Hohner CX-12 Black, Key of C

by Hohner

Product Features

• Plays 3 full chromatic octaves
• 48 Brass reeds
• Tuned to key of C
• Black plastic body and outer cover
• Comes with carrying case

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7 x 2 x 1.5 inches ; 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002F4TN2
• Item model number: 7545-C
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,019 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #53 in Musical Instruments > Folk & World Instruments > Wind Instruments > Harmonicas

Product Description

Chromatic harmonicas are designed to play every complete scale in any key. Each single hole contains four reeds: two natural notes and two chromatic notes. The reeds for chromatic notes are enabled by pushing the slide button on the side of the harmonica. This design offers a wealth of new musical options to the player. Most often, chromatic harmonicas are heard within the classical and jazz scenes, but...chromatics are frequently found in blues, folk, rock and pop music. Easily removable, fast action, low noise slide. A revolutionary one-piece casing and mouthpiece design makes this harmonica extremely air tight.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a Toy: First Significant Design Change, March 28, 2005

By 

T. A. Baehr "(Tom)" (Putney, VT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hohner CX-12 Black, Key of C (Electronics)

Despite its plastic case, this is not a toy harmonica. Everything about it is first rate: the smooth mouthplate, the superb slide, the quality of the reeds. This is the first significant design change in over a century. This harmonica allows the player a wide range of dynamics, from very soft to about the loudest chromatic harmonica you can buy. The mouthplate is oversize, and takes a little getting used to, but it's very player-friendly. The slide has a coil spring, unlike any other design, and appears to be unbreakable, which can be a real headache in a standard chromatic. Being a three-octave instrument, covering the range of a modern flute, it sits well in the hands. By contrast, the four-octave instruments, like Hohner's "The 64", can be unwieldy. Hohner's "Super Chromonica" model 270 is also a three-octave instrument, highly favored by many players, and far less expensive; but it has a wooden comb that can dry out and crack, and is much harder to disassemble and service than the CX-12. Summarizing, this is a serious musical instrument that should give you years of service with minimum fuss.

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, May 20, 2007

By 

IronMan Mike Curtis "-Mike" (North Hollywood, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hohner CX-12 Black, Key of C (Electronics)

I've played harmonica for 55 years, most of these professionally. I'm fussy, and tight with compliments. They're earned, not given. I'm quite particular about my harmonicas, expect a lot, demand a lot. I've owned some that were junk, or required much work to get up to my standards.

The CX-12 isn't one of these.

I bought mine when they first came out several years back. Out of the box with no tweaks, it played beautifully. Unlike most chromatics, the CX-12 is wonderfully air-tight, with windsavers on the lower two octaves. I can get double, maybe even triple the time per lungful compared to other chroms I've played. The slide is smooth, precise, flawless. The one piece cover gives the CX-12 a HUGE sound. The reed action is firm, exactly as it should be. A tab holds the slide, and a slideable metal retainer holds in the comb assembly. Snap, slip, and the comb comes right out for cleaning and maintenance. Yes, THAT quick!

And the look is cool ("Darth Vader"esque), although I'd play it regardless of looks. The embouchure is nicely rounded, with no sharp lip-slicing edges, and is by far the most comfortable chromatic I have ever played.

[...]

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A different experience in playability, August 20, 2004

By 

Syd Logan (Carlsbad, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hohner CX-12 Black, Key of C (Electronics)

Perhaps the most striking feature of the CX-12 is the playability, with this harp I find it easier to locate holes via tonguing than with any other harp. The ability to quickly disassemble the harp and tease stuck reeds and windsavers is nice. The sound quality, to my ears, is just about the same as the 270. Another nice aspect of this harp is the finish, made as it is of black plastic, will not tarnish. It seems to be less leaky than a 270 as well; I had occasion to play this harp with all the windsavers removed and it wasn't terribly difficult to get the reeds vibrating, so this tells me it is not leaky, which makes sense given the solid plastic body. So, pluses: far easier to disassemble than any other chromatic, keeps its good looks, easier (for me) to tongue accurately, seems much more airtight than a 270. Minuses are the sound isn't much different than a 270, and the price is nearly twice as much.

If you are looking for higher quality sound, you might try a Super 64.