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Processing and quality of the individual parts:
Covers outstanding quality. Stainless steel. After approximately 60 hours of practice time, no changes in colour or wear were visible. However the fastenings could be somewhat more professional. The present design is not repair-friendly. It would also be very helpful if a centring device could be installed.
Comb: Perfectly flat airtight design. Very dense.
Reedplates and reeds (zigzag order) 1.1 mm thick. With some exceptions the gaps are well adjusted. However when playing loudly some correction is necessary.
Tuning: a1 443 (Although this is not indicated or engraved anywhere on the instrument)
Reeds: Very well centred, no corrections necessary. However the welded tongues render any change impossible.
Slide package: An inside curved design, which is very good for pointed mouth playing. After a short while covered playing also becomes comfortable, the square design enabling a very large air input. A rounder design should be implemented and is desirable. Longer practice times may cause a reaction from the tongue.
Rubber buffers: Inadequate, frequent replacing necessary.
Spacers: Very prominent, possibly they will become loose after frequent dismantling and re-mounting and therefore should be fixed more securely.
Mouthpiece: Screws and nuts, material too soft. After only approximately 8 hours playing, distortion was detectable. The shape of the screw-heads is inappropriate.
Total appraisal:
The "out of the box" feel & playing is very good.
Quality of the assembly:
A very high quality is obvious. No defects discernable.
Basic tuning: Middle quality; the notes floating in some octaves. The pitch of some notes differing from octave to octave, by as much as 20 percent. This will not bother the advanced players, however I must advise beginners; for them this could present a tuning problem Repair ability: Though the welded reeds obviously limit their repair, maintenance of the slide package and valve exchange is easily executed. Easy removal of the upper reed plate and slide package enables quick and efficient replacement.
A centring device for the cover fastening is missing and the type or shape of the screw-heads should be improved. With these suggested improvements implemented, a more trouble-free design would be achieved.
Comments:
Behaviour in all octaves:
After adjusting the reed gaps, in order to enable very loud playing, outstanding behaviour in all octaves was achieved. Particularly accentuated was the small octave and the three-striped (''') one.
Air consumption:
Medium air demand necessary. (Although for me it was ideal)
Volume at highest:
An "Out of the box" high volume possible.
Volume at lowest:
Very quiet playing also possible.
Tone - volume: (Subjective)
Very good "classic" sound.
Bending capability: (Subjective)
With few exceptions, very capable.
Stability of reeds:
With normal application, they are sufficiently stable. However, the welded tongues create a problem, since reed replacement or repair is practicable only if the player has enormous experience and the necessary tools available. Also, it is still uncertain when (and if) substitute reeds will become available.
Stability of the valves:
Comparable with all other harmonicas.
Stability of the slide package:
Very high standard, even if at first the slide seems heavy when beginning one's practice, after a short while it becomes very easy to play. The modern design is exemplary.
Feeling when playing:
An outstanding "out of the box" feeling. Very well moulded covers. Constructed very pleasantly and therefore increased tonal playing is no problem. However (with many hours spent practicing) the sharp edges of the mouthpiece drillings will become a problem.
Total evaluation (Subjective):
An outstanding harmonica, if some adjustments can be made, it will be a very suitable instrument
Disadvantages: In my opinion the relatively high price and the welded reeds, which make repairs almost impossible, (for the normal consumer) somewhat contravenes this.
Appearance:
The comb is of very high-quality timber, this is an absolutely top class instrument. A pleasure to behold.
Suggestions for improvement:
The edges of the mouthpiece drillings should be made rounder, bigger radiuses.The slide package screw heads are extremely unsuitable and the material too soft.
A centring device for the covers and reed plates is necessary.
The material used for the rubber buffers must be improved.
Basic tuning should be improved.
Cover fastenings improved..
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