Suzuki Chromatix Harmonicas (SCX-48 & SCX-64) | Elderly Instruments

[@BoazKimMusic]

Beautiful playing, Andy! These Suzuki Chromatics look and sound great!

[@MacXcode]

Excellent Comparison! Thank You!

[@wesleyadair9480]

I'm getting the chromatix scx -64 very soon love the sound of it

[@danmaodi3940]

Hi Andy, thank you for your awesome explanation! i didn't catch a small part clearly about the construction of mouth piece. I opened the SCX 64 for cleaning cuz the middle hole 3 is always clogged up. I found the slider is directly on top of the plastic comb, but I understand there should be a back plate beneath the slider, could you explain. I would also appreaciate comments from anyone who already opened and knows about the construction. Thank you!

[@ElderlyInstruments]

Traditionally, a chromatic harmonica slide assembly includes a back plate, a slide, a u-chamber, and a mouthpiece. Suzuki has eliminated both the back plate, and u-chamber. The slide goes directly on the plastic comb (with back plate molded in), and the mouthpiece goes over the slide (with u-chamber molded in to the mouthpiece). Be mindful not to lose the bumpers, which protect the threads of the screws, and insure that the slide depresses to the correct position. If you have any further questions, feel free to call. -Andy Wilson 517-372-7880

[@k.h.f7189]

Hi teacher 1. I hope you are well, is this instrument suitable for someone who wants to play classical music? (like Beethoven, Bach, etc.) 2. Do you think this instrument is more suitable for classical music or Larry Adler 16 holes?

[@landztranz]

So the 48 and 64 are great. That's nice. What should I do with my 56? Throw it out???

[@perrins57]

Send it to me!

[@sampathkumar2287]

@@perrins57 Good idea! Got it?

[@Andrea-lr4kh]

Quale armonica di queste è più adatta per il suonare il blues?

[@danmaodi3940]

Thank you Andy for your explanation. I am pretty frustrated since my SCX64 - middle Hole 3 is easily clogged up five minutes each time I started playing , even after I disassemled to clean it. i will appreciate it evry much you may come up with any ideas whatever it is.

[@ElderlyInstruments]

The most common problem is moisture in the wind saving valves. The valve should lie flat when not being played, and should not stick to the reed plate. If the valve is curled up, separate the two plies with a razor blade, and clean between the two plies with a dollar bill. If the valve is sticking to the reed plate, clean between the reed plate and valve with the dollar bill. This is all part of the normal care of a chromatic harmonica. It is also a good idea to warm the harmonica in your hands before playing. A cold instrument causes your breath to condense, and increases the moisture build up.

[@robinkhalawan3564]

I cannot get a blow sound out of two stuck holes on both my Suzuki SCX 48 & 56. If you have a remedy it'll be nice to hear from you soon. This problem has kinda turned me off from getting Suxuki Chromatix in the future. It's a disappointment because they both played beautifully prior to the problem.

[@ElderlyInstruments]

If you're getting no sound at all, the most common problem is a stuck reed. Often a little piece of food, or (in my case) mustache hair gets wedged between the reed and the slot. Sometimes there is no obstruction, and the reed just gets hung up in the slot. Remove the cover plates, and locate the stuck reed. The blow reeds are on the inside. You may or may not need to remove the reed plates. Carefully lift the valve and poke the reed free with a small screwdriver or razor blade. You should feel it spring free. The problem could also be a low reed gap, stuck valve, or exhausted reed. Be very careful when working with Suzuki reeds, because they are very difficult to replace. Suzuki reeds are spot welded on, and are not available for purchase individually. If you'd like me to look at them, I'd be happy to. Just bring them to the store, or send them to: Andy Wilson c/o Elderly Instruments, 1100 N Washington, Lansing, MI 48906. Include your name, phone number, and address. I will call you with an estimate for repair or adjusting. You would be responsible for all shipping charges. Feel free to call the store if you would like to discuss. -Andy Wilson, Elderly Instruments.

[@robinkhalawan3564]

@@ElderlyInstruments Thank you so much for replying early with generous detail and cautions. I will try your advice and see if it solves the problem.

[@sampathkumar2287]

Can note bending be done on these Chromatics? I thought only diatonic blues harmonicas are built for the bending purpose. Please answer.

[@ElderlyInstruments]

Due to the wind saving valves, typical diatonic style note bending is not possible on a chromatic harmonica. Slight bends (roughly a semitone) are available on all reeds, blow, and draw. These bends behave differently than a diatonic bend. These slight bends are the type that Stevie Wonder makes regular use of. I hope you find this helpful, and please feel free to call if you have any questions. -Andy Wilson

[@sampathkumar2287]

@@ElderlyInstruments Thank you Andy Wilson. I have been playing the chromatics since 1965.. Recently became interested in blues and bought many diatonics. Greetings from India.

[@danmaodi3940]

I am not professional just play to myself. Just got a new Suzuki SCX 64 chromatic, and washed it (even it's new one) , then tried. But immediately found it's so difficult to play, some note are not responsive. I'm used to playing tremolo. Is it because of the design, or the way I'm playing, or the quality issue?Would appreciate any commonts from anyone. Thanks!

[@BoazKimMusic]

dan maodi Hi Dan. It could be a few factors. Are you mostly struggling with holes 3 and 4 draw (the second octave) and the highest two or three holes? The SCX is an air tight instrument out of the box. Tremolos tend to be leaky from quality and having no windsavers (except some Seydel models) like most chromatic harmonicas. I’m sure your tremolos don’t go as low as the SCX. Both the high and lower notes will take time to get used to. I hope that helps. Teachers, like myself, can help you further either in person or Skype. Feel free to contact!

[@vijay1635]

kindly make a lesson of SCN-48 24 holes, cover all possible scales

[@michaelparson-mcnamara782]

So, Andy, you prefer the Suzuki to the Hohner CX-12?

[@rawmark]

I personally prefer the scx-56 myself.

[@wesleyadair9480]

Mark Gailmor I'm thinking of getting the scx -56 also

[@biblestudynetwork2949]

I got 2 of the Suzuki scx 64 and both have clogged holes on the lower registers. 3 holes are pretty clogged and make very little to no sound or weird sounds. I don’t think these are good instruments although I watch many reviews saying that they are. Look at the comments, look how many people had this problem .

[@bobjohnson5486]

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[@ChromaticHarp]

The octaves on the 64 are out of tune!