Hohner CX-12 Chromatic #7545 Includes free US shipping

I've purchased two CX-12s from Rockin' Ron, a C and an F (tuned LF). Master teacher David Barrett (and I'll bet a few other folks) call the CX-12 "Darth Vader," but the design - which has been around a while - has a lot of advantages. For me, the mouthpiece is more comfortable than any similarly-priced chromatic I've played. There is very little leakage, especially at this price-point. And for folks like me who breathe epoxy even after brushing our teeth, the easily-removable slide is a real plus. I've read complaints elsewhere about the ends of the plastic shell breaking if the harmonica is dropped, but there are easy ways to avoid that: Don't drop it, and if you do, Brendan Power sells a nifty little repair piece. (I've also heard complaints about the plastic case opening up if dropped. Those wide rubber bands around broccoli stalks at the market make great little belts to secure the case.) Hohner has had a winner for a long time with the CX-12. You may not look like Little Walter when you play it, but you'll look like a smart harmonica buyer, and you'll sound really good.