Traditional Hohner Chromatics

TRADITIONAL 12 HOLE HOHNER CHROMATICS
Customised for Super Airtightness and Performance

Hohner made the first chromatic harmonicas, with traditional wooden body construction and a short stroke slider. Though originally in 10, 12 and 16 hole format, the remaining models still made this way are the 10 hole 260 (Solo Tuned) and Koch/Slide Harp (Richter Tuned), and the 12 hole 270 (Solo Tuned) (There are also some variations on this model called the Toots Mellowtone and Hard Bopper, with different coverplates and chromed reedplates).

When they are well set up they have a wonderful sweetness of tone. However, the way they are put together at the factory leaves a lot to be desired:

The wooden body often warps, leading to severe problems of airtightness and often making the slider stick. The reedplates are attached with nails, which don't facilitate reedplate replacement. They are not attached at the front, which can mean a poor seal. The slide assembly has sloppy tolerances meaning substantial air loss. The mouthpiece has sharp edges that can tear your lips to ribbons...

Apart from all that they are great instruments! The improvements I make to my custom traditional Hohner chromatics are available in Standard and Full Custom options:

STANDARD
Sealing of the wood body, to eliminate warpage
The reed slots are embossed for greater compression and a crisper response
The slider assembly is made quieter and more airtight
Mouthpiece is smoothed for greater comfort
Reed Gapping, valves added to top blow reeds, fine tuning to Tempered or Justified
Strong, permanent coverplate supports added

FULL CUSTOM
Replacement of wood comb with with a plastic one
Reedplate screws replace nails to ensure airtightness and for easier disassembly
The slider assembly is made quieter and more airtight
The reed slots are embossed for greater compression and a crisper response
A comfortable round holed mouthpiece is supplied, or the Hohner one is smoothed for greater comfort (your choice)
Reed Gapping, valves added to top blow reeds, fine tuning to Tempered (normal chromatic) or Justified (Blues).
Strong, permanent coverplate supports added

All prices include the cost of the harmonica parts and extra setup work detailed above.

Full Custom Hohner 270
Note 7 Screws at Rear, 4 at Front, Round Holed Mouthpiece, Coverplate Pins

HOHNER 270 (and Similar Types*)
The 12 hole 3 octave Hohner 270 is the biggest selling chromatic of them all. Also the oldest fully chromatic harmonica, it has beautiful engraved coverplates and a wonderful tone when set up well. I make them in a wide range of keys and tunings:

SPECIAL ORDERS
If you have another chromatic in mind that isn't mentioned above, just email me and I'll let you know what it would cost to make up.

"Hi again Brendan

Both harmonicas are incredibly good, better than anything I ever played before.
I wasn´t just kidding when I asked you if you knew anyone who´d buy my Renny.

Bjarne"
BJARNE ROUPE, Copenhagen, Denmark
Full Custom Power 270's in C and Bb, bebop tuned

"I received the harmonica. It is really great, totally amazing. It really screams!!!

thanks, man. randy"
RANDY SINGER, Professional Live & Session Player, Florida, USA
(Full Custom Power 270, Key C)
Randy is a recording artist and in-demand live performer with his own band, and also as a sideman for top touring groups.
Visit Randy's website and check out his music for yourself: www.randysinger.com

"The 270 is great! Very tight and I love the mouthpiece! This is the way to go!
I haven't put the harp down since getting it! Even my family - who did not know I received it -
made comments about how much better I sound!

A tight 270 is a great sounding beast!
I'm amazed at how leaky my stock 270 is as compared to this one. I haven't had an
opportunity to try any of the custom mouthpieces out there yet but this one
is awesome compared to the stock 270 and the Herring potato grater!
The slide is quick and smooth and tight.

Again thanks, I'm taking this one with me on my trip to London and Munich next week".
MICHAEL HACKNEY, Groton, MA, USA
Full Custom Power 270, Key C, Solo Tuning

"I really enjoy the 270, which is much more
airtight than my stock 270. Its a wonderful instrument. Very dynamic!

The Suzuki mouthpiece feels comfortable and easy. I always loved the 270,
because of its solid "character", your improvements bring the best sides out of her."
ROLF WIEDENMANN, Berlin, Germany
Full Custom Power 270, Key C, Solo Tuned
Check out Rolf's German harmonica chat website: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/harpchat

"My harp arrived yesterday. In that short time it has become my favorite chromatic.
Great tone and air tight. Great for octaves and chordal playing. I want another one just like it."
STANFORD SMUCKER, San Francisco, USA
Full Custom Power 270, Key C, Solo Tuned

Thanks for sending the 270 so soon. It plays like a dream - beautifully!
Where were you all my life? At long last I've found a REAL harmonica craftsman and tuner."
DICK O'NEILL, Co. Wexford, Ireland
Full Custom Power 270, Key C, Solo Tuned

"Let me tell you, I love those 270's. I may actually order two
more for backups in the event a reed goes south and I have to put one out of
commission for awhile. I play octaves almost exclusively -- George Smith
style - and those 270s are so airtight and sound fabulous."

NEAL WALKER, New Orleans USA
Full Custom Power 270, Keys C & G, Solo Tuned

"Hi Brendan,
At the end of last week I received the fully customized 270. It plays really great.
As usual I'm very happy with the work you've done.

Thanks,Tom."
TOM FORNOFF, Florida, USA
Full Custom Power 270, Key C, Solo Tuned

"THANKYOU!!!!!! :)
Very happy with my new instrument - von de bar!
Your Power Hohner 270 makes practicing a pleasure. :-)

The words that came to mind when playing this were: Slick - fast -
smooth - airtight - evenly responsive from tip to toe.
Congratulations Brendan - the POWER 270 is definitely worth your asking price.

Brendan is also very professional in his services and has bent over
backwards to deal with the little things that crop up from time to time in
this kind of business - Highly recommended."
GREG DYER, Wellington, New Zealand
Full Custom Power 270, Key C, Solo Tuned
Greg is Host of the Excellent Harp-On List and Chromatic Harmonica Reference Website
Check the Website for a Big Range of Chromatic Harmonica Information - the Best on the Net

"Dear Mr. Power;
I received the Custom 270 yesterday and, while it is in excellent working condition, I think it has
ruined my relationship with my previous 270 which seems whiny and recalcitrant by comparison.

I hope you're happy. Thanks, Ken"
KEN PAULSON, Saskatoon, Canada
Full Custom Power 270, Key C Tenor, Solo Tuned

"Yesterday I received the fully customized 270 C tenor. I'm happy to say
that this harp looks and feels just as nice as every harp I've gotten from you.

Thanks again for your fine workmanship. Tom"
TOM FORNOFF, Florida, USA
Full Custom Power 270, Key C Tenor, Solo Tuned

PRICES & MODELS TUNINGS: Diagrams of Common Alternate Chromatic Tunings are here REDUCTION OF £25 IF YOU SUPPLY THE HARMONICA (This Applies also to Toots Mellowtone and Hard Bopper) Must have Correct Key Reedplates for the Tuning You Want, and be in Good Condition. Email me to agree this option, and receive posting instructions. (If you want to see the price equivalent in your home currency, click here)*
a. Normal Chromatic Solo Tuning, Common Keys Keys of C, G, B, Bb, A, F, E, D, C Tenor	Standard: £150 Full Custom: £300
b. Normal Chromatic Solo Tuning, Non-Standard Keys Keys of Ab, C#, High D, Eb, F#	Standard: £175 Full Custom: £325
c. BEBOP TUNING, Fully Valved Variation of Common Keys (see above top)	Standard: £150 Full Custom: £300
d. SOLO OR BEBOP TUNING, STARTING ON FIFTH BELOW, Fully Valved A more mellow range. On a C chromatic it would start on G below C and end on F#.	Standard: £175 Full Custom: £325
e. Diminished Tuning, Half or Fully Valved	Standard: £175 Full Custom: £325
f. Wholetone Tuning, Half or Fully Valved	Standard: £250 Full Custom: £400
g. DOUBLE DIATONIC Tunings (Two Harps in One) (Two Keys eg. G/C, A/D, G/A etc, or Two Different Tunings eg. Solo and Bebop in the one Harp)	Email
h. CELTIC TuningS (Specially for Irish and other folk styles)	See the Celtic Chromatics page.
i. Your Tuning (Subject to Agreement)	Email
*TOOTS MELLOWTONE AND HARD BOPPER All Options Available as Above	Deduct $40 from price if I use your instrument Add $75 to price if I buy the new instrument