Chrometta fan club!

[Aluvsupreme]

Here it is !  I like my Chrometta too!       Brian

[Gnarly He Man]

I found the 10 hole Chrometta very exasperating to play. It's basically an orchestra tuned 8 holer. The tone was still there, but other than that, I hated it like a snake. 

Boy, I am enjoying the Orchestra tuned 260 I created.
Goes up to D6, so 2 1/2 octaves.
But I guess you get used to what you use.

[Otter]

Had a noodle around on my 14 this morning. It's definitely softer/smaller sounding than my old Chromonika III, but bends and vibrato come very easily on it. Something about the big holes and shallow mouthpiece make it feel like my mouth cavity has a very direct effect on the reed, though I don't know if that's exactly what's going on.

[Paulc]

Played my 14 holer today and it was very enjoyable. I really like the extra two holes, just gives you more scope and I do like the depth of sound.

[frankyb]

Enjoying my new Chrometta 14 hole.  I have read that the Chromettas are often very airy.  I find that mine is fine, although maybe the larger holes require a bit more air to get the same loudness, simply due to volume rather than a lack of air tightness. I find it easy to play and responsive.  Any thoughts. 

I also like the 2 extra holes, which allows me to play some melodies in a lower octave or gives me a choice of octave. 

[SlideMeister]

The European models are generally better than the Chinese jobs, 1M0

[SlideMeister]

I found the 10 hole Chrometta very exasperating to play. It's basically an orchestra tuned 8 holer. The tone was still there, but other than that, I hated it like a snake. 

Boy, I am enjoying the Orchestra tuned 260 I created.
Goes up to D6, so 2 1/2 octaves.
But I guess you get used to what you use.

Yeah, I hate'em like a snake myself. I find them all but useless. I'd rather play a suck-harp (and I don't even like those. )

[frankyb]

The European models are generally better than the Chinese jobs, 1M0

Interesting, mine is made in China and, so far, feels quite airtight to me.

[Grizzly]

My Chrometta 14 from 10-15 years ago was made in Czech Republic, horribly out of tune and with a bent slide. Purchased new, fixed, and traded off within a few years. Bleeah.

Still have a 12 from ~50-60 years ago which I like. Not my go-to.

Tom

[SlideMeister]

My "Power-14" was Czech made, my other two were Czech made, and three students I've had over the years bought the Chinese models (all of which I actually I played) and none of them came close to the Czech jobs,  (just sayin') so my opinion is still my opinion. Maybe someone should ask Brendan his opinion on the subject.

[frankyb]

My "Power-14" was Czech made, my other two were Czech made, and three students I've had over the years bought the Chinese models (all of which I actually I played) and none of them came close to the Czech jobs,  (just sayin') so my opinion is still my opinion. Maybe someone should ask Brendan his opinion on the subject.

Or maybe I'm just lucky. 

[Otter]

I'm not too sure of the age of my 14. It's the older red comb style, marked Made in Germany and came with a groovy looking but not very substantial silver cardboard clamshell case. Mine has had a rough life though - the drift pins holding it together (now replaced with screws) were heavily rusted, and the reed plates were quite tarnished.

[wolfman]

 Hey,a little luck can go along way.

   Roman

[frankyb]

Hey,a little luck can go along way.

   Roman

It does when you need it. Mine is brand new through Amazon.  Hopefully, Hohner has improved their quality control in China and that is the reason. Mine can be played very softly.  Not sure if that is a sign of airtightness or because the reeds are more flexible.

[Keith]

I never had any problem playing mine either, black combs, (just getting used to the mouthpiece).

[beads]

I have 2 issues with the Chrometta. If played more than 30 or 40 minutes my mouth muscles tire. No other harp causes this. Second issue is the long slide throw and less than stiff spring precludes fast play. Neither are real problems for me. I just put it down when I tire and I use my other chrome if a song needs the faster slide. I like the Chrometta and would definitely replace this one if I ever lost it.

[frankyb]

I have 2 issues with the Chrometta. If played more than 30 or 40 minutes my mouth muscles tire. No other harp causes this. Second issue is the long slide throw and less than stiff spring precludes fast play. Neither are real problems for me. I just put it down when I tire and I use my other chrome if a song needs the faster slide. I like the Chrometta and would definitely replace this one if I ever lost it.

Do you pucker?

[beads]

Yes.

[frankyb]

Yes.

I think I would have less of a problem with playing long periods of time, as use a simple form of tongue blocking; I only play the note  to my right.

[Grizzly]

Not in my experience. I had a somewhat longer session with my (since traded) Chrometta 14, and found that the side of my tongue got sore the more I played with tongue block. A pucker may make the lips sore, but doesn't involve the tongue.

The webs between embouchure holes are narrower than any other harmonica, even though the holes are spaced the same as any other Hohner chromatic. A such, they affected my accuracy, too. Although meant as an introduction to chromatic harmonicas, the Discovery 48 is much better in that respect among Hohner harmonicas.

Tom

[frankyb]

Not in my experience. I had a somewhat longer session with my (since traded) Chrometta 14, and found that the side of my tongue got sore the more I played with tongue block. A pucker may make the lips sore, but doesn't involve the tongue.

The webs between embouchure holes are narrower than any other harmonica, even though the holes are spaced the same as any other Hohner chromatic. A such, they affected my accuracy, too. Although meant as an introduction to chromatic harmonicas, the Discovery 48 is much better in that respect among Hohner harmonicas.

Tom

Tom, that is interesting. I have been playing my 14 quite a lot and so far no problems with my tongue, but I do take a lot of breaks.  I am going through a learning process on playing single notes with it (am now doing quite well) and agree it is not likely to be the best for a beginner.  I do love the tone and the 14 holes at such a low price. 

[Grizzly]

Inexpensive and 14 holes is why I got one, but it was nearly unplayable out of the box. But it whetted my appetite enough to get an SCX 56, which I enjoy a lot more. The biggest selling point of a Chrometta is tone.

I was playing my Chrometta 14 in the car, one-handed, which may have contributed to my sore tongue.

Tom

[frankyb]

Inexpensive and 14 holes is why I got one, but it was nearly unplayable out of the box. But it whetted my appetite enough to get an SCX 56, which I enjoy a lot more. The biggest selling point of a Chrometta is tone.

I was playing my Chrometta 14 in the car, one-handed, which may have contributed to my sore tongue.

Tom

One hand, that could be a factor.

How long  ago did you get the your Chrometta?  Mine plays very nicely, except for my needing to get use to the mouhtpiece.  I'm wondering if I am just lucky or if quality has improved . 

[Grizzly]

The quality may have improved. Mine was made in Czech Republic, bought ~15 years ago. Way out of tune, even the slide was bent. Fixed by me, traded for something else.

Tom

[Otter]

A lot of Chinese manufactured products have been gradually improving over the last few years, so I wouldn't be surprised if the current Chinese models are more consistent than when they first moved production.

[SlideMeister]

Yeah, I know. You don't hafta look much further than Predator gas engines and Easttop harumkas.

@ge ><((((º>

[frankyb]

I am a tongue blocker. I find I that with the large holes I am having trouble with not fully keeping my tongue flat on the holes not in play and, from time to time, air escapes and another hole sounds  a bit, when not wanted.  I am getting better, but it is an issue for me.

[Grizzly]

Keep at it. It does get better.

Tom

[frankyb]

Keep at it. It does get better.

Tom

Thanks Tom.  I am improving - I think. 

[frankyb]

Keep at it. It does get better.

Tom

Thanks Tom.  I am improving - I think. 

I think I got it!!!