Playing all 12 keys on a C chromatic

Thanks Sarge.
This is a 12 hole, 3 octave, Easttop in the key of C. I bought it from Danny G at Newharmonica.com
I do have a 14 hole Suzuki SCX 56. It goes down to G, like that Chrometta you sold me. By the way, you got me started on chromatic when you sold me that 4 years ago.
I have no need for a 16.

Do you have chromatics in different keys? Those other keys are normally lower than C. Some change harmonicas to change keys. All of my chromatics are in C. Sometimes when playing in G,Ab,A, or Bb I find it can help to use the 14. Even in C sometimes it is nice to have the low B which is the 7th, and even the low G. The 14 keeps me from moving up an octave. But 95% of the time a 12 does the job.
16s are normally sold in C only. There are 2 ways to play chromatic....use different key harps or play everything on a C. I am taking the C path.

The 14 is like an Orchestra tuned because I almost never use the top two holes. However, on this Suzuki those work well so someday I may try using the top end more.

I suspect that people who play keyed chromatics, like Sarge, don't need more than 12 because the lower keys already have the lower notes.

Hello Jack.
No regrets. I am once again dividing my time between diatonics, tremolo, and chromatic, but for that year the focus was chromatic. The keys build on each other so that each new key is easier than the last. After learning the flat keys, the sharp keys were hard at first, but eventually I was playing all of them. Today I play chromatic in 10 keys. F# and B are never used, but once in a blue moon I will play a tune by ear in those two just for grins. The original goal was to be able to play any key sheet music on one C chromatic. Eventually I was also playing by ear. Sometimes I'll play a tune I know by ear and run it through 10 keys. I learned the flat keys in order (F, Bb, Eb, Ab) and then the sharp keys (G, D, A, E). Flat keys play smoother using the draw C and blow F. I memorized some written C scales and then practiced the same scales by ear in each new key. I still run through the scales some days.