Chrometta fan club!

[frankyb]

I am beginning to play my Chrometta 14, much more naturally.  Today I played it for my wife and compared it to my Hohner Meisterklasse, Seydel Symphony, Seydel Saxony Orchestra and my Suzuki  Chromatix SCX-64 and on a very preliminary basis we both preferred the sound with the Chrometta. I think because of the basic mellowness of the Chrometta.  I had not played the Seydel's recently or the Suzuki, so that could be a factor.

Also, I feel as if I have more subtle control of the airstream with the Chrometta, maybe because of the larger holes?

[frankyb]

I am beginning to play my Chrometta 14, much more naturally.  Today I played it for my wife and compared it to my Hohner Meisterklasse, Seydel Symphony, Seydel Saxony Orchestra and my Suzuki  Chromatix SCX-64 and on a very preliminary basis we both preferred the sound with the Chrometta. I think because of the basic mellowness of the Chrometta.  I had not played the Seydel's recently or the Suzuki, so that could be a factor.

Also, I feel as if I have more subtle control of the airstream with the Chrometta, maybe because of the larger holes?

Well, I am becoming more and more enamored with my Chrometta 14.  It is definitely airtight and the large holes give me the feeling that they are almost not there and that I simply inhale and exhale and there is sound.  It just feels more direct.  I continue to love the sound, as I hear it when I am playing.  Have not done any serious recording yet.

[Paulc]

I really enjoy my Chrometta 14, as said earlier it play so easily with no force and I also like the two extra notes at the bottom end.

I do want to try a Meisterklasse but really can’t justify the cost.

[frankyb]

I really enjoy my Chrometta 14, as said earlier it play so easily with no force and I also like the two extra notes at the bottom end.

I do want to try a Meisterklasse but really can’t justify the cost.

I have a  Meisterklasse and it is a fine chromatic in every way.  I was lucky and got it on sale for $374.62 0n Amazon a few months ago. It had become my favorite harmonica.  I love its sound, but have read so much about the lovely sound of the Chrometta, I decided to get the 14 and was lucky to also get it on sale at Amazon. Maybe, a bit of H.A.S. was involved.

Of course, the  Meisterklasse is much more solidly constructed and, in my mind, a work of art.  But, so far, I prefer the more mellow tone of the Chrometta, to my ear, when playin and am getting really found of the large holes.  As to its construction, I am satisfied with it and really like the its retro look. I would prefer that the slide had less travel.

Full disclosure, I play only a few melodies for my own entertainment and my wife's and occasionally with with family in my 'audience' or in stores or malls, while sitting and waiting for my wife. 

[SlideMeister]

While I'm sure there is someone out there, so far, I've yet to hear anyone say they didn't like the sound of the Chrometta. One of the cool parts is that the 8, 10, 12 and 14 all sound exactly alike. The closest thing out there (mellow / tone wise) is the Swan 1664-6 "Boat shaped" (kinda like the Chrometta) but I think they're outta production, so they're hard to find.

[frankyb]

While I'm sure there is someone out there, so far, I've yet to hear anyone say they didn't like the sound of the Chrometta. One of the cool parts is that the 8, 10, 12 and 14 all sound exactly alike. The closest thing out there (mellow / tone wise) is the Swan 1664-6 "Boat shaped" (kinda like the Chrometta) but I think they're outta production, so they're hard to find.

Thanks for that background Age.  It makes me feel better about prefering the 'Crometta' sound.

I had a scare.  The 4th blow reed (E) stop sounding.  It was very stuck,  Tried 'banging' the harmonica on my hand etc.  Finally, I found it would play with a real high pressure blow, but then would stick again.  Took it apart and the valve looked O.K.  I lifted the reed a little and it seemed kind of stuck towards the center.  So I moved it up and a few times and now it plays just fine.  Did not see anything in there causing it to stick.

[frankyb]

I had to take the covers off to work on a stuck reed (fixed) and I noticed that the slide is in its own compartment.  Can I remove it simply by detaching the spring?  If so, is there anything I need to watch out for and is it easy to reattach it to the spring?  I assume this is how you take out the slide, otherwise, it appears, you would have to remove the reed plates.

[beads]

I found the spring to be a little difficult to remove but very easy to replace.
The outside valves have problems because you blow warm, moist air over them. They are easy to get to. The inside valves get dry air drawn across them and are closed on the blow so very few problems from them.
I took the reed plates off once to clean my chrometta about 3 years ago. I used a small 1 inch C clamp to press the pins out and back in. I used a small set screw with a hole for an Allen wrench and pressed the pin into the hole of the set screw and then pulled it the rest of the way out with pliers. To assemble, the set screw was put on the other end so the smaller end of the pin went into the set screw while the C clamp pushed the pin in. I taped the pins to a piece of paper and labeled them so they went back into the same holes. I think this is easier an  less likely to cause damage than using a small hammer and punch on the pins.

[frankyb]

I found the spring to be a little difficult to remove but very easy to replace.
The outside valves have problems because you blow warm, moist air over them. They are easy to get to. The inside valves get dry air drawn across them and are closed on the blow so very few problems from them.
I took the reed plates off once to clean my chrometta about 3 years ago. I used a small 1 inch C clamp to press the pins out and back in. I used a small set screw with a hole for an Allen wrench and pressed the pin into the hole of the set screw and then pulled it the rest of the way out with pliers. To assemble, the set screw was put on the other end so the smaller end of the pin went into the set screw while the C clamp pushed the pin in. I taped the pins to a piece of paper and labeled them so they went back into the same holes. I think this is easier an  less likely to cause damage than using a small hammer and punch on the pins.

Thanks Beads.  I'm glad that if there is a problem it is removing the spring rather than puting it back together.


Doing what you did in taking off the reed plates is beyond my skill level, so I hope I never have to consider it.

[Grizzly]

frankyb: "Did not see anything in there causing it to stick."

Oftentimes you won't. It doesn't take much, a stray filament or fine hair. Plinking the reed is sometimes all it takes. If it happens again, take a peek with a 10-power loupe.

Tom

[frankyb]

frankyb: "Did not see anything in there causing it to stick."

Oftentimes you won't. It doesn't take much, a stray filament or fine hair. Plinking the reed is sometimes all it takes. If it happens again, take a peek with a 10-power loupe.

Tom

Thanks Tom.  I did not see anything.  I don't hve a 10 X loop, but I do have some powerful eyeglasses, from a relative who passed away, that do a great job magnifying.  If it happens again I will take a close look with them.

[SlideMeister]

Chances are, whatever was in there fell out, never to be seen again. It really doesn't take much to clog a reed.
The spring goes in and out easily once you do it a few times. Just might wanna cover it with a piece of cloth to make sure the thing doesn't make like Elvis, and leave the building, or worse yet, find it's way into your eye.

[8ntractor]

Hi all I finally got the Chrometta  14  and it sounds really good. I only played it for about 1/2 hour one handed while driving but the square holes do not seem to be much of an issue. The overblow on a number 10 hole has a wonderful tremolo but like I said one handed and driving. I do have a question did your harmonicas come in a sealed package? Mine was in a box in its case but not sealed in any way. While waiting for the harmonica to show up I got the urge to play guitar again after 40 years away from it. So picked up a used seagull folk.

[Keith]

Both of my Chromettas (14 & 10 hole) just arrived in their cases.

(But my supplier does give them a testing on a machine before sending them out).

[8ntractor]

Thank you Keith I will not worry about it. 40 years ago they came in a open box case I just thought these days when they put a 79 cent item in a 1/4 pound of plastic and cardboard  they would seal the harmonica in something.

[truckpartsaus]

Hi does anyone know why these are so cheap? Was thinking of getting one for practising.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32809676911.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000060.1.34f220b5ORnjcc&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.169870.0&scm_id=1007.13339.169870.0&scm-url=1007.13339.169870.0&pvid=0dec05b3-b422-4681-9a5a-ceeaeccc95d2&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller,scm-url:1007.13339.169870.0,pvid:0dec05b3-b422-4681-9a5a-ceeaeccc95d2,tpp_buckets:668%230%23131923%2380_668%23808%233772%2357_668%23888%233325%2311_668%232846%238115%23868_668%232717%237558%23126_668%231000022185%231000066058%230_668%233468%2315618%23941

[SlideMeister]

True, that IS the cheap Chinese model (not the Czeck model) but even so, that's a very good price.

[truckpartsaus]

True, that IS the cheap Chinese model (not the Czeck model) but even so, that's a very good price.

Thanks Age. Is the Chinese one any good, are they made of the same components as the European ones or are they Chinese crapolla? Australian price = $270.36au so looks tempting for a practice axe. PS: And it is freight free to OZ for that price. Cheers Wazza.

[SlideMeister]

I like the Czech ones much better, (more quality control) but I understand they both use the same reedplates

[SlideMeister]

Really Don't think you can go wrong for that price, mate!

[beads]

Got my German made Chrometta used for $30 plus shipping.  It was like new and has played great the past 3 years. Plenty of used ones on Ebay,  but I suppose each one is a gamble. I'm thinking of getting another for spare parts. However,  the Chrometta is held together with drift pins, not screws. More work to assemble it. I made a simple tool to push the pins out and in. Mine has the original valves and they work fine. I only took it apart for cleaning since it was used.

[frankyb]

I like the Czech ones much better, (more quality control) but I understand they both use the same reedplates

Either I got lucky or the quality of the Chinese version has improved, but I got a new Chrometta 14 in late June of this year and it is terrific.  Air tight and it sounds gorgeous.

[SlideMeister]

Yeah, I've heard both. BUT I believe they both actually utilize the same basic reedplates, so if anyone has issues, they would be with other aspects: air tightness, slide finish, valves coverplate thickness or finish, etc.

[Grizzly]

I like the Czech ones much better, (more quality control) but I understand they both use the same reedplates

Around 15 years ago I bought a new Czech 14. It was horribly out of tune (same reedplates? had to be) and the slide was bent.I fixed it, and traded or sold it when I found the SCX 56.

Tom

[SlideMeister]

Definitely musta got a rotten one there, Tom. What I know is that Brendan always used the Czech made Chromettas for his "Power Chromettas" and I've seen a couple of the Chinese jobs that were just "not as good."

[Grizzly]

Possibly. This was during a time when some CX 12s I bought were no better tuned. Somebody dropped the ball somewhere.

Tom

[BERT77]

I'm glad this thread is still going strong! I still pick up my chrometta 12 from time to time and the tone is o so good

Cheers all.

[SlideMeister]

Yeah, same here! Love that mellow Chrometta sound!

[Paulc]

Just been playing my Chrometta 14 for about an hour and so enjoyed it. Mouthpiece was a bit sticky and I do prefer a weightier instrument but had a lot of fun with it all the same, it has a great tone and it “breathes” so easily with every note needing very little breath to activate it.

Must play it more 😊

[frankyb]

Just been playing my Chrometta 14 for about an hour and so enjoyed it... skip...it has a great tone and it “breathes” so easily with every note needing very little breath to activate it.

Must play it more 😊

That fits my experience with my Chrometta 14.