What Our Players Think

  Alexander Paclin

Alexander Paclin is my #1 endorser. I customize all his instruments. Here are examples recorded using my custom harmonicas:
"Soul Flight" on "True Chromatic "B" Valve Beauty" - Alex Paclin

  Jim

"I have never managed to learn the classic chromatic beyond several keys. That was the main reason for designing the True Chromatic.

And I can tell you as the developer of this instrument, its first tester, and just a harp player - True Chromatic has much greater playing potential, and is much easier to learn."

"Air On The G String"
on "True Chromatic" chromatic - Jim

  Boris Plotnikov

"The basic idea for this layout is spiral tuning, not solo layout. It's much more logical than solo tuning. You can change the key by moving two holes up or down. Any blow note is a whole tone lower than draw, slide makes the note one semitone higher. Author shows some parallels with 2nd position on diatonic. It seems very logical, no double C's, no unplayable keys, and all 24 chords available.

I've been playing solo chromatic layout for 6 years and I'm not ready to start studying an absolutely new layout. However, if you are new to chromatic, I advise you to try this tuning."

B.A. (Los Angeles)

"Eugene, I'm a believer! I'm thrilled with it - especially the low first octave, which I wasn't expecting, but really dig. And that nice minor seventh/ninth configuration that's the relative minor of a major seventh one hole up is fantastic. I'm looking forward to getting to know it better.
My hat's off to you,

Barry"

  Arthur Idrisov

"The mind tells me to open the manual and learn it, but the soul says "find your voice in it first" - and the soul's call is stronger.

Thank you, Eugene - I am your true friend now)) !!! The harmonica is just great - it blows me away and leads me..."

  Dennis Moriarty

So I see an advert from Jim offering to fully repair any harps as a three to one trade in. Now for me- a player with broken harps filling a cabinet this offer was a dream. I sent 36 Golden Melodys, Meisterklasses, etc off and they were in Jim's receipt in about a week.

The tunings are great, the responsiveness- something we did go over in detail- is perfect for me, and the communication and dedication towards the 13 harps was superlative. Good job Jim. d

  Rubes

Good news, my chrom arrived yesterday. And yes it is beautiful! I've spent a bit of time today giving her a workout and am very impressed! Effortless breath required for rich chords and single notes.

  Oisan Clancy

In December I contacted Jim after reading on his website that he would fix up a harp for you if you sent him two other broken harps as payment. I asked Jim if he would retune a "A"MB deluxe to powerbending tuning. In return I would send him 2 other MB deluxe's and a SP20.

I had to regap a couple of the low holes to my playing style so had to open up the harp and was impressed with some of the work I could see that Jim had done....fitting new reeds which played perfectly without any gapping.

I think this was a great deal and Jim is an excellent guy to deal with, thanks Eugene.

  Robert Hester

Dear Jimmy, Gene, Buddy,

My true chromatic is every bit as good as you told me it would be.  "It's not bragging when you can back it up" -- Muhammad Ali.  I studied the note layout while waiting for delivery, but actually playing the True Chromatic is a revelation.  I've tried a few major scale positions, and picked out 2 melodies, and I don't find any  "awkwardness", even in "cross" positions.

I love the timbre of the harp also.  Blow 1 being an octave down from middle C gives it an ideal range.  Every reed on the harp plays easily and sounds good, slide action is a dream, detectable air leakage, no valve noise.