Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

Hi Winslow,

I am researching and shopping for my first Chromatic.  The info posted on the forum has be so helpful.

I am thinking I will start with a 12 hole model but would really like more bottom end available than on the standard C models.

I see there is the  tenor or C tuning with the low octave as on a 16 holer.  I've also seen the Seydel's Orchestra tuning which appears like the a 14 hole cut off at the top.  The Orchestra tuning seems very functional as I am not sure how often those very bottom holes are used. continue reading...

Hey Winslow (and Forum)

  continue reading...

Hey Winslow (and Forum)

  continue reading...

G'day Winslow,

Im wanting to buy my first Chromatic Harmonica. I've never played one before and have only been playing Harmonica of any sort (diatonic) for a year or so.

What are your thoughts on the 10 hole Chromonica? I like the small size of it. I understand that i'd be missing out on half an octave, but I suspect it won't make that much of a difference to me. Thoughts? continue reading...

Hi,

this is my first post in this forum. I am planning to buy all the common harmonicas we need for blues.

Could you please list them here ? Also can I buy those from our website here ?

Regards,Sai

Hi Winslow,

While touring around a collectibles store I came across a 1957 Hohner Centennial in C. It was in its original box and in excellent shape so I bought it for $10.  I'm not sure about the claimed date of it but perhaps you know something about this Harp? It does play fine although very low volume and holes 9-10 won't blow bend. What are your thoughts on this harp??

John

Hello Winslow, and everybody who reads this.

I've been playing a few years  Seydel Saxony, Hohner CX12, Chromatix series from Suzuki.

After cleaning all the harmonicas, the saxony still feels really smooth on the slide action, as the cx12, they feel like butter.

On the other hard, SCX's ... after the maintenence and cleaning the slide feels a little different, more raspy, i guess is because when is new it comes with a little bit of oil in the slide. Do I need to oil the slide again for the smooth feeling? And what kind of oil? 

thanks

Hi,

I'm working on a tune by Howlin Wolf:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVNJfI7o7_0 continue reading...

Hi,

I was given an unused YAMAHA CHROMATIC HARMONICA NO.-1200 recently and was wondering if anyone had an opinion on the model. A google search brings up quite little except they haven't been made for a while (decade or more) and any reviews were vaguely negative.

Being completely new to chromatic I'm wondering if it is worth using or if, despite the freebee, I should invest in a 270 or CX12 to do my learning on.

  continue reading...

Hi,

I was given an unused YAMAHA CHROMATIC HARMONICA NO.-1200 recently and was wondering if anyone had an opinion on the model. A google search brings up quite little except they haven't been made for a while (decade or more) and any reviews were vaguely negative.

Being completely new to chromatic I'm wondering if it is worth using or if, despite the freebee, I should invest in a 270 or CX12 to do my learning on.

  continue reading...