Just as well, my Marine Band combs would have suffered. Durability/Fixability the double-lacquered Pear wood comb could over time become susceptible to swelling, cracking, or splintering. Hohner Marine Band Crossover Harmonica $ 105.00 - $ 110.00 Select options; Hohner Marine Band Thunderbird $ 180.00 - $ 192.00 Select options; Related products. This has also lead to some more small changes in the engraving of the covers. ate 1970s), and the Super 64x version (1980s). Compare. Check out my full Hohner Golden Melody review. For more info check out my full review of the Marine Band 1896. C $135.09. Its a total classic. Money no object? It is probable that you found this page with a search engine, as you sit at your computer with an old harmonica in your lap, curious as to how much it is worth. It could also be interesting for someone like me who has been playing harmonica for decades, and enjoys the challenge of a new tuning to explore. After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at The Hohner Golden Melody is a bit larger than the Hohner Special 20. There was such an outcry from players when they heard that their beloved Marine Band was to be replaced, that Hohner changed their minds and the Marine Band MS was only marketed in Europe and was discontinued completely around 1997/98. If youre currently considering buying a Hohner Blues Harp or a Hohner Big River, heres my advice: The Hohner Blues Harp, has a wooden comb. Ive had several beginners who were struggling while playing these, and then theyinvested a bit more into a Special 20, a Lee Oskar, or a Golden Melody and they came back ecstatic at how much easier it was to play. C, A, A Flat, B, B Flat, D, D Flat, E, E Flat, F, G. The most popular models are either single-sided or double-sided Echo harps, but the single-sided ones can be combined into quadruple or sextuple corncob setups, with a different key on each row. Heres my Hohner Marine Band 1896 full review. are back again and the lines between them are vertical rather than horizontal, making it identical to the postwar MB except for the presence of the star. This was part of Hohner Modular Series that came out in the late 1980s and whose original concept was to replace the hand made models with instruments made on a computer-controlled assembly line. Likewise, there were various changes in the alloy used for the reeds and different reed profiles being used, although the lengths and widths of the reeds remained constant. If you require a personal response, please use ourContact page. These legends were some of the most demanding and finicky musicians on the planet. These have a clear finish, rather than the traditional yellow/orange paint on the front and black paint on the ends and rear of the comb. The number A440 stamped on certain Hohner harps indicates neither a limited edition, nor a model number - it tells you that it is tuned to standard concert pitch (see FFAQ10). The wooden comb, and the edge of the reedplate that is exposed between the coverplates and the comb, both help to make this harmonica very rough on the lips when played for long periods of time. Does Counterspell prevent from any further spells being cast on a given turn? Harmonica Construction and its Effects on Sound and Feel, Original cover design from 1896 ensures the classic blues sound, Greatly reduced swelling behaviour through double-coated pear wood comb. From the photo with the best focus, it looks like it's possible that it's not a rivet, just a screw head that has broken off. The Hohner Marine Band is a number-one choice among top professionals and one of the most recognizable harmonicas all over the world. A really tough one. Very responsive. Hey good people out there. Hohner Blues Harp Harmonica Review + Video: Bold & Powerful, Hohner Pro Harp Review: the Black & Gold Brother of the Fantastic Blues Harp, Harmonicas: 13 Super-Fun Facts You Never Knew About Them, Join 4700+ Successful Harmonica Jamz students - Play any Song and Jam with Other Musicians. Chromonica is a term that Hohner uses for several different ones. Calculating probabilities from d6 dice pool (Degenesis rules for botches and triggers). Your harmonica will survive. Check your inbox in the next minute or two for your first lesson. Our next example is from the early 1930s: The covers are similar to the previous one, but for the trademark now has a larger star once more, much shorter cuffs and all the medals back to having doubled circles again. If youre into jazz, gospel, or bluegrass, I highly recommend that you consider this harp. Today it is still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first introduced in 1896. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. The instruments, held together with nails, were hard to get apart, hard to get back together. Also the comb is now shorter than any of the previous models, a fraction under 4 inches long. One of the easiest harmonicas in the world for bending. Hohner used various trademarks over the years, but a particularly common one was a circle being held by two hands. Harmonica, Hohner Marine Band key of C. Like new and sterilised. Hohner has established themselves as the go-to brand for harmonicas rightly so high quality harps, for a fair price, that play well. Thats why its one of my top recommended harps, along with Lee Oskar, as you can see in my article Which Harmonica to Buy for Beginners. The cover plates are attached with nails instead of screws which could make fixing/tuning this harmonica difficult. However, I have since learned that this is by no means an uncommon specimen. A few words of advice. The answer, of course, is for comfort! The Marine Bands double-lacquered Pear wood comb is tough on the lips, especially if you play it for a long time. 1 bid. or Best Offer. * 0-80 x 3/8' brass bolts #70189 round head, or #70191 for hex head (strictly a matter of taste) * 0-80 nuts if you choose not to tap threads into the bottom draw reed plate, and the four 0-80 nuts you will need to secure the cover . They are long they will still work. Check out my in-depth Hohner Crossover review. Only one problem: why in the world are there soooo many different Hohner harps to choose from? Here's my take on the Hohner Marine Band, which is the #1 best-selling harmonica model of all time. There is a commonly held belief (not completely without basis in fact) that Hohner harmonicas made before WWII are better than more recent ones. If you are lucky, the pin/rivet is wide enough to replace with a harmonica bolt and flat nut. Be warned: if you email me to ask how much your old harmonica is worth, I will simply reply with a link to this page. How can I find out which sectors are used by files on NTFS? $34.99. Some time in the mid to late 1920s the design of the box also changed, with a picture of the US Marine Band being pasted to the top of the box. This harmonica has a light brown and black stained wooden comb with metal cover plates screwed to top and bottom. Enter your email address and hit Grab It to get started. Its uniquely authentic sound has defined the role of the harmonica in the blues and folk genres and made it the benchmark by which all others are judged. Open quick view dialog for Hohner Marine Band Crossover Harmonica M2009 { "inCheckoutPromo":[] } Hohner Marine Band Crossover Harmonica M2009. 4.5 of 5 stars (38) Reviews. I had a lot of them and you can just take them out and back without any problem several times. If you're looking to emulate that old "woody" tone authentically at any cost, then look no further! 1881 Harmonica, Key Of G, Made In Germany. Learn how your comment data is processed. How to handle a hobby that makes income in US. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 5 out of 5 stars (895) The price is about 35-40$ which is the most common price range for good harmonicas for everybody from straight up first-time harmonica players to professionals that record with it and play live. Harmonicas were made literally by the thousand and even sometimes by the million (Hohner, just one of the many companies to have manufactured them, produced their one billionth harmonica more than a quarter century ago). Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for VINTAGE M HOHNER ECHO 54/64 HARMONICA C G MADE IN GERMANY NEW OLD STOCK at the best online prices at eBay! The 270 has always had a wood comb with nailed-on reedplates. Your email address will not be published. They are long they will still work. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. The most recent version of the Marine Band case has the design on the top reduced in size once more: Here is the current (as of 2011) label on the bottom of the box: The most recent changes were made around 2011, when sealed combs were introduced. It took some major abuse on the travels. The MS covers have integral cover supports at the rear and the upper cover clearly says MARINE BAND MS: The MS Series as a whole went through various charges during the 1990s. Vintage Harmonica Hohner Marine Band 1896 Key Harp M40. Every time I play one of these, Im always like, wow, I forgot how awesome Special 20s are! Ive never heard of anyone purchasing a Special 20 and being unhappy with it. Earlier 270s had a red cardboard box with fancy texturing, while the 280 had a hard red box (1950s) and earlier had a round-top wooden box with fake texture finish and yelow lining. The Hohner Marine Band 1896 Classic harmonica is the original blues harmonica. On very rare occasions, even something which looks to most people like any other old harmonica may be a highly sought after model and a harmonica collector might be eager to take if off your hands. Hey! Either way, you want a pin/rivet with a head on one side, and about 1mm or 1/16th inch sticking through the other side of the harmonica. The dates are not that helpful at all, except that a harp with an award dated 1937 is unlikely to have been made before 1937! Over time, I have absolutely fallen in love with this harmonica. Hohner Hot Metal Harmonica $ 17.99 Select options; Hohner Marine Band 364/24 Soloist Harmonica $ 79.00 Add to cart The trademark has more subtle changes. The circle with the star has the words GESETLICH and GESCHUTZT in full, instead of the abbreviated forms GESETL. Those may not be available though, and rivet pins are easy enough to make anyhow. After the Crossover, this is my 2nd favorite Hohner harmonica. . The first production runs turned out some rather unresponsive harps with short lived reeds, but these problems were address with longer scale reeds, improved tolerances and a better reed alloy. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Hohner reed plates decoded. VTG M. HOHNER MARINE BAND HARMONICA - NO. This time, the Marine Band Harmonica. Guitarist? The fine tuning of the instrument was also changed several times from the original 7-limit Just Intonation, to various more tempered tunings during the 1980s, then to something a little closer to Just Intonation in recent years. Hohner has been making harmonicas for about 160 years. Ronnie Shellist of Hohner harmonicas giving us an expert look at the Marine Band Series of harmonicas. All in all, the Marine Band is a fantastic choice as a first harmonica and also for anyone who still doesnt have one in his collection. In fact, some harmonica collectors are so eager that I a few years ago watched a couple of them bid more than $40 dollars (plus shipping) for a harp they could have bought brand new from their local music store for a mere $4.95! The U.S.A. PATENT AUG. 24th 1897 and MADE IN GERMANY claims are no longer present on the upper cover and the lettering of the name MARINE BAND is substantially larger. Verdict - The Hohner Special 20 was developed in the 1970's to be more comfortable and easier to play than the original Marine Band harmonica, and with the plastic comb and counter-sunk reed plate, there's no doubt that they accomplished their goal. Heres my Hohner Marine Band 1896 full review. One fairly reliable way get some idea of the age of certain Hohner models is by the trademark on the cover. Accessioned with original cardboard box. The case is a soft green wraparound. The box has different labels to previous versions, both inside the lid and on the bottom. Do you have the box or case for it? The rear of the covers still have the lipped edges, but these lips have been folded back against the inside of the covers. The Marine Band is the standard. I have seen instruments that could be reliably dated to the late 1800s that had the six point star in the trademark and I have seen instruments that were definitely made after World War I that had only five points to the star. Not the case today. Although the comb is the same length, the covers have changed substantially. Now I have this marine band, you have to see to believe! Rather than a pair of tabs at each end of the cover, there is a single tab at each end the full width of the cover. Hohner Marine Band Deluxe Hohner harmonica, upgraded version of the Marine Band Description Product Details Comments Respect the Roots - State of the Art! Most of what makes these so expensive is the cost of materials and making it a G sharp harmonica. $137.00. Free shipping for many products! But if youre totally obsessed with TONE at any cost, then this may be the harmonica youre looking for. Hohner's Marine Band 1896 is the archetypal blues harmonica. Reed plate edges and channel openings with new Ultraglide coating are rounded off for greater playing comfort. There are some models of Hohner harmonicas that I do NOT recommend getting. The go to harp for players such as Jerry Portnoy and Kim Wilson, although this iant publicised as the Marine Band Deluxe isnt marketed in the US. This one is probably from some time in the mid-1920s: The harmonica is slightly smaller than the preceding specimens, measuring 4" x 1", with the mild steel covers 2/3" deep at the front, and 3/4" at rear. The upper tabs now bear the key of the harp at the right and A440 at the left. Sold out. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Want to up your single note game? To get the best out of our site and for it to function correct, please read, accept and understand our 'Cookies Policy'. How do you tell if your harmonica is especially collectible? Yes, all of my top 5 Hohner harmonicas listed above as well as all of the MS Series, Progressive Series, and Marine Band Series in their final phase of assembly, they are still made by hand at factories in Germany. The 12-hole version is the Super Chromonica, or 270. To see a couple of great alternatives, check out my Lee Oskar Review and/or my Hohner Golden Melody Review. The concept failed and is often frowned upon by professional 48 chord players. Seller 99.6% positive. Help I have so far been unable to locate any similar legal protection for the name Marine Orchestra. Compare. Known for its full tone, wood comb, and its patented cover plates, the Marine Band harmonica was there when harmonica blues was born. Her willingness to let me blow into it suggested that maybe many other lips had been on its mouthpiece that same day, so I declined, at which point she said "It's perfectly OK - I've given it a good cleaning" and she put the harp in her mouth and proceeded to blow and draw with great enthusiasm. What more dya want? It was made in 1896, and it still has the same design. One thing that can really boost the value of an otherwise ordinary harmonica is if it has been used by someone famous. Is the Hohner Special 20 Any Good? Pear wood comb is triple-lacquered, minimising swelling and ensuring greater volume and faster response. Post a comment below. Screw For Cover Plates - Marine Band Crossover, Thunderbird And Octave, Auto Valve. The soft green case is 1960s. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. (no music shop sells marine band harmonica in my county) This one is a Marine Band made by Hohner N 1896 key of C. How do you clean this one? If it needs more than that you have to take it apart, and it's held together with nails, which is a pain. Want to up your single note game? Just to confuse matters even further, the model number 1896 was also applied to similar harmonicas with different names, aimed at different markets. The hands and the star are just slightly different from the previous version and the WIEN and PHILAD. My name's Cooper, I'm 28 and I'm a musician based in Tel Aviv, working with other artists as a harmonica player, guitarist and pianist. To have a look please message me. there's no screws on this one, it has rivets, where you have a machine pressing down on the plate and securing it in its place. Got something to say? . If youre wanting to get a wooden-combed harmonica, I recommend that you just get the tried-and-true original, the Marine Band (or, if you can afford it, the Crossover which is much comfier on the lips with its triple-lacquered bamboo comb). Your Price $ 84.99 msrp:115.0,lowPrice:84.99. Cant do so, I tried talking one off but i couldn't put it back. Hohner Silver Concerto Chromatic Harmonica. Together, they are capable of playing 48 chords. We accept major credit cards and PayPal. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? I had a lot of them and you can just take them out and back without any problem several times. 1896 Key Of A Original HARD CASE | Musical Instruments & Gear, Vintage Musical Instruments, Vintage Wind & Woodwind | eBay! In the US filing, they claim that Marine Band had been in continuous use since January 30th, 1896. 9 Inspiring Reasons to Do So. Ready to suffer a little for your blues? I've discussed that subject before, and you all insisted that i have to unscrew it. The six point star in the middle of the trademark is slightly larger and there are doubled circles around the WIEN and PHILAD. Links, Are you a beginner or struggling to sound good on harmonica? The details might be a little too subtle to make out in the above pictures, but the designs have all been very slightly shrunk horizontally and very slightly stretched vertically. The Hohner company has produced more than forty different models bearing the name Marine Band over the years, ranging from simple Richter diatonics with twenty reeds, to huge multiple tremolo instruments with almost almost two hundred reeds and all sizes and types in between. 2.96K subscribers Here's a description of how to create a "Marine Band Opener" to crack open a Marine Band 1896 to work on it (customize, flatten reed plates, reed curvature, tuning,. However, despite all these improvements, the Marine Band MS lasted for less than a decade, compared with twelve decades (and counting) of the hand made version. 20K subscribers HOHNER Marine Band When Jacob HOHNER registered his new harmonica design at the US Patent Office on January 30th, 1896, he did not understand the impact it was to have on. Honestly, though, I rarely play this instrument because the others are SO much more comfy, and still sound really good. Join 4700+ Successful Harmonica Jamz students - Play any Song and Jam with Other Musicians, Your email address will not be published. Compared to the Special 20 (which has what's called an enclosed construction), this Hohner Marine Band harmonica has side vents that give it a "brighter, more vibrant sound," says Barrett,. Saturday 4th March: All orders are being dispatched as normal! Completely assembled with screws for easy maintenance. Sweetwater Savings: $ 30 .01 MSRP: $ 115 .00. The size difference is not big but it is bigger. The top is pretty plain. Hohner 125th Anniversary Marine Band Vs. Pre-war Vs. Stock MB - Quick overview and comparison P Leasum 1.63K subscribers Subscribe 2.3K views 1 year ago In this video, Paul does a quick once. The steel covers are similar to the later pre-war versions, although they give the harp a slightly thicker profile top to bottom. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. does any one know how to tell how old a harmonica is? Hohner 1896 Marine Band Natural Minor Harmonica. Learn Harmonica! There may be more subtle changes in construction that could further date a harmonica (such as the rounded rivet heads on prewar 64s) but that stuff is beyond my expertise. For basic cleaning just rub the covers down with a microfiber cloth and use a toothpick to get the gunk out of the holes (hold the harp so the stuff falls out, not in). Legendary Hohner Marine Band Harp. This next one probably dates from the late 1920s: The only significant difference between this one and the previous model, is that cuffs in the trademark have lost their jagged ends. Those that do are mostly in the German language and take some effort to obtain. The Hohner Marine Band 1896 classic harmonica is the original blues harp. It will not be helpful for beginners who really want to learn how to play harmonica. This was printed on a blow reed plate: 1-216-1011018/1 G Dur Hohner 27/03 L9/KA2. Links, Are you a beginner or struggling to sound good on harmonica? I've never had one and was looking on the market for one but I'm having second thoughts. (function (w,d) {var loader = function () {var s = d.createElement("script"), tag = d.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.src="https://cdn.iubenda.com/iubenda.js"; tag.parentNode.insertBefore(s,tag);}; if(w.addEventListener){w.addEventListener("load", loader, false);}else if(w.attachEvent){w.attachEvent("onload", loader);}else{w.onload = loader;}})(window, document); $4.99 shipping. Item was in great shape from being a amp from the late 90s. Ive never had anyone fight me when I say that the Marine Band wins in the category of TONE. Yes, they are the original harmonica that all the old blues masters played. Although the WIEN medals keep their single circle outline, there is a partial circle of dots inside this outline. Required fields are marked *. Newer revisited version of the classic Marine Band 1896. Hohner 590 Big River MS-Series . A Hohner catalog from 1902 shows the 1896 model with the name Marine Band and the familiar picture of Matthias Hohner on the cover, also with the words PATENT APPLIED FOR, even though the accompanying caption clearly states Patented August 24th 1897: For what it is worth, the name Marine Band was registered with the German Trademark Office as DRWZ 14708 in 1896 (the application was made January 30th and granted March 13th) and with the United States Patent and Trademark Office as Trade-Mark 28,228 (application filed March 21st and granted May 5th). The medals on the lower cover now have single circles, the star is smaller than on the previous version, with the hands and cuffs also slightly different in style. Marine band is the worst harp I ever bought. you have to use your ear and i'm not trained enough to know the right tune for each hole, i don't know flip jers, but he seems very professional, he could retune I play it in its Richter tuning and Natural Minor tuning and it is fantastics, Your email address will not be published.