The JDR Trochilus has been causing a bit of a stir over the last few months on You Tube, described by many as a "Game Changer".
It is a diatonic harmonica in standard Richter tuning (there are other versions available, but I do not currently stock these). It is currently only available in the keys of C, D, Low F, G, A and Bb, and I have a few examples of all except Bb.
It has Stainless steel cover plates, chrome plated reed plates and phosphor bronze reeds, and a pretty unique trapezoid shape. Oh, and a button, like a chromatic. The last two pictures in the set below show the Trochilus in comparison with a standard diatonic (below) and a small, ten-hole chromatic (above), so that you can compare sizes.
In use, it plays pretty much like a standard diatonic, including chords and bends, has pretty good volume and is pretty airtight. However, the button on the side moves the whole range up a semi-tone - so if you buy a 'C', you also get a Db, or an 'A' moves to a Bb. And, of course, that also allows you access to a few extra notes, previously only available by bends and overblowing.
Ben Hewlett recently had a look at the Trochilus, and you can find his thoughts on his You Tube channel here: Unlocking the mystery of Trochilus 10 Hole Harmonica. Pt 1. (youtube.com)
On the downside I can say from personal, painful experience, that this is perhaps not the harmonica for you if you have an even moderately bushy moustache - it will catch and pull, and quite possibly bring tears to your eyes.
So is it a flash in the pan, or something that it is here to stay? I guess it is down to you to decide...
Available now, with next day delivery by Royal Mail, (free to UK addresses!)
