Hohner 280, maybe pre war
Huhus,
My Chromonika III 280 C arrived. It is marked with a 870 on one of the cover plates. If my research (with very little results) is correct, that means it was tuned to chamber pitch A=435Hz and made in the 1930's.That is pure speculation tho, my harmonica (history) knowledge is close to non existent.
The optical condition seems to be quite nice, even the leather valves look almost like new and it is almost playable. The comb has a crack/split around hole 6 tho that would need to be repaired first.
I initially bought it as fun restauration project (thinking it might be one from the 50's), and i am confident, that i can repair the split comb and seal (and maybe stabilize) it. The rest, like tuning, checking the valves etc... not sure if i want to risk that as i have zero experience (if it was one of those 280 from the 50's i would not care).
Also i do not know what the common practices with harmonicas restaurations are... how much and what should remain as original as possible, what should be changed/modernized without being sacrilegiously etc.
What i can do is to repair the comb, stabilize it (with canauberwax maybe), replace the nails in the reedplate with screws (machine screws with nut?). What i think i should not do (myself) is working on the valves and reeds. (Any estimations on how expensive tuning (to 443) would be?)
Input, ideas, more information etc. would be very welcome.
o/ Buruusu
I doubt that the instrument was tuned to A435. I'm fairly well connected in the community that values prewar instruments and this matter has never been raised. A440 seems more likely. Still, A442 is more in line with current preferences. Tuning is laborious but not as hard as you might imagine.
The split in the comb is common with instruments of this vintage. If you can glue it back together without compromising flatness, that's the first step. Sealing might better by done with several coats of sprayed-on acrylic than with wax.
However, you may find the comb crumbles to bits when you pry the reedplates off - I've had that happen. Hohner C-Shop in Europe still sells the replacement wood comb for the old 280.
As to wheuther to restore it to "original" condition, do you want a collector's item or a playing instrument? If the latter, then sealing and conversion to reedplates screws (M1.6 x 12mm) with threaded bottom reedplate instead of nuts would be the way to go.