SCX fan club

[Mr Soandso]

We are well overdue for an SCX fan club meeting  . I recently joined the club with the purchase of an SCX64. It's a quality instrument and I love the rounded mouthpiece similar to the CX12 I have. That's what I was aiming for. I also like that it doesn't weigh as much as I expected. Cheers to this forum for pointing me in the right direction here.

[Keith]

Apparently, I have missed adding my name to this 'fan club'.........so now I have.........

I own a SCX-56, (bought about a year ago, I guess), & whilst I haven't used it much, I appreciate that it is a quality chrom - I just need to get used to it's weight.

[Robbert]

I’ve owned a SCX 64 for a few years, and found it to be of high end quality, while being modestly priced. That’s still true today. Awhile back, I was trying to decide about purchasing another chromatic, something even more expensive and high end, but decided in the long run to simply upgrade the SCX64, so I sent it to harp tech Steve Malerbi to work on, and install a Powercomb. The SCX is good right out of the box, but the playability and responsiveness(especially the upper register) is now significantly enhanced. This makes the instrument really superb, and a pleasure to play. I also have a similarly enhanced CX12, and enjoy that very much. The CX12 sees more use with a guitarist I gig with as it’s easier to hold with a bullet mic, and the SCX gets used with a cello player, where I am not holding a mic. Also that lower octave really sounds good with the cello.

[Laina]

I'll gladly join. As a CX12 fan I bit the bullet and took delivery just 2 weeks ago of an SCX56. These are early impressions but so far I'm smitten. The extra low notes are really useful, it warms up faster than my gold CX12 and I seem to play longer before any valves get sticky. It will be interesting to see how it goes later in the year with colder temperatures.
So far I find the higher register easier OTB than the gold which was professionally regapped after some initial difficulties.  I find the tone pleasing and any doubts about a metallic sound have melted away. At the moment, the SCX is my favourite for playing.. I've yet to dismantle it so am carefully cleaning the MP with a shallow rinse and the cocktail stick tips during drying. So far aok.
But you do have to polish it more to look nice and shiny!

[Edward Brock]

Maybe I've been under a rock since I seem to have missed this one.
I'm in..  My 56 with those lovely Crawford woods is Wonderful and my
64 is pretty darn good too. I'm a fan of Suzuki, both music & motorcycles.

[stan_in_usa]

I own all three models. However, I'm getting into alot of Jazz. Especially Miles Davis. What should be the next key of my SCX to purchase so my playing can hopefully come close to hearing Mile's trumpet work, especially his crowning achievement Kind Of Blue. I'll never be the next Miles Davis, but I love his work, and a chrom in a (closely) matched key would be of great help.

[Grizzly]

I'll gladly join. As a CX12 fan I bit the bullet and took delivery just 2 weeks ago of an SCX56. These are early impressions but so far I'm smitten. The extra low notes are really useful, it warms up faster than my gold CX12 and I seem to play longer before any valves get sticky. It will be interesting to see how it goes later in the year with colder temperatures.
So far I find the higher register easier OTB than the gold which was professionally regapped after some initial difficulties.  I find the tone pleasing and any doubts about a metallic sound have melted away. At the moment, the SCX is my favourite for playing.. I've yet to dismantle it so am carefully cleaning the MP with a shallow rinse and the cocktail stick tips during drying. So far aok.
But you do have to polish it more to look nice and shiny!

My SCX 56 is my "CX 14." I played the Chopin Prelude Opus 28 No. 4 in church yesterday, and had my choice of about five chromatics that fit the range, including my two CX 12 Tenors. (The others were a Super 64, an SCX 64, a CBH 2016.) My go-to chromatics are my CX 12s, but the choice came down to which one was closest to the piano's pitch center. I chose the SCX 56, and didn't regret it. Besides being close to pitch (my Super 64 might have been closer), it was at least as airtight as my CX 12s—maybe more so than the Tenors. The least airtight was the Super 64, and the most off-pitch (too sharp) was the CBH 2016. On this piece in particular, there are many phrases that are primarily on an inhaled breath. Airtight is even more important.

If anyone is interested in learning the Prelude, find one on IMSLP.org. The flutetunes.com has some mistakes in both the flute part and the piano part. The melody in the original piano music is well enough isolated in the treble clef (right hand) to make it easy to read. It's probably the most accessible of the Chopin preludes.

Tom

PS The SCX 56 has the most silent slide!

[Wendellfiddler]

Are they called preludes because something else always follows?  Why aren't they named prelude to xxxxx?

dt

[OL PETE]

I am joining the SCX fan club.
Have this morning taken receipt of my SCX 48.
Bearing in mind I am a baby button pusher and a beginner in Chromatic harmonica, unrecognised, not famous and a nobody, a newcomer's appraisal might have some worth?
I immediately had to compare it with my Hohner 270.
First impressions.
Beautiful sparking handfull of Chrome!
Significantly larger in height .
The mouthpiece was super comfortable, easier to salivate and encompass. Significantly so.
I think this is a major impact that has not been stressed enough.
The button is a lot easier to depress as the spring is lighter. ( delightful)
It is one octave higher than my 270 but that is Probably my selection problem.
I have a deafness problem so cannot hear really high notes.
On the SCX48 I can just about hear the top two notes but with the 270 I hear every note.
It is a lot easier to play due to it's airtightness.
The 270 is hard work when compared.
The SCX has a brighter sound.
I think I will end up playing this more than the 270.
Next?
A Sirius of course!
Siriusly!!
Pete

[OL PETE]

Good choice.  I'm a fan, as well.  Very airtight, and great slide button, too.  Stage-ready (Gregoire Maret played  one before his signature model), and great for woodshedding, as well.  Nothing about it not to like, imo.  A little secret about the SCX is that after you put in a certain amount of time playing it, you'll find that it produces a rich, sweet tone.  Really fun to play.

Congratulations,

Norm

Norm,
Funny you said that.... R...sweet rich tone!
I was playing my 270 last night ( before the Suzzie arrived) and hit some really nice sounds due to a really opened mouth form .
I was so pleased with what came out.
I still do not know " me " and my Timbre on the Chromatic Harmonica yet but that is part of the fun and look forward to laying my Suzzie down. ( mastering her ) ..I have to be careful with you guys as sometimes our meanings can be misinterpreted.
I still have a lot to investigate with Suzzie?
I haf vays of making her sing !!!
Oh no that's Hohner !
Semper in excrementum es sed profundum variat !
Pete

[OL PETE]

Hello all.
Just checking in to let you all know that I am still interested.
Had a bit of time out like we do but back into it now.
I am on page 25 Max De Aloe book.We got to start somewhere I guess.
It is good for me to read music again and slowly but surely I am beginning to know where the notes are on the Chrom.
I am looking forward to page45 where we start to use the slide!
Heck thats why I bought it.
Have a nice day good friends.
Pete

[SlideMeister]

Good to see ya back, mate!

[Keith]

I couldn't be so patient, Pete............

Good that you're back to blowing your chrom - I like these SCX-56, but I still haven't got used to its weight, so mine doesn't get a lot of play time - still, it'll be there when I wear out my others. 

(I do wish they'd make a tenor model though, I prefer a 12.)

[frankyb]

Hello all.
Just checking in to let you all know that I am still interested.
Had a bit of time out like we do but back into it now.
I am on page 25 Max De Aloe book.We got to start somewhere I guess.
It is good for me to read music again and slowly but surely I am beginning to know where the notes are on the Chrom.
I am looking forward to page45 where we start to use the slide!
Heck thats why I bought it.
Have a nice day good friends.
Pete

Welcome back!

[frankyb]

Hello all.
Just checking in to let you all know that I am still interested.
Had a bit of time out like we do but back into it now.
I am on page 25 Max De Aloe book.We got to start somewhere I guess.
It is good for me to read music again and slowly but surely I am beginning to know where the notes are on the Chrom.
I am looking forward to page45 where we start to use the slide!
Heck thats why I bought it.
Have a nice day good friends.
Pete

Welcome back!

[OL PETE]

I couldn't be so patient, Pete............

Good that you're back to blowing your chrom - I like these SCX-56, but I still haven't got used to its weight, so mine doesn't get a lot of play time - still, it'll be there when I wear out my others. 

(I do wish they'd make a tenor model though, I prefer a 12.)
[/quote
I dont know.
I prefer to have a bit of weight in my hands then I know I have my money's worth.
Pete

[Gnarly He Man]

I couldn't be so patient, Pete............

Good that you're back to blowing your chrom - I like these SCX-56, but I still haven't got used to its weight, so mine doesn't get a lot of play time - still, it'll be there when I wear out my others. 

(I do wish they'd make a tenor model though, I prefer a 12.)

I have a custom tuned SCX12 Tenor available, pmail me.

[Keith]

Wrong side of the pond, unfortunately, Gary, by the time taxes & import duty get added, it'll end up too costly, but I appreciate the offer.

[Gnarly He Man]

I'm gonna wind up bebopping it, if no one gets it first.
It's been done a couple of years now, a special project for McManus (Don).
He claims he has enough harmonicas now, who would have thought such a thing was possible.

[Aluvsupreme]

Ol Pete, good to hear from you. I was wondering.     Brian

[RichChrome]

I really like the SCX line, I have three, a 48 in C, a 64 in C and a 48 in Bb which is my latest. These instrument are real workhorses I use them almost daily for practice/playing.

[Bernie9]

I do too.  I have two SCX 48's in G and A and a SCX 64 in C.

[terryg]

Count me in the SCX fan club.  I took delivery on a key of C, two days ago Wednesday.

First impressions:  Initially,  not a whole lot of volume.   But this is getting better as I get better on this chrome.  If I hit them just right, meaning holes 1, 2, 11, & 12, I get some very clear notes.  This is a work in progress to get my breath right.

Anyways,  I'm liking it, and have no regrets.  It feels really good in my hands and mouth.  Moves easily.  The slide moves smoothly, with no noise.

So, count me a fan.

[Doug]

I think that SCX is going to grow on you Terry. I have two and have no complaints about the volume. Sometimes I think I like the SCX better than the Sirius.

There was a thread a few years ago about whether you break in the harmonica or it breaks you in. I believe the conclusion was that the more you play it and learn its nuances the better it sounds. I’ve found this to be true.

[terryg]

Doug, I 100% agree with you.

[Gnarly He Man]

Count me in the SCX fan club.  I took delivery on a key of C, two days ago Wednesday.

First impressions:  Initially,  not a whole lot of volume.   But this is getting better as I get better on this chrome.  If I hit them just right, meaning holes 1, 2, 11, & 12, I get some very clear notes.  This is a work in progress to get my breath right.

Anyways,  I'm liking it, and have no regrets.  It feels really good in my hands and mouth.  Moves easily.  The slide moves smoothly, with no noise.

So, count me a fan.

And, one year warranty. Put some miles on it!

[terryg]

That's my plan.

[tom51texas]

A SCX-56 was delivered to me a week or so ago.  I'm glad to find this fan club to check out how y'all are doing with the SCX.  Nice to be here!


Tom

[Gnarly He Man]

One year warranty, provided you bought it from a domestic dealer.

[ejacob4]

Wanted to bring this bad boy back.

I have an a, an f, and a d 48.

They are my fastest, least troublesome instruments. The slide is as quiet as a slide gets. The mouthpiece is plenty-smooth enough.

Especially if I want to play something new, I grab one of these guys. It just plays what I want how I want.

I can get deeper or fancier sounds out of other axes, and really nice play from the customs, but these guy are just plain tight and fast, ootb and5 years later.

No surgery. Just play.

Best regards,
Ed