Next Chromatic for West Coast Swing
Hi Winslow,
I have a super 64 Chromatic that I love. I am looking to buy my next key of Chromatic. I will be focusing on West Coast Swing songs, William Clarke, Rod Piazza etc. It seems like Bb would be a good next key? Any suggestions on key and or model to try?
I'm thinking Hohner Chromonica 270 or CX-12 but Dave mentioned in an instructional that the CX-12 is darker and I like a brighter chromatic for more cut especially in a lower key. I Play with a Blowsmeaway wood mic with black CR and a bassman usually at most jams and gigs. I also heard that there is a design issue with the CX-12? I play pretty much all Hohner for Diatonics, Crossovers or Marine Band Deluxe. Pretty much a hohner guy so far but open to other brands Chromatic you think I should check out.
Thanks so much for your expertise!!
Hi Winslow,
Thank you so much for the information! I really enjoyed the clip with some great playing as well. Really appreciate it!
We are fortunate to have someone of your caliber answering questions.
Thank you so much for taking the time!
Much appreciated!
When you hear Clarke or Piazza playing non-C chromatics it's pretty much always the 270, though for awhile Rod was playing Herings.
That said, I find that airtightness is chancy with 270s. When they're good, they can be great, but if they're leaky they can be a tone suck.
The CX-12 is a good design and reliably airtight and amazingly bendy, but they have a valve buzzing problem that seems to be endemic. They are different in tone from the 270 - to me they sound fatter and sweeter.
The Suzuki SCX-48 is worth mentioning, though. It'a workhorse model and comes in several keys. The sound to me is kind of neutral. Here'a a clip I recorded with one in Low D, playing over a backing track for Roller Coaster.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yso8vm421iu0zkr/Conspiracy%20theory.mp3?dl=0
Seydel makes both the Deluxe and the Deluxe Steel in several keys, but I don't have enough experience with those to comment.