Retuned Suzuki SCT-128 Chromatic Tremolo Harmonica

[@fishbrownconnect7927]

I'm pretty sure you could make a hair comb with paper around it sound like an entire orchestra. You are a very talented harmonica player I have to say.

[@BoazKimMusic]

I really appreciate that!

[@Scarabee80]

​@@BoazKimMusic so nice to be a french, Vive la France 🇫🇷!

[@dirtypatwalsh]

I’ve wondered about this harmonica since I first heard of it. The tone is out of this world…thanks Boaz!

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thank you, Pat! It’s such a beautiful harmonica.

[@shyamal9332]

Yes very deep tremolo notes come out of this harmonica

[@klutchingsolo6752]

When you play it makes me feel like im in paris well done

[@BoazKimMusic]

Oh thank you! These tremolo harmonicas have a very special tone!

[@rozt107]

Accordions also have additional reeds to add this effect

[@BoazKimMusic]

That's correct! Often called musette tuning, particularly if it has 3 reeds playing at the same time.

[@BoazKimMusic]

Hey everyone, thank you for watching this video which is now past 11,000 views. Amazing! Please like and subscribe if you can. That would really help out my channel. :)

[@mikeregan3265]

It sounds much better than the extreme stock tuning, and nicely played too!

[@BoazKimMusic]

Hi Mike! Thanks for the comment. Do you also own one of these? This one had a stock tuning what was really dry in the low register, except for a few notes. Most of the higher notes were really wet. I have a short clip of me playing a bit before I tuned it noting the inconsistencies but just never uploaded to KZbin.

[@mikeregan3265]

@@BoazKimMusic no,I don't, but I like the Neapolitan sound of your tuning.My choice would be closer to unison.

[@BoazKimMusic]

@@mikeregan3265 Yeah, it was hard to decide how wet or dry I wanted the tuning. I wish there was an easy way to switch between them like on certain accordions because my ear will gravitate to one I’ll hear in recordings. I experimented with a few different tunings as I was tuning this one. I chose a slightly wet tuning because and change in temperature, moisture, and resonance will affect the fine tuning. This tuning sounds more distinct and not too out of tune compared to a standard single reed harmonica. Probably way too much of an explanation. Haha.

[@stevendebruyn6515]

Excellent idea to retune this harmonica to make the tremolo more consistent. Nice playing too, thank you Kim.

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thank you! It took some time but it was worth it!

[@BoazKimMusic]

Wow! 6,714 views! Thank you, everyone! Please check out the other harmonica unboxing videos I have, too!

[@BoazKimMusic]

Almost another 900 views. Thank you all!!

[@jantonisito]

Thanks for the demo! Interesting that tremolo actually sounds muted compared with regular chromatic.

[@BoazKimMusic]

That's right about this tremolo chromatic, though I have done some more modifications to it since that make it less mellow sounding. It sounds different than the regular (diatonic) tremolo harmonicas which tend to sound brighter. That said, it can be a nice thing to have a different sounding harmonica.

[@ZvikaDror]

So good! I came back to listen. Made a Tremolo from a regular chromatic by lowering the C# plate, each tone was a challenge to get the right "beating" and completely varied between lower to higher notes (I did it on a 14 hole Swan). Cheers!

[@BoazKimMusic]

Wow. That’s a good amount of work right there. Is there any reason why you didn’t just buy a standard tremolo? Maybe because almost none of them come in standard “solo” tuning?

[@ZvikaDror]

@@BoazKimMusic Few actually. I believe Seydel has Solo tremolo but also 28 holes have double Cs. My aim was to make a Bebop (C+F) which will be like Seydel's Chromatic without the slider - same body but different plates - I got the idea when testing a chromatic without the slider right after playing a Tremolo :)

[@BoazKimMusic]

@@ZvikaDror Wow. That's a lot of work! How do you like it?

[@agriciobrazil2391]

Great interpretation! Congrat's!

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thank you for the comment!

[@Jim0i0]

Wow. Such a beautiful sound. I want one.

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thank you! These are extremely beautiful sounding and looking harmonicas!

[@MARKLINMAN1]

WOW, INCREDIBLE TONE. Now i see why they cost what they cost, BEAUTIFUL. What was the first harmonica you played?

[@BoazKimMusic]

Hi Mark. Thank you. These are really cool harmonicas. Even regular tremolo harmonicas sound fantastic. Something about the that sound. Coincidentally the first harmonica I tried was my dad's old tremolo that had been unplayed for many years. Soon after I got ahold of a 10 hole diatonic harmonica. How about you?

[@woelneberg]

Great to find your youtube page! I only followed you on Instagram, looking forward to checking out your videos!

[@BoazKimMusic]

Hi! Thanks for finding me here. I plan on uploading more often to KZbin in the near future.

[@papajohndavid]

Bravo, love that sound

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thank you. I do, too!

[@thebyk348]

This goes hard

[@BoazKimMusic]

Much appreciated, @the Byk!

[@meoloveyou1196]

Wait. What?! Nice 😎

[@BoazKimMusic]

Haha! Thank you for watching! I’m glad you enjoy the tremolo sound!

[@carytaylor1415]

Bravo

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thank you, Cary!

[@ajfedor]

Way Kewl, Boaz! I especially liked the ending! :o)

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thanks, AJ!

[@CharlieApples]

And all this time I thought the music in Hayao Miyazaki movies was being played on an accordion 🤯

[@brianpite0893]

The sound of the tremelo is beautiful. Servicing it has got to be a real pain. I bet you know how to do it anyway.

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thanks for the feedback! Oh yeah, it's laborious to service. I'm the one who worked on it and fine tuned the tuning, btw. :)

[@Kryynism]

Got that Porco Rosso vibe up in here. I want one. Haha

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@BadBoy-xu5mq]

Tremolo all the way!

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thank you! It really has a beautiful sound!

[@ZvikaDror]

a Good player must know how to move those reeds - great demo of the SCT-128!

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thank you for watching!

[@TheBrokenHead]

Precioso, me encanto como tocas ✌✌👍👍👀👀

[@BoazKimMusic]

¡Gracias!

[@Fatpepperbear]

Hi, so I want to start playing (0 experience) and I want to start with a chromatic one. Suzuki 12, 14 or 16? I want to buy just one I'll learn with and use for a long time. Do you recommend the one you just showed? The first one you played. Thank you.

[@BoazKimMusic]

Hi SilverBear! That's great that you want to start playing the harmonica! It kind of depends on what you want to do. Do lower notes appeal to you or just higher notes? I prefer the 16 hole models as it gives me a wider note range. A Hohner 280C or Suzuki SCX64 would be a great place to start. If you choose a 12 hole model, try getting a Hohner 270 deluxe in C, Hohner Discovery, or Suzuki SCX48. Those are all solid harmonicas. I would actually recommend getting a second harmonica as a back-up soon after buying the first since that'll help when the inevitable mechanical problem arises. That way you can fix it or send it to get repaired and have another to play in the meantime. I hope that helps!

[@MST339]

Love the timbre, but there seem to be a lot of windsaver popping noise.

[@BoazKimMusic]

Hi Mansing Tse. Thanks for checking out the video! There were absolutely no windsaver issues here including any popping. What you're actually hearing is probably two things: 1. I live in a noisy apartment and upstairs neighbors walking and running around (their kids are playing and can be heard screaming at one point) especially around 1:00. 2. Sometimes I tap my foot and my wooden floor is also noisy.

[@MST339]

@@BoazKimMusic Good to know, thanks for the clarification!

[@paolojeromecristobal2873]

I loved the first one, but the second one had a different charm as well.... maaaan. Oh god. I didnt really understand much of thebdescriptions...though i've played for the past fove months now...but only be ear, no theory. I started with the diatonic but incouldnt get past the bending technique to reach some notes. I did however enjoy playing the tremolo (suzuki winner-16 and the study-24) playing a few studio ghibli pieces by memory. Just bought a basic beginner chromatic but so far i havent acclimatized to the draws yet.

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thank you! Yeah, this tremolo harmonica sound (similar to musette tuning) is really magical and gives a sense of nostalgia. Welcome to the harmonica journey!

[@Neonomad.]

Hi, could you clarify, what is the other harmonica? SCT-128 and the otherone? Really I like both.

[@BoazKimMusic]

Sure! The regular chromatic was a Suzuki SCX-64.

[@winterheat]

@@BoazKimMusic I see, yours is the Suzuki SCX-64C Chromatix Series Harmonica Key of C, 64 Reeds, 16 Holes? Probably it is very similar to Suzuki S-64C Sirius Chromatic 16-Hole?

[@BoazKimMusic]

@@winterheat Hi. Yes, it is a SCX 64 with 16 holes. The Suzuki S-64 Sirius has 16 holes, too. I think the reeds are different on those, but I'm not totally sure. The cover plates are definitely different.

[@winterheat]

@@BoazKimMusic ah I see thank you. Yes later on I found that the SCX-64C is symmetric holes in that sliding plate, while S-64C is a cross hole plate. Suzuki claimed they made Fabulous and then they use the same design in S-64C...

[@BoazKimMusic]

@@winterheat The SCX 64 is, “cross tuned,” so the slide is in the zigzag or alternating pattern just like the Sirius 64 model. Most, if not all 64 (16 hole) models made today are cross tuned. 12 and 14 hole models tend to have either or versions.

[@thesingmonicats1122]

You get a good sound. I am upset with the very low volume and the fact that some reeds seem not to have the tremolo. I find that bending the note can actuvate the trenolo but i was expecting more musette out of the instrument. Maybe need to play it more to break in the reeds.

[@BoazKimMusic]

Jerome Chosson Thanks for your comment. If you read the description you’ll see that I adjusted the tuning on all of the reeds to get a more desirable musette sound. I bought it used and the tuning was all over the map. Some had a very fast tremolo, middle notes were completely dry or had fast rates, and the lowest octave was mostly too dry. In my opinion, you don’t break in a harmonica but it is that you adjust to it. I can retune yours.

[@BadBoy-xu5mq]

Boaz Kim, greetings from the Czech Republic! Can you send me a link where to buy this tremolo harmonica, please? I would like to buy it from Japan.

[@BoazKimMusic]

Hi! Try looking for a Suzuki harmonica dealer near you. Perhaps your local music shop can supply it. If that doesn't work, try eBay. Beware if buying used which will void any warranty. You should also make sure if the Suzuki dealer in your country even offers a warranty.

[@danielmiyahara320]

Interestingly the SCT-128 can sound like an accordion with that tremolo effect

[@BoazKimMusic]

It's a beautiful sound, right?

[@Scarabee80]

La vie en rose

[@BoazKimMusic]

Yes! That is the last tune that I played!

[@camiloandresclavijo7274]

👏👏👏

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thank you, Camilo!

[@Irariwe]

That is a wonderful song and you are doing it so well. Bravo! Could you tell me what’s the name of the song and is there tabs for it? Thanks

[@Irariwe]

I mean the first song that you played on chromatix that sounds French

[@BoazKimMusic]

@@Irariwe Hi. Thank you for your compliments! The name of the song is, "Sous le ciel de Paris." I do not have the tabs as I figured it out by ear for this video.

[@Irariwe]

Bkim thanks for the information. I will search for it.

[@nothomelessonyoutube]

How did I make my way to France through harmonica? I don't understand.

[@BoazKimMusic]

The sound can transport you, but I hope you have a ticket back home!

[@nothomelessonyoutube]

@@BoazKimMusic How would I go about learning to make my harmonica sound like I am in France? Love the bass you have. It's very interesting.

[@BoazKimMusic]

@nothomelessonyoutube Checking out some French Cafe songs will help. A tremolo/musette harmonica will also give you that musette accordion tone, but it’s not really necessary to get started with. Thanks for the comment about the bass harmonica, too.

[@ryanquiriconi2318]

Oooo la la

[@BoazKimMusic]

Indeed!

[@PaulBaughman2142]

Do you have any more videos featuring this harmonica?

[@BoazKimMusic]

Not yet. Coincidentally, I worked on this harmonica two weeks ago. I don't play it too often, but did get a studio call on it. The tuning has held up pretty well. I worked on the fine tuning especially on the highest two holes and can access the tremolo up there with the right technique. Do you own one?

[@PaulBaughman2142]

@@BoazKimMusic No, I don't own one. I would like to though. I think this would be a great instrument for busking. I have a good selection of tremolo harmonicas but they have their limitations. I have heard that you can vary the tremolo speed somewhat with embrasure technique. Have you found that to be true? I liked your playing on this video.

[@BoazKimMusic]

@@PaulBaughman2142 Hopefully you can get one! Yes, it's pretty easy to adjust the tremolo rate with your embouchure especially depending on the octave that you're playing in. It's possible to do it in a similar way on regular tremolo harmonicas. I think this harmonica is one of the most pretty looking ones mass produced.

[@Chromatic_Harmonica]

Nice!

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thanks!

[@viauyeung]

You blow more air into the SCT-128 compare to the other 1? I am pretty sure there are more depth to it.

[@BoazKimMusic]

Are you saying more depth with the SCT-128? I was using more air to get a comparable volume with the tremolo compared to the regular 16 hole chromatic. You have to since you're using twice as many reeds per hole. I have flat sanded it since which made a little improvement. Custom reed work could help, but it will always be more leaky compared to a quality 16 hole chromatic, in my opinion.

[@viauyeung]

@@BoazKimMusic I was thinking about getting the SCT-128, I change my mind after I saw you holding it. it's too bulky, I play on 10 or 12 holes chromatic harmonica, & it will easily fit inside my pocket. Thank You & hope you can perform a full version of "La Vie En Rose" & share it on youtube!!

[@BoazKimMusic]

@@viauyeung Thank you! I hope you're enjoying the harmonica.

[@viauyeung]

@@BoazKimMusic Thanks for your replies again, I am only self-taught learning by watching videos on here. You are far more diverse & skillful by comparison. ADD OIL to you, My friend & to MAKE MUSIC PHILLY!!!

[@mikinba]

Song name?

[@BoazKimMusic]

The first one is Sous le ciel de Paris and the second one is La Vie En Rose.

[@ericolivomartinez3674]

las interpretaciones de este músico asiático en la armónica tienen aires latino

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@brunoguevara1158]

Hey! Whats the 0:40 song name?

[@BoazKimMusic]

The name of the song is, "Sous le ciel de Paris."

[@brunoguevara1158]

@@BoazKimMusic thank youu!

[@eelcj1]

The Suzuki chromatic tremolo needs a wide jaw opening to play.

[@BoazKimMusic]

It definitely helps with tone and the tremolo rate. Do you have any recordings of you playing yours?

[@Pierluigi_Di_Lorenzo]

I don't understand.

[@BoazKimMusic]

The tuning from the factory was very inconsistent with the musette (wavy) tone. Sometimes it was too fast or so slow it was non-existent. At best, it should be a gradual change from the highest note (fast) to the lowest note (slow). I took on the task of fine-tuning all 128 reeds.

[@essereumano2717]

👍👍👍👍👍👍🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

[@BoazKimMusic]

Thank you for watching! It's a great harmonica, right?

[@michellebeaulieu9487]

Now I'll never buy one in case they send me a 'returned' one. Yuk

[@BoazKimMusic]

@@michellebeaulieu9487 A reputable dealer would not send you a used one if it is labeled as new. Sometimes you’ll find people sell them used, which I’d recommend getting it cleaned and sanitized before playing.