The Brand Spankin' NEW Hohner Golden Melody

[@heiko6983]

All the Hohners that I play (MB, GM, Rocket and S20) get better to bend and to respond the more I played them. Thanks for the stuff You do on youtube Luke❤️

[@Harmonicacom]

INTERESTING. Thanks for sharing!

[@matthewmcdermit8744]

It is more likely that your skills are getting better and not that the harmonicas are improving. Harmonicas are not like violins, cellos, or acoustic guitars -- all wood instruments. Most harmonicas are made mostly of plastic and metal. Yeah, it is more likely that your brain -- even at the subconscious level -- has learned what it takes to produce a good or better sound.

[@heiko6983]

Right man😀 I myself am improving also-no difference to my harps😎🎼🎻💙

[@quyenvo5280]

Thanks a lot . This is truly review , honest , trustable !

[@anandaarju5389]

At last.... We've found the best video till now about new Hohner GM . Except this , rest of the other videos are biased . Thanks Luke . God bless you .

[@Harmonicacom]

Glad you liked it. I don't know if they're necessarily biased. Different strokes for different folks, you know. But I appreciate your kind words Ananda!

[@norfolknwhey4787]

Finally! Someone did an honest review that wasn’t biased. It was getting old watching all of the Hohner affiliates praise what appears to be a faulty design. There seems to be an issue with the new coverplate retention system that causes air leakage. Sidenote, I’d love the opportunity to customize one of your harps that didn’t score well and send it back to you a sweet playing stick!

[@Harmonicacom]

Oh wow, that would be cool. You're a customizer? Can you send me an email at [e-mail]?

[@evanwilliams4302]

Thanks for the clear, detailed review! I love my old GM’s and will probably stick with them! Side note: the Lee Oscar at the end sounded so much better, although that’s not even the intended topic of the vid!

[@Harmonicacom]

Cool, thanks!

[@Mueleski]

Thanks, I love the old GM's and was looking at getting the new one and your review helped in letting me know what to expect.

[@rhatid]

Nice review! Good one! Thanks!

[@Harmonicacom]

Thanks for watching! 😎🙌🏼🎶Glad it was helpful!

[@SpadeLE29MC]

Thanks for this great review. Is it possible to get the tab or the name of the song of the riff at 1mn03 please?

[@Harmonicacom]

Yeah, Spade - Work Song by Paul Butterfield -2 -2 -3' 4 -4' -4 -4 4 -4 -5

[@sargfowler9603]

To me, the new GM is quite a lot brighter and perhaps critically, I'd call it tinny. When you played the Lee Oscar next to it at the end, the GM was outclassed. That's progress I guess!

[@Harmonicacom]

Cool. Thanks for sharing!

[@kishascape]

Modern day overindulgent pseudo progress.

[@studogable]

Great review! Thanks!

[@Harmonicacom]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jonathanwhitehouse-wi2er]

Hi luke slightly different topic but is there a way to get rid of the metallic smell and taste off new special 20s? Thanks. Love the videos helping me a lot as a beginner

[@sepultura7771]

I play Special 20s all the time Never noticed that at all

[@jonathanwhitehouse-wi2er]

@@sepultura7771 just got them so I don't know if it's an isolated problem or not denture cleaner seems to be the fix

[@Harmonicacom]

Yeah, I was gonna recommend soaking them in Listerine and then rinsing off, You got the right idea. Here's a cool forum thread on cleaning harps: Here's a cool forum thread on cleaning harmonicas: forum.harmonica.com/t/tricks-and-fixes/7613/31?u=luke Please post any further questions is the thread! 👊🏼 Rock on, Luke

[@bleczycki]

Hi, I really like your videos. But if you want to compare sound of two harmonicas, in my opinion you should hold each instrument the same way in your hand. If you block by fingers higher notes, the sound will be warmer. I'm sure you know what I mean :) Thank you for yours really interesting videos. All the best!

[@Harmonicacom]

You are SO right. I appreciate this. I'm trying to do better about this going forward. Aloha. 🙏🏼

[@JerrysHarmonicaChannel]

The New Design Sort Of Reminds of the thicker Design that you find on some of the Seydel Harmonicas , maybe that is the way it seems to me .

[@PonziZombieKiller]

Great Job man

[@Harmonicacom]

thanks bro

[@harmonicanick]

Nice review thanks but I was surprised you didn't mention the comb (new) which has always been a bugbear for us GM users ?

[@Harmonicacom]

What about the comb?

[@prodoverjeff2876]

I have had hundreds of GM's. Clearly my favorite. The world is throwing me yet another change. I'm in no hurry, but I will see>

[@reoscorpio]

How much more was the old style broken in vs. they new one.?? i'm a curious old school purist.. i have a few of the old ones, that i hooked up with different metal combs.. my favorite has a Blue X Lab Aluminum Comb. They play and sound the way i like.. i don't need anything else

[@Harmonicacom]

I don't recommend buying a new one.

[@reoscorpio]

@@Harmonicacom Thank you .. i concur 😎

[@modularcuriosity]

I wonder if the bending and responsiveness would get better as the harmonica "breaks in" or warms up.

[@sepultura7771]

It’s always seem to me that a harmonica plays the best out of the box, and it only gets worse from there, not talking about if you open it up or anything

[@Harmonicacom]

My understanding is that "breaking in" in is an urban legend. I'm happy to be corrected on this. But that's the consensus I've encountered so far...

[@ronkonig630]

i bought a new g.m. and it definitely got better after playing it a few days

[@itsspoken6111]

Hey Luke hope you're well? Firstly you're definitely the best guy I've watched so far in all your content and you explain everything really well and clear so thanks for that!! Just a quick question pal which Lee Oscar harmonica are you playing is it just simply in a key of C or has it got a specific name? Thanks in advance and come the middle of the month I'll be starting the lessons too!

[@Harmonicacom]

Hey my brother thanks for the kind words. Yep, just simply key of C. He doesn't have different models, just different tunings. You want Diatonic Harmonica 1910 Key of C. Looking forward to hearing how your journey goes! Rock on! 😎

[@nicclarkmusic]

The last riff you played during the “Responsiveness” segment is labeled wrong. The last harmonica was the old one not the new one. You can see the new divot in the middle of the cover plate. Enjoyed watching the review!

[@josephdunlap6793]

Hey! Can you please do a video on Ron “Pigpen” McKernan? He’s the reason I wanted to pick up the harmonica and it’s sad to see no one has translated his playing into tabs.

[@Harmonicacom]

Right on Joeseph. Can you post some of his stuff in the forum please? forum.harmonica.com

[@RaviSreenivasanOrthopod]

How would you compare the Hohner Golden Melody with the Hohner Meisterklasse diatonic harmonica?

[@Harmonicacom]

Ravi - I haven't tried the Hohner Meisterklasse. Have you tried either/both of them?

[@RaviSreenivasanOrthopod]

I have the Hohner Meisterklasse and the Marine Band Deluxe. Meisterklasse is miles ahead of Marine Band Deluxe. Yet to try Golden Melody. The deep relaxed embouchure that you teach is the way that I learnt to play single notes. Thank you 😊

[@uripmargono946]

I have been playing Folkmaster for the last three months. And I got Hohner GM old two days ago, Luke. I wander when I 'll be able to bend it. I can hardly wait. I do all what I heard and watched. No change and progress. 😂 Any suggestion? Thank.

[@Harmonicacom]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6C5oaFjoqd5qJo

[@benbaker2962]

Great review! I wonder if you have or might review the Suzuki (Hammond) HA-20 series?

[@Harmonicacom]

I love the hammond - it's probably my favorite of the Suzuki line. Of Course you have to like the aluminum comb.

[@WorldRockumentaryChannel]

I've had mine for six months, Brand new, it's starting to sound like is going sour. It's hitting some stale sickly sounding notes. Do these need maintenance cleaning?

[@Harmonicacom]

Try rinsing under hot tap water.

[@cameronmyers7435]

I wondered how the tone and responsiveness may improve with use since the one I assume is well used and the new one is not broken in. Things do change over time.

[@Harmonicacom]

I've had the new one for quite awhile now, and I think I like it less than when I bought it. I don't recommend the new GM's.

[@cameronmyers7435]

@@Harmonicacom That is too bad. I was thinking of getting one. Thanks for responding.

[@uripmargono946]

How can I, a beginner recognize which is new or Old Golden Melody? Is there any sign or feature to know? Thank.

[@Harmonicacom]

Yes the different shapes on the back, the serial numbers (provided at beginning of vid) and the screws on the the new one are on the sides.

[@GaryHavens-q7w]

Well I'm new a learner I've got one in c the older one can tell the difference when your playing them can the new ones be fixed 😢 to play better their price is high maybe a up graded to the new version ? The Lee Oskar was sounding better 😢

[@chrishammonds72]

Wondering why you haven’t done a review of the marine band deluxe yet or the blues harp?

[@Harmonicacom]

On my list Chris!

[@leoayoroa9526]

Will they continue making the old model? I use them since 1973 when they were just $4.99.

[@Harmonicacom]

Nope! Gone with the wind....

[@qwmx]

OK. I'm NOT going to altar my Hohner Special 20 for overdraws now. I bought it back in 2021. It was already special before, BUT it's even more special now!

[@Harmonicacom]

Sp20 or GM?

[@myjames48]

At what cost ? Our South African Rand to $€ throws a potential player, especially a retired one into a dream world. Besides the chances of buying one in a local music shop is nil. One has to rely on someone who travels overseas to bring one or 2 back. Any idea on price please ? 😢😢😢😢😢

[@Harmonicacom]

I would not recommend spending your hard earned money on the new Golden Melody. Do you have any local music shops? If so, what brands/models do they carry?

[@all9472]

Does anyone know the technique name were someone plays harmonica and than stops to sing and takes turns with singing and playing ? Ive beem trying to find the name of the technique seen alot of old blues using it in solo harmonica acts

[@Harmonicacom]

Wooping

[@SteveHomer]

Would the new Golden Melody be ok for a new total beginner?

[@Harmonicacom]

OK. But I'd recommend a Lee Oskar, Hohner Special 20, or Hohner Rocket over the GM.

[@thomaskoch3110]

Thx for the comparison! Thats a cool shirt! Where can i get this?

[@Harmonicacom]

You're welcome. It's my pleasure. Rock on! 😎 Here's the shirt: www.amazon.com/Harmonica-Periodic-Table-Elements-T-Shirt/dp/B07C59551L/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1KQ8FYDYRZNVZ&keywords=harmonica+elements+shirt&qid=1684921862&sprefix=harmonica+elements+shir%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-5

[@jakefrye3827]

Sorry a little off topic. When you were checking responsiveness, what scale was that? 😂

[@Harmonicacom]

3rd position pentatonic -1 -2" 3 -3" 4 -4

[@90sfellow]

it's a really helpful video!

[@Harmonicacom]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sugarmamaboy]

I did not expect to hear much difference, but the old one sounds better.

[@Harmonicacom]

The more that time passes, the more I love the old one and hate the new one.

[@CrueLoaf]

It’s a beaut to play. I find it a bit brighter and louder than the Special 20.

[@Harmonicacom]

Coo, you got one of the new ones?

[@CrueLoaf]

@@Harmonicacom yes, I lost my Special 20 and bought a new GM to replace it. Both very different animals! I’ve found myself thinking I may to also buy a Special 20 anyway. Lol

[@hanns-josefdegraaff2667]

where can i get the T shirt?

[@everettdorado4261]

One of the reasons why it seems a little unresponsive at times it's because it has not been broken in properly. It needs to be broken in just like a baseball Mett You gotta break it in, so it's more flexible. Sometimes things work great out of the box and sometimes things need to be worked out a little bit, you understand.

[@Harmonicacom]

I think it's more that the new ones just aren't air tight. I've grown to like them less and less since doing this vid.

[@jonmustang]

What would you say is the darkest-tone equal temperament harmonica you've played?

[@Harmonicacom]

I would not get a new Golden Melody. It's just not a good harp. If you can get an old stock, they're great. Otherwise, for equal temperament, I'd go Lee Oskar.

[@duanewoodbury8314]

Well then You sold me On Lee Oscar's that is Personally I would like to hear the golden melody in the key of G VS. the honer ms blues harp ( which I play) Or better yet the Lee Oscar VS. The blues harp key of G

[@Harmonicacom]

OK, noted. But the Blues Harp is tuned like the Special 20's and the Marine Band's (sweeter chords and double stops.)

[@sepultura7771]

I wouldn’t mind so much if they kept the old golden Melody also, but to completely scrap it and give us this one really sucks I haven’t played one yet personally, but every time I hear it on KZbin it doesn’t sound very good

[@Harmonicacom]

Yeah, here's the low down on that: The tooling for the old design had aged and needed constant maintenance to continue to produce harps consistently to Hohner’s quality standards. Hohner either needed to build new machinery to manufacture the old design or redesign the Golden Melody. They decided to take feedback from engineers and players over the years and see if they could make it EVEN BETTER. But the Golden Melody serves a smaller niche market, and the smaller demand wouldn’t warrant having two models of the same harp. So here we are, for better or for worse!

[@waynegilchrist1596]

Most importantly, does this mean we are now stuck with this "new one"? Secondly, we have to ask the "why" is there a need for the new if the old one is the standard we've all come to respect and rely on? My father, who would have been 110 the 6th of Feb. this year but passed a number of years ago, was a M. Honner fan from his youth and was quite an accomplished harmonica player. I understand some of the ergonomic improvements but if it sacrifices the quality of it's tone and playability it's not better. Sadly many companies send their manufacturing to China and other foreign countries to cut cost and iconic and respected products and instruments are never the same and lost to history. Please assure me that is not the case here.

[@Harmonicacom]

Yes, we are "stuck" with this "new one. As to the "why" I addressed this in another comment. To keep quality consistent Hohner had to decide either to buy new manufacturing equipment or design a new harp based on customizer's feedback. All of Hohner's harmonicas starting with the Big River model and upward are made in Germany I can assure you that 100% I don't find the new Golden Melody to be better, but I'm willing to try another one in the future and see if given time their quality control improves on this model.

[@stuffnuns]

Got some FYI for re the price of the old versus the new Golden Melody. The old one has also been priced at $60 (well, $59.95, actually) for several years - at least since 2016. I know, I’ve bought 4 of ‘em. The playability of the old vs new in your video is highly subjective. I love the old GM’s but I alway replaced the factory combs with Blue Moon custom, because the factory comb was sometimes a little leaky, and had sharp corners that were uncomfortable. The New GM comb has rounded, polished corners. . .as well as air-tight, larger reed chambers. I also found, out of the box, NO difference in bendablity. Now, I will still do some gapping for my way of playing. You should at least mention the importance of self-customizing (aka reed gapping) in reviews. The only harmonica I didn’t have to tweak out of the box, no matter the brand, is the Hohner Rocket. I was extremely wary of the new GM, and I have been pleasantly surprised. And, if your having ANY trouble bending on either GM, you should take a hard look at your technique. All GM’s are like butter when it come to bending, draw and blow.

[@Harmonicacom]

OK Great stuff here! Thank you for sharing! I think also Jimmy was mentioning might have taken lil while to get quality control together. I bought one of early ones off the line! Yeah, can't argue with the importance of self-customizing. I've just never done it (yet!) I'll get there...(hopefully.) Thanks again.👊🏼

[@chrisixus]

Hi, I am a beginner and would like to know which Lee Oskar is it and what key is it in? Thx!

[@Harmonicacom]

Lee Oskar Standard tuning, key of C

[@chrisixus]

@@Harmonicacom Thank you for the answer. I will order immediately :-) and then practice, practice and practice

[@jhhart4602]

What harmonica would you recommend for old music and civil war songs?

[@Harmonicacom]

Probably a Marine Band Deluxe if $60 is affordable. www.harmonica.com/which-harmonica-to-buy/

[@kishascape]

Great now I gotta rush to get one while new in box versions are still out there. This also usually reflects the start of a bad trend of a company about to go down the faddism rabbithole, might wanna buy some extra spares of other harps you like before they Hohner goes sour and ruins those too.

[@Harmonicacom]

No they'll not likely be changing others. Old GM machines were wearing out so they made a tough call. But other "Improvements" they've left the old (Marine Band > Crossover, Special 20 > Rocket.) And the new versions of those are good too!!

[@Chicago_Carey]

how are JP and Hal doing??

[@Harmonicacom]

They're both doing well Carey. Thank you so much for asking!

[@Chicago_Carey]

@@Harmonicacom I'm confused 😕 were they injured in the same accident?.. or was JP injured in a separate climbing accident? 🤔 I'm guessing JP was injured saving Hal? .. and I used "Noob Luke" in a song I just wrote!! 🎵

[@TalkingPoints1]

A Golden is a beautiful harp. But I myself avoid them at this point. I always found the reeds weak. Durability was a problem. Of course, destroying reeds is the hallmark of a brutish player so I know it’s me. But still, it’s less durable than other harps.

[@Harmonicacom]

Thanks for sharing this. I found the Special 20's to be the most susceptible to breakage. But yeah I think for "brutish" players lol, the Seydel's are probably the best brand!

[@ralgor100]

Where to buy?

[@deadmanswife3625]

Amazon

[@Harmonicacom]

Rockin' Rons is also good!

[@mattlawyer3245]

As of today (April 2024) Rockin Ron’s Music gives you a free hex bit when you buy the harp on their store, so you don’t need to worry about not having the tools.

[@Harmonicacom]

Wow! Thanks for sharing. That's probably an indicator of how well it's selling for Hohner. 🤣 I never play mine (except with the kids because I don't care if they mess it up.)

[@BerontosenoKara]

Is that expensive ? Yeah im broken btw😅

[@BerontosenoKara]

Dont judge me, just asking

[@deadmanswife3625]

A plastic box is plastic and nylon is plastic. So it's probably some type of re-design on biodegradable packaging materials

[@deadmanswife3625]

And that probably accounts for some portion of the new $60 price tag. All their machines had to be put in place to use the new cardboard case instead of the plastic case

[@Harmonicacom]

OK, Wendy. I like how you're giving them the benefit of the doubt! Maybe altruistic motives....

[@kishascape]

​@@Harmonicacomno it's called naivete.

[@jeffm5991]

Listening through a cell phone, the old GM sounds better to me. But I've never played either so...

[@Harmonicacom]

Sounds a lil sweeter to me too Jeff!

[@krzysztofjanuszb.9162]

👌😎👍👍👍

[@jasonstouder]

they sound fairly different from each other.

[@Harmonicacom]

I occasionally play the old model. I NEVER play the new model. LOL.

[@jasonstouder]

@@Harmonicacom that's what I hear. The old model sounds sweeter. A lot of things being made around the globe have taken a quality hit since 2020. This is one of them.

[@sergionarc3181]

👏👏😀🇧🇷

[@ionutaurelian8164]

Personally,i dont like the new golden melody...i like the sound of lee oskar at the end of this video...for me...woww..thank you

[@Harmonicacom]

Right on! Glad it helped. As you may know, I'm a Lee Oskar man myself...

[@allenhawker3911]

@@HarmonicacomYeah the LO sounded great! Much better than the GM. A LO is definitely on my list of one to buy. Still haven’t tried one yet.

[@oreoguygames9433]

So you finally found your Key Label huh? 🤣🤣

[@Harmonicacom]

🤣

[@albor_77]

the lee oskar is better, true? thanks!

[@Harmonicacom]

I prefer it personally.

[@netseraph08]

I have the new version. It is a better harp, period.

[@claydobbins9342]

I don't like the design. Regardless of performance, it doesn't appeal to my taste for looks because I don't see the indentation serving a purpose other than a new look and increasing the purchase price. Less is more, and if it is not broken, don't fix it, ala New Coke and Coke Classic. Long story short, because I love the fit of the old GM, I will never purchase the new model because I know I'll be disappointed as with other harps I just threw money at.

[@Harmonicacom]

Yep! Good call Clay!

[@jasonmurray6143]

I hate it! Marine bsnd all the way for me now on

[@Harmonicacom]

I'm with you. Marine Band Deluxe from Rockin' Rons.

[@Falcone1232]

Lee oskar team I don't like Golden Melody

[@Harmonicacom]

LEE OSKAR! 🙌🏼😎

[@HarmonicaZone]

The new golden melody harmonica is just ugly...

[@Harmonicacom]

🤣