New Golden Melody Progressive Unboxing and Review

New Golden Melody Progressive Review and Unboxing - New Hohner Harmonica
Thank you to Jimmy Zednik and the crew at Hohner for early access to the Golden Melody Progressive! The harp is a very modern design and plays GREAT!
This is an unboxing and review of the new Hohner Golden Melody Progressive Harmonica. Everything was done "live" and in one take. Please excuse any audio issues. I would consider this a "reboot" rather than a "sequel" to the now discontinued Golden Melody. Everything about this harp is new. Even the reed plates are a unique design (don't worry, the reeds are the same great reeds!).
The harp is still equal temperament, making this a great choice for playing multiple positions on one harp. The comb is still red, but it is a radical departure the old design. The cover plates are unlike that of any other Hohner diatonic. The tone is mellower than a Crossover or Rocket, but not as dark as a Special 20. I actually really liked the tone!
Celebrate the launch of the reimagined and upgraded Hohner Golden Melody featuring a wide variety of talented Hohner artists including Rachelle Plas, Indiara Sfair, Konstantin Reinfeld, Mickey Raphael, Julia Dill, Liam Alexander Ward, and others on Hohner's Facebook Live.

[@japhetmock]

The back of it brings to mind the taillights of a circa 60's Thunderbird!

[@harpninjamike]

You’re right!

[@Collaween]

I have a golden melody oldie that is probably older than I am six decades! It’s still works great it’s what I learned on

[@harpninjamike]

Sweet!

[@dgrebin]

Nice video Mike! I still have a set of GM's including one that you had "customized" many years ago. Nice Playing too!!

[@harpninjamike]

Thanks, Dave!

[@bobbymeyerti9300]

Thank you!!! Mike🌟 I’m excited!!! I can’t wait to get my set🔊 The golden melody has always had such a special place in my heart💐💐💐

[@harpninjamike]

Awesome!

[@faethe000]

I love everything about the Harp Blaster mic.

[@harpninjamike]

Me too!

[@righteyeartistry156]

Been a GM player since they first came out. This sounds a bit more air tight. Good thing. With the prices of harps today, glad I retired back in ‘94.

[@harpninjamike]

They aren’t cheap! The new GM plays great!

[@citypulse922]

Basically your saying you know nothing and understand even less

[@harpninjamike]

@@citypulse922 *you’re. Have you tried one? What did you think? You should consider posting a review.

[@classicsciencefictionhorro1665]

I played in the 60's. Back when we would soak Marine bands in hot water to loosen the tines. A largely unknown guy called Paul Butterfield was my idol.

[@harpninjamike]

@@classicsciencefictionhorro1665 random fact, I have the same birthday as Butterfield.

[@WorldRockumentaryChannel]

It only took six months for my Golden Melody, key of G to malfunction with sour notes on 4 & 5 during the draw. Purchased April 15, 2023 off eBay from Harmonicaland USA. Tried to remove both screws to see the problem. Only one screw would back out. The other screw was never ending and wouldn't back out. So now I have a bad Golden Melody. Purchased new on eBay M544BX-G on the box. I can't get this harp apart to check it. Now I'm back to my Special 20 key of G. Not sure how to take care of this issue? Anyone hear of or had a similar issue?

[@harpninjamike]

Sounds like that screw was stripped and the breeds were flat?

[@WorldRockumentaryChannel]

@@harpninjamike Yes, it oly took six months for this harp to give out. You can hear the song I'm playing it on. DOWN AND OUT BLUES and FLOUR LARD COFFEE SUGAR. I can't find anyone to help with this problem. I've reached out to the distributor for these harps too. The screw must of been stripped during the assembly process. It's a waste of $60. I had to replace it.

[@GnashvilleUK]

Ordered mine. Yay

[@harpninjamike]

Hope you like it!

[@N2Yeshua777]

Think I'll stay with my Rocket Amp.

[@harpninjamike]

I love the regular Rocket! I have so many Special 20s, I haven’t used the Amp.

[@Human_Herbivore]

Why change the screws to a torx, that most people don't have, and not include a driver for cleaning, odd decision? Also, you absolutely have to remove the covers to get to the 5 and 6 reeds because of the way the covers come down, another strange one.

[@harpninjamike]

The story goes is that the Torx is better overall for not stripping. You are right on both points.

[@markknipp3941]

I like it can you show me your harmonica collection

[@harpninjamike]

It’s pretty boring. Just a bunch of Special 20’s and Rockets. 😂

[@arnehedberg]

Cool Looks like rear end on a 1960 Thunderbird !

[@harpninjamike]

That’s a cool look!

[@kudodjiu0987]

Hello. Please answer, is the new Honer Golden Melody Progressive harmonica made in China? She has air loss. Are bends and overbends easy to take when playing the new Golden Melody?

[@harpninjamike]

Made in Germany. I like mine. Overbends well too.

[@kudodjiu0987]

@@harpninjamike thenk you)

[@kudodjiu0987]

@@harpninjamike thank you very much 😉😊

[@norfolknwhey4787]

It looks like a space ship… and not a good one lol I do like the new plate retention system, but I don’t think I’ll be able to get past the dent in the plates. Have you noticed any difference in tone when playing the 5/6 holes? It looks like the cover plates close off in front of them. *+1 for the TTB poster!

[@harpninjamike]

No difference in tone, but it feels unique when holding a mic. I find it easier to hold other harps.

[@norfolknwhey4787]

@@harpninjamike I didn’t think about ergonomics with a mic, I wonder if it was intentionally designed to be held with a vocal mic vs a bullet.

[@chriscook215]

Thanks for review !!! Is it better than the old version ???

[@harpninjamike]

It’s very different. I think it comes down to physical feel and the older one is more comfortable for me to cup. I like that the new one looks so modern.

[@carltakats327]

Hi thanks for video. I like to know where you bought it from. I play the Golden melody to. I like to buy the new one. Where did u order it from. Thanks have a great day

[@harpninjamike]

I got it direct from Hohner.

[@waynegram8907]

The Golden Melody has a casing design that is not like other harmonica, what type of design is this called that has the middle part collaged and the egg shaped openings. It must make a different tone it seems to the traditional harmonicas?

[@harpninjamike]

I thought it sounded warmer than a Rocket. Mickey Raphael has a good video mentioning the tone differences.

[@dmitry.aristarhov]

Thanks for the review. The camera should have been pointed at the table and not at the face.

[@harpninjamike]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@franckfranck9012]

Do you prefer older or new model ?

[@harpninjamike]

I prefer the older model because there were aftermarket combs. I didn’t like theoretical comb. The new one sounds fantastic, but it isn’t as comfortable to hold with a mic.

[@gregorypalmer6218]

It's not a patch on the old one hate the comb & the dent on the back too!!! Why did they have too fuck with it ?

[@harpninjamike]

Personally, I think it is part updating machinery and part looking for ways to market to new players.

[@BigOSully]

why do they make comb and colors that. make them appear like toys

[@harpninjamike]

When I used GMs I always used after marker combs. This one is very unique and I don’t mind the red.

[@JohnintheUK1]

The only people playing this horrible thing are the ones who got sent one for review and they probably won't ever play it again. The old adage "If it ain't broke don't fix it" springs to mind.

[@harpninjamike]

Personally, I would consider getting a few more. I wasn’t a huge GM user to begin with, but when I was, I hated the comb. I would have preferred the old style with a few tweaks.

[@1977palvarez]

where did you get it so early?

[@rodrodinal6818]

Hohner sent them to some people. I don't know if Hohner demanded that they remain silent until the official announcement. This is usually common.

[@harpninjamike]

Yup, I am a Hohner Artist and they were kind enough to send me one.

[@masterchief586]

Hohner, don't fix what ain't broke!!! I use the Crossovers.

[@harpninjamike]

The Crossover is the 🐐!

[@rodrodinal6818]

I am extremely disappointed. I was really looking forward to the new Golden Melody. And now that? I'm really shocked. This is probably the ugliest harp I've ever seen. Terrible! I will definitely not buy them. The designers should be fired immediately. I'll quickly buy some more old ones while they're still around.

[@harpninjamike]

It is a very radical design change. Plays great.

[@sepultura7771]

I agree, seems like everyone else loves the look, but I think it looks terrible

[@sepultura7771]

@OnceTheyNamedMeiWasn't i know they’re phasing out the old ones Idk if reed replacements are easily available or not

[@rodrodinal6818]

@@harpninjamike Thanks for the answer. My first reaction was emotional and a little too hard. I'll buy one to try. Maybe I like them then. And if she plays well, the design doesn't matter.

[@starckwest6358]

X2 expensive for not really more performance

[@harpninjamike]

Fair point

[@Crumbcat4life]

The new golden melody looks weird i find the old one look better

[@harpninjamike]

It is a very modern design for sure.