All in Corrèze walnut wood, a warm sound and a perfect outfit. The Maugein factory, French manufacturer of accordions since 1919, based in Tulle, in Corrèze, adds a string to its bow. Since October 18, it has been marketing a new kind of harmonica. While the famous brands Hohner, in China, or Tombo, in Japan, shape instruments in metal and plastic, Maugein has decided to innovate by offering it in wood.
“I asked several players what would suit them best. They told me that the shape to wedge the harmonica in hand was essential. The second remark concerned the contact with the lips, quite cold and not very pleasant. The wood has imposed itself, including on the mouthpiece”, specifies Richard Brandao, president of the manufacture.
The only harmonica in France to be made of wood
After 24 attempts, Maugein invented the Maujo, a beautiful object based on techniques used for the manufacture of accordions. The two instruments, from the same family, are composed of wooden windchests supporting steel slats, called reeds, which generate the sound. “They work on the same principle”, recognizes Richard Brandao.
The Maugein factory intends to expand its clientele by reaching a wider range of musicians. Each year, 1000 accordions are sold in France against 120,000 harmonicas, most of them coming from abroad. If it is possible in France to customize harmonicas, that of the Tullist factory is the only one in France to be made of wood from A to Z. Passing through the note “C”, the equivalent of the French Do. “60% of harmonicas are in C but we offer them for each note,” says the manufacturer. Price displayed: 180 euros.