Customer Reviews

Hohner CX-12 Black, Key of C

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

[...]

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.

I am a shut-in Grandmother who started to fiddle around with a $3.00 harmonica I purchased for my grandchildren, and realized how much fun I was having. A friend suggested I get a Hohner Chromatic and the prices were more than I could afford. I noticed a used Honer CX-12 for a very reasonalbe price and snapped it up. This is a real live insturment! It sounds great! I am learning from "Harmoncia's for Dummies" and slowly picking up my skills. I have a little background with violin and piano, but most of all I am having a ball making music with an instrument that only requires lung power. It's ability to play chords is great! I may never master such a wonderful instrument, but I surely am going to enjoy the time I spend with it. So far, I led the family in Christmas Carols and they all got into the swing of it. I never realized this little instrument that almost fits into my pocket could bring me such joy! Thanks to Amazon the price was right! A great challange for the over 70 group!

Ok lets start with the flow below

Look and Feel
--------------

PROS

1. It looks like a black metal but definitely its a plastic harmonica.
2. It feels comfortable in your hands because of the curve that was created on its back.
3. The button thing or the slider on the right side of the harmonica to play the half notes is very convenient.
4. This is once again worth to create the tremolo/vibrato effect.

CONS

1. If you are hard core tongue technique harmonica player then the stains are very clearly visible.

Playability
----------

PROS

1. This is one of the best harmonica to begin with. Though i mentioned this as a professional harmonica.
2. As i mentioned that this has a curve shape on the back, it adds value to the player to create the CUP to produce the tremolo effect.
3. Because of its plastic body, the moving between the holes is very easy by adding the saliva for longer tunes.
4. The chromatic button on the right is very smooth to shift the scale of this harmonica.
5. This is very easy to play any scale without having to worry about the mis tuning or sound....

CONS

1. I may not be a professional to say this but the first 3 holes are a bit weak to bend the tune, having said if you are an expert or at least good at tune bending you won't find this difficult.
2. If you are beginner then you might find saliva clogs fast in the holes but again this can be cleaned very easily. To avoid this you may have to tilt the harmonica while playing.

Maintainance
-----------

PROS

1. This is one of the best harmonica to clean easily.
2. Even a beginner can dismantle this in less than a minute without having any tool.
3. This is made with only 4 parts, the body, the slider/button, the back support plate and the main reed plates body.
4. After every tune, you can just wipe with a wet cloth and no need to worry about any rust as this is a plastic harmonica.

VERDICT-----> This is Definitely a YES. You can even play a full song. Can clean up easily and a must for beginners you wants to take this as a serious hobby or a profession.

I bought Hohner CX-12 as a Christmas gift for myself. The package showed up at my door within a few days of time much to my delight. However, I wasn't so pleased once the package was opened. First, harmonica box has no seal, someone could have played it before me. 2nd, instrument is hardly playable, the slide button was completely stuck. When I try to return or exchange a better one, I was told the state and federal regulation prohibit to return mouth piece music instrument, I don't recall seeing this regulation posted anywhere when I buy it (perhaps I missed it?). I must say it was most frustrating experience in my amazon shopping, not to mention it's for Christmas. For anyone who considers buying mouth piece music instrument, be very careful please.

At first, I gave this harmonica 1 one star. This was my review: I was really looking forward to this harmonica, based on the reviews. Unfortunately, right out of the case, two of the notes are flat, and two of them don't play at all - with the slide depressed or left open. I've just sent an email to the seller.

I can see why others like this instrument - I find I prefer the plastic to the metal, and the slide is very smooth. The notes that do work have a nice tone.

...MusicLife responded. They referred me to Hohner's 60-day warranty site. I printed out the form, documented the problems, and sent it out today. We'll see what they say.

September 27, 2010 - Update. Good service from Hohner. The harmonica came back within a week or so, and it no longer had the problems I had experienced. They also sent some helpful tips about playing properly. I'm pretty sure it was the same harmonica, only with the problems repaired, but it's tough to tell because it was brand new when I sent it to them.

Now that it's working, I've changed my review from 1 star to 4 stars. I was hoping for a tone that was a little more mellow, but I imagine that I'll have to pay a lot more for a harmonica for that to happen - and first I need to play well enough to deserve one that costs more.

Oct 4, 2010 - Well, those little reeds still want to stick. I'm not doing anything that would make them want to stick. Disappointing.

I was not satisfied with this product. The sound and quality are poor for the price.