I inherited this Chromonica 64. Is it really a model 280? It seems perfectly intact, not even oxidized, probably very little played. But I can’t know more because the slide is broken at the button. On the Hohner spare parts website, I found a mention of a replacement slide, but the one shown in the photo of the Hohner listing does not have the same layout as the one in my harmonica. Are there two types of layouts for the slides of the Chromonica 64, and if so, how can I be sure to buy the one that fits my harmonica?
The slide in your 2nd photo does indeed appear to be for a different instrument. I’ll check with Harmonica Product Management and get back to you next week.
Thank you, Steve. I wonder why so many harmonicas from the 260, 270, or 280 series have a broken slide button. I have a very old Super Chromonica that belonged to my father, and a 270 ‘Larry Adler’ that I have owned for some thirty years and that I play often, and on both harmonicas, the slide is still in perfect condition, with its button.
On the other hand, I would like to be able to buy the appropriate part, because, as far as I know anyway, it seems impossible to repair the one on the harmonica.
If you still have the button, you could try supergluing it back on. I think the most common cause of slide buttons breaking off is that people don’t store the instrument in its case. All such damage is caused by impacts to the projecting slide and this won’t happen if it’s protected.
Thank you Steve, for your interest in this case. I have never had the button of this harmonica. I am not too worried about its repair anymore, because I finally got news about the part I bought on eBay two weeks ago, and I should receive it next week. I am not going to throw away the broken slide; I am keeping it for repair experiments.
Hi Allen, the harmonica service dept. tells me that replacements for these “up & down” slides used in older 16-hole chromatics are no longer available. However, they could attach a new button if the slide is not bent or otherwise deformed. If you want to do that, the address etc. is on the hohner.de website.
Many thanks Steve.
As I wrote to you, I was lucky enough to find a part on eBay that should fit. I’ll know for sure as soon as I receive it.
However, I will contact Hohner to request a repair estimate for the broken slide I have here, and for another one as well, since my son has the same harmonica with the slide broken too.
People give us these harmonicas thinking they’re beyond repair.
Sounds good, hope it all works out.
Hello Steve,
Unfortunately I haven’t had any luck with the slide I ordered: instead of the part that fits my “Chromonica 64”, I received a slide for the “64X”, which is completely different.
The mistake is mine, because I didn’t think about the “64X” (I’ve never even seen one), so I got confused — even though the seller did write “64X” next to a photo that looks like the slide from my 64, but which turns out to be a slide from a 260. … all of this is quite complicated!
I think my only option now is to find a way to repair the slide from my 64, and… to find a 64X with a broken slide (which seems rather unlikely).
Let’s keep smiling.
All of a sudden, I’m wondering whether the slide from the “Chromonika III” might actually fit mine.
Here are the dimensions of the slide from my 64.
In case you have the possibility to measure the slide from a “Chromonika III” (which is also, as far as I know, a 16‑hole model).
Sorry you’re having these issues! Unfortunately the only 16 hole chromatic in my possession is a Super 64X, so I don’t have the possibility to check the slide of the Chromonika III. It sounds to me like your best bet would be to send this slide in to Hohner Service and have a new button attached. It may be worthwhile phoning them first to check: +49 7425 20440