SCX fan club

[Bernie9]

I am looking at a used SCX-48 (F/S)? V2 for $175.  I wrote to the seller for the key, to make sure it is key of F.  Also. is "V2" the latest model?

[SlideMeister]

Yep (unless they came out with a newer one)  I didn't care much for the original system they used, but the V2's are much tighter.

[Bernie9]

Thanks Age,

That very thing is what I am trying to avoid.  I found out the hard way with a used SCX-64 trapezoid.

[Grizzly]

My SCX 56 says New Mouthpiece on a sticker on the case However, although ist's the rounded one, the slide assembly has a backing plate. My (newer) SCX 64 has the same sticker, but the back of the comb says v2. No backing plate.

If it says v2, then Bob's your uncle.

Tom

[SlideMeister]

I have a cheap Easttop that has no backing plate that's just about as tight as a CX-12. It's a very tight axe. With a properly machined comb surface, I personally don't see the need for a backing plate (except for concerns having to do with "wear")

[RichChrome]

I have an older SCX 48 with the back plate, it's probably about 12+ years old, still pretty air tight and it's been a work real horse and problem free. However, I decided I needed a new one so I've just bought a new 48. I've been playing the 48 more and more lately, I prefer it for practice when reading a lead sheet but I'm also kind of enjoying the size of a 48 over the larger chromes.

[beads]

New member of the SCX Fan Club here. Recently got a 56. Very happy with this instrument. Very consistent response and volume from note to note throughout the entire range that I play (never use 11 and 12, they might be great also).
Tight tolerances on the slide. I can see myself having to clean this slide periodically. The high notes really sing. Probably because the harp is so air tight. I had no issues going from 12s to this 14.

[Gnarly He Man]

It’s easy to keep the mouthpiece clean.
Just place the harmonica mouthpiece down into a shallow pan of water, work the slide a little bit, then shake the excess water out.
If you do that, and clean your mouth before you play, you can go a long time without having to disassemble the mouthpiece.

[SlideMeister]

Not to mention that little bit of water in the slide assembly makes tight as a frog's ear (at least for a little while)

[chromaticdude]

My first real chroms were the SCXs (I bought all three from RR's) after the mistake of buying everyone's favorite whipping post, the Honica chromatic. I've purchased others over the years, but the SCXs will always be my favorites.

[Angie]

I gave myself an SCX56 for Christmas. I love it....and thank you all so much for your reviews. And now it's time to practice jazz and improvisation.

[chromaticdude]

When did the latest SCX line come out? I bought mine from Rockin Ron's perhaps around 2016, give or take a year. And how can I tell the difference between the upgrades?

[Gnarly He Man]

When did the latest SCX line come out?

What’s new?

[chromaticdude]

GnarlyMan, what's new? From some posts, Suzuki made changes over the years regarding the mouthpiece and other minor details since its intro, from what I've read. I'm not going to lose sleep over this since I've got various chroms with different mp's. I was just trying to get the lowdown.

[beads]

Mine says v2 on the comb. Purchased from Rockin Ron in 2021. Rounded mouthpiece. I think the old mouthpiece was trapezoid shaped, but I'm not sure. If yours says v2 then I think you have the newst version.

[Gnarly He Man]

AFAIK, the SCX hasn’t changed in at least 6 years.

[Grizzly]

Mine says v2 on the comb. Purchased from Rockin Ron in 2021. Rounded mouthpiece. I think the old mouthpiece was trapezoid shaped, but I'm not sure. If yours says v2 then I think you have the newst version.

True about the mouthplate.

My 64 says v2 on the back of the comb. My 56 doesn't, but there is a sticker on the case that says"new mouthpiece", which is rounded.

BUT: My 56 has a three-piece slide assembly, before Suzuki switched to the two-piece. I don't keep records, but they're both probably over ten years old.

Tom

[Bernie9]

Tom
Do you notice a difference in the air tightness of the V2? I have the older 64 with the trapezoid MP, and it is far less tight than my new 48s with the round MP.  I am wondering if the difference is in the MP or more. It is a shame that I became use to the new ones, in a way, as I may have not known the difference.

[Grizzly]

Both of mine have the round mouthplates, differing only in whether 3-piece or 2-piece. Although the 64 is more likely to be more leaky, they're about the same.

By comparison, my Super 64, with 64X covers and taped slide, is pretty close, barely not as airtight And my CBH 2016 is a little more airtight, but stuffy as a result (not as responsive).

One of my CX 12s, the only one (out of 6) out on my bench, is about equivalent to the Suzukis and the Super 64.

Tom

[WillS]

I guess I should "join" the SCX fan club too. I was given two SXC harps over the Christmas holiday; an SCX 48 in F, and SCX 56 in C. I like them and they sound very good, but I don't think they are as air tight as I had thought they would be. Maybe it's particularly just that the low end of  the 48 needs more air than I am use to.

But that really odd; my wife thinks I'm full of hot air. 

[chromaticdude]

I know I asked some people how to tell if any of my SCXs were V1 or V2. Curiosity got the better of me. For the very time today I checked all my SCXs. This would include my three (48, 56, & 64) in C, my Low C, & Bb. I never looked on the back of the comb until tonight. They all said V2 or v2. Though in a way it really doesn't matter since I've grown accustomed to playing chroms with either style mp.

[Joe Phillips]

Hi, I'm a new SCX owner, an SCX-56. One of the reasons I got it was to better experience a 14-holer. But to be honest, that's not what I'm enjoying the most. It's the tone, playability, workings and build quality of the SCX line. I expected an excellent instrument and this surpasses it. I plan to go to the top of this thread and read through and learn more about the SCX. Not my first Suzuki, but my first Suzuki chrome. So far I can identify only one regret: that I didn't get this harmonica years ago.

[SlideMeister]

Yeah, while not my favorite model, there's no getting around it; the SCX is a quality instrument. Solidly built to last, comfortable to handle, as well as pretty to look at.

[Edward Brock]

My Favorite (#1) is the one I hardly ever play. Meisterklasse.
My favorite that I play (currently) has to be that cheap Caberet. I keep going back to it lake a magnet. Thank you DannyG..
The next favorite has to be the SCX56 with those Lovely Crawford Wood Covers.
#4 on My hit list is the Easttop Black & Gold again with them Lovely Crawford Wood Covers. Luv dem woods.
I also have an SCX64 which ain't bad. But I never got the SCX48 which I told myself I was going to get.  :'(

[Keith]

I've had my SCX-56 for some time now, & have barely played it, yet I do like it, & my CX12 Tenor - just prefer my Seydels, I guess.

[Gnarly He Man]

It’s easy to keep the mouthpiece clean.
Just place the harmonica mouthpiece down into a shallow pan of water, work the slide a little bit, then shake the excess water out.
If you do that, and clean your mouth before you play, you can go a long time without having to disassemble the mouthpiece.

I find that I prefer to remove the MP for cleaning, tho.

[SlideMeister]

The water-bath is a great "quick-fix," but ya can't beat a good old fashioned "take it to bits" as they say in "Jolly-Old." 

When you have all the components apart and looking back at you, you can see stuff that's starting to happen, and fix it right there. Besides, nothing playes better than a freshly cleaned Chromatic!   I hate working of them, but still do mine once a month.

[Houdini]

I'm not really comfortable dealing with small parts that require a light touch. I seem to have diminishing fine motors skills as I grow older. I always try to keep disassembly to an absolute minimum. Therefore, I'm a water bath kind of guy. I always brush my teeth before playing either a chrome or diatonic as that is far easier than doing maintenance. It's not that I'm lazy. I'm just not confident in my chrome (or diatonic) maintenance abilities. I am reluctant to adjust reeds for precisely the same reason. Having to ship harps out for repair because I did something stupid (and waiting for their return) is something I always trying to avoid.

I think the SCX represents great "bang for the buck".  I have both a 48 and 56. I like the mouthpiece and find it comfortable to play with a moustache/beard. No hairs get caught and plucked. Build quality seems pretty good to my uneducated eye.

I find that I lack the ability to coax better tone out of a chrome than the SCX is capable of producing at this point given my skill set. I don't think that spending more money on a higher end chrome would help me sound better. I also like Danny G's Cabaret (48) a lot. I find it produces very good tone, is durable, and comfortable to play. I find myself switching chromes because I am always fighting my tendency to play "wet" and need to have a dry chrome in reserve.

A relative "newbie's" opinion for what it's worth.

[ceke]

I have a SCX-48 which I like. I also have a Hohner Chromonica 64 (which I dont like). I am almost an intermediate player. I find when trying to play the lower octave on the Hohner 64 I am inaccurate in getting to the lower G and A and back up again. This will be my skill level. I am thinking that I should try to work with a SCX-56 rather than get a SCX-64 in an attempt to make the harmonica easier to handle. I have pretty much decided to do this but thought I might get your thoughts.

Thanks

Chris

[SlideMeister]

I agree with your opinion; I'm not big on 64's myself, so I have two SCX's; a 56 and an Orchestra tuned SCX-12 and they're pretty good axes.