[Harp-L] Electric Chromatic Harmonicaster

[Ronnie Schreiber]

While working on the latest version of the Harmonicaster diatonic 
electric harmonica (which looks to be a significant improvement over 
previous versions), I believe I've stumbled upon a fairly elegant way to 
implement inductive pickups in a chromatic harmonica. Using inductive 
pickups on a harmonica instead of a microphone means high resistance to 
acoustic feedback, a cool "electric" tone, and compatibility with pedals 
and effects devices. The thing is, I don't know how many chromatic 
players would be interested in an electric instrument. Because 
chromatics aren't inexpensive, R&D won't be cheap, the final product 
will be more costly than a regular chromatic, and if there isn't a 
market, I don't want to waste money on a dead end.

Over the years as I've worked on the Harmonicaster, I've gotten requests 
about making a chromatic version but I'm not sure if there's really a 
market for one, considering most chromatic players tend to play 
traditional music or jazz, not amplified blues or rock.

If you play chromatic, would an amplified, electric version interest you?

Ronnie Schreiber
The Electric Harmonica Company