Hohner Harmonicas! - What's the difference?

Hohner makes many different diatonic harmonicas. All of them are tuned to the same notes, but what makes them different? This video demonstrates the main differences between each type we have in stock.
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[@SpecsProduction]

In the interest of any beginners watching this to get (useful) information. I am currently performing professionally with several theatre companies playing harmonica in various Broadway shows, and I have owned/ performed on every single one of the German models Hohner provides. There is plenty of misinformation/ left out information in this video that a beginner should know to 1) be successful in learning the harmonica and 2) save some money. The Hohner Marine band can be taken apart, however you can pretty much guarantee compromising its airtightness if you do this more than a handful of times. What makes plastic truly a stand out isn't necessarily the durability, but the ease of cleaning. Nowadays Hohner seals the wood in their Combs, making them less likely to swell or crack; however wood is much more difficult to clean unlike plastic. The John Lennon signature is no longer produced, and while it is one of my favorites and has nearly all the tonal qualities I want in a harmonica....they now will run you around 100$ previously 65$. It is by far the most expensive diatonic in my gig case. A wooden comb by the way does NOTHING to make notes easier to bend. All three (excluding the golden Melody and John Lennon, because they aren't really comparable) models will be relatively easy to bend on. Certainly more than the hot metals, silver stars....and misc 15$ toys. Also, the JL signature comb is acrylic, not plastic. My recommendation to beginners is a Special 20. Cheapest in the line up....easy to clean/ maintain, and comfortable to hold. If you prefer the warmer tone of wood, the Marine band and blues band will honestly serve the same function. What gave the blues harp the edge for me is the size....I have big old hands and I can tend to block the movement of my mouth with the side of my finger resting on the covers of a marine band. Mind you I do carry Marine band's I'm my case, and the crossover is an outstanding instrument. But at the end of the day....play Seydel Session Steels

[@ethanlareau3970]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@LFOVCF]

Certainly good info, but without a demo, it's like buying a car you've never test driven.

[@bveracka]

I've been experimenting with different harmonicas, and I've bought just about every Hohner model. The MS Blues Harp is awesome! if you're learning to play the blues, it's full of tone and is easy to bend notes. If you want to play beautiful folk melodies, the Golden Melody is an awesome harp. I use it for Christmas songs. The GM has a very rich tone. While it's tuned in equal-temperament, it still plays dyad (a two note "chord") and sounds great. Everyone has their own opinions though.

[@bveracka]

Finally I just wanted to say that I haven't had any problems with wooden combs. Hohner does a wonderful job of sealing the wood with a finish that keeps moisture out. Both the MS Blues Harp and the Marine Band have wooden combs, and I love both of them. I have some with a lot of use and age and they're still in great shape. Don't fear the wood, it sounds great!

[@TimmiMontreal]

Thank you for the explanation. It would have been very very very nice if you had played a few notes on each one. Many of us are coming here to learn the difference in sound, in order to make a choice. Perhaps an idea for a next video.

[@stevengilez]

man im sorry, I am rarely negative on youtube, but why the hell wouldn't you blow a few notes on them???? you pretty much described how they look. not very helpful when youre needing to HEAR the difference.

[@UpcomingJedi]

He is a salesman at the store. If he blows into them, he would have to buy them. After all, who wants to buy a harmonica that's already been kissed by someone else?

[@InstrumentalMusicCenter]

Garras Porgratix is right about this one. Hohner's warranties are voided if their instruments are blown through. There is a lot of product discussed here that we couldn't afford to sell as used.

[@stevengilez]

Theres this really cool little harmonica puffer machine that allows you to hear the harp without anyone's mouth touching it. Ive never seen a LMS that doesn't have one. I wasn't trying to be a dick here folks, I was trying to hear some different tones before I dropped $60 on a harp. That being said, I'm forever a Lee Oskar guy now. I never have to worry about the sound. Just get the key I need and forget it.

[@Goth108]

+Instrumental Music Center I don't get the point of that, cleaning and sterilizing products is easy enough, and I as a potential customer want to know how things feel on my own lips, how the reeds react etc. before I pay and keep anything.

[@bobaldo2339]

Those little puffer machines are a joke! You cannot tell if their are defective reeds until you really play a harp with some force.

[@twitchster77]

Get them all! :D I LOVE collecting harmonicas! And I'm not even that good at them yet! lol Great video! Thanks for uploading this.

[@d-ro3266]

twitchster77 I have spotted a fellow gear guy!

[@kishascape]

They’re super cool and awesome to collect and have tons of regardless. I love harmonicas. Specially wood combed ones.

[@wiserchip4524]

Thank you for this video, my harmonica is working properly now. Never thought id fix it.

[@TheLighterSideOfSerialKillers]

Thumbs down for not playing them....

[@TH3_T3RM1N4T0R]

You don't play sale items that go in the mouth for the same reason you don't share a toothbrush with someone.

[@TheLighterSideOfSerialKillers]

@@TH3_T3RM1N4T0R I've never seen an instrument video where they don't play the instrument. Have one where they can play. Stupid... And according to the rest of the comments I'm not alone

[@thecosmickat3954]

Thanks man. Wish u would have played em.

[@ManageableRapTactics]

Sweet info! I was basing my purchase decisions off of clear plastic combs vs black plastic combs. You were a very informative shopkeeper I can totally trust your "it has character" generic advice. You mean they SOUND different TOO? Oh wow, Maybe you can make a video ABOUT THAT next time?

[@journeyfortwo5211]

I actually thought that was a pretty good comparison, even without hearing them played

[@rogerwilson6337]

Prices would have been nice along with hearing them.....otherwise thank you for your video and your time sir.

[@carlosazteca8441]

Would somebody tell me which is the best key to play classic blues ??? and also... do you know what harmonica key is played by Mark Farmer from the Grand Funk Rail Road in "Inside Looking Out" ??? Tks in advance for your help !!

[@music-collective]

I like your presentation. Thank you. It gives me idea what I want to try. I am leaning towards Hohner 532 Blues Harp MS-Series Harmonica, since I love the blues.

[@Pork-Chopper]

I started out with a Lee Oskar, C major diatonic. A great Blues harp. Easy to play n maintain...

[@pjo1964]

For those people complaining that he didn't put his mouth on every one of those harmonicas and play something, Maybe he's not a harmonica player because he sells other instruments also in his music store? Or maybe it would cost a lot of money to do that for a KZbin video if you add up the price of all those harmonicas together it would be a few hundred dollars? And it's also hard to hear the differences listening from your phone anyway.

[@sergioreynoso3058]

wood when wet expand and hurts your tonge ,so i use a nife to even up ,love blues harps

[@madogblue]

Blues harps are supposed to be easier to bend, but the reeds burn out fast. Special 20 and marine bands are the ones to play blues on

[@adityakhamitkar4045]

What are your views about the Hohner Crossover?

[@FullStepBend]

Surely you should only sell the John Lennon Harmonica in Tuscon, Arizona right?

[@AngelRiveroMusic]

i thought you were going to play them

[@Preppy-f9i]

I know Free Willy in the movie the boy used a marine band but im not sure what key and brand it is in.

[@jacobseidman8269]

You can take the marine band apart it's just hard to do without breaking it.

[@johnathanutahzio8474]

Great, quick informative video. Thanks!

[@bobaldo2339]

The life of any harmonica is actually measured in just a few hours of hard playing. That goes for harmonicas all the way across the price-point spectrum.

[@Zenedon]

You might want to work on your technique if you blow out harps after a few hours of playing.

[@bryanclark201]

❤ I love them all

[@brandonleroux6059]

"The marine band you can't take apart..." when sales people try to tell you about harmonicas. I assure you sir, you can take it apart; or how else would you tune it???

[@dileepnaik1312]

Not a good description if you want to buy one for your type of music. The difference between the sound of notes and how they play when experts play or a fresher plays is important for choice. Quite surprised you do not have the crossover and Rocket harps in your set there. Many look for harp which can be used to bend , overblow the notes.

[@mandolinlasse]

Choose between the Golden Melody, Special 20 and the Marine Band. Forget about the rest!

[@antoniocruz1163]

Very Nice

[@pengwill6023]

Thank you for your video, very helpful

[@Gunsandfun1961]

Good review,..We all know you cant lip them,.. a bellows doesn't do any harp justice,..and I learned some things ,...thanks,...

[@c.e.f4916]

Are the blue ice ones any good? I’m looking for my first set and I have no clue if I’m gonna playing harmonica as much as I do my other instruments.

[@SurferJoe46]

I've been buying Hohner for over 35 years and the quality just continues to go down, worse and worse every year. I've pretty much given up on Hohner although I'll continue to play the ones I have - over 60 - until they die and I'm replacing them with Lee Oskars as I find them to be in many ways better than Hohner for reliability and long lasting reeds and they can take a lot of abuse when the amp you're on isn't picking you up and you play harder to compensate. So far no ruined reeds on the Lee Oskars and no shifting pitch on individual reeds like so many of my Hohners have done to me when I can't afford to have one die on me at a critical point in a performance. Another problem is that Hohner thinks I will continue paying more and more money for lower and lower yearly quality - so I've stopped buying Hohner for the high-pocket prices that seem to have no end.

[@Danielblco0]

I think I'm going to buy the Blues Band, if I like playing harmonica, I'll buy the Special 20, it seems its pretty famous :)

[@vaguelyreptilian]

Do all the MS harps have the sort of... Top-vented boxes the Blues Harp has? I'm a hiker and probably won't carry more than one at a time, but it looks less durable than the special 20 box (yeah it is a super specific concern and not a deal breaker either way, the idea of being able to replace parts if it gets damaged is enough of a selling point)

[@aqureshi62]

sir what is the difference between Hohner M27001 Super Chromonica /Key C Harmonica and Hohner 270 Super Chromonica Chromatic Harmonica C

[@johnappleseed6914]

or what key is the closest to a saxophone in order to choose which harmonica to get?

[@zezu4775]

We’re is the Sound... those harmonicas ??? We like to hear,,,

[@johnappleseed6914]

hey im just now getting into harmonicas and my question is there any type of harmonica that resembles close to a saxophone?

[@arquitectostar5714]

*I CAME HERE FOR TO LISTEN TO A HARMONICA TEST AND NO ONE PLAYS A HARMONICA. WTF!*

[@KingGeorge7]

Which one do you recommend for a beginner that knows nothing

[@bossfan49]

You say different features change the tone....but in what way? Also..PRICING???.. the #2 factor in harp selection!!

[@anlkvanc4038]

Hello everyone : İ have a question about harmonicas. İ use BluesBand. İ like singing blues . Which one should i take ? MarineBand Special20 or what? And lastly is there any much difference between BluesBand and others? Thank you for video. Hearing from you...

[@jamesgilberthorpe4511]

Thanks this makes some sense I replaced a Marine band with a cheaper blues harp and cant get the full sound I want for one of my tunes.

[@Teachering]

No mention of the Crossover Marine Band.

[@renlafraise4359]

Special 20 are soo easy to play than the marine band in my opinion.

[@justin2024atlas]

Very cool. Thanks.

[@lazykrack4rrichardson868]

I see that the comments are pretty dead here if anyone comes across this I live in Arizona as well laugh out loud I think I actually live super close to that instrument place I don’t think it’s in business anymore but I have a blue harp m.Hohner her Monica I’m not sure what series it is it has a C on the face plate that or template whatever that has the one to 345-6789 10 on it No other identification marks I know it has a wooden home I believe brass plates but it has two screws/nails not one holding the plates down .. so I’m assuming I have a older version of the one being shown in the video??

[@MisterFinkMusic]

I'll second the comment about the sealed wood on the Blues Harps. My Marine Bands would swell pretty quickly, but the Blues Harps are really stable. Also, don't forget the Blue Midnight, my new favorite Hohner! The Just Intonation tuning makes for really sweet sounding chords (just the opposite of the Golden Melody). Listen to "I'll be Seeing You" on my KZbin station to hear what I mean.

[@HarmonicaTunes]

Thank you....

[@borislonic4476]

The MS Blues Harp from my experience is not worth the amount of money you pay for it. I had one in the key of A and one in the key of C. Both of them blew out on me after playing them for a short amount of time. The sound is above average at best. The BH's responsiveness leaves a lot to be desired and it isn't a very durable harp. I will give you the Pros & Cons below so that you can use your own judgment in choosing whether or not you want to spend your hard earned money on it. PROS: Sturdy harp all around. Won't get dented so easily. Quality German craftsmanship. Comb made of triple lacquered Doussie wood and sealed to be more moisture resistant. It won't swell up on you after playing for over an hour and it won't potentially cut your lips. Cover plates can be removed for easy maintenance such as Reed gapping,etc. Parts are interchangeable with other MS (Modular System) series models. CONS: Responsiveness is an issue. Reeds don't respond in the same way as other harps and it requires more airflow to play. Short lifespan. Reeds wear out after a relatively short time. Not certain if it can be passed under a running faucet or soaked in a cup of water despite the fact that it doesn't absorb saliva. I wouldn't recommend it. Sharp edges of the reedplates can cut your lips if you trill or slide up and down the harp a lot when you play. It's name is misleading and confusing. EVERY 10 hole major diatonic harmonica is a blues harp. Overpriced and overvalued. It falls short of the expectations that have been put on it. Not worth the price it's being sold for. For the same amount of money, you'll be better off buying a MB, a SP20, or a Lee Oskar instead. These are better quality harps in my personal opinion. The Blues Harp doesn't really do the job as far as I'm concerned.

[@Jeffrey9In4Chains]

Do the letters on the top left corner mean anything? Like is that a certain key or something? I'm new to this.

[@ScottJones-ne8qx]

@ JeffreysWorld - yep. That's exactly it.

[@grahamwarford5452]

That's it exactly.. buy a c.. so your bluesing in g.. tip...👍

[@sillyfunforeveryone7605]

Is it not Liberty bellows

[@pjo1964]

I have the key chain harmonica on a necklace and I can play Piano Man on it.

[@stevengilez]

Since watching this, I'm glad to share with everyone, lee Oskar harps are waaaaaaaaay superior to hohner harps. So much brighter and more responsive. Easier to bend, better tonality, everything.

[@Ravenblazer]

That's true! But you have to have atleast one or 2 hohners.

[@joegraham1778]

I have just ordered a set of Hohner Blues Band in the key's of A;Bb;C;D;E;F and G, I have never used these harmonica's I'm was just wondering if there are any good? I have just started playing the harmonica and I have a harmonica in the key of C. I used to be a guitar player but I was in an accident 3 years ago at the age of 20 and I'm now 23 and I have lost the ability to use my right arm hand and wrist.... :( and is there any advice you could give to a one handed player? (I can now only use my left arm and hand... I used to be right handed witch suck major ass! lol

[@mopercival]

Curious to know the purpose of the vents and how they affect the sound.

[@grahamwarford5452]

You get a lower volume on vented.. but a deeper tone when whaaa whaaaa. So it's swing and roundabout.

[@mohamedalhady8139]

man sory but i have wich i think a hard kind of hohner it is ECHO BELL METAL REEDS .its melodes is very defernt from others its played from to sied and i dont know how i go with it please can you help me..😓?

[@CanItAlready]

Mohamed alhady It sounds like you have what's called a tremolo harmonica. If you do a search for that on KZbin or Google you might find helpful information. I don't know much about that type of harmonica myself but here's a link to get you started: www.harmonicaacademy.com/categories/20101115

[@kaybhee6]

all sound same dead quiet

[@arquitectostar5714]

*DEDICATED TO HOHNER BLUESBAND PLAYER MIKE WAITE! HARALD.*

[@eliashawly2065]

So usefull

[@levigabri3l917]

I'll order harmonica, how?

[@sarpdogu160]

ı am favorite harmonica, marine band 1896 la harp

[@CodeCheese]

Prices??

[@elmelrichards2810]

The John lennon harp is made by Easttop and not Hohner----- just saying!

[@bossfan49]

It says Hohner all over the box, the plastic case inside, and on the harmonica itself. (shown in another video)

[@michaelstewart2479]

I play lee oskars and i got a Marine Band 1896 in G or whatever and i wont get another one im going to try the special 20 too for i can find one.

[@grahamwarford5452]

I like Lee oskars sound .but not good on longevity..

[@michaelstewart2479]

You can buy replacement reeds plates for half the price of the harmonica with the lee oskars. Okay this is fun to do take a brand-new.Lee Oskar and a brand new Hohner Marine Band and let the wind blow them and see the difference.

[@laughoutloud2263]

where is blues viper

[@robertsteinberger5667]

But how to clean a marine band classic?

[@pjo1964]

You can take the nails out and put them back in two or three times and then the hole is too loose to put the nails back again. Some people just put screws in. You can order replacement harmonica screws.

[@MrCrusherbob]

Pound for pound, buck for buck and blow for blow BUY LEE OSKAR harps! The best diatonic harps around and I've played them all. A good sound from a soaked Marine Band can't be beat for dirty and fast blues! Sand down the wooden separators and they won't tear up your lips. Wears them out pretty fast though.....

[@oscardarrell]

Marine band is just like telecaster..i play many brands but marine band is just like home..

[@quaesitrix881]

Why would you just describe the differences, and not play each to show the difference in sound ? This was what I thought the video would be, and what I was interested in, but it seems that I wasted my time...

[@Superdoerr]

why not play them......

[@blacksabbath666420]

the marine band is just as easy to take apart

[@warlock.420]

THEORETICAL deference..... Just say "I don't know". The end.

[@mitchellgehrmann996]

I recommend hohner silverstars for beginners for 15 bucks u cant go wrong

[@charlesancer6101]

No

[@kathiehacht9156]

You talk all about the sounds that no one car here.

[@grahamwarford5452]

Marine band or spc 20.. both good learners and intermediate.. you need to b really good to justify spending more...and you reall don't need to.you can wear 5 marines out n still b ahead on cash.🤔

[@kzookid2051]

Helpful in general, but I'm another viewer who was looking for differences in sound.

[@whitelight2507]

+1,000 for the Marine Band 1896 and the Golden Melody... If you think you want to learn the harmonica, stay away, from a cheap one... A BluesBand, is the worst of the worst... Avoid.

[@mariopuzo4509]

Dude ..what are they all in the key of e ? Probably not. Would have been informative. ....do u really work at a music store?

[@1EQUALS-INFINITY]

DO NOT buy the blues band, It's crap. The best sound: Marine Band and Special 20. PERIOD.

[@zootallure8913]

Perhaps you want to actualise a bit your info... thanks anyway

[@TalkingPoints1]

I've given up on Hohners. Blues Harps are useless. Their reeds aren't responsive (you need breath that approaches a hurricane to get a note) and quality control at the factory sucks. I bought a Blues Harp in a Bb and the 3 draw reed simply didn't play. Into the trash it went with its $40 cost. Furthermore, Hohners simply don't last. A Golden Melody sounds great but the reeds are weak. Special 20 is a good harp but it too is short-lived. Switch to Seydel.

[@geisty64]

Buy a Hohner and you will be replacing the reeds within 3 weeks to 3 months.

[@MagicMountainStudio]

so they are all silent..only the guy talks,,we see

[@pjo1964]

That's right. When you blow into a Hohner Harmonica you hear that guy talking😁

[@davidheftling1136]

Wha?

[@kathiehacht9156]

You need to blower so you can her the sound differences these reviews do nothing for the buyers

[@billtoth6516]

Speak up

[@normanchristopherson5434]

Sorry, but this video was NOT informative at all.

[@youtbmasta]

"I can't blow them 'cause these are not mine."

[@bradr8806]

Hohner harmonicas suck, no customer service

[@jackoldham6234]

My guitar strings cost me 20.00 a year i have $100.00 harps i hate WARNING THE BULLSHIT IS THICK

[@kathiehacht9156]

Thanks for nothing.

[@twitchster77]

Get them all! :D I LOVE collecting harmonicas! And I'm not even that good at them yet! lol Great video! Thanks for uploading this!

[@fortinoyanez1411]

, ,d, ,,

[@fortinoyanez1411]

, ,d, ,,