Hohner Hard Bopper and Mellow Tone Chromatic Harmonicas
Hi Winslow, over the years, I have bought and played many chromatic harmonicas. In addition, I have toured both the Hohner factory in Trossingen, Germany, and the Suzuki harmonica factory in Hamamatsu, Japan. Witnessing their craftsman build chromatic harmonicas was nothing short of amazing.
I am curious about the two Toots Thieleman's influenced Hohner chromatic harmonicas; the Hard Bopper (thick plates, longer reeds) and Mellow Tone (short thin reeds). Relative to the foundational Hohner 270 "Chromonica" platform, how do these Toots models differ?
Kinya
Both Toots models have nickel plated reedplates and, of course, their own cover graphics.
The Hard Bopper has long slot reeds (that is, each reed is longer than the corresponding reed on a regular 270 in C). The Mellow Tone started out with long slot reeds but later switched to short-slot reeds. I don't know the reason, but it might have had to do with the preference of Toots himself, as he plays the Mellow Tone and likes to play fast with minimal breath pressure.
The other difference between the two Toots models is reedplate thickness. Hard Bopper reedplates are 1.2mm thick, which makes for a louder sound as the reed swings farther to chop through the slot, while the Mellow Tone has 1.05mm thick reedplates.
Thanx Winslow.
For players who already own and play the Hohner 48/270 (1.05mm plates with square hole mouthpiece), or the Hohner Super Chromonica 270 (1.2mm plates with round hole mouthpiece)--there does not appear to be any compelling advantage for switching over to the Toots models. On the other hand ... having Master Toot's graphics accompanying us during our performance couldn't hurt ;o)
What say ye Mr. Yerxa? Have you ever set up and played a side-by-side comparisons for the above mentioned chromatic harmonicas?
Kinya
For me, the Hard Bopper has a slightly louder, more aggressive sound than the Mellow Tone or the other 270 models.
When he was hand-building the Renaissance, Doug Tate chose long-slot Mellow Tone reedplates over 270 plates. I'm not sure of the reason, but he evidently felt that they offered better performance. And he wasn't one to be dazzled by appearances. After the Mellow Tone switched to short slot, Doug was in a bind. The thicker hard Bopper reedplates wouldn't fit into the tightly formatted Renaissance construction, and he insisted on long slot reeds. He found that he could get long-slot 270 plates, but would have preferred to stick with his original choice.
I like the round-hole mouthpiece of the 270 Deluxe, although I have no problem with the square holes on the other 270 models, which some players compain about - the term "cheese grater" is sometime used due to the potentially abrasive effect of the hole edges - and screwed-together contruction is a plus. However, it comes only in C and one thing I like about the 270 model is that it comes in several keys, which I use for the different chordal combinations they afford. However, you can get 270 plates in those keys and drill them out for screws to fit on the Deluxe body.
One complaint I do have about all the 270-based models (and perhaps my only playing complaint) is the mouthpiece-to-cover profile. If you're playing wide tongue blocked intervals with the harmoncia deep in your mouth, the sudden steep vertical front of the covers makes playing uncomforable and also makes it difficult to maintain an embouchure seal.
The Discovery model has an ideal mouthpiece-to-covers profile - a continuous, gentle slope that's great for tongue blocking. It uses the same reedplates as the 270 Deluxe. It solves the problems of mouthpiece holes, screwed together construction, and wood combs (warping, swelling, cracking). However, for me, the sound is puny. I'm not sure why. It's not the reedplates; swapping in reedplates from a Deluxe produces the same result. It may be the mouthpiece or something about the chambers in the comb, but the Discovery just doesn't seem to be designed for robust sound. Maybe there are tweaks that could turn this into a great performer; I just don't know what they are.
Thank you for your insights Winslow!
Kinya
Both Toots models have nickel plated reedplates and, of course, their own cover graphics.
The Hard Bopper has slong slot reeds (that is, each reed is longer than the corresponding reed on a regular 270 in C). The Mellow Tone started out with long slot reeds but later switched to short-slot reeds. I don't know the reason, but it might have had to do with the preference of Toots himself, as he plays the Mellow Tone and likes to play fast with minimal breath pressure.
The other difference between the two Toots models is reedplate thickness. Hard Bopper reedplates are 1.2mm thick, which makes for a louder sound as the reed swings farther to chop through the slot, while the Mellow Tone has 1.05mm thick reedplates.