Suzuki M-32C
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The M-32C is very much like the Suzuki A-34C, except that (1) While the M-32C has a standard 32 alto melodica key configuration, starting at the F below middle C and ending on a C, the A-34C has 34 keys and runs from the G below middle C to an E; (2) the A-34C is slightly larger but also slightly lighter than the M-32C, as its metal tray is a bit thicker and heavier; (3) The A-34C has a small rubber baffle so that there’s a bit of give and take to the air chamber, which may have some sonic affects that I haven’t detected. Key action and sound are almost identical. They are comparably priced, and both (as of 2/15/14) have to be ordered from Japan, which suggests that they (and the M-37C) are currently aimed mainly at the Japanese market. Both of mine came fairly well tuned. Construction is sturdy, and they are easy to disassemble and reassemble. (DISASSEMBLY ALERT: Each endpiece has a tiny metal insert which the center screw engages. This can fall out. It’s always good to disassemble your melodica over a towel.)
I have been using the M-32C as my primary melodica for the past month and am really liking it. I decided yesterday to get accurate readings of its tuning. I am using gStrings Tuner on my Galaxy Note 10.1. The Note 10.1 has excellent speakers for a tablet, and these also function as its microphones. The gString settings allow for calibration to A=440 (the default) or whatever, and also for other parameters controlling microphone sensitivity and stability of readings. I am tuning to A=443, which has with other melodicas reinforced my impression that most are factory tuned to A=443 (not so clear with the M-32C). I am looking to tune keys to within 1.0 hz. I run through all the keys twice to recheck my initial readings, and then focus on just those keys that are confirmed as 1.0+ flat or sharp in relation to the A=443 standard. I then retest all those keys until I am satisfied that I have accurate readings. These are the keys I will tune to get them within the 1.0 hz margin. I don’t want to begin tuning until I am confident that I have good readings. The readings for my M-32C are somewhat unusual and have a pattern of sorts, as you can see. I’m not sure how much one can generalize about factory tuning from a sample of one, but it’s better at least than a sample of none. I will proceed with tuning my M-32C to A=443, even though it’s hard to guess what standard was being applied at the factory.
The M-32C readings are given to the right, and then the +/- 1 hz differences.
A443 M-32C
F3——-175.8——175.8
F#3—–186.3——186.0
G3——-197.3——196.9
G#3—–209.1——208.5
A3——-221.5——220.7
A#3—–234.7——234.4
B3——-248.6——248.6
C4——-263.4——262.3— [-1.1]
C#4—–279.1——277.7— [-1.4]
D4——-295.7——294.6— [-1.1]
D#4—–313.2——312.0— [-1.2]
E4——-331.9——331.8
F4——-351.6——349.9— [-1.7]
F#4——372.5—–369.6— [-2.9]
G4——-394.7—–393.5
G#4—–418.1—–417.6
A4——-443.0——-439.5— [-3.5]
A#4—–469.3—–466.1— [-3.2]
B4——497.3——494.0— [-3.3]
C5——526.8——523.4— [-3.4]
C#5—–558.1—–557.5
D5——591.3——589.6— [-1.7]
D#5—–626.5——624.0— [-2.5]
E5——663.8——662.2— [-1.6]
F5——703.2——703.8
F#5—–745.0——745.2
G5——789.3——790.3— [+1.0]
G#5—–836.3——839.0— [+2.7]
A5——886——–888.9— [+2.9]
A#5—–938.7——940.2— [+1.5]
B5——994.5——1000.0— [+5.5]
C6——1053.6—–1056.0— [+2.4]Bargain Alert 5/31/14 — The excellent Suzuki M-32C is now available at Amazon.com (USA) for $67.13 with free delivery for Prime members. If you haven’t yet tried one of these Suzuki metal tray melodions, this is a good time to grab one; this is in my opinion the best of them.
I would like to get one of these soon. I am concerned the seller on Amazon might have the photo right and the model number wrong, which if true, would mean a big disappointment and shipping back to Japan. I think I will try to contact the seller and see what is up.
Lowboy
I just contacted the seller and told them the photo was wrong and asked if they are actually selling an M-32C. I will let you know what they say. I think I will pick one up if it is the right model.
Lowboy
That’s the photo that was up when I ordered mine, Lowboy. In fact, if you look at my review there you’ll see that my first comment is that the picture is wrong. If you open comments and look at the “Details” photo on the right, the correct instrument is shown. But I agree it’s worth checking. I’ll be surprised if you’re not enthusiastic about this melodica. It’s very different from the Yamaha P-32D but its equal in my opinion. They’re the two melodicas I have out on my desk and currently play every day. Until now, the cheapest I’ve seen for the M-32C is about $100 delivered.
The seller said it is a M-32C. So at that price, I ordered one to get another sound variation and see what the smaller Suzukis are all about. Lowboy
The price has jumped up to $87.99 as of this morning. No surprise. When I first saw the low price, the listing indicated that there were 7 available, and that had dwindled down to 2 before you ordered yours. There seems to be a pattern, and not just with Suzukis, of occasionally moving a few with a rock bottom price, and then jacking the price back up.
Hi Alan,
I received my Suzuki M-32C yesterday and my first impression is that it is a fine melodion as you said. I tried to make a recording but ran out time. I will provide additional comments when I get a chance. I do really like it. It sounds similar to the Yamaha, and better than the big Suzuki pro model in my opinion. As you noted, build quality is very good.
Regards,
Lowboy
One thing to watch for if you take it apart: there are tiny metal inserts that the six external screws engage. The first time I took mine apart, I didn’t notice them and one fell out and onto the floor. I wasn’t aware of it until I was reassembling and then had a heck of a time finding the insert, the loss of which would have been a serious problem.
TUNING NOTE: I have now had this tuned to A=440 for a long time since finding that it sounded better to me and worked better with Band-In-A-Box. Although I haven’t checked the tuning electronically lately, it still sounds good.
Thanks for the pictures from 2/2014 of the Suzuki 32, Alan.
I will be taking both my Suzuki A43C’s apart for tuning and gapping this week, so I will be looking at your pix as I work, over a towel as you suggest!
Do you ever find that changing gapping changes the pitch of a reed?
You mentioned elsewhere that you refinished a yamaha to black. How did you go about this, and what material did you use? I agree that visuals affect a listener.
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