Opinions on Suzuki Fabulous Chromatic sought..

SamJ · #1 07-10-2010, 07:36 PM

I am thinking of taking the giant plunge into a high end chromatic. I want 4 octaves (16 holes) and have been eyeing the Fabulous with the solid silver plated brass comb.. anyone have any experience with these? I can get a great deal on one at 1/2 retail or I probably wouldn't even bother..

**Pacman** · #2 07-11-2010, 12:21 AM

You should seriously consider putting the word "Harmonica" in your post, so people will understand just what the heck you're talking about...

Munjibunga · #3 07-11-2010, 01:57 AM

You'd probably get more helpful info from a chromatic harmonica forum like this one. Even at half retail, you're still going to be paying two thousand bucks for a frikking harmonica.

drteeth · #4 07-11-2010, 03:18 AM

....That's a LOT of money...

SamJ · #5 07-11-2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

You'd probably get more helpful info from a chromatic harmonica forum like this one. Even at half retail, you're still going to be paying two thousand bucks for a frikking harmonica.

Thanks, I tried and tried and wasn't able to google up a forum...

PJSShearer · #6 07-11-2010, 05:24 PM

Here's a Harmonica related story:

As a kid of 13 or so I saved up my pocket money and bought a Hohner Super Chromonica. It cost me GBP 4.00 in 1970.

In around 1980 I bought a Shure SM57 Mike (which I'm still using) and it cost me about GBP100.00 - which was a good price at the time, 'cos the list price was 10 -15% higher.

My local music store has both items currently in stock @ GBP85.00!!!!.

To the OP, get a Chromonica 64 - if it's good enough for Stevie ...

SurferJoe46 · #7 07-11-2010, 05:35 PM

I tried to like the Suzukis and they are just too sterile for my tastes. If Toyotas were harmonicas, they'd be called Suzuki Harps. Japanese harps don't have any soul and for me they are all lifeless and dull.

If all you want to do is chords, then get what you want and be prepared to pay through several body orifices for them.

I love my Hohners - they have soul and tone and they don't cost six Zillion Yen.

Stick_Player · #8 07-11-2010, 05:55 PM

Quote:

You should seriously consider putting the word "Harmonica" in your post, so people will understand just what the heck you're talking about...

I knew immediately what this post was about.

Seems like a lot of money for a harmonica, though.

I just bought my son a Hohner Super Chromonica 270 and he loves it. But then again, he loves his 3/4 scale SX fretless.

SamJ · #9 07-11-2010, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

I tried to like the Suzukis and they are just too sterile for my tastes. If Toyotas were harmonicas, they'd be called Suzuki Harps. Japanese harps don't have any soul and for me they are all lifeless and dull.

If all you want to do is chords, then get what you want and be prepared to pay through several body orifices for them.

I love my Hohners - they have soul and tone and they don't cost six Zillion Yen.

The thing is I can get this while in Tokyo for 142,000 yen or $1300 US... vs it's $2500 street price here ($3299 retail).. also, the Hohners in the same league (i.e. solid combs...) are $10K retail, 6.5K Street price, so it's actually a good value.

I was watching Brendan Power playing one and granted he's the best of the best, but it sure sounded nice, especially on the higher octaves.

SurferJoe46 · #10 07-12-2010, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamJ

The thing is I can get this while in Tokyo for 142,000 yen or $1300 US... vs it's $2500 street price here ($3299 retail).. also, the Hohners in the same league (i.e. solid combs...) are $10K retail, 6.5K Street price, so it's actually a good value.

I was watching Brendan Power playing one and granted he's the best of the best, but it sure sounded nice, especially on the higher octaves.

Maybe you can flip one or two and that would be profitable. But you've got to contend with Customs and they might hit you pretty hard for the duties and fees/taxes bringing them pretty close to the US price.