Hohner Educator 10 Chromatic Harmonica 

Comments about Hohner Educator 10 Chromatic Harmonica:

I had begun to use a Hohner Chromatic C that had lain unsed for a number of years. When attempting to clean it a couple of the valves fell off the reed plates. This seems a good alternative without the "valves".

Actually there are replacement valves available for the Chromatic C, but they are ridiculaously expensive for a set that appears to fit a range of harps. They are made using a modified cross cut shredder that is fed standard 8-1/2 x 11 fiberglass reinforced sheets that are slightly thinner than printer paper. In seconds it will fill a hopper with enough shredder confetti type valve material to supply over 100 sets of valves at a price almost equal to the cost of this harp.

See the manufacturer for reference to valve price and availability.

Comments about Hohner Educator 10 Chromatic Harmonica:

In my opinion, this harmonica sounds almost as good as more expensive chromatics, and it does not have to be babied because it does not have "wind savers" which I think are unnecessary if you are using amplification. Plus, at the price, it is a great value.

Comments about Hohner Educator 10 Chromatic Harmonica:

very good for the money good to learn on.

Comments about Hohner Educator 10 Chromatic Harmonica:

If you want to play around with Chromatic harp this is the place to start and if you already have Chromatics like me but don't like coddling them and are a little afraid to just play them, this is also the harp. Cheap, tough, sounds good. What more can you ask?
The features are precisely what you would expect on a ten hole chromatic. It has a plastic comb, a metal mouthpiece and a slide. Those are the features.
Starting with the cons, the harp is a little "breathy." It is not an incredibly tight harp like higher priced models. And, it is not a loud harp. It is noticeably quieter than my Chromonica 10. And finally, the slide is a little stiff. But, the pro's far outweight the minor cons. It is not tempermental. You just pick it up and play it. Blow the heck out of it if you want to. I don't think you can hurt it. Without flapping windsavers the little guy is just a big old harp that does not require any special handling. It has a pleasant tone. Sure, not the rich full tone of a more expensive chromo, but a pleasant and perfectly usable tone. I would play it anywhere. Handles third position fine. The harp is well put together and functions perfectly.
This harp is a heck of a bargain. It gives you all of the functionality of the $150.00 Chromonica 10 for cheap. Sure, it looks a little cheap if you look hard and it is not a precision instrument like the Chromonica but I wasn't looking for that. I was looking for a big old hapr with a slide that I could just pick up and play. This is it. In spades. I'm carrying it around with me to play in the car and I'm not one bit afraid that the temp extremes will damage it and I can pick it up and play it immediatley when I have a couple of minutes to spare in traffic or in a parkinig. I like it so much and they are so cheap I may order another one or two to just stick in my guitar cases.

Comments about Hohner Educator 10 Chromatic Harmonica:

I'll still be looking for a Hohner, maybe a Chrometta 12. Hohner should take their name off this. Someone at Muscian's friend might try playing Stardust or whatever on this, and see how pointlessly stiff the slide is, and maybe consider discontinuing this product.
I saw reviews that mentioned the stiff slide action, but I asked myself "Hey, Dummy, how stiff could it be?, I'm tough, I'll take a chance!" Oh well, it cost me a few bucks to find out for myself, the slide is way too stiff. I noticed muscle fatigue starting in my thumb after playing just a few phrases, like 60 seconds of playing, and I'm a grown man, my hands are not delicate. And the slide button had a concave (bowl shaped) end, and that leaves a little circular mark on your thumb. It's like pressing your thumb on the end of a piece of steel tubing that's been smoothed off nicely. Probably will give me harmonical tunnel syndrome!
Many other instruments require finger strength exercises, but that's pointless on chromatic harmonica. Blowing a good sound and learning the notes is what you practice, pressing a button with your thumb should not be the hard part, it's a skill everyone has.
I did a very scientific experment by setting the harmonica on end with the button up and stacking canned goods on the button. One large can of tomatoes and one can of tuna is about the minimum to depress the slide button, that's 2.5 pounds. I don't think it should take more than a can of niblets or so, I've played Hohner Chromonicas before but don't have one to test right now. I do know that I never even noticed the spring tension on a Chromonica. It's just like enough to make it work.
This is not good for beginners, nor for players of diatonic harmonica who want to try a chromatic, or whatever category you can think of. It's too bad, cause for the price, the sound isn't bad at all.
Hohner should redesign the slide with a normal tension spring and a flat or convex button, and recall them, or grant amnesty! amnesty! I love Hohner otherwise, in the past I never had a problem with their harmonicas, and I have an inexpensive Hohner acousting guitar that is beautiful, everyone who plays it can't stop. This thing, you will want to stop and put it down for good.
It's nicely built, plastic comb, all the reeds sound okay and in tune, you could get a pretty sound out of it you want to have a body builders thumb.

Comments about Hohner Educator 10 Chromatic Harmonica:

Had this for about 9 months. Never given me any trouble. The note layout takes some getting used to and the tone's on the thin side but it's very responsive with quick slide action. The sound carries very well. Not the best choice for blues or rock, it's hard to bend - but a great starter for any jazzers out there.

Comments about Hohner Educator 10 Chromatic Harmonica:

Since I brought a Chrometta the price was great, as a beginner just started in Jan 2011. To learn the sound and how to use it as a beginner now own Hooboo Blus + a Blue band plan to play with the Salvation Army one day (I would call it pocket band)

Comments about Hohner Educator 10 Chromatic Harmonica:

For the price its great & sound great my 2nd Harmonica and not my last

Comments about Hohner Educator 10 Chromatic Harmonica:

I am sure the high buck Chromatics are wonderful instruments and I will probably make that investment after I master this beauty. If you've even remotely considered trying a Chromatic harp and the money scared ya, try this, it's well made, affordable and easy to play.

Comments about Hohner Educator 10 Chromatic Harmonica:

I bought this Chromatic and love it.I can pick this Chromatic up and play it anytime and anywhere with no choking or buzzing windsavers. This little beauty is trouble free and requires no warm up I also own a Hohner CX-12 Gold and a Suzuki SCX-56. I mainly play tunes like Harlem Nocturne, Stardust, Sugar (Jazz Standards).This little Chromatic is a joy to play. I say buy a couple.