Vintage M-Hohner's "Old Standby" Harmonica No. The picture of Matthias Hohner is slightly simplified compared with earlier versions and the laurel around his picture is also a little different. I have never had someone buy a Hohner Special 20 and be disappointed with it. 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. 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. How much is my old harmonica worth? - Pat Missin 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. I resisted. 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). (I go into some detail about the changes of the Hohner Marine Band model on this page.) Ive literally never met one person who doesnt agree. Old School Marine Band with nails - Opener - YouTube 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. Maintenance with the older harmonicas was hit and miss, with no guidance. How should I deal with enharmonics on the Chromatic Harmonica? Pins can be made either by flat filing the pointy tip off brass upholstery brads (hold it with pliers) or by balling the end of some copper wire over a gas stove. How Old Is My Hohner Marine Band Harmonica. Whats not to love? Today its still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first produced in 1896. These sound great in a more chordal folk style as well. 2 Minute Hohner Pentaharp review here, if you wanna see it in action. Hohners main Chord is known as the Hohner 48, because it plays 48 chords. Perfecting the modern harmonica - Craftsmanship Magazine During the mid-1960s through some time in the 1970s, they had soft wraparound plastic pouches, green for the 270 and brown for the 280. Yes, they are the original harmonica that all the old blues masters played. The only key label is a difficult-to-read engraving on the cover plate, virtually impossible to see in a dark club. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Compare. Here is your shopping list from www.micromark.com. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Joe Filisko for the loan of several of the pre-WWII examples shown above. Vintage Hohner Trutone Pitchpipe No. Similarly, I recommend avoiding the Hohner Trumpet Call and the Hohner Weekender. If youre looking for a traditional blues harp to play Muddy, Walter (s), Sonny Terry Ted and dont customise, this is it. 18.80 postage. 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! Very responsive. 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. 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). If the harmonica had a plastic comb, you could simply soak the whole thing in lemon juice overnight. Anyway, I tried unscrewing it, and one of the rivets fell off, you can see that in the pictures, and therefore I cannot take the plate off, I could break it but will never be able to reassemble it. One thing that can really boost the value of an otherwise ordinary harmonica is if it has been used by someone famous. Tubes can be made by rolling some brass foil. the marine band is my active instrument and the thing is, i don't want to mess with the tuning, i don't know how to retunne, it's not like the guitar, you can't use a metronome right? 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. The Pentaharp was specifically designed for guitar players, and its tuning is laid out totally differently from a regular harmonica. More on the way soon. 34 GERMANY Working. Hohner Marine Band Crossover Harmonica - Key of C - Sweetwater It was made in 1896, and it still has the same design. Hohner Marine Band (Key of C) - Harmonica.com If you can afford it, Id recommend springing for it. Blues Harp or Marine Band - Adam Gussow This harmonica has a light brown and black stained wooden comb with metal cover plates screwed to top and bottom. 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. 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). I spotted an old F. A. Bohm tremolo harmonica lying on one of the tables and tried to suppress my look of interest as I approached it. this excerpt from my Fender Blues Deluxe Review. Seller 99.6% positive. 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. I have never seen any actual physical examples of this stage in its evolution, but here is a picture from an 1896 catalog of the William Tonk and Bro. Is a PhD visitor considered as a visiting scholar? Cheers! There are a couple of them I would like to mention here are they both also bore the model number 1896. 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). 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). Washington, D.C. Email powered by MailChimp (Privacy Policy & Terms of Use), International Media Interoperability Framework. 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. He saw an opportunity in John Philip Souza and his popular Banda de . How would an amateur easily clean a Hohner Marine Band? The rear of the covers still have the lipped edges, but these lips have been folded back against the inside of the covers. 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. T&C All Hohner harmonicas had 4-digit date stamps on the reedplates from 2005 until about two years ago. From the birth of the blues, the Marine Band 1896 has been a constant musical fixture. IF THE ADD IS UP IT'S AVAILABLE. medals, single circles around ULM and STUTTGART medals. Vintage M. Hohner "Marine Band" No. 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. Matthias Hohner is a consummate entrepreneur and businessman. Old harmonicas which have pins or rivets typically have pear-wood combs however, and soaking them is not advisable. Hohner Marine Band Series Harmonicas | Everything You Need To Know The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Acidity of alcohols and basicity of amines. After the Crossover, this is my 2nd favorite Hohner harmonica. Lets find out together. Free shipping for many products! 1896 Key Of A Original HARD CASE | Musical Instruments & Gear, Vintage Musical Instruments, Vintage Wind & Woodwind | eBay! 4/5 Stars. Best Beginner Harmonica Which Harmonica Is The Best For Beginners? The Hohner Blues Bender is not a great one. 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. If it don't have little screws, don't take it apart, leave it alone. 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 archetypal blues harmonica with the traditional HOHNER tuning. Mike "Fathead" Easton (Pennsylvania) Mr Easton has been in the harmonica repair business since 2000. 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. Take the [not rivets] pins out, clean, then put them back. The box has different labels to previous versions, both inside the lid and on the bottom. Thanks for all that. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? The star vanished during the Nazi era and has never returned. Your harmonica will survive. It was identical to the standard Marine Band 1896, except that it was gold finished and came in a special box. During the cleaning process, I removed three or four dried out cocoons of who-knows-what sort of insect that had decided a harmonica would be the perfect place to incubate its offspring. How do I clean the windway on my recorder? 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. 1896 Harmonica Made in Germany by M. Hohner with Box. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ready to suffer a little for your blues? The Hohner Old Standby Harmonica will get through, whether 're riding high, singing the blues, or just waiting on a train. If youre into jazz, gospel, or bluegrass, I highly recommend that you consider this harp. Pickup near South Perth in Kensington. Check out my in-depth Hohner Crossover review. Registered Company 10370912. 9 Inspiring Reasons to Do So. These reviews are strictly based on my own experience and opinions. Wow! Why is there a voltage on my HDMI and coaxial cables? Hohner Marine Band Crossover Harmonica 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. Screws to replace Marine Band nails. The box now has #1896 added to the design on the top and a label on the bottom boasting of the quality of their instruments and of their award at the 1915 San Francisco Exposition. 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). 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. It only takes a minute to sign up. Do you have the box or case for it? Thats my old Marine Band you can notice the dent in the upper cover plate. $ 84 .99. Hohner Special 20 Marine Band Harmonica Key of F Germany T. $11.40. 1 bid. I've never had one and was looking on the market for one but I'm having second thoughts. Hohner Silver Concerto Chromatic Harmonica. Return to Fairly Frequently Asked Questions. I just had to ask it, because I received no direct answer to the other question, everyone suggested to unscrew it, but now as you see in the pictures, there's no screws. $4.99 shipping. My draw notes seemed to have got stuck, so I cleaned them with witch hazel (maybe surgical spirit would do, or lemon juice, but we have run out of lemons) and lifted each gently with the Honner tools to ensure they were moving freely up and down in the reed plate. The chances are, if your harmonica just looks like a harmonica, then it probably isn't worth much at all. 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. The wood comb sandwiched by the visible edges of the brass reed plates, topped with the stainless steel cover plates is a winning combination. 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. 0 bids. Improved cover design gives greater volume and stability while preventing reed rattle. A wire brush may score the reeds or comb. I've never messed with a Marine Band, but I hear they are quite small. There is a commonly held belief (not completely without basis in fact) that Hohner harmonicas made before WWII are better than more recent ones. Youll get 3 free video lessons where youll learn. Harmonica Hohner Marine Band 125th Jubilee edition, key of C. C $96.66 + C $21.78 shipping. 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. Check out the spotlight post from our host Dave Stutts. Hohner Marine Band Harmonica | National Museum of American History 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. 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. Hohner MS Replacement Reed Plates - Harp Surgery It will not be helpful for beginners who really want to learn how to play harmonica. However, it is impossible to make an fair estimate of the value of an instrument without seeing it. The Hohner Big River has a plastic comb, so its more comfy on the lips than wooden-combed harps like the Marine Band and the Blues Harp. The Hohner Special 20 is so responsive and so easy to bend, its comfy on the lips, and its got a nice, dark bluesy tone. Heres my Hohner Marine Band 1896 full review. 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 It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. Here's my take on the Hohner Marine Band, which is the #1 best-selling harmonica model of all time. Vintage Harmonica Hohner Marine Band 1896 Key Harp M40. The 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. One of the easiest harmonicas in the world for bending. Your email address will not be published. Many harmonica makers avoid G sharp, which makes these harder to find (and drives the cost up). Sponsored. Your email address will not be published. SKU: HMB1C C. $19.99. Where to Repair Your Chromatic Harmonica? - Harmonica Studio It is also probable that you are now considering emailing me for more information on the possible value of your harmonica. The trademark has more subtle changes. Join 4700+ Successful Harmonica Jamz students - Play any Song and Jam with Other Musicians, Your email address will not be published. Its got a loud bright tone, its easy on the lips, very responsive, very easy to bend and its very EXPENSIVE! It also has a wood comb. If you require a personal response, please use ourContact page. As it turned out, she was willing to sell the harp at a fair price, so I bought it. This is the quintessential blues harmonica from the Chicago Blues Era. Highly recommended. I do not want to have to be a mechanic to play a harp. But they are not professional quality instruments like Special 20s. The reedplates are held in place with screws and the covers attached with bolts, unlike the Classic Marine Band's nailed construction. If you're into jazz, gospel, or bluegrass, I highly recommend that you consider this harp. Also the comb is now shorter than any of the previous models, a fraction under 4 inches long. Hohner Hot Metal Harmonica $ 17.99 Select options; Hohner Marine Band 364/24 Soloist Harmonica $ 79.00 Add to cart A two-part hollow tube would definitely be called a rivet, but you're unlikely to find those on harmonicas. Translated: 1-216-1011018/1 is the article number. The hands and the star are just slightly different from the previous version and the WIEN and PHILAD. P4 A-440 Germany Vocal Old Style with Box. Compare. 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. C, A Harmonic Minor, A Natural Minor, A Flat Natural Minor, B Natural Minor, B Harmonic Minor, B Flat Harmonic Minor, C Harmonic Minor, D Harmonic Minor, D Natural Minor, F Natural Minor, F Sharp Harmonic Minor, F Sharp Natural Minor, C Natural Minor, A, A Flat, B, B Flat, B Flat Natural Minor, D, D Flat, E, E Flat, E Natural Minor, F, F Sharp, G, G Natural Minor, G Harmonic Minor, D Flat Natural Minor, E Harmonic Minor, E Flat Natural Minor, Excellent all round harmonica. The reed plate is 0.9 mm thick with a stainless steel cover plate. 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. 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 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. . On the Harp-L forum, Joe Broecker explains the current code stamp on the Hohner MS series diatonic harmonica reed plates. We may update this record based on further research and review. For more info check out my full review of the Marine Band 1896. But if youre only saving $5 or $10, Id say, just save up and get the Marine Band. The instruments, held together with nails, were hard to get apart, hard to get back together. A440 Hohner - Etsy C $73.09. Hohner Marine Band Deluxe Harmonica - Wilson Music: Harmonica Get the full low down on the Hohner Special 20. rev2023.3.3.43278. More significant is the introduction of a groove towards the front of each reedplate to accept the front edge of the covers. Hohner Marine Band | Sweetwater All of the above raises the inevitable question of hygiene - is it safe to play something that has been in someone else's mouth? M. Hohner Marine Band A440 1896 Classic Harmonica - Key of G But is the standard actually that good? Hohner Marine Band Review: The Industry Standard - Harmonica Jamz Hohner Marine Band Deluxe Hohner harmonica, upgraded version of the Marine Band Description Product Details Comments Respect the Roots - State of the Art! Vintage M. Hohner Marine Band Harmonica Germany G Key With OG Box - Sounds Great. Vintage Marine Band No. How Old Is My Hohner Marine Band Harmonica - Pedeland.com Marine band is the worst harp I ever bought. Aside from the boast of U.S.A. PATENT AUG. 24th 1897, the covers on this one seem identical to the previous model, however the combs are very slightly different, the earlier one being 4 1/16 inches long and the later one being 4 1/32 inches. A limit involving the quotient of two sums. The Marine Band has been Hohner's most popular model of harmonica for generations. As the patent for the Marine Band cover design was granted in August 1897, the following instrument presumably dates from 1896 or early 1897 as the lower cover says PATENT APPLIED FOR: The covers on this instrument are nickel-plated brass and still have the trademark on the top and Hohner's picture on the bottom, the trademark having a small six pointed star inside the circle. Ive never had anyone fight me when I say that the Marine Band wins in the category of TONE. Saturday 4th March: All orders are being dispatched as normal! Does Counterspell prevent from any further spells being cast on a given turn? To get the best out of our site and for it to function correct, please read, accept and understand our 'Cookies Policy'. 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. Cookies . All Need Adjustment Cleaning Polishing & Lots of TLC3. Hohner used various trademarks over the years, but a particularly common one was a circle being held by two hands. Links, Are you a beginner or struggling to sound good on harmonica? Im working my way through every key to fill my harp case. Can someone please help me. 5 out of 5 stars (895) (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); 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.