first chromatic
Hi,
Could you compare the Chromonica 270 and the Larry Adler Pro 12? I'm torn between the two models for my first chromonica.
Winslow:
Thanks for the info! Is the Larry Adler (either 270 or 280) still being made? I see them on eBay, and Hohner still shows them if one Googles instead of going straight to hohner.de, but I don't know if I've ever seen new ones offered by a U.S. dealer.
As with the Toots models (and Seydel's Charlie Musselwhite Lightning, Lee Oskar's Mick Jagger, etc.), it would seem that an artist-branded coverplate is the only difference from a stock model. But then again, the extra "mojo" of an artist's name might just make an amateur player sound a little better! (Or at least practice more, to emulate the model's artist.)
And anything that keeps Adler's name out there is good. All harp players (as well as non-musicians) should know just how important a person Larry Adler was. And not only as a musician.
Ukulele Rob plays Hohner™ harmonicas customized by Kinya Pollard, The Harpsmith™
When I did a search at hohner.de on the names "Toots" and "Adler," the models showed up. That said, you might have to special order them.
While the Adler models are distinct in name only, the Toots models are unique. Built on a 270 frame, both have chrome plated reedplates
The Toots Mellow Tone is the one he actually played (despite the backwards claim on the website - I knew Toots and I know what's true). This one has regular thickness reedplates and short slot reeds, which favored his light-breathing approach (he was a lifelong asthmatic and could play at incedible speed at a whisper volume).
The Toots Hard Bopper has long slot reeds and thicker reedplates, giving it more power but requiring more breath volume.
Winslow: Many thanks. Your explanation re the shorter reed slots on the Mellow Tone makes sense.
The Larry Adler models are just different coverplates on the 270 and the 280 respectively.