Hohner Discovery 48 chromatic
Hohner has introduced a new model of chromatic, the Discovery 48. It features plastic comb ad mouthpiece, all screws construction. Its parts are fully interchangeable with those of the wood-bodied 270 Deluxe.
http://www.hohner.de/index.php5?2766
I hope to post a review soon.
Wondering if a review of the Discovery 48 was done? Interested because the mouthpiece on the CX12 looks a bit much and the Jazz seems to have pricing that I don't quite follow. Thanks!
I never got around to reviewing the Discovery 48 as HarmonicaSessions shut down.
While I like the idea of the design, for me it doesn't deliver a big enough sound - both in volume and in tone. Also, it doesn;t seem to want to move as much air as most other chromatics. My suspicion falls on the mouthpiece, though I haven't had the time to swap various mouthpiece around (270, Hering, Discovery) and see to what extent the sound follows the mouthpiece (or doesn't).
A common complaint about the standard CX-12 seems to be about the size of the mouthpiece. Some say octaves are virtually impossible. It seems unlikely Hohner could successfully sell a chromatic for over 20 years that players could not play in octaves. I have no issue with 4 and 5 hole octaves on diatonic. Do you think I should ignore the naysayers? The simplicity of the CX-12 is very appealing. Thanks for responding to what must seem like the same question over and over again!
A five-hole spread on any chromatic is a challenge at first, especially if you're coming from diatonic - it's about the same size as a diatonic six-hole spread.
The radius of the CX-12 mouthpiece can be challenging, but it's the same as for the current line of Suzuki chromatics, and nobody compains about those. It's a self-perpetuating myth, like the "paper-thin" reeds on Hohner Blues Harps, from a fifty-year old marketing campaign when in fact the original Blues Harp was a Marine Band with different covers.
I'm not saying that you'll be happy for sure with the CX mouthpiece. I wasn't at first, but I got used to it.
Not sure why I've let the wood comb deter me in choosing this chromatic. David thinks the 270 Deluxe is good for my level. You think it would serve us chromatic newbies well. Dennis Gruenling recommends and uses it. Not sure why I'm resisting so going to give in and get in one as blues harmonica without chromatic isn't enough! Thanks!
OK, wood is potentially less table than plastic or metal. That said, I played regular 270s for years and loved them. Never had a problem with wood warping, swelling, or splitting. Reeds might go out of tune and slide springs might break, but those were the only problems I had. Of course the nailed-on reedplates were a drag to work on, but the Deluxe took care of that problem.
Great tone, comfortable round holes, and bolted reedplates - what's not to love?
But let's go back to the mouthpiece question for a minute.
Playing octaves is a big part of playing blues chromatic nowadays. That's a five-hole spread. When you get that much harmonica in your mouth, it goes in deep. The ideal mouthpiece for this purpose lets you keep an airtight seal comfortably while playing octaves. The 270 has a shallow mouthpiece that's fine for having three or even four holes in your mouth. Anything past that and you bump up against the sudden near-vertical rise of the covers. Keeping a good seal can get uncomfortable and difficult.
The regular CX-12 doesn't hit you with a wall, because the shape of the shell is a simple radius. You still have to get a lot of harp in your mouth, but you don't get bumped. The CX-12 Jazz is even better: slimmer in the mouth and no bump.
My chromatic inexperience has been remarkably demonstrated. A big part of the reason I like Special 20's is because I don't have to taste the wood and brass reedplate combination. I was concerned that issue would arise with a 270. But now I see how the mouthpiece eliminates that problem. So one more question. It sounded to me like you had to adjust to the CX-12 mouthpiece. Do you think playing octaves is more difficult on the 270 with its bump or on the CX-12 with its large radius? Thanks!
A wee update. Hohner USA tells me they're still waiting on the new chromatics. Hmph. UK and Australian players already have them.
Oh well, a little patience and I'l soon be able to report on this new model, which is geting good reviews overseas.