I am 57 years old. My much older cousin brought my mother this 4 chromatic professional harmonica when returning from the Army, and Germany about 1952.She is now 89, and has played this harmonica in every kind of event imaginable. I listened to her play it again just a little while ago.It is undoubtedly the sweetest sound any instrument could ever make. After all this time I don't think either of them needs a tune up.

My Hohner Chromonica 280 is at least 35 years old. It plays as well now as it did when I first got it.

I switched to the Chromatic Harmonica only 18-months ago although I played the diatonic harp for a long time before that. I have always preferred to play tunes rather than æchuggingÆ the rhythm and eventually became frustrated by the diatonicÆs limited note-range in first position. Never having played the chromatic before, there was a tough choice; just enough notes to make a good tune, or all the notes I could get on one instrument! I initially selected the Chromonica 48 but found some tunes really need the octave below Middle-C to get the best effect. Not wishing to decry the æ48Æ, it has a fantastic sound and I often use it for specific tunes as the tone is a bit more æearthyÆ thanks to the wooden comb. However, the æCÆ-tuned 64 covers a full four-octave range and the plastic comb gives it a warm, mellow tone that I like very much. Obviously the sound of the instrument is a personal preference but it never fails to give a smooth sound when played in a variety of styles. Also, being in the key of æCÆ, I use music written for any æCÆ- instrument, which significantly increases the selection available without the need to transpose. At 7 inches long, the æ64Æ is a handful of an instrument and it is difficult to æcupÆ in the hands to make best use of æhand-effectsÆ to get the right sound. Despite this, the æ64Æ is an excellent instrument whatever your skill-level. Another plus-point for the æ64Æ are the round holes on the mouthpiece. I find them to be more comfortable on the lips than the square holes on æ48Æ. Chromatic Harmonicas are serious instruments and deserve serious respect. I accidentally knocked my æ64Æ off the coffee table and, (despite falling only 18 inches onto a soft carpet), bent the slide-lever. The repair, even though not expensive, reiterated the point that chromatic harmonicas are fragile and need to be looked after.I have had enjoyed playing my chromatics, but when it comes down to it, the æ64Æ is my instrument of choice if, for no other reasons, mellow tone and octave-range.Enjoy!

I am a long time user of Hohner harmonicas. I started at the age of 15 and continued on for over 45 yrs. The 64 with the four octaves has allowed me to get the most of sharps and flats when playing jazz bop and mellow ballads. Same as for classics I get beautiful sounds with classic ballads etc. I do not read music and every tune I play is by ear and memory. The 64 has allowed me to play numbers like Malaguena and Claire Delune etc.

I'm a trained singer and classical guitarist, with some composition background but I developed a real interest in harmonica...first instrument I played as a kid. First, this is a very reasonably priced harmonica, and gets you into the 16 hole category. It's a good instrument to develop high grade skills, and is sensitive. If you've been playing diatonics, or lower grade chromatics (chromatics provide the sharps and flats for a full chromatic scale...5 more notes/ black keys on piano, through use of a slide activated with your index finger or thumb) you're really going to experience something special. You'll find the round holes and shaping of the mouthpiece very comfortable and with correct emboucher and draw and blow technique, can really produce fine sound. Understand that a good portion of the sound you'll get is your technique, create a sound chamber with your hands and breathe from the diaphram. Also be aware that rich sound really requires the tongue block method, as your mouth becomes a sound chamber, but don't place the harmonica too deep in your mouth, just enough to get the tongue on the holes. This instrument feels substantial in the hand, and with medium hands, I have no trouble cradling it between two hands, using the thumb to work the slide. Frankly, this is an older design, but understand that top pros just a few years ago and more would have been and were very satisified with this. Other instruments and higher priced ones go for sealed covers with less breath required, but you can still get that rich sound with correct use of your hands with this unit, and have a nice bright sound option available too. The next step up would be a 7584 64x but you're looking at triple the price, in the neighborhood of $350, so at $119 the 280C is a deal. I'd say it represents the highest value for dollar invested. There are better harmonicas but you'll pay dearly, and you have to ask if this is your first shot at a chromatic, and I'm guessing for many it is, whether you want to spend more if you don't have to. It's like a Lexus versus a Toyota, the the 7584 64x being the Lexus (less breath required, double reeds on lower notes for volume) but that Toyota Camry like 280C is a real value and will get you there. I'd suggest that you start with a 280C, see how things go, and only move up when you're ready to get married to harmonica. I'll give this a 10 on a 10 scale and say in the right hands it would be very very difficult to beat. Again the older style cover does give you that bright option...when you want it. When I play it, especially in a room with decent acoustics (garage, room without carpet, school halls) people can't believe the beautiful tone. For the buck, you can't miss, and you'll likely never beat this price by the way. Good luck and enjoy your music. dd