Re: [Harp-L] Low Chromatics

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

It's demand.

Every now and then I've run across pre-war factory Hohner 64s in Bb; I believe Dennis Gruenling owns one. And Frank Huang and Steve Malerbi have both made Low A chromatics for Norton Buffalo by tuning down a C chromatic.
 
Winslow Yerxa
Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
Resident Harmonica Expert, bluesharmonica.com
Instructor, Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance


________________________________
 From: Jp Pagán <jplpagan@xxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2012 11:47 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Low Chromatics
 
I know this is one of those stubbornly recurring questions, but in light of recent advancements I have to wonder why we don't see any chromatics pitched below Tenor C*? 

Both Seydel and Hohner make diatonics below this range, notably Low Low F, which would be just over half an octave below the Tenor C 270. They sound great as diatonics. Given the use of windsavers on chromatics, I'd think it'd be even more doable there. Or at least say, a Low A or Bb chromatic.

Is there a real technical limitation I'm missing, or is it just a case of there not being much  demand?

--JP

*(maybe more rightly called C3, the C below Middle C)