Brendan Power & Alternative Harmonicas Forum

The classical knob on chromatics slides is suitable firstly for manipulation by a finger tip. There are other modern variants for example with Hohner CX12. The historic Chromonica de luxe III or IV had a longer type of button incorporated in the body also. These models are more comfortable and less vulnerable than the classical kind.

Has Brendan Power or someone else got a concept for modification of the " classical" type button to achieve better ergonomy when using the finger base, the thumb, or the palm of the hand to control the slide?

I have just got the Trochilus, also with a small classical knob which is vulnerable since the instrument is "pocket-friendly"

Just saw this post - sorry for the delay in replying. It's an interesting point.

Something I've done for many years on my CX12 chromatics is add what I call a 'Slide Hook'. It's a long 2.5mm bolt screwed into the base of the plastic button, then bent forward with the end flattened into a comfortable shape for my right thumb. This adds the ability to pull the slider in with my thumb, as well as push with the finger in the usual way.

It's not as fast as finger operation, but gives slide operation whilst cupping. I use it a lot on the AsiaBends I've made out of CX12 chroms.

I've also added this thumb operation to my Trochilus harps, by lasercutting a special slider for them that has it incorporated in the steel, then bending tabs approximately. And most recent I've designed a 3d printed Thumb Button in two parts, that can be screwed to fit over the standard slide button of a Seydel chromatic. You can see it in this video, at the beginning and in use during the tune:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DM7czvNI ... QzNmE5dXo0