[Doug]

I started playing melodica last year when a friend brought one back from Korea. It’s a Young Chang Melodion Pro-37. Although Young Chang is a Korean company, it says “Made in China” on the body.

I’m enjoying playing it but haven’t found any info about it anywhere. Even on that Internet thingie. Anyone have one of these?

Doug

[Alan Brinton]

It looks very similar to an Excalibur. If you search “Excalibur” on this site, you’ll find questions and comments about them. The US sellers of Excaliburs have in the past given the impression (which apparently is false) that they are hand crafted in the USA.

It looks similar to this model: http://www.jimlaabsmusic.com/melodicas/excalibur-37-note-pro-artist-series-melodica-black/prod_802.html

Young Chang is, of course, a respectable maker of pianos (and I think of Kurzweil keyboards). Some Chinese made melodicas are marketed (on eBay) under under the Yamaha name that do not appear to be Yamahas. I would be surprised if this instrument was actually from Young Chang the piano maker. The term “melodion” is, I believe, owned and usually only used by Suzuki, but it doesn’t look like a Suzuki. None of which means that it’s not fun to play or doesn’t produce good sound.

[Doug]

Thanks for the research. It does look like that Excalibur.

It also looks like this Hurricane Harps M37:

I’m thinking there’s a factory in Asia producing this and stamping different names on it. I’d like to buy a “spare” so I’m going to buy either the Excalibur or the Hurricane Harps and I will report back.

Doug

[Doug]

I’ll be posting pix and a review in a few days, but I just wanted to confirm that the Young Chang melodica my friend bought for me in Korea for $35 is the same instrument as the D’Luca I bought on eBay for $29.95 (free shipping) from seller musicianvip. The “red” is not the same color, and where the brand and “made in Chine” are stamped on the Young Chang, there is only blank space on the D’Luca.

So I think my theory that there is a factory (somewhere) producing these melodicas might be right. After I post some pix I’d like to hear from those who have purchased Excaliburs and Hurricane Harps melodicas.

The melodica has some minor tuning issues at the top end. But I’m pretty sure I can fix those. In other respects it is voiced very well and has the same quick and responsive keyboard. Oh, the mouthpiece on the Young Chang is straight, and on this D’Luca is curved like a Hohner. Both also come with the same “hose” mouthpiece which I usually use so I can see the keyboard.

[Doug]

Maybe I should post the link to the eBay listing because the instrument was purchased cheap, shipping was quick, and it’s a good deal? If this is against forum rules then pls delete.

Red D’Luca M37-RD

Doug

[Author]

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