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. 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. 34 GERMANY Working. There are some slight differences in the engraving and the design of the hands in the trademark is considerably different and all the medals now have doubled circles around them. T&C Double sided harmonica - Weltmeister Rare World War 2 Double sided - Old Harmonica - Collectible harmonica Ad vertisement by TheVINTAGEShopBG. Hohner 1896 Marine Band Natural Minor Harmonica. Im putting these 2 Hohner harmonicas under the same heading because my response to these questions is similar. Get the full low down on the Hohner Special 20. Harmonica Construction and its Effects on Sound and Feel. Only one problem: why in the world are there soooo many different Hohner harps to choose from? Compare. But if youre only saving $5 or $10, Id say, just save up and get the Marine Band. 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,. Ready to suffer a little for your blues? I will require that you send the instrument to me, paying for the shipping and insurance each way. C $135.09. SKU: HMB1C The top is pretty plain. At the end of this video (after 9:00s) I am giving some playing examples with the Marine Band, youre welcome to check them out and also to check out the lesson if youre new to harmonica. There were several notable changes with the next specimen, probably from the mid to late 1930s: The most obvious change is with regards to the covers. The soft green case is 1960s. There were also some changes made to the covers, most notably getting rid of the gaps at the ends of the front edges of the covers that had a tendency to snag facial hair. If you require a personal response, please use ourContact page. 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! It's not difficult so long as you use copper or brass which are soft. (1) Hohner Marine Band 1896 Harmonica - Key of B. As I mentioned at the start of this article, there have been many other models made with the name Marine Band. The hands and the star are just slightly different from the previous version and the WIEN and PHILAD. Check out my in-depth Hohner Crossover review. Both our time is valuable. Acidity of alcohols and basicity of amines. medals have gone back to single circles, although the ULM and STUTTGART medals still have double circles. The 270 has always had a wood comb with nailed-on reedplates. 1 bid. If you think you've found a valuable old treasure in the attic, it's likely that you are going to be disappointed. The Hohner Marine Band Deluxe brings the incomparable sound of the Marine Band 1896 into the 21st century with a variety of improvements which optimise handling and ensure greater volume and faster response, while retaining the rich and powerful Hohner sound. I have two Marine Band harps in G and C,40 years old or more.I took one apart to clean, and it has never been reassembled. First launched in 1896, this model has been regularly played on stage by probably every famous harmonica player you can think of - from Bob Dylan to Neil Young to Adam Gussow to Howard Levy. 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. The only reason I doc it one star is that I wish it had better key labels. Looking for an amazing bang-for buck harp? Here's my take on the Hohner Marine Band, which is the #1 best-selling harmonica model of all time. Looking for an amazing bang-for buck harp? Low-tuned Diatonic Harmonica with Layered, Triple-laminated Bamboo Comb Construction and Conical Lower Cover Design - Key of Low G. $159.99. Learn how your comment data is processed. It only takes a minute to sign up. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? $4.99 shipping. How do you tell if your harmonica is especially collectible? To top it all off, the corners are pretty pointy, so holding it for long periods of time could be uncomfortable. This harmonica has a light brown and black stained wooden comb with metal cover plates screwed to top and bottom. Key Features For pins, file off the head on the side with least material and drive it through with a punch, over some table surface with a hole underneath the pin (or a 2x4 with a hole drilled in it, or even a socket). M Hohner Marine Band Harmonica no 1896 Key Of C With Original Case (2) 2 product ratings - M Hohner Marine Band Harmonica no 1896 Key . Can someone please help me. If you're into jazz, gospel, or bluegrass, I highly recommend that you consider this harp. My grandfather gave me a Hohner Chromonica back in the 80's and I would like to get an idea of how long he had it before he gave it to me. Several noted users are Bob Dylan, Brian Jones, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Little Walter and Neil Young. Compare. . One change that is easier to spot is the number of nails used to secure the lower reedplate. That means its less comfy than a plastic combed harmonica like a Special 20. 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). Hello Audrey, Fun project. Registered Company 10370912. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I assume from the presence of the star in the trademark that it dates from before WWII, however it also has a few features that are normally associated with post-war models. The Golden Melody is the most comfortable of all the Hohner line, has the darkest tone, and is the only harmonica tuned to Equal Temperament instead of Just Intonation, which means its especially good for playing single notes in tune. The picture of the US Marine Band is now printed directly on the top of the box, rather than being a separate piece of paper pasted on. 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. The cover plates are attached with nails instead of screws which could make fixing/tuning this harmonica difficult. Vintage HOHNER Tombo PeeWee Harmonica Collection Lee Oskar Marine Band Golden Melody Old Standby Professional 2016 1. Ive literally taught thousands of people how to play the harmonica, and not one beginner who has purchased the Special 20 hasnt loved it. One of the first celebrity-approved production instruments, the Hohner Marine Band 1896 harmonica may be the longest-running serial production instrument model in history. It was made in 1896, and it still has the same design. Don't be afraid. 5 out of 5 stars (1,424) Sale Price $33.50 $ 33.50 $ 37.22 Original Price $37.22 (10% off) Add to Favorites Hohner Marine Band 364/24 G Harmonica, Vintage Instruments Collectible Musical . Just bear in mind that youll have to sacrifice the comfort that other modern alternatives can provide. For more info check out my full review of the Marine Band 1896. 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. You're in! Then in the mid to late 1990s, at the same time as Hohner retooled and made dramatic improvements to the tolerances between reed and reedplate, they went back to using seven nails for both reedplates and also added a production code stamped into the reedplate. If money isnt tight and youre the kind of person who likes the best of the best, then go for the Crossover! . . At the very center is a medallion held by two hands at right and left. The Hohner Marine Band 1896 classic harmonica is the original blues harp. 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. rev2023.3.3.43278. On the Harp-L forum, Joe Broecker explains the current code stamp on the Hohner MS series diatonic harmonica reed plates. 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. If you want to learn more check out my full Special 20 Review. 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. Better quality and sound projection make it a favorite of many bluesmen. I've discussed that subject before, and you all insisted that i have to unscrew it. It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. Music: Practice & Theory Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for musicians, students, and enthusiasts. Those that do are mostly in the German language and take some effort to obtain. Ready to suffer a little for your blues? Your harmonica will survive. In fact, in 1980 they produced their one billionth harmonica. To get the best out of our site and for it to function correct, please read, accept and understand our 'Cookies Policy'. 5 out of 5 stars (895) Or $4/month for 48 months. Played by iconic figures such as Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, and Bob Dylan, it remains the top choice for the top professional, as well as aspiring musicians around the globe. If youre looking at an outdated forum, you might see people complaining about Marine Bands not bending well out of the box. Money no object? Hohner has established themselves as the go-to brand for harmonicas rightly so high quality harps, for a fair price, that play well. A two-part hollow tube would definitely be called a rivet, but you're unlikely to find those on harmonicas. The star vanished during the Nazi era and has never returned. 3 comments. Also the Seydel 1847 models are a bit larger than the Hohner Marine Band harps. IF THE ADD IS UP IT'S AVAILABLE. If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. For some time, the Marine Band was also available in a hard case, as well as the usual card box: Our third example dates from some time prior to WWI and displays several changes from the previous model. The picture above shows the words PATENT APPLIED FOR on the cover, so presumably this 1906 catalog must have used an old illustration. The best thing if you wish to get a good price for it, is to list it on somewhere like eBay with some good photographs and a clear description of it, particularly of any writing that may appear on the harmonica or its box - then cross your fingers and wait for the bidding to start. 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. Screws to replace Marine Band nails. Why is there a voltage on my HDMI and coaxial cables? Seller 99.6% positive. Entdecke "Mundharmonika M-Hohner's 34B ""Old Standby" in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! Co. of New York: The covers on this instrument are "upside down" compared with the current incarnation of the Marine Band, ie. Hohner Golden Melody Review + Video: The Pretty Lady in Red. Those may not be available though, and rivet pins are easy enough to make anyhow. However, the one that concerns us here is their model number 1896, Hohner's best-selling diatonic and probably the most well-known harmonica in the world. Should you wish to replace reed plates on the Marine Band Classic, we recommend upgrading to the Andrew Zajac Marine Band Conversion Kit, which replaces the stock nails with a bolted setup, and makes the process of changing reed plates significantly easier. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Visit the IIIF page to learn more. 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. Tech Specs Scale: Diatonic Blues Key: C Its sound is typical for blues, folk, and country, but also pop and rock. Here is your shopping list from www.micromark.com. (So you can dip your toes in the water without breaking the bank.) $12.00. Also, numbers such as 270, 365, or 34B do not indicate that the item was part of a limited edition (as I have seen suggested on various online auctions) they merely indicate the catalog number of that particular model. The Hohner Pentaharp isnt actually one of my favorite Hohner harmonicas, but it is one of their newest offerings, so I thought it would be cool to check it out and tell you about it. If it don't have little screws, don't take it apart, leave it alone. 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. Even my friend Lee Oksar (who makes the equally awesome Lee Oskar harmonica) acknowledges that Hohner makes great harmonicas. A limit involving the quotient of two sums. I have been playing Marine Bands for years and one specific Marine Band that I have has been around the world with me twice, mostly out of its carrying case, and it survived to tell you all about it. If you do it carefully the small pins will come out intact and you can push them back firmly into the same holes after you have cleaned up and adjusted the reed plates. Recent versions all have a hard plastic box, green for the 270, black for the 16-holers. I've had it 30 years now. Also, Matthias Hohner seems to have just a little more hair on the top of his head than he had in his previous portrait! If you require a professional appraisal of an old harmonica for insurance purposes or any other reason, I am willing to provide such a service. Privacy That's a tough one. Maintenance with the older harmonicas was hit and miss, with no guidance.