Hohner Toots Mellow Tone

I use it for 2 years. I played on diatonic before and I wanted a melodic instrument (the diatonic and originally thought to coaching, where the distribution of notes in chords) to play jazz. I wanted to please me, I turned to jazz and more I lived near Semur-en-Auxois (France Hohner) and so I chose this model.

Some features:
- Sample signature Toots Thielemans
- Wooden bed (pear)
- Stainless steel plates and bronze blades can be found to replace them (impossible with harmonicas Herring)
- Tone: Ut (do)

It is basically an improved version of Chromonica 270, the difference being the material of the plates, a box spring with improved channel for holes 11 and 12 hoods and burning (and the fact that the production is a Mellow Tone numbered). I find it more aesthetic than the latter because of the appearance and all stainless steel engraving sober. Be careful not to confuse it with another signature model Toots Thielemans: Hard Boop. This latter thicker blades, and many complain of the difficulty of the game (my teacher has one and complains against me and expressed appreciation for the Mellow Tone).

It is an instrument intended for group play and the sound is pretty much crystal-clear to be distinguished. Someone who always plays alone in places with poor acoustics perhaps did not. It is also a harmonica can very well go to a church. The Chromonica I think is more versatile (I have one that is also my main harmonica) thanks to its warmth, but the Mellow Tone in its purest is more expressive and more will enhance your nuances of the game

The price / quality ratio of chromatic Hohner is very different from that of their diatonic. The tuning is just long, nothing to do with the Marine Band. I had a few problems, however: the spring broke after two months and the frieze just so serious but what harmonica should not be readjusted several times in his life? So I sent the service was charming and who performed for free repair.

Although the Chromonica I bought from is my main harmonica (as more versatile and less expensive), the Mellow Tone is my favorite that I treat and pampered. This is the one I go to sound and not to work.

Last point: do not rely on the model name and is not in the register of very soft and very warm but in the crystal-clear, much like a flute. It is therefore not confined to "ride jazz" and it may also very well expressed in a classical register. This is also the one I take when I play in a church. Sometimes people think they hear a flute, that's how the sound is crystal for a harmonica!