The Tremolo
Which and Where

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My favorite instrument has become my Suzuki Humming Tremolo. One can get them in all keys by special order from Harmonicas Direct, and reportedly, by web-order from The Harmonica Company. For a long time I ranked Hohner Echo Celeste as my top. But over time it has become clear that the Suzuki Humming is more physically durable, and it is also more precise and repeatable in note and tone. The price difference is significant, however; Echo Celeste is considerably less expensive. I can heartily recommend starting out with Echo Celeste, and then if you are playing hard enough that they wear out, replace with Suzuki Humming if/as you can afford them!

My Hohner Echo Celestes still rank very high. I have enjoyed every one I have used, and I have several now. There have been a very few less-then-positive reports; current theory is that there have been occasional bad runs of Hohner's mills for the Celeste. If you would like to try one, a very good source is Coast To Coast Music. The Echo Celeste is available in all major keys, and for most keys, it is the least expensive. Reports are, also, that if you ever do run into a bad one, Hohner will replace it cheerfully and quickly.

Next is my Tombo 1521, and Tombo 3121. The Tombo 3121 is also available in all keys, albeit very rarely; the Tombo 1521 is much more expensive, but with very good quality, and is more commonly available in all keys than 3121. For Tombo 3121 in most keys, you'll have to order by phone from Harmonicas Direct . For Tombo 1521, you can order direct on the web from Harmonicas Direct and certainly others.

The Suzuki Two-Timer is reportedly very good indeed, but appears to be available only in A and C.

The most straightforward place I have found to buy
a Hohner Echo Celeste or Suzuki Humming Tremolo in several keys is:

Coast To Coast Music
http://www.coast2coastmusic.com/
PO Box 1857
Ellicott City, MD 21041-1857
Telephone: (410) 480-9514
Toll Free: (800) 776-5015
Fax: (410) 750-3570
coast2coastmusic@yahoo.com

I have had excellent results buying Tombo tremolos from here:

Harmonicas Direct
http://www.harmonicas-direct.com/
38 Sunbridge Road
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD1 2AA
England
Telephone or FAX, +00 44 (0)1274 390847
info@harmonicas-direct.co.uk

I have not tried this one yet, but it looks very promising, has been around a good while,
and has Suzuki Humming Tremolo as well as Tombo 21
in all keys at good prices:

The Harmonica Company
http://www.theharmonicacompany.com/
PO Box 4234
BA11 1WB
UK
Telephone, +00 44 (0)7501 277590
http://www.theharmonicacompany.com/contact.asp
The page containing Suzuki Humming Tremolo is here.

I am definitely soliciting other good sources of tremolos, in every geographical area!
Please email me if you have a recommendation, and I will post it on this page.

J.E.B.