Winslow Yerxa (Harmonica Expert)
The most widely used type of chromatic harmonica for classic blues is a four-octave chromatic in C with 16 holes. Hohner Model 280 (or 64, because it has 64 reeds). Super 64, and Super 64X are the main Hohner models. The standard 280 is the lowest priced and is a fine instrument; it’s what Little Walter used for his classic recordings on chromatic.
Hering and Suzuki both make four-octave chromatics. Hering instruments are airtight and responsive, but many players find the tone too bright for blues, and the reeds don’t stand up to heavy playingas well as Hohner or Suzuki reeds.
Suzuki makes some excellent chromatics as well - check ouy the SCX64, and the Sirius 64, which is just now being introduced.
The four octave chromatics give you an extra low octave below Middle C. When you’re playing in D using the big open D minor6 draw chord, that extra low range really makes for a big, dark, gritty sound. You can hold in the slide to play the same way in the key of Eb.
But to play in the same way in other keys, you may need another key of chromatic. The big 16-hole chromatics come only in C, but the smaller 12-hole chromatics (with a three octave range) comer in 7 or 8 keys. You will find recordings where players such as William Clarke, Paul deLay, and George Smith played other keys of 12 hole chromatics, using the draw chord as the home chord (this is also called third position, which may already be familiar to you on diatonic).
If you’re going for a three-octave chromatic, then Seydel is also worthy of consideration. This Eastern German manufacturer is actually older than Hohner and has 12-hole chromatics in several keys. I’d recommend their Deluxe model.
A word about keys and ranges on 12-hole chroamtics. The 12-hole C chromatic has the same range as a diatonic 10-hole C harp. In the Hohner line, all other keys are pitched lower. So the F, E, Eb and D are all like the low versions of diatonics. They even make a tenor C, an octave lower than a standard C.
However, in the Seydel range, the 12-hole chromatics in D, Eb, E, and F are all higher than the C harp. Generally, you want the lower pitched sound for a chromatic in blues.
For now, I’d recommend that if you’re looking to emulate the chromatic you’ve already heard on blues records, taht you get a Hohner 280