch to   
different keys since I don't think in terms of keys, but am purely  
following 
the  music (song) in my head. Others find it complicated to  play anything 
other  than a Key of C chrom. It's all very personal  and opinions are as 
varied as the  players.

As far as them  being expensive - I just received a brand-new Tenor C Cx-12 
 
bought  off EBay, sold by a woman who said it had minimal play. I've 
already  
checked it over and if it was played at ALL I can't tell. It's so clean  
and new  it practically sparkles...puts my own to shame, and mine  are  
spotless. I'm cleaning it anyway of course, since I'm ever the  skeptic, 
but  it 
cost all of $111. Can't beat that for what is a  pristine  and gorgeous 
instrument. My original Tenor C needs work so  this  was a great way to get 
a backup. 

One can get a CX-12  (mostly in C) brand new from EBay  stores for as low 
as 
$176. Don't  believe the hype about Manufacturers'  retail prices. These 
are  
online stores which sell new instruments. Here's one   link:

_http://www.ebay.com/itm/HOHNER-7545-CX12-KEY-C-CHROMATIC-HARMONICA-NEW-/260
634880760?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3caf0caaf8_  
(http://www.ebay.com/itm/HOHNER-7545-CX12-KEY-C-CHROMATIC-HARMONICA-NEW-/260
634880760?pt=LH_Default
Domain_0&hash=item3caf0caaf8)  


THIS second seller charges $185 but carries them in more keys: Has  been  
around (on EBay) for several years and as far as I know will  get a key 
you're  
looking for if  contacted.

_http://www.ebay.com/sch/chrislight333/m.html?_nkw=Cx-12+chromatic+harmonica
s&_sacat=0&_odkw=&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3911.c0.m270.l1313_  
(http://www.ebay.com/sch/chrislight333/m.html?_nkw=Cx-12+chromatic+harmonica
s&_sacat=0&_odkw=&_
osacat=0&_trksid=p3911.c0.m270.l1313)  

I'd still suggest doing a lot of homework before deciding. Most of  those 
of 
us who originally thought we'd buy one 'perfect' chromatic, ended  up with 
HAS  (harmonica acquisition syndrome). As a diatonic player  you might 
already  understand the concept.<G>

Some EBay  sellers even allow returns which one cannot find with regular   
harmonica vendors, which to me implies they probably send out an   already 
played instrument to the next buyer.  So I err on  the  side of caution by 
cleaning every instrument I buy before I play  it  no matter where I 
purchased it 
since I really don't know who 'tested'  it  last. With a new instrument a 
simple alcohol (or 'Clorox  Anywhere' spray) wipe  down usually suffices.

Have fun  deciding!

Elizabeth
"Message: 10
Date: Sat, 1 Oct 2011 12:13:41  -0400
From: Richard  Eisenberg <catketch2@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject:  [Harp-L] 1st Chromatic  ?
To: HARP L HARP L   <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID:

I've been playing diatonic  harps for quite a while, mainly Special  20's.
I've got bending down,  drawing and blowing.
I want to get a  chromatic and start learning on  that.
I want one that bends.
Which one  will do that?
What do  the windsavers have to do with bending  ability?
Which key, because  some varieties come in C  or  D   or  G?

Thanks,
Rich"