Cheap vs Expensive Harmonica - How much should you spend?

[@TheBlueThird]

I started on a cheap, no name harmonica back in the 1980s, and that thing still plays well. You don't need an expensive harp to sound good. Most of the harmonica legends started on cheap harps.

[@michaw7408]

Because 40 years ago cheap harmonicas were alright, doesn't mean that today's cheap harmonicas are any good. And I keep hearing about people who need to unlearn bad habits once they move on to more professional instruments.

[@gewglesux]

"unless you hated that child" hahahaha

[@Gk2003m]

Man, I miss the days when you could go to a music store and pick up a BluesHarp or MarineBand for fifteen bucks. They were awesome. I still have a few. They are now nearly 40 years old, and play as well as ever.

[@vexicon]

My wife started me off with a Fender Blues Deluxe. I quickly moved to an Easttop 008k, then a Special 20. My 008k plays really well and I agree about the sharp edges. I use the Special 20 for regular practice, and have half a dozen new old stock Golden Melodies in keys other than C. I got a great deal on them, but I don't currently use them. The Blues Deluxe is now my "carmonica", I pick up the 008k when I want to practice adapting my embrochure(sp?) to different harps.

[@judocabsurf]

Always excellent, thoughtful perspective, Jonah… You remain an inspiration and voice of reason regarding all things diatonic harp.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Thank you! I try 👍

[@cincinnatipedalsteel4347]

As someone who has only been playing for 4 months let me give my experience. I started out with SP20s and then got a couple manjis. They were from $35-45. The sp20 harps are great. Many pros use these daily. That being said I bought a seydel 1847 powerbender last week for my birthday for $109. Besides the tuning (which I’ve fallen in love with) the harp plays like butter, very responsive and bends super easy (every hole on the powerbender) and the tone is fantastic. They also have a nice box that won’t fall apart. The seydel 1947 is gonna be my go to harp. I do want to get a crossover to try though.

[@markwalters9754]

Special 20 goes for $80 in Australia 😬 but thats all i have and happy with it

[@stevenray8737]

Spent £38 on a Hohner "Blues Harp" in C, and have been enjoying it for about 2 months now. I did go into the shop with the intention of a Special 20, but they didn't have one in stock and they recommended the Blues Harp anyway. I was worried that it was a wooden comb instead of plastic, as its been mentioned that there was a small health risk with wooden combs, but apparently it has to be a very old Harmonica to worry about it.🤔 As a complete beginner to not only the Harmonica, but music itself, its been a positive experience. I'm curious as to how other notes compare, but I'll probably hold off on a second harmonica until I've spent enough time getting to grips with the basics. I'm in it for the journey rather than the destination, so there's no rush.😎

[@MightyMightyKdub]

I started out about 3 months ago, been following tons of videos on here and making good progress. Jonah is great and there are several others I have really grown with. I got a SP20 and I love it, but I may be playing too hard as I keep having to adjus the reeds, Lol. But the 40 quid mark is about standard for a decent starter harmonica.

[@stephenbouchelle7706]

This is a helpful comparison for newer players. It is especially good to have know the diminishing returns point. $25-$60 is a fine range for most folks. I definitely would not give my grandkids a super cheap harmonica (or any other instrument). It will just be a frustration. I find I can overblow the 6 on $25 East Tops and anything around and above that range. I will be content with that one overblow. I think it is considered the most generally useful. I have a whole bunch of harmonicas that I never touch - you are right. I spend most of my playing on a Harmo Torpedo C or a classic Honer Marine Band - A.

[@boydross]

Really thank you for liking my song

[@tomkirby3281]

I'm just starting, and trying to figure out what is easiest for me to play. My most expensive one is the Arkia Origin. I don't have a need to overblow at my skill level, but it's nice to have the ability. Thanks for letting me know that my inability to overblow on the cheaper models may not be my fault.

[@boydross]

Really thank you for liking my song

[@TheBlueThird]

Howard Levy performed his overblows on the Golden Melody. Clay Kirkland also plays the Golden Melody.

[@boydross]

Really thank you for liking my song

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

⭕ Get the Scale Cheatsheet: bit.ly/scalesheet

[@lerosh2226]

I have a few cheaper ones,,,east top,and hohnerarine band,sound ok for me as I can't really play much yet,,

[@tobiasripper4124]

when i started i bought a couple of el cheapo harmonicas (like those 15 bucks ones). you know, to "scratch that itch". then met a great player. told her i kinda like to play but suck, can't really bend on more than 2 notes. told me she'd teach me. we tried, i could not bend for shiat. she then goes "try it with mine"... instant success! then she tried my harmonica... could bend all notes (barely). moral of the story. dont get a cheap piece of crap to learn. get a decent one, get good at it, then you can play on a comb with a plastic bag.

[@boydross]

Really thank you for liking my song

[@tnysteph]

I like Suzuki Bluesmaster harmonicas and Kongsheng Mars harmonicas. These are priced around $30.00 to $40.00 I believe.

[@BenjaminGavilan-pw2se]

Hey Jonah I just got my first harmonica and its one you mention here. The Hohner rocket c key. What videos should i watch to start me up?

[@JB-rw9xt]

When I started out I didn’t know if I’d continue so I bought a set of cheap Fender Deluxe harps and they do suck. However I did buy a Bb Fender Deluxe that actually plays/sounds better than my Hohner Special 20 Bb.

[@boydross]

Really thank you for liking my song i only play Hoher marine band crossover

[@harikari9740]

Lee Oskar....Major Boy.

[@onelove154]

The Manji Sky is really good. The Suzuki Pure harp sounds good, very warm, but I'd prefer it if the wood cover plates were shaped like the Marine Bands. A wood Marine band so to speak. Ceramic cover plates are good but not used enough on harmonicas.

[@boydross]

Really thank you for liking my song

[@raymondallanwing]

love your channel, The ARKIA harps are the best off the shelf I've seen JDR harps are good but are a bit of a fat profile on the ASSASSIN, Myself I,d get The JDR TROCHILUS The down side with that the slide will stick when it dry but you get the 6 O/B easy and you can get a trill affect. I sill will say the old golden melodys is the best harp out of the box. The EAST TOP T008K is the best cheap harp that you can get.

[@AncientApparatus]

What about $300+ Harmonics like Hohner M758601 Super 64 Stainless Steel Harmonica that cost $572.09? Is there any harmonica that is worth this much money?

[@MP-tf7cc]

Why do reviewers only consider the T008K from Easttop when they have several other models, most with recessed reed plates and smoother edges?

[@ooyginyardel4835]

I have a Kongsheng Solist and I love it. However, I’m an amateur that only knows enough to be dangerous.

[@frederickbanjoman9482]

I considered various around £25-£35 and shortlisted that 008k until I saw your review. Decided if all had some quite not good review on Amazon (I am aware that competitors might sabotage). I found I could spend £8 and get a Cashka… in G (my old Kay hamronica in C is still going after many years, if not great). Then I got a kaschka in A. Checked notes on ninja tuna and not bad at all. Finish smooth and nice, and less than your $10. check em out and let me know. I figured if i had ot buy rubbish i would rather bin a £10 harp than a £25 harp. Then a pal in guitar jam pulled out his £55 Oscar Lerner, and other guy said he had two, and I thought, well I see the next step!! Louder clearer, more MUSICAL. I am 100% guitar snob, big brands only, but new to actually playing a harp rather than it sitting on shelf as it says BLUES on top. Compared with guitar or uke, harp is much easier, at least in the basics. I can now play Heart of Gold and some others. So what is your Kaschka view?

[@boydross]

Really thank you for liking my song

[@fredklett2519]

Guess what? The Session Steel is also an 1847 with the same stainless steel reedplates.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Yeah, I'm aware. It's more of the harmonica design that really doesn't work for me.

[@docsharmonicablues]

@fredklett2519 I am also aware that this is supposed to be the case, but the ALL of my 1847 models are SO MUCH BETTER: playability and tone. I will never again buy a Session Steel.

[@CalvinLimSH-ld5le]

I am teaching a group of senior people and what type of harmonica should I be buying that sound good and easy to their budget?

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Kongsheng Mars. 30 bucks, hard to complain about it at that price.

[@CalvinLimSH-ld5le]

@@HarmonicaRevolution Thanks for the advice and will look into it.

[@kevincui9466]

Does this only apply to diatonic harmonics? I’m under the impression that decent chromatic harmonicas are generally above 100 dollars or am I being ripped off

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

@@kevincui9466 only diatonic

[@JhonSmith-e9n]

The XP 40 extreme bender by honer is a game changer

[@boydross]

Really thank you for liking my song

[@JhonSmith-e9n]

@@boydrossXB 40 by Honer You can bend by a whole note instead of a half a note which doubles your scale

[@StarQueenEstrella]

I have to agree that the Hohner Crossover that I bought as a sort of early birthday present to myself is a much nicer harmonica than the Lee Oskar I have. Pardon my language but I fucking love playing on my Crossover! I might even get a whole set of them in the necessary keys. (Might branch out to other brands/models for some unusual keys like E-flat and A-flat.)

[@boydross]

Really thank you for liking my song

[@StarQueenEstrella]

@@boydross what’re you talking about?

[@boydross]

I'm saying its great harmonica i play it

[@StarQueenEstrella]

@@boydross but that doesn’t make it your song, does it? I’m confused.

[@derlio2086]

Thank you very much

[@boydross]

Really thank you for liking my song

[@harpo9279]

Suzuki Bluesmaster!

[@gewglesux]

Chinese harps may cut corners also they cut my lip.

[@boydross]

Really thank you for liking my song

[@derekmorrison1973]

Anyone tried the Yonberg titanium harp. French made but quite expensive.

[@mindscaper1898]

I have yonbergs, they are amazing Better than arkia

[@boydross]

Really thank you for liking my song

[@ZeroFox1970]

A Rocket is $100+ in Australia and about $140 for the Crossover you can't beat the Rocket

[@jaredivey505]

Love me some Rockets

[@RobKlomp-w1q]

Koop gewoon honer of sedylharmonica

[@regorRegor]

Buy cheap, buy twice.

[@boydross]

Really thank you for liking my song, play marine band crossover they are the best

[@mindscaper1898]

Eastflop is a questionable company Selling so cheap yet taking out heavy ads on Amazon 400 plus staff to pay Likely not paid well Cheap harps that look and feel cheap A beginner would do well to avoid and get sp20