Ken Leiboff plays "The Entertainer" on 6 Chromatic Harmonicas

On this video I play 6 chromatic harmonicas to compare.
Seydel Saxony, Hohner Amadeus, Suzuki G-48, East top with brass comb, Hohner CX 12 and Hohner CX 12 Jazz. All harmonicas are excellent condition (but not new)....
For background I chose the first 2 parts of "the Entertainer" by Scott Joplin... I play the first time through part one with both hands of piano and the second half with left hand only so the harmonicas stand out more....Part two is left hand only with no repeat... At the end I go freestyle with all harmonicas ....

[@muleskinner47]

Thanks again. Really nice comparison. My favorite seemed to be the Jazz this time. Not much difference.

[@LuvBlues64]

Fantastic video,they all sounded great,my favourite being the Suzuki...

[@keninman5260]

All of the chromatics sounded so much alike. I think that in the feel, durability and price will be the only meaningful differences.

[@soundslikeawinner9538]

When you switched to the East top I immediately noticed it was harder to make just a tone, similar to what I go through playing my first chromatic which I bought recently, a swan 10-hole chromatic. For twenty bucks it was a nice way to get started and see if this is something I like, but I guess I already knew this was something I would like so you immediately wind up wanting something better

[@soundslikeawinner9538]

Anyway, I didn't mean to imply that someone who's play these for years has the same ease of playing that someone like me has who's just starting out. But I love you videos are very helpful. If I could make one suggestion I would love if you would cup the harmonicas however you normally play whatever your style is because I think all players cup them because of all the different effects so I think as long as you're using the same cupping on all the ones you're comparing it should still be a fair comparison. But thanks and I'll keep watching

[@mung3019]

Super gemacht, danke, Gruss aus der Schweiz

[@nickurech5755]

Thx for this helpful post.

[@natedbro8351]

Love the replys , and thanks for the advice. I need all I can get. I sub your page. You sound great, like to hear you preform. Happy harping.

[@Maineuser]

HI, Ken! I’m SO appreciative of all your videos. They’ve helped me know I need to get a chromatic harmonica, and I think the best for me is the Seydel De Lux Steel, because of the quality, stainless reeds and minimal care. (With guitar, you’d only have to be concerned with strings!). Only, before my purchase I’ve got several questions: 1. I like the Seydel Saxony, too, but don’t understand why the aluminum comb is more than the composite - or why in this case they’re calling it the ‘little sister - especially when the beautiful new Seydel Symphony offers both aluminum/composite for the same price. In fact, I’d buy the full 16 hole Symphony in a heartbeat if I could afford the $800. But at 70 years old and kinda new at this, it’s likely only have but the one... ... and I DO love orange... Do you have any better understanding of this? They both seem the same to me... 2. And I got really lost at whether to get a Solo C or an Orchestra tuning - it’s a lot to spend to make a mistake! - but am finally undertaking the Orchestra is better, because of access to the lower G. And you speak about how the lower G is often found in sheet music. I get it. (Seems the argument for the Solo C is ease and consistency in playing - for ear players and due to different blow/draw patterns going from octave to octave?). Only, it’s not like I can afford or want to get two. Only, getting that bottom G, you lose having three complete octaves. The fix? I’ve read one should change that last upper E/F/F/F# note pattern to an E/F/F#/G to complete the third octave. Do you have any thoughts on that? 3. But my biggest confusion, now, before making my purchase is in this video of yours, where you speak of downing the tuning to 440, vs. the 443 right off the shelf. (That’s the C4 is 440?). Seems from what I read, it come as 432 to 448, but one can order a $25 tune adjustment?). It seems a minor adjustment, but as I can imagine playing with keyboards and I’ll only do this but the one time, I thought I’d better make sure. 4. Lastly, I’d also be very interested in what you think of the Power Chromatic tuning - for ease of access/play (w/o slide); willI want to do that? - as I do love some of the serene, soulful blues (Roly Platt for one) playing and absolutely LOVE bass. (I didn’t see a chromatic video of you using that.). In closing, I’ve messed, over the years, with both folk and bass guitar, and have an old clavinova (piano), now... So, I WILL likely get that wonderful huge bass harmonica I saw you use for accompaniment in another videos. Who knew? What fun! Bless you for all your help to us all! Linda PS. #5: What’s the actual single tool (part #), I’d need in order to open and clean the slide from time-to-time? Would you happen to know? I don’t think I really need the tool kit...

[@kenLeiboff]

Thanks for the kind words. You have presented quite a few questions that I would love to address Please give me your phone number and a Time that would be convenient for me to call This would be easier to talk than to type.. [e-mail]

[@oldschool7207]

I really like the brass comb. The tone is noticeably richer.

[@flyingcursor]

I'm a little late posting but I like your playing. That song was the first I learned on the chromatic. Did I hear sticky breath savers on the cx12, 3 blow?

[@taniamelnyczuk2052]

For the life of me, I can't figure out which one I want the most. I think in the end it will all come down to the responsiveness, mouthfeel and how they perform on the lower notes and how tight they are up top. And that's not so easy to tell by just watching someone else.

[@kenLeiboff]

if I had to choose one I would probably do the Seydel Saxony Orchestral. (it is in the $400 range, plays great and the Stainless Steel reeds are very durable, I choose the Orchestral over the regular saxony because hole 1 is a g below middle C and I really need these holes, If you are on a budget, a CX 12 or Jazz CX 12 would do the job (no notes below middle c)

[@bjarnejohannsen573]

Great job ...

[@xxxxharp]

I will have to try them all myself.....send them please !

[@vikasupadhyay1398]

Hi Ken ..I will be really thankful to you if you could clear my query..is the cx tenor harmonica has a lower notes compared to other c harmonica..it will help me choose..I have seen some videos of cx tenor and when I compare the lowest note played by them to the c harmonica I have I feel the lowest note of mine scx 14 hole harmonica is not as low as the cx tenor of hohner..is there a really a difference?..please advise

[@kenLeiboff]

vikas upadhyay Good question. The 1 hole of the tenor is an octave below middle c. The 1 hole of the SUZUKI 14 hole is tghe g below middle c . Incidentally, the g is the lowest note of a violin. Most sheet music will not go below this. I think you would be better off with a SUZUKI 16 Holger if you need the bottom octave ( I love the bottom octave) however I generally perform with my 14 hole SUZUKI Sirius.

[@vikasupadhyay1398]

Ken Leiboff Thank you..I watch a lot of your videos and I am amazed that you play many instruments with equal ease and mastery..so basically what I understand from you reply is that the hole 1of a hohner cx 12 is same note of a hole one of a 16 hole Suzuki..once again thanks for your helpful suggestion

[@victorflores4192]

To Ken:that would be like trading toohbrushes,they are personal things!!!???

[@kenLeiboff]

Victor Flores There is nothing alive to worry about on a harmonica after a few days.

[@dovlandzbaum5036]

Nice comparison, Ken. How long have you been playing?

[@kenLeiboff]

45 years. I have played chromatic for 37 years

[@dovlandzbaum5036]

You mean harmonicas for 45 but chromatic for 37?

[@kenLeiboff]

Dov Landzbaum Yes.

[@dovlandzbaum5036]

Have you played professionally?

[@kenLeiboff]

Dov Landzbaum That depends on how we define the word professionally. I have been paid several thousand times for playing one instrument or another including nearly 2000 of my own banjo sing along shows in the '90's but it never paid the way ( that's why I became an engineer)😊

[@ZvikaDror]

Hi Ken - Love your demos, in this one you really give yourself away! Impressive chromatic collection :) I'm not as great player as you, but I couldn't help to sense a bit of flat tone on your reference tune demos. I think your embouchure is tuned to bending on the diatonic, so your chromatic tone, which is more delicate due to valves and focused air stream gets a "hit' of choke instead of clean airflow. Perhaps I had too many Adam Gussow and Ben Hewlett videos I watched this week made me pay attention to clean tone focus, but if you try to play slowly without lip pressure, maybe you will have cleaner tone, as much as you can "clean" your already good tone :) Thanks for sharing, I really value the option to see the chromatics, which are not as affordable these days, before jumping to buy one online (that you cannot test in a local store). Cheers and enjoy music and life!

[@mambojazz1]

Thanks for nothing. Your post tells me nothing at all except that you yourself have low self esteem.

[@aniloberoi]

Great job...