Mike "Fathead" Easton (Pennsylvania) Mr Easton has been in the harmonica repair business since 2000. 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. Screw For Cover Plates - Marine Band Crossover, Thunderbird And Octave, Auto Valve. If it needs more than that you have to take it apart, and it's held together with nails, which is a pain. HOHNER Tombo PeeWee Harmonica Lee Oskar Marine Band Golden Melody Old $240. I was also baffled about how to take off the harmonica cover plates, having wrongly thought they were held on by small screws and invested in a Hohner repair kit. After pressing the pin/rivet through, set the bottom side of the pin on an anvil (any raised piece of metal like a meat tenderizer or side of some pliers). The six point star in the middle of the trademark is slightly larger and there are doubled circles around the WIEN and PHILAD. I have a couple of them and it was my first real harmonica which drew me into this world so I hold massive respect for this instrument. Unlike the 1896, the 364 is easy to take apart and adjust. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. How to handle a hobby that makes income in US. Jerry Murads Harmonicats 1947 Peg O My Heart was played on a Chord, with a cleverly arranged sequence of chords that produced the impression of a melody. I imagine that's an inventory number. The reedplates are held in place with screws and the covers attached with bolts, unlike the Classic Marine Band's nailed construction. $12.00. The address of Hicksville NY on this box dates it to some time after 1960 (Hohner US being based at Hicksville from 1960 to 1982). $25.00 + $5.85 shipping. They are long they will still work. More on the way soon. Got something to say? Tubes can be made by rolling some brass foil. Bendability Both the draw bends and the blow bends on this harmonica were very easy to execute and control with precision. Check your inbox in the next minute or two for your first lesson. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. The harmonica is engraved: MARINE BANDM. Vintage Hohner Trutone Pitchpipe No. SKU: HMB1C 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. It was made in 1896, and it still has the same design. 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. For the rest of this article, I shall confine myself to physical examples of the instrument, rather than catalog illustrations. However, I have since learned that this is by no means an uncommon specimen. Guitarist? 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. Hohners main Chord is known as the Hohner 48, because it plays 48 chords. Ive literally never met one person who doesnt agree. 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. 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 box is only slightly changed from earlier versions. It has a bunch of awards on the bottom. The upper tabs now bear the key of the harp at the right and A440 at the left. I know that probably doesn't help very much, but unlike used cars and collectible pottery, there is no "blue book" of used harmonica prices. 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! Tech Specs Scale: Diatonic Blues Key: C 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. Hohner Marine Band Crossover Harmonica $ 105.00 - $ 110.00 Select options; Hohner Marine Band Thunderbird $ 180.00 - $ 192.00 Select options; Related products. In the last few years, I traveled through four continents while performing and teaching music, and I also run the blog GuitarSongsMasters.com - one of the world's top five most-read guitar blogs. 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. My preference. Low-tuned Diatonic Harmonica with Layered, Triple-laminated Bamboo Comb Construction and Conical Lower Cover Design - Key of Low G. $159.99. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Hohner has established themselves as the go-to brand for harmonicas rightly so high quality harps, for a fair price, that play well. If it don't have little screws, don't take it apart, leave it alone. $54.95 + $5.75 shipping. T&C 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. Hohner Silver Concerto Chromatic Harmonica. Many brands of harmonica have little medals engraved on the covers with various dates on them. However, it is by no means safe to assume that an instrument bearing a trademark with fewer points to the star is older than one bearing a trademark with more points to the star. 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. Look in the middle of the circle - if there is a star inside it, then it is probable that it was made prior to WWII. Special Financing - Ends Jan 1, 2024. SPONSORED. Figuring out the age of a harmonica is by no means easy, nor is it always relevant to the value of the instrument. Next, whether it's a solid pin or hollow tube, tap it in the center with a center punch or large nail. Also the comb is now shorter than any of the previous models, a fraction under 4 inches long. All Hohner harmonicas had 4-digit date stamps on the reedplates from 2005 until about two years ago. 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! As I mentioned at the start of this article, there have been many other models made with the name Marine Band. Marine band is the worst harp I ever bought. Learn how your comment data is processed. Unlike many of the other contestants on this list, this harmonica comes in a custom, vintage-design case. Thanks for all that. Presenting the Marine Band 1896 Classic from Hohner. this excerpt from my Fender Blues Deluxe Review. 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. 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 . Are there tables of wastage rates for different fruit and veg? Hohner has been making harmonicas for about 160 years. The only hohner I've played is the bluesband variation. Links, Are you a beginner or struggling to sound good on harmonica? Check your inbox in the next minute or two for your first lesson. Hohner Progressive Series Harmonicas Which One Should I Buy? How are they compared to other harmonicas too? Here are answers to questions that I get about Hohner harmonicas time and time again: Everybody agrees that Hohner is an excellent brand of harmonica. Also the words DEM VERDIENSTE (alongside the WEIN medals) have now been abbreviated to D. VERDIENSTE. 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. 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. It could even gouge out the holes, ruining the harp. Cover Plate Support - Super Chromonica, 12-hole Style. An iconic harp with pear wood, side vents, excellent responisveness, and distinct timbre. 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. Privacy Privacy VAT Number: GB287764345. 5 out of 5 stars (895) 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. Heres my Hohner Marine Band 1896 full review. Up until the mid 1970s, the Marine Band was not officially distributed outside of the US, but upon being given worldwide distribution, the US address was removed from the lower label and the purchaser was advised "Ask your dealer or Hohner distributor". 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. 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 Hohnersound. Lets find out together. 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. 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. Co. of New York: The covers on this instrument are "upside down" compared with the current incarnation of the Marine Band, ie. These sound great in a more chordal folk style as well. I guess if youre saving $20 getting a Blues Harp instead of a Marine Band, and youre on a tight budget, go for it. One fairly reliable way get some idea of the age of certain Hohner models is by the trademark on the cover. Ill never tire of saying it: if you wanna sound like the old blues masters, play the instrument that they played: the Hohner Marine Band! For more info check out my full review of the Marine Band 1896. We apologize for the interruption. It felt to me like the edges of the reed plates were also adding to the discomfort. Your Price $ 84.99 msrp:115.0,lowPrice:84.99. That's a tough one. ate 1970s), and the Super 64x version (1980s). How is Jesus " " (Luke 1:32 NAS28) different from a prophet (, Luke 1:76 NAS28)? Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. The reeds are all brass, and there are 20 of them. A few words of advice. medals, single circles around ULM and STUTTGART medals. Only one problem: why in the world are there soooo many different Hohner harps to choose from? Visit the IIIF page to learn more. After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at How do I disassemble a slide whistle in order to clean it? I cannot provide free appraisals by email, not even rough estimates, so please don't ask. Here's a folder containing all the photos that you may want to see. 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. Double sided harmonica - Weltmeister Rare World War 2 Double sided - Old Harmonica - Collectible harmonica Ad vertisement by TheVINTAGEShopBG. Everybody knows it. Lets get down to business. The Chord Harmonica consists of two harmonicas hinged together. . 1896 Key Of A Original HARD CASE | Musical Instruments & Gear, Vintage Musical Instruments, Vintage Wind & Woodwind | eBay! To see a couple of great alternatives, check out my Lee Oskar Review and/or my Hohner Golden Melody Review. $4.99 shipping. It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. The lower label now gives the address as M Hohner Inc., New York City and offers a free instruction book and the inside label brags that the harmonica has been "scientifically tested". Not the case today. According to a friend who has played marine band for many years, all that he's owned have screws, so this could be a rare model.The rivets could be drilled out and others put in after, but it may be worth checking its value first. Between 12th and 14th Streets Hohner 1896 Marine Band Harmonica Key of B (NO BOX) $39.99 10% Off $35.99 Used - Mint Free Shipping Hohner 1896BX-FSHRP Marine Band 1896 Classic Harmonica - Key of C $45.50 Brand New Free Shipping Hohner 1896BX-A Marine Band 1896 Classic Harmonica - Key of A (Small Business) $46.99 Brand New Free Shipping The 16-hole version comes in the traditional "64" 280 version, the Super 64 (introduced approx. Just bear in mind that youll have to sacrifice the comfort that other modern alternatives can provide. Want to up your single note game? 4/5 Stars. Today it is still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first introduced in 1896. Post a comment below. It responds quickly to blows and draws alike, just as you would hope it would. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. The Hohner Marine Band was introduced in 1896 and is probably the most commonly played harmonica in the world, which is why shortcuts in its manufacturing process had such profound repercussions. Dont worry, Im here to help. The covers still have the lips at the rear opening, but they are no longer flatted against the inside of the covers, which makes the harp much less open at the back. First launched in 1896, this model has been regularly played on stage by probably every famous harmonica player you can think of - from Bob Dylan to Neil Young to Adam Gussow to Howard Levy. Those that do are mostly in the German language and take some effort to obtain. The price is about 35-40$ 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. Footnote: I should add that this is very much a work in progress and I would love to hear from anyone that has any examples of variations that I have not covered above, particularly if you have any reliable means of dating them accurately. Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. Return to Fairly Frequently Asked Questions. 4.2/5 Stars Total. If you're looking to emulate that old "woody" tone authentically at any cost, then look no further! Note: I am not endorsed by any specific harmonica company. The original harmonica since 1896: HOHNER - enjoy music MARINE BAND Series The Original When the Marine Band was first introduced to the American market in 1896, no one could have foreseen the lasting impact this instrument would have on the future of popular music. In the US filing, they claim that Marine Band had been in continuous use since January 30th, 1896. I just had to ask the question again, and please don't vote it up, it's kinda the same as the other one, I don't want any reputation. Acidity of alcohols and basicity of amines. If the harmonica has been lying around in someone's attic for a few years, you also have a chance of inhaling some other tasty delicacies. 1881 Harmonica, Key Of G, Made In Germany. Links, Are you a beginner or struggling to sound good on harmonica? If youre on a tight budget and you can save $20 bucks or more, I guess you could get a Big River instead of a Special 20, but if possible Id try and save up for a Special 20 or a Golden Melody. Tone The tone of this harmonica is supreme. Add To Cart. Hope this helps. C $135.09. It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. There are a couple of them I would like to mention here are they both also bore the model number 1896. Comfort Comfort is the one area where the Marine Band 1896 does not fare well against the competition. They are not pins or rivets.They are small nails. Registered Company 10370912. A longtime favorite of many country artists, the model 34B Old Standby is always ready to express spontaneous musical soul. Saturday 4th March: All orders are being dispatched as normal! Im working my way through every key to fill my harp case. Most of what makes these so expensive is the cost of materials and making it a G sharp harmonica. This is probably the question I get asked the most by email and the best answer I can give is that like anything else, an old harmonica is worth whatever someone is willing to pay you for it. If money isnt tight and youre the kind of person who likes the best of the best, then go for the Crossover! 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. Check out my in-depth Hohner Crossover review. This harmonica was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. All of the above raises the inevitable question of hygiene - is it safe to play something that has been in someone else's mouth? As I always say: if you want to sound like the old blues masters, why not play the harmonica they played? Durability/Fixability the double-lacquered Pear wood comb could over time become susceptible to swelling, cracking, or splintering. I want a marine band, I would do a Buddah model cause i'd like to play it, not take it apart. Ive literally taught thousands of people how to play the harmonica, and not one beginner who has purchased the Special 20 hasnt loved it. Cookies Check out my in-depth Hohner Crossover review. The claim REG. Here's my take on the Hohner Marine Band, which is the #1 best-selling harmonica model of all time. 18.80 postage. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NEW Hohner Marine Band Classic 1896 w/ Case - Key of A - Free US Shipping at the best online prices at eBay! This harmonica has a light brown and black stained wooden comb with metal cover plates screwed to top and bottom. Today it's still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first produced in 1896. Confused? Hohner M1896116X Marine Band Classic Bb Harmonica Brand: Hohner Accordions 63 ratings -27% $3812 Was: $52.90 Pattern Name: Single About this item Hohner Marine Band 1896 Classic in Bb Frequently bought together + + Total price: Add all three to Cart Some of these items ship sooner than the others. Seller 99.6% positive. This is most notable with the circle in the middle of the trademark, which is now oval rather than being perfectly circular. Vote. The Marine Band harp is a result over 100 years of Hohner German craftsmanship. Better quality and sound projection make it a favorite of many bluesmen. The cover plates are attached with nails instead of screws which could make fixing/tuning this harmonica difficult. It's a Hohner 260, then. A440 Vintage Hohner MARINE BAND Harmonica- No. Hey! C. $19.99. Nevertheless, it is THE CLASSIC harmonica. If a law is new but its interpretation is vague, can the courts directly ask the drafters the intent and official interpretation of their law? Vintage Harmonica Hohner Marine Band 1896 Key Harp M40. The covers now have a substantial lip at the rear opening and the cutouts at the end of each cover are slightly smaller. The case is a soft green wraparound. The purists irrationally cleave to the notion that the sound of the Marine Band 1896 is the sound that was, for better or worse, the sound of the old time legends. Free shipping for many products! The cut-outs at the ends of the covers are taller, but not as wide as on the previous example. 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. Together, they are capable of playing 48 chords. Blues harp - not a bad harp. Heres my Hohner Marine Band 1896 full review. Music: Practice & Theory Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for musicians, students, and enthusiasts. If the harmonica had a plastic comb, you could simply soak the whole thing in lemon juice overnight. You can see an interesting list of famous Marine Band players right here. Cookies They are 23 inches long, and each chord takes up 4 holes. 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. Show details IF THE ADD IS UP IT'S AVAILABLE. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? If you're into jazz, gospel, or bluegrass, I highly recommend that you consider this harp. Whilst old guitars are often considered to be "vintage", old harmonicas are generally considered to be merely something that has been in someone else's mouth. Your harmonica will survive. Registered Company 10370912. BluesHarmonica.com. The harmonica is engraved: MARINE BAND To get the best out of our site and for it to function correct, please read, accept and understand our 'Cookies Policy'. For low tunings, we recommend the Hohner Thunderbird, which has been designed from the ground up as a low tuned harmonica, but still has similar tone and feel to the classic Marine Band. Looking for an amazing bang-for buck harp? Several noted users are Bob Dylan, Brian Jones, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Little Walter and Neil Young. The Marine Band has been Hohner's most popular model of harmonica for generations. Super 64X (7584) Reed Plate Set. Hey good people out there. Prior to about 1937 the 270 had a six-pointed star in a medallion at the center of the bottom cover. Just leave plenty of length so you can twist the other end like a fern frond using needle-nose pliers, then possibly hammer the swirl perpendicular against the harmonica shell. Very responsive. Can someone please help me. This one seems to be the final incarnation of the pre-war Marine Band: It is similar to the previous one, except that the abbreviated forms GESETL. But is the standard actually that good? Is the harmonica straight tuned or cross tuned? VAT Number: GB287764345. Get the full low down on the Hohner Special 20. I've never had one and was looking on the market for one but I'm having second thoughts. A couple of days later I got around taking it apart to clean it. Reed plate edges and channel openings with new Ultraglide coating are rounded off for greater playing comfort. T&C Its design has changed quite a bit over the last century and I have attempted here to draw up a chronology of its evolution. Harmonica Hohner Marine Band 125th Jubilee edition, key of C. C $96.66 + C $21.78 shipping. there is no model on the harmonica itself, but the case says it is a c260. The only key label is a difficult-to-read engraving on the cover plate, virtually impossible to see in a dark club. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It's a 10 hole. If it is in impeccable condition and has its original box, then it is probably worth even more. If you already own a Hohner Blues Harp or a Hohner Big River harmonica, and youre wondering if its a good harmonica to learn on: fear not, youre in great shape. In the 1980s they were using six nails for the lower reedplate (although I have also seen a few examples that only used five nails on each reedplate). 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. They are long they will still work. Seydel Shne Bandmaster Chromatic Harmonica. Does Counterspell prevent from any further spells being cast on a given turn? IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. The harp also has a much slimmer profile top to bottom than previous versions. 2 Minute Hohner Pentaharp review here, if you wanna see it in action. Please message me if you are going to be more than 15 minutes late or not coming. medals have gone back to single circles, although the ULM and STUTTGART medals still have double circles. I once attended one of the UK's biggest antiques and collectibles fairs, hunting for old harps. 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. If you are lucky, the pin/rivet is wide enough to replace with a harmonica bolt and flat nut. We accept major credit cards and PayPal. Fast shipping. Heres my take on the Hohner Marine Band, which is the #1 best-sellingharmonica model of all time. 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. 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). To have a look please message me. Known for its full tone, wood comb, and its patented cover plates, the Marine Band harmonica was there when harmonica blues was born. Youve got a harmonica very suitable to learn on. The other instrument I should mention is the Marine Band MS. Also, Matthias Hohner seems to have just a little more hair on the top of his head than he had in his previous portrait! $ 84 .99. 12.56. 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. Sturdy zipper case allows moisture to evaporate while keeping dust out. This was because the instrument was said to have been given to Jimi Hendrix by Bob Dylan and there was a signed affidavit to this effect. If you don't take the cover, you can't clean it properly. Based on my decades of teaching n playing harmonica, these are the very best Hohner has to offer, in my humble opinion: If youre the sort of person who likes to have the very best of everything, and money is no object, then the Hohner Crossover is for you. Whats not to love?
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