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SUZUKI SC-56
The Suzuki SC-56 14-hole chromatic has been available for some
time, but it has recently been revamped a little, the most notable
changes being in the mouthpiece. The square mouthpiece holes
have been changed to round holes with nicely beveled edges and
the mouthpiece now has a rounded cross-section, rather than
the more traditional design it used to have. I'm sure these
things are all a matter of personal taste, but I find it to
be extremely comfortable to play. The mouthpiece is chromed
brass and also serves as the U-channel for the two-piece slide
assembly. The slide is very smooth and quiet (I think I recall
that the slides for these instruments are cut using a laser,
rather than being punched out, thus avoiding deforming the metal)
and the instrument is cross tuned with a slide action of about
6mm. The covers are stainless steel and have a somewhat more
traditional shape than some of the other Suzuki instruments,
being slightly more open towards the rear. The cover supports
are substantial pieces of steel, shaped like soccer goalposts.
The comb is black ABS and the reedplates are secured with 9
screws. The reedplates themselves are plain brass, 1.1mm (0.43")
thick, with phosphor bronze reeds spot welded into place, rather
than riveted. The tuning is excellent, Equal Temperament at
around A=442Hz, the fine tuning done by lengthwise scratches
along the reeds. Reed adjustment is extremely consistent and
the instrument responds very nicely over all 14-holes, with
all reeds having typical two-piece valves except those in the
top two holes. The overall construction is of the high quality
you expect from one of Suzuki's top of the line harmonicas,
very close tolerances throughout, it feels comfortable in the
hands and has a nice bright but full tone. It is only available
in the key of C and covers a range of three octaves and a perfect
fifth starting on the G below middle C. It comes in a beautifully
finished wooden box with a soft padded lining. I am informed
that the sixteen-hole SC-64 has been similarly improved.
SUZUKI MR-200 HARPMASTER
Suzuki have added a new 10-hole diatonic to their range. It
is called the Harpmaster MR-200 and in many ways is similar
to their Bluesmaster model, the most obvious difference being
that the Harpmaster has a more traditional cover shape than
both the Bluesmaster and the ProMaster. The covers are made
of stainless steel with minimal engraving and feel very comfortable
in the hands, all the corners and edges being nicely rounded.
The reedplates are plain brass of fairly standard thickness
(.9mm or .035") and are recessed into the comb, which is
made from black ABS. The reedplates are secured with three screws
(although they have seven screw holes) and the reeds are spotwelded
to the reedplate.
The sample I have is in the key of C and the reeds are similar
to the those used on the MR-300 Overdrive, comparable in length
to the short slot reeds of both Hohner and Tombo and . Tolerances
between reeds and reedplates are very good and reed adjustment
is very consistent, all reeds being set with a fairly average
offset. Tuning is very good, Equal Temperament at around A=443Hz.
The tuning appears to have been done by scratching near the
base with perhaps a rotary tool, rather than the laser tuning
that Suzuki use on other models. This is done very neatly and
mostly along the length of the reed, rather than across it.
Another difference between the Harpmaster and the Bluesmaster
is that the reeds themselves are of a brass alloy, rather than
the phosphor bronze used on the latter.
The Harpmaster is very responsive and sings with very little
player effort. It probably
wouldn't be the first choice for hardcore overblowers, but it
handlestraditional bending
techniques with no problem at all. The tone is clear and bright,
perhaps a little too bright
for some, but if you like how the other Suzuki harps sound,
you'll like this one too. It's a
little early to tell what the reed longevity will be like, but
Suzuki harps generally have a
good reputation in this regard and it is certainly holding up
well so far. Although there
is nothing earth-shatteringly innovative about it, all in all
this is a very good quality
diatonic harmonica. About the only thing I didn't particularly
like about was its plastic case - it would have been nice to
have had something in which the harp fitted more snugly, rather
than rattling around a little loose inside it. Hardly a major
gripe, though.
It will be available in all 12 standard keys, although it is
not certain at this point whether replacement reedplates will
be available. I am told that the UK retail price will be £15.95,
including VAT. Retail prices for other countries have yet to
be set, but the Harpmaster will be a little lower in price than
the Bluesmaster, making it good value for money.
Pat Missin
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