MindTheGap
820 posts
Dec 03, 2015
4:10 AM
|
As you know, just started with chromatic and following up the suggestion of getting a 2nd, smaller, instrument to carry around. I keep coming across the Chrometta. People seem to both be fond of it and also say it's not very good.
Is it right for this purpose? Is the hole spacing unusual, does it not have windsavers? Does note bending work the same/sound the same as one with windsavers?
Thanks
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 03, 2015 4:11 AM
|
SuperBee
3021 posts
Dec 03, 2015
4:27 AM
|
Off the top I think no wind savers. Which makes it hard work to play.
I think that's what I've heard. I've never played one and carry a mental note that reminds me I don't want one, but I've forgotten the detail which led to that decision.
I have a 270 and a cx-12, and I like both. I'm going to learn to play for a while before I get another.
|
MindTheGap
821 posts
Dec 03, 2015
4:47 AM
|
Ta. I'm thinking that the no-windsavers feature is possibly desirable for this purpose because they are not present to go wrong. It's often cold here in the UK and condensation is the enemy, I am told.
I like the idea of the 10-holer as, according to the website, it's like the 8-holer with two holes added to the LOW end.
I'm tying to ascertain if people are fond of the Chrometta because they grew up with them, but actually something more conventional like the little swan 1040 is really better. That has no windsavers, although the extra two holes are at the TOP end, plus they are tuned differently to the standard pattern. In which case it may be more harm than good for practice.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 03, 2015 4:48 AM
|
2chops
449 posts
Dec 03, 2015
4:55 AM
|
I have a Hohner 260 that fits perfectly in a clamshell eyeglass case. It goes in my day bag along with the 5 essential key diatonics. Takes up very little space and is always handy. Just a thought.
----------
I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
|
MindTheGap
822 posts
Dec 03, 2015
5:04 AM
|
Thanks 2chops, yes I like the size of it but I'm wary of the 'covers nailed to the pearwood comb' bit! At least the tuning is standard throughout, unlike the swan.
What do you think of my no-windsavers idea in a carry-around instrument?
|
2chops
450 posts
Dec 03, 2015
5:30 AM
|
I understand where you're coming from on that. I live in Northern Pennsylvania where the winters are cold and sometimes downright brutal. Temps average in the teens and often are in the single digits and below. I just don't play any harp outside in that kind of weather. Having said that, my harps are carried in a bag. Or if just carrying the chromatic, it goes in an inside coat pocket. Where it's nice and snuggly warm. I haven't had any issues with the windsavers yet in that respect.
As for the nailed covers/plates, it's not that big of an issue. But I am sending my 260 & 270 to Mike Easton to have corian combs installed and new savers put on. So I'll have screws instead of nails from that point on. If you have someone on your side of the pond to do likewise work, that is a route to consider.
Edited to undo the evil that autocorrect had done.
----------
I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
Last Edited by 2chops on Dec 03, 2015 5:34 AM
|
Crawforde
17 posts
Dec 03, 2015
6:21 AM
|
The mouthpiece on the chrometta is different from most other chromatics.
If you get the correct drillbit tap and screws it is actually quite simple to convert reed plate attachment from nails to screws. Do it one at a time with the instrument fully assembled. Except for covers.
Lots of people dismiss the chrometta, it is the instrument I tried to learn on first, and the weird mouthpiece and my inability to hit single holes led to me dropping it . Years later when I tried chromatics again , after I got more familiar with the method and button etc. on a "better" instrument, I pulled it out of storage. The sound is great. I really like the mellow easy tone. If I saw a ten hole for the right price I would grab it.
Mine does have windsavers. If searching old used ones look for a
|
MindTheGap
823 posts
Dec 03, 2015
8:46 AM
|
...if searching old used ones look for a....???? :) (The murderer was....)
I bet I could replace nails with screws (famous last words) but for the carry-round harp I want something that I've not invested too much time in. Because it might get lost/dropped and all that.
The chrometta is quite expensive compared to a swan, but oddly attractive, just based on the fondness I've seen written towards it. And yes people do praise the sound. Then go on to say it's leaky, the slide travel is too long, they hate it, but love it...
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 03, 2015 8:47 AM
|
Harmlessonica
168 posts
Dec 03, 2015
9:32 AM
|
I have a 14 hole chrometta, but the mouthpiece is so difficult to use it effectively stops me playing it. And I wouldn't say the tone is so great that I would put up with such a stumbling block.
The mouthpiece is moulded to the comb, so you can't even modify or replace it easily. It's almost as though they deliberately designed it so you would become frustrated and buy one their better chromatics.
It's pretty much like playing a kazoo through a cheese grater. ...Okay, maybe that's a bit harsh, but then so is sliding a cheese grater across your lips.
----------
Forum Search Direct Link
|
MindTheGap
825 posts
Dec 03, 2015
9:50 AM
|
Ouch. Nasty imagery. I don't want one of those then.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 03, 2015 9:50 AM
|
Crawforde
18 posts
Dec 03, 2015
4:57 PM
|
Oops deleted or lost a bit.
Harmless wrote most of what I meant to say anyhow, I just like the sound a bit better than he does.
From all I have heard the swan is a good bet, and price cheaply enough that if you don't like it it's not a big loss. Seydel also has one designed to be used without valves. I have a 260 that I tried without valves. My lungs aren't big enough for that. My valveless 10 holer is some unknown brand East European thing I payed $5 for used. Probably very similar to the Seydel, but I've never seen one. I keep it in an eyeglass case.
|
