Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Low Chromatics

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Ahh. Finally!  While I DO love the idea of an even lower 16 hole  Chromatic 
A, the question is: can the tuning from a 4 octave C be done to an A  or Bb 
withOUT a ton of solder (or Blue Tak) piled up on the reeds?
 
 
I've been long-since seriously considering having a couple of my Super 64's 
 tuned to straight A and Bb by whomever..but when I've bounced the idea off 
a  couple of chromatic players I trusted to give me an objective opinion  
they dissuaded me from doing so by claiming that while the Bb wouldn't  be a 
huge deal (mainly time consuming), the A would be TOO difficult or it  
wasn't worth doing. Naturally, the A is the instrument I'd want first so I've  
been stymied/stumped.
 
 
You've made me very happy with this response, Winslow. I also knew some of  
those instruments were already in existence--certain famous players who  
preached the harmonica gospel of 'everything on a C' had Bb and A  chromatics 
hidden in their cases to use 'as needed' (with the audience none the  
wiser). <G>
 
 
 Thanks much.  Now I just need that tiny bit more of info...from  the 
customizers/tuners out there. Who here does this kind of work? - OR --would  
Hohner itself retune existing Super 64's for someone who owns several of  them?
 
 
Elizabeth
 
PS: GREAT topic question, JP. I'm one whoS LOVES the sound of  low, low 
diatonics and never thought about ultra-low chromatics! While I agree  with 
David --they would take more air, for some strange reason I seem to  gravitate 
towards the Tenor C's and the low end of my chromatics despite not  having a 
lot of air. With consistent playing though, my lung capacity seems to  be 
improving.
 
 
PPS: Never been a smoker despite being surrounded by 'em throughout my  
life, so no reprimands, please. 
 
"Message: 9
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2012 12:19:51 -0700 (PDT)
From:  Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Low  Chromatics
To: Jp Pag?n <jplpagan@xxxxxxx>,  "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx"
<harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>

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