Subject: [Harp-L] Koch Chromatic

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Hi Greg: the Koch chromatic has long had its advocates as well  as 
detractors. For those who play chromatics primarily (non-diatonic  players), the 
Koch doesn't seem to measure up as a 'real'  chromatic mainly because of its 
lack of valves, huge square mouthpiece  holes and that darned leakiness.
 
 
IF one's using it for playing outside in cold weather, however (its  main 
use for chromatic players who need one for that purpose), and can get it  
reasonably air tight (lots of discussion on how to do so on Slidemeister),  you 
can have yourself a solid little (but not perfect) instrument.
 
 
As with everything, it's simply a matter of taste and personal  'fit'. I 
have one and have never enjoyed playing it. It just doesn't fit me  well and I 
have so many others which do, but I've kept it around until deciding  what 
to do with it and where and to whom I might donate it one of these days. It  
WILL find its real home eventually.
 
 
For others who might be interested, they come up fairly often for sale on  
EBay for fairly low prices and in usually close to new condition.
 
Elizabeth
PS: If you don't have the cold weather issue you could also try  
'half-valving' it, a/la PTGazell/Brendan Power's diatonic methods just to see  if that 
gives you better sound/air response. The valves can easily be  removed 
again if they don't work for you.
 
"Message: 11
Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2013 19:12:14 -0600
From: Greg Jones  <greg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] Koch Chromatic
To:  _harp-l@xxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx) 

I'm sure this topic has been discussed previously and if so, kindly let it  
die.
I am working on a Koch Chromatic ... Came in a green cardboard two (2)  
-part box.

Of course, the cool thing is the tuning layout which is the  same as any 
standard diatonic but I also noticed no valves.

Although I'm  doing good to play a C major scale on a chrom,
I have to say that the harp  plays fairly well.

Thoughts, comments, smart remarks?

-- 
*Greg  Jones*
*16:23 Custom Harmonicas*
*(210)  445-6600*
*http://1623customharmonicas.com/* _http://1623customharmonicas.com/_ 
(http://1623customharmonicas.com/)