Next Chromatic for West Coast Swing
Hi Winslow,
I have a super 64 Chromatic that I love. I am looking to buy my next key of Chromatic. I will be focusing on West Coast Swing songs, William Clarke, Rod Piazza etc. It seems like Bb would be a good next key? Any suggestions on key and or model to try?
I'm thinking Hohner Chromonica 270 or CX-12 but Dave mentioned in an instructional that the CX-12 is darker and I like a brighter chromatic for more cut especially in a lower key. I Play with a Blowsmeaway wood mic with black CR and a bassman usually at most jams and gigs. I also heard that there is a design issue with the CX-12? I play pretty much all Hohner for Diatonics, Crossovers or Marine Band Deluxe. Pretty much a hohner guy so far but open to other brands Chromatic you think I should check out.
Thanks so much for your expertise!!
When you hear Clarke or Piazza playing non-C chromatics it's pretty much always the 270, though for awhile Rod was playing Herings.
That said, I find that airtightness is chancy with 270s. When they're good, they can be great, but if they're leaky they can be a tone suck.
The CX-12 is a good design and reliably airtight and amazingly bendy, but they have a valve buzzing problem that seems to be endemic. They are different in tone from the 270 - to me they sound fatter and sweeter.
The Suzuki SCX-48 is worth mentioning, though. It'a workhorse model and comes in several keys. The sound to me is kind of neutral. Here'a a clip I recorded with one in Low D, playing over a backing track for Roller Coaster.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yso8vm421iu0zkr/Conspiracy%20theory.mp3?dl=0
Seydel makes both the Deluxe and the Deluxe Steel in several keys, but I don't have enough experience with those to comment.