Half valved and full valved.

[Akabilk]

A newbie to Chromatic:

After reading a thread  about an ordered Seydel Sampler configured as a Chromatic Key of C  (and what does that  mean?), what  in the heck is this valved business do, pros and cons.

[Balcom]

Hi.
Here info about valves from seydel http://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel1847.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Seydel/Categories/Configurator/Config_Welcome/Ventilierung

Did you order sampler in C? Mainly you got Cmajor scale on top plate (slider out) and G major on bottom plate (slider in). In that case you gaining only F#. From Seydel:

" Pressing the slider does not give the semi-note of the chromatic scale like on chromatic harmonicas. The slider does lower the notes for a perfect forth.

Therefore the instrument can be played in two differnt keys but the chromatic scale is not available (without playing bending notes). The SAMPLER is not a tremolo harmonica."

Traditional chromatic harmonicas are Cmajor top and C#major on bottom. Or other keys with half step apart.

[Akabilk]

Thanks for that link mate,

No   I'm not going  for the Sampler, but the one I read about was ordered configured  in  C Orchestra tuning, C  top, C# bottom. A sneaky way to  get a  cheaper Saxony  (sort of).

After  some serious research, I'm going for the Saxony. It has a different  slide  and comb to the Sampler and is more air tight too apparently. As a long term investment, the price difference is not a lot really.

[Balcom]

Personally I love the way that Saxony works. I got orchestra tuned axe. Do I miss lack of two top holes? Sometimes. But I can live without them. If I miss top squeeze sounds then I use sirius 56 which is different instrument. Sounds nice too but more leaky. Still superb axe. But Saxony is number 1 for me.  Was bit tricky to maintain at first but with time I've learn tricks (slider assembly was the issue)

In that configurator you pay €299 for sampler. Standard Saxony same price.

If I were your shoes,  I'd go for Saxony without a blink.
 Good luck.