Note. 1896 Marine Bands are designed for more so Chords, thats why the holes are smaller. Crossovers , Lee Oscar for example are built for single notes.. Bamboo is the way to go...from your initial buy....Crossover's for me.... It's your choice , and thats what matters... Have Fun....
Thanks very good comparison. I have Lee Oscar, special 20s and I've got 6 Suzuki Manji they are very well made big holes take a little to get use too. I like the sound of the crossover I'll have to get one to try their pricey here in Australia about $130
Thanks for the comparison video. For me I liked the sound of the Marine Band (1st played) best. I still have and play my Honer 125th Jubilee 1857 1982, must be showing my age :) . It’s been a good buddy of mine.
I have the marine band in C, G and A. I also bought the Hohner Cross Harp MS which is a beauty. Now I am learning to play because my favourite songs are mostly Neil Young and the Beatles.
I also have a couple of the MS Cross harps. I like them and they look great. I'll see about getting some Neal Young and Beatles songs posted. Good choices! Thanks!
Thanks for the video. To be honest they all sound very similar to the listener, the differences are down to personal taste. For me, the Deluxe and Crossover are unbeatable for comfort and sound quality. They are the only harps with which I have never had a problem ‘out of the box’. They are both easy to play, well sealed and sound great. Crossovers can be a little shrill to my ears on higher keys, but excel on the low keys (the extra low key Thunderbirds are also fantastic). My overall favourite is the Deluxe - they sound rich and warm with a lovely growl to them.
After playing the Deluxe or Crossover, it's impossible to take the Classic seriously. I respect the Classic, it's literally _the_ harmonica, and it still sounds and plays great, and Adam Gussow still plays them, so I've got to respect that, but the D and C are so much better it's ridiculous. The seal on the comb, particularly the front, the coverplates, the tuning, the loudness, the screws, literally everything is superior. Classics also feel very sharp when compares to most other harmonicas, be they Hohners, Seydels, or Suzukis. I have sets of most "big" harmonica brands: six harps containing LF, G, A, Bb, C, and D. I have sets of Classics, Deluxes, Crossovers, as well as Manjis and Seydel Classics. I rank them as following. 1 Seydel Classic 2 Crossover 3 Deluxe 4 Manji 5 Hohner Classic There are more harmonicas I'd like to try, particularly a Seydel Solist Pro, but I only like wood combs, so Lee Oskar and Easttop don't appeal to me, nor harps like Suzuki's Bluesmaster, Harpmaster, or their metal combs, like Promasters, and I don't like Seydel's Session Steel, Noble, or Silver, nor do I like Hohner Special 20s or Rockets. I recommend everyone buy a Seydel Classic, Silver, Noble, or Session Steel. Their stainless steel reeds last so long it's ridiculous. Seydels cost £40, £60, and £77 a pop, so they're expensive, but they last 4 to 5 times longer than Hohner and Suzuki harps. If you buy a £60 Classic, it's more like you're paying £12-£15 a harp. Hohners don't last nearly as long. Manjis last between 2 and 3 times longer than Hohners, but you can't beat Seydels. I do think Deluxes and Crossovers last longer than Hohner Classics, but only about twice as long. What harps do you guys like and dislike? I want some opinions and stories.
I still really like the classic Marine Band harmonica but in saying that I don’t use them all the time. I went many years playing only Special 20’s which I still like a lot but since the Hohner Crossover came out it is my favorite. I have a few Seydel session steels and one silver classic I think it’s called. All of my Seydels I bought from PT Gazell and are half valved because I wanted to try his valve system. I like them a lot but I’m not real comfortable with the valve bending yet. I never really had much problem with my harmonicas lasting a long time even in the days I was playing a lot with loud blues rock bands. In fact they last a really long time with an occasional reed re-gapping and maybe tuning a couple of reeds. Nice post, thanks!
@@HarmonicaJoecom Thanks for the response. Classic Marine Bands sound great but they don't play great. Sharp teeth and no lacquering makes them worse to play. I've never played a Special 20 because I dislike plastic combs. I should try one though. I have a valved Promaster. Valving takes some getting used to, and the best part is the reverse bends. Promasters are great harps.
We do compare harmonicas of very different prices… I am trying more and more to sticks with MB. I fold the plates , file the reed plates and corners so they don’t grab my moustaches:)
I recently upgraded most of my harps to rockets and crossovers. But I always seem to go to the classic marine band. Awesome harps! I really like all your reviews. Thanks for doing them!
Paul cook 68 Thanks, glad you like them! I don’t have any Rockets yet which is why I haven’t done a review of them. I usually play my Crossovers, Special 20s and I have a some regular Marine Bands that play really well.
@@HarmonicaJoecom I find the rocket is very similar to the special 20s. Believe it or not, the Lee Oscar melody maker is quite comparable also. I'm not really stuck on one brand. But honher has been the best for me so far.
I Play Lee Oskars frequently especially the Melody Maker which has the same comb as the major diatonic Lee Oskar just a different tuning layout. I’m thinking you might mean he hole size is comparable to the Rockets? Is that right?
@@HarmonicaJoecom Yeah exactly. The melody maker is another harp that I have to try. Man I wish I was rich! Lol well at least harmonicas are affordable.. I think the response of the Lee oscar is comparable too..
Truthseeker, Thanks for your great question! In my opinion you can't go wrong with either the Hohner Marine Band or the Hohner Blues Harp. Although they are about $40 or so. Check the links I put in the description. I also posted a video last night of great harmonicas for beginners. Please check it out here: ua-cam.com/video/0Fm-lxIs20k/v-deo.html. The Lee Oskar harmonica is also a very good harp and they are about $45. I have a link for them on the other video. If you want to stay in the $30 range The Hohner Big River harmonica is also a winner. Thanks for asking and let me know what you end up purchasing!
I had one Hohner Blue Midnight a while back and I thought it was ok but not that great. In that price range I like the Hohner Big River better. After that I like the Special 20 and the different versions of the Marine Band.
This is a great video! I must commend you Joe on the video, and for taking the time to answer most questions out here. The Crossover sounds really nice to me! I am considering getting a harp in the key of Eb. What would you recommend? Also, besides the Crossover and the Special 20s, any other Hohners not using a wood comb? Thanks in advance!
DJ Rick Mendez Thanks!, glad you like the video! Yes the Hohner Crossover is a fantastic harmonica right out of the box. Keep in mind that Eb is a high pitch key on harmonica and can get to be annoying to the audience if used too much. you can get a low tuned harp such as a Hohner Thunderbird (which has plastic combs)in low Eb which solves that problem. I have both low and high Eb keyed harps. I like the regular marine Band that I have and also the Special 20 low tuned harp. There are several other Hohner models that have plastic combs such as the Pro Harps and Big River that don’t get much attention although they are both really good harmonicas.
Thanks for the info! Another question, would I be able to customize a Crossover, and where do I go for that? I just liked your FB page, and of course, I subscribed to this youtube channel. Thanks once again!
DJ Rick Mendez I think there are a few harmonica customizers out there although I never bought a custom harmonica. I think the Crossover would be perfect for some custom touches to make it even better. Ahhh facebook, I don’t really do much there, maybe I should...
I have 6 or 7 1896 marine band harmonicas. I use the g and c ones the most. Consequently, both of them have gone a little flat on certain holes. I had no idea that the faceplates were held by nails. I always thought they were fastened by screws. I've been trying to locate a special tool that would help me take the nails out but have not found anything yet. I watched a video on youtube that showed how to do it. The person demonstrating it used a small paring knife. It looked a little bit risky and even he said to be extra careful that you don't slip and cut yourself. He also mentioned to be watchful of flying nails coming up and possibly hitting one of your eyes so he said to be sure and wear protective eyegear. All and all it looked like a pretty difficult project and even if I was able to get all the nails out I wouldn't know what type or size of screws to replace them with. He was able to pry the nails out pretty easily but of course he's the real pro. I tend to be a little accident prone and a little bit nervous about doing this. I have found no books that explain how to do this. I noticed that you did mention that the MB 1896 was held together by nails and that eventually a person owning one would eventually have to take them out and replace them with screws. Hopefully you can shed some light on this. Thank you and I will be looking forward to your reply.
If you know how to tune the reeds then it’s an easy job to get the coverplates off of the Hohner Marine Band. You will need something very thin to pry them up. A really thin screwdriver or knife blade. I use a pocket knife blade to pry the covers off. I never had the nails fly out because I go slowly. Just pry a little at a time and switch sides after each pry so you don’t bend the cover plate. There should be no problem putting the nails back in they should hold everything together just fine. Putting in screws is a more complicated job.
@@HarmonicaJoecom Thanks for the advice on that. The other person that demonstrated it used a small paring knife. I think he also used some sandpaper to sand the edges of the knife a little bit. It seems like he also put some kind of square notch at the end of the paring knife as well. I'll take another look at that and see if I can figure it out. Thanks again!
That seems like a lot of un needed effort. The nails come out fairly easy. If you don’t want to use a knife (understandable !) then use something very thin and flat like a mechanics feeler gauge. I use that a lot mainly to support the reed when working on it but it also works very well at opening up a Marine Band harmonica.
First Marine Bands, and the earliest Blues Harp, circa 1968, did swell, and I'd whittle the protruding comb with a sharp knife rather than sand, creating rounded bevels into the adjacent holes. My Blues in B flat is my fave, after 50 years?! and the wood has always looked darker, sounded denser, swelled less than typical light pearwood. For the new Deluxe, what is "sealed," versus the varnish coat on the 1896, how permanent, water-resistant, and peel-resistant is it? It seems that the plastic or impregnated wood/laminate/synthetic combs resonate better and never swell, warp, like raw wood and once resin/recycled sawdust combs are perfected the industry will save money and provide superior instruments, aside from those who have stashes of ebony and rosewood to carve really exquisite dense combs.
z1522 Have you tried the Hohner Crossover with the bamboo comb? I really like them. I like the Deluxe a lot also but I only have a couple of them. I go back to the regular Marine Band often and it just sounds “right”. Most of the time I play Special 20s or Crossovers though.
Old video but a good video. Thanks I have all three as well, my favourite is the crossover but that depends on what I’m playing. For some tunes it can seem too loud and brassy, in which case I would go to the original. The deluxe unfortunately being my least favourite but only by playing style preference not quality
Rowe Cavelli hmmmm, I haven't had to purchase a new harp in a while so maybe they are sealed better now. All stock Marine Bands I have come in contact with swell somewhat and stick out because while they are sealed pear wood, it doesn't look like they are sealed inside the comb along the tines. Hopefully the new Marine Bands are and that would solve the swelling problem. Thanks for the info.
I have a aTremolo Concert Harp no.481/2 from 1926 Philadelphia Grand Prix. I have found only one like it at the Smithsonian. Do you know how many were made & any other information would be greatly appreciated. I can send pics or answer any questions
So I'm s super super beginner who has started learning on a cheep bluesband that I've had for at least 20 years. I want to learn and practice more but I'm a bit torn between the marine band and the crossover. Any insight or advice on which to go with?
It might be too late but you can't go wrong with special 20 for the beginning, for multitude of reasons. Order one ASAP and start enjoying it, blues bands are not really capable of anything. If it's old it's probably even out of tune too.
Dirk thanks for the question! The easy answer is the range of the typical 10 hole diatonic harmonica in C is from C3 to C6. Many worship songs are in the key of G so a C harmonica will work if played in 2nd position otherwise known as crossharp. Since songs come in several different keys you will probably need a few more harps to cover all the bases. I suggest checking out my video ua-cam.com/video/dXKCeMjI_Fw/v-deo.html in which I explain which harmonicas to get started with. I also have links in the descriptions of my videos where you can purchase harmonicas. Let me know how it goes for you.
I got blues harp in A,C and G. They are okay for learning, not overpriced and not too bad. C and A are responsive and solid, G with longer reeds is not as airtight and not rly responsive for fast playing, as all lowe keys tend to be, just, the more expensive harmonicas are Louder and dont leak air. But if u can get blues harps or crossover for learning. I got 3 key BH for the price of 1 and a half of mb Deluxe, i wanted more keys so i can practice better. My next buy is gonna be MB deluxe i guess, looking forward to it.
Well I writing this much later than your comment so hopefully you got a harmonica and are playing already. Any of the marine Bands or Special 20 are great. The Special 20 is what I recommend for most people.
Don Walker Don Walker Thanks for asking Don! I'm playing a Bb harmonica. To play the lick start with hole 4 draw pre bent down and then release the bend up to hole 4 draw. Then slide up to hole 5 draw. Then 5 blow, 4 blow, 3 blow, 3 draw pre bent and release it up to regular 3 draw. Then 2 draw and 1 draw, 1 blow
Gordon Tulloch I think Hohner Special 20’s are great! I played them for many years before the Crossover came out and I went back to the Marine Band style of harp. I still play Special 20’s frequently.
Kerry Crowel thanks! yes! I have a few listed on my website. Marine Bands, Golden Melody’s Special 20s etc. only 1or 2 of each. harmonicajoe.com/harmonica-shop/harmonicas/
Nice video but here is a question from a total beginner. I am a reasonable guitarist (mainly acoustic) wanting to mix it up a bit but with no harmonica skills. They say buy a C to start...well I bought the cheap Hohner Hot Metal and it does not feel good, happy to spend the money and all my research says Marine Band or Special 20. Which of the three today or the Special 20 would you recommend?
99Jaapie I really like The Special 20 and also the Marine Bands and Crossover and state that in the video. Maybe start with the Special 20 or Crossover and see how you like them. You don’t always have to start off with key of C. It’s just a little easier because most instructional videos and books are written for the key of C harmonica. If you play guitar in E a lot then maybe get a harmonica in the key of A so when you learn to play crossharp style you can play along with your guitar tracks.
I'm wanting to purchase my first harmonic however after watching many videos there is so much info and opinions out there I have become more confused and overwhelmed and dont know which one or kind to get. Hohner Marine band is common so I may go with that one in the key of C I'm thinking. I love the blues so hope I'm going to make the right choice. Oh yes and I guess it's recommended to not spend less then $30.00?
Truthseeker please see my reply to your comment in the comments section above yours. For some reason it didn't get linked to your comment. Thanks for asking!
Yes it can get overwhelming with all of the information available! At some point you just have to decide on one and jump in! I think you can’t go wrong with either the Hohner Marine Band or the Hohner Special 20. Let me know what you get!
Sven Rock When it comes to bending I think it is a combination of the players technique as much as it is the harmonica. For me I think the Marine Band series is about the same when it comes to bending. Out of the box the Crossovers seem to be a little more consistent with the reed gapping than the regular Marine Band which I have found occasionally needs a little tweaking when new. When it comes to overblows then I think the Crossover has the edge. Out of the box the Crossover seems to work great but I do really like the sound of the 1896 Marine Band harp which leads me back to my first statement that it depends a lot on the player's technique as much as the harmonica used. Thanks for the question!
I love the Session Steel harmonicas. The crossover is a completely different feel and I love them also. The nice thing about playing the harmonica is that is is relatively inexpensive compared to most other musical instruments so we can purchase different harmonicas and give them a go.
Hello I'm a beginner and I want to get a harmonica in c major but I'm really confused on what should I get, first I thought of getting Hohner special 20 but people are saying that the new progressive one is really bad then I thought of getting crossover but I'm afraid it might die on me so early as it happened to some people and it's not that cheap what do you suggest I should get? I really like the sound of blues and the slow blues. so I hope you can recommend something for me thanks in advance
GG EZ I wouldn’t let other people decide what is best for you. Get whatever harmonica you want and make your own decision. Everyone plays a little different and some play much harder than is needed which tends to make the harmonica reeds go flat. Since you asked, I have had all good experiences playing Hohner Special 20s and also Crossovers for many years. In fact some that I play I’ve been using for several years and they are still going strong. In the grand scheme of things, harmonicas are cheap and if you don’t like one brand then try another. At least we’re not playing a violin or tuba or other instrument that costs many thousands of dollars.
I really like them both! The Special 20 feels great and I find the MB Deluxe overblows much easier. I also like the sound of the MB better to my ears. I routinely use the SP20 and the regular MB and also the MB Deluxe. I have a mixture of them in my gig case.
OK ty for ur input I ended getting m.b 1896 cause my music store where I am only carry .m.b 1896 and blues bands I am complete beginner so far I relly love the looks of it and the feel of it feels so very good to me and really love the sound of it also love the smallness of it I do also play bottom accordion
I discovered the emery board for my marine band wood comb immediately when it catches my lip i rasp a little on it and it softens up nicely. Don’t over scrape or you’ll wipe out your comb and it’ll be unplayable because the comb is suddenly shorter and your lips wont seal out the next hole 🕳
Kelly -Boi All of those choices are great. I think most people like the Hohner Special 20 and the Lee Oskar harmonicas because of the plastic comb. They feel good and are easy to play.
Warren Allred The new Marine Bands I have seen are much better sealed than the older models for sure. I don’t think they are sealed as well as the Deluxe or Crossovers which seem to have a thicker layer of sealant. I love Marine band harmonicas and think that for most players they are great and don’t swell up as much if at all as they used to years ago.
i'm 74 years old. i haven't played since i was a teenager although i have picked up one every so often. i was mediocre at best. i learned using the instruction booklet that came with the m.b. back in the early '60s or very late '50s. i started looking online at harmonica playing and i have heard a lot about using the lips as opposed to the tongue. i wish to become a competent player. i am going to purchase a crossover. i don't have a harp right now. do i have to switch from the tongue method to the lips in order to progress?
Either way is a great way to play harmonica. I think most people use lip pursing. After you get better you end up using both lip pursing and tongue blocking. The Hohner Crossover is a great harmonica, check out the Hohner Special 20 as well because it is also fantastic.
@@HarmonicaJoecom thankyou. i think i'm actually doing both. i just received my crossover harp and i think i'm doing both. it's been so long and the harp needs to be broken in. it's "stiff". working on the scales and a few songs that i used to play often. i need a lot of practice. i'll look for more of your videos.
@@charlesdiehl3162 I just read your post. loved hearing that at 74 yrs you're reinventing yourself as a budding musician. I'm 68 & I've benn a beginner on the harp for about 25 yrs. I'm having a ball with it. I'd like to hear more about your mouney & compare notes. if you hear someone say you're too old, don't believe it. Enjoy! btw tje crossover is a great harp, but you probably know that by now. Cheers Tim Heup
They are just different, I don’t think one is better than the other. I play both. I think the Crossover is louder maybe a little raspier (if that is a word) and a little easier to do overblows and the Deluxe has a really nice tone and is also very easy to play.
Tyrone Johnson Low tuned harmonicas are fun to play! I have a few Special 20 low tuned harps and they play great. I have not played the Thunderbirds yet but all I have heard points to them being very good. I will get a couple sometime when I can afford them! I also have a low tuned Seydel and it is very good as well.
The Special 20 is one of my favorite harmonicas to play. I’ve been playing them for many years. It is fairly easy to bend notes on it but I don’t think it’s any easier than other harmonicas such as the Lee Oskar or Hohner Marine Band. Play what feels good and sounds good to you, if you enjoy playing it you’ll end up putting in more time and that’s a good thing when it comes to music!
Sturmhawke I would suggest a C harmonica first because most of the learning material, books and videos are geared to a C harp. After that I would get an A and a D because they work with most blues songs. Then a G and an F. Great question,
Thanks for uploading this comparison video! I'm torn between Marine Band Deluxe and Crossover. I want to play like Neil Young or Bob Dylan. Which would you recommend, deluxe or crossover?
Well both of those guys played Regular 1896 Marine Bands which is a fantastic harmonica. Both the Deluxe and the Crossover are great harmonicas. Best thing is to try them both and decide. I play all 3 of the various Marine Bands and also the Special 20.
The wood comb in the Classic is not varnished, but it is varnished in the Deluxe and Crossover. To make the Classic waterproof, dunk it in mineral oil, let it dry, dunk for a second time, let it dry, and dunk for a third and final time, and let it dry. That will completely seal your comb. I do not like the Classic, but I do love the Deluxe and Crossover. Their combs are better, they use screws instead of nails, they are louder, and they are tuned better. You are lucky to be German. Hohner and Seydel are both from Germany. Greetings from England.
I also have a cheap Blues band harmonica honor in the key of C its made in china My expensive honor is made in Germany That's the 1 that's in the key of A. The Marine band 1896
I got a set of Special 20's recently, but already there's a dead sound especially on the in-breaths a lot of time. Is that a defect or is it something that needs to be unscrewed and cleaned? I'm definitely no expert. I know next to nothing. I'm a guitarist playing with a headgear trying to play Dylan/Neil Young type tunes. Years ago, knowing nothing I bought a complete set of plastic Piedmonts for $20 that actually served me well for the most part. Eventually they all went dead. Knowing nothing I went back to Guitar Center and picked up a set of "Bluesband" for a similar price, and they are definitely not worth waisting a dime on. Unplayable out of the box. That's why I was so disappointed in upping my investment and getting these dead sounds so soon. Thanks for any advice you can give.
Stephen Pickering Hi Stephen, thanks for the question! I checked out some of your videos and you have some nice songs! As for your harmonicas not working I have a thought. Normally harmonicas last a very long time and rarely "go dead". In listening to your videos I'm thinking you might be trying to draw too much air through the harp. This will cause a harmonica to sound flat and eventually will lead to metal fatigue of the reeds. I get it that you want the harp to be loud but the small instrument can only give so much before it fatigues. Try backing off a little on the amount of air you put through the harmonica which will allow it to play in tune and not fatigue the reeds. Try it for a while and let me know how it goes. If you are interested I am available for Skype lessons. My email is in the video description. Thanks for the great question! Joe
Nice! Thanks for the reply! I very much might take you up on the Skype lessons. I just got the Special 20s in the last week so I haven't recorded any of those yet. I ordered a Marine Band Crossover the other night in F (Bob Dylan's "I Want You" for instance) Thanks again for the response. You're great!
Thanks Alfred, There are really cheap harmonicas available that don’t play well so stay away from the really cheap harps. I only recommend what I have actual experience with so I don’t know much about the new Chinese harps and haven’t played them. That said, I think a great harmonica to play that will sound good and last a long time is the Hohner Big River harmonica. After that I would say the Hohner Special 20 and the Lee Oskar orange label.
I used MBs from when the box was cardboard and not called 1896. I used to shave the comb with a razor blade if it swelled. Gets rid of cutting yourself.
Dennis Gaffney Yes! I think the Hohner Big River harmonicas are great especially for a beginner. In fact I started out on a Big River years ago. They are under rated.
Great question tomcat27557! For most people a harmonica in the key of C will work best because most instructional material is in C. However soon after you'll want to get some other keys as you learn to play in crossharp (especially if you like blues music) and the next couple of keys would be harmonicas in "A" and "D". That explanation gets way beyond the scope of the comments section so please check out my website harmonicajoe.com and I also offer lessons over Skype where I can answer all your questions. Thanks for asking!
TYLER THE ONE The Deluxe is similar. The quality and finish is much better than the regular 1896 harmonica. I find out of the box the Deluxe sometimes plays way better...but not all the time.
HarmonicaJoe.com agreed, it is an inspiring film. No, I intended to give it a go several years ago but I think that window has closed for me now. I convinced a friend though. He did it 2x and did quite well on his second go.
Not Wilson I’m not fast so I’ll tour the route. It’s a matter of $. I figure I’ll need 6 to 8 weeks to ride the whole thing. I’m considering doing it in pieces also, a little each year. Would love to ride it every year. How do people get the $$ and time off to ride all these long rides?!
Note. 1896 Marine Bands are designed for more so Chords, thats why the holes are smaller. Crossovers , Lee Oscar for example are built for single notes.. Bamboo is the way to go...from your initial buy....Crossover's for me.... It's your choice , and thats what matters... Have Fun....
Streaming from the Far East in 2021. Thank you!!!
Thanks very good comparison. I have Lee Oscar, special 20s and I've got 6 Suzuki Manji they are very well made big holes take a little to get use too. I like the sound of the crossover I'll have to get one to try their pricey here in Australia about $130
The Crossover is great. Unfortunately the prices are going up here also!
Thanks for the comparison video. For me I liked the sound of the Marine Band (1st played) best. I still have and play my Honer 125th Jubilee 1857 1982, must be showing my age :) . It’s been a good buddy of mine.
Norman Freund Great! Taken care of they will last a long time! I have some Marine Bands that I have had fr many years that play great. Thanks!
Sir, your overblows are music to my ears!🎺
I just got myself a marine band harmonica, and I love it.
I agree Marine Band harmonicas are great!
I have the marine band in C, G and A. I also bought the Hohner Cross Harp MS which is a beauty. Now I am learning to play because my favourite songs are mostly Neil Young and the Beatles.
I also have a couple of the MS Cross harps. I like them and they look great. I'll see about getting some Neal Young and Beatles songs posted. Good choices! Thanks!
Thanks for the video. To be honest they all sound very similar to the listener, the differences are down to personal taste. For me, the Deluxe and Crossover are unbeatable for comfort and sound quality. They are the only harps with which I have never had a problem ‘out of the box’. They are both easy to play, well sealed and sound great. Crossovers can be a little shrill to my ears on higher keys, but excel on the low keys (the extra low key Thunderbirds are also fantastic). My overall favourite is the Deluxe - they sound rich and warm with a lovely growl to them.
I really like all 3 Marine Bands. I agree the Deluxe has a great sound. If I need to cut through a loud band I use the Crossover
After playing the Deluxe or Crossover, it's impossible to take the Classic seriously. I respect the Classic, it's literally _the_ harmonica, and it still sounds and plays great, and Adam Gussow still plays them, so I've got to respect that, but the D and C are so much better it's ridiculous. The seal on the comb, particularly the front, the coverplates, the tuning, the loudness, the screws, literally everything is superior. Classics also feel very sharp when compares to most other harmonicas, be they Hohners, Seydels, or Suzukis.
I have sets of most "big" harmonica brands: six harps containing LF, G, A, Bb, C, and D. I have sets of Classics, Deluxes, Crossovers, as well as Manjis and Seydel Classics. I rank them as following.
1 Seydel Classic
2 Crossover
3 Deluxe
4 Manji
5 Hohner Classic
There are more harmonicas I'd like to try, particularly a Seydel Solist Pro, but I only like wood combs, so Lee Oskar and Easttop don't appeal to me, nor harps like Suzuki's Bluesmaster, Harpmaster, or their metal combs, like Promasters, and I don't like Seydel's Session Steel, Noble, or Silver, nor do I like Hohner Special 20s or Rockets.
I recommend everyone buy a Seydel Classic, Silver, Noble, or Session Steel. Their stainless steel reeds last so long it's ridiculous. Seydels cost £40, £60, and £77 a pop, so they're expensive, but they last 4 to 5 times longer than Hohner and Suzuki harps. If you buy a £60 Classic, it's more like you're paying £12-£15 a harp. Hohners don't last nearly as long. Manjis last between 2 and 3 times longer than Hohners, but you can't beat Seydels. I do think Deluxes and Crossovers last longer than Hohner Classics, but only about twice as long.
What harps do you guys like and dislike? I want some opinions and stories.
I still really like the classic Marine Band harmonica but in saying that I don’t use them all the time. I went many years playing only Special 20’s which I still like a lot but since the Hohner Crossover came out it is my favorite. I have a few Seydel session steels and one silver classic I think it’s called. All of my Seydels I bought from PT Gazell and are half valved because I wanted to try his valve system. I like them a lot but I’m not real comfortable with the valve bending yet. I never really had much problem with my harmonicas lasting a long time even in the days I was playing a lot with loud blues rock bands. In fact they last a really long time with an occasional reed re-gapping and maybe tuning a couple of reeds. Nice post, thanks!
@@HarmonicaJoecom Thanks for the response.
Classic Marine Bands sound great but they don't play great. Sharp teeth and no lacquering makes them worse to play.
I've never played a Special 20 because I dislike plastic combs. I should try one though.
I have a valved Promaster. Valving takes some getting used to, and the best part is the reverse bends. Promasters are great harps.
We do compare harmonicas of very different prices…
I am trying more and more to sticks with MB. I fold the plates , file the reed plates and corners so they don’t grab my moustaches:)
I recently upgraded most of my harps to rockets and crossovers. But I always seem to go to the classic marine band. Awesome harps! I really like all your reviews. Thanks for doing them!
Paul cook 68 Thanks, glad you like them! I don’t have any Rockets yet which is why I haven’t done a review of them. I usually play my Crossovers, Special 20s and I have a some regular Marine Bands that play really well.
@@HarmonicaJoecom I find the rocket is very similar to the special 20s. Believe it or not, the Lee Oscar melody maker is quite comparable also. I'm not really stuck on one brand. But honher has been the best for me so far.
I Play Lee Oskars frequently especially the Melody Maker which has the same comb as the major diatonic Lee Oskar just a different tuning layout. I’m thinking you might mean he hole size is comparable to the Rockets? Is that right?
@@HarmonicaJoecom Yeah exactly. The melody maker is another harp that I have to try. Man I wish I was rich! Lol well at least harmonicas are affordable.. I think the response of the Lee oscar is comparable too..
Truthseeker, Thanks for your great question! In my opinion you can't go wrong with either the Hohner Marine Band or the Hohner Blues Harp. Although they are about $40 or so. Check the links I put in the description. I also posted a video last night of great harmonicas for beginners. Please check it out here: ua-cam.com/video/0Fm-lxIs20k/v-deo.html. The Lee Oskar harmonica is also a very good harp and they are about $45. I have a link for them on the other video.
If you want to stay in the $30 range The Hohner Big River harmonica is also a winner.
Thanks for asking and let me know what you end up purchasing!
I think i may go with your east recc!
I had one Hohner Blue Midnight a while back and I thought it was ok but not that great. In that price range I like the Hohner Big River better. After that I like the Special 20 and the different versions of the Marine Band.
This is a great video! I must commend you Joe on the video, and for taking the time to answer most questions out here. The Crossover sounds really nice to me! I am considering getting a harp in the key of Eb. What would you recommend? Also, besides the Crossover and the Special 20s, any other Hohners not using a wood comb? Thanks in advance!
DJ Rick Mendez Thanks!, glad you like the video! Yes the Hohner Crossover is a fantastic harmonica right out of the box. Keep in mind that Eb is a high pitch key on harmonica and can get to be annoying to the audience if used too much. you can get a low tuned harp such as a Hohner Thunderbird (which has plastic combs)in low Eb which solves that problem. I have both low and high Eb keyed harps. I like the regular marine Band that I have and also the Special 20 low tuned harp. There are several other Hohner models that have plastic combs such as the Pro Harps and Big River that don’t get much attention although they are both really good harmonicas.
Thanks for the info! Another question, would I be able to customize a Crossover, and where do I go for that? I just liked your FB page, and of course, I subscribed to this youtube channel. Thanks once again!
DJ Rick Mendez I think there are a few harmonica customizers out there although I never bought a custom harmonica. I think the Crossover would be perfect for some custom touches to make it even better. Ahhh facebook, I don’t really do much there, maybe I should...
Good video! Thank you for making it.
Robert Brunston Thanks, glad you liked it!
I have 6 or 7 1896 marine band harmonicas. I use the g and c ones
the most. Consequently, both of them have gone a little flat on certain holes. I had no idea that the faceplates were held by nails. I always thought they were fastened by screws. I've been trying to locate a special tool that would help me take the nails out but have not found anything yet. I watched a
video on youtube that showed how to do it. The person demonstrating it used a small paring knife. It looked a little bit risky and even he said to be extra careful that you don't slip and cut yourself. He also mentioned to be watchful of flying nails coming up and possibly hitting one of your eyes so he said to be sure and wear protective eyegear. All and all it looked like a pretty difficult project and even if I was able to get all the nails out I wouldn't know what type or size of screws to replace them with. He was able to pry the nails out pretty easily but of course he's the real pro. I tend to be a little accident prone and a little bit nervous about doing this. I have found no books that explain how to do this. I noticed that you did mention that the MB 1896 was held together by nails and that eventually a person owning one would eventually have to take them out and replace them with screws. Hopefully you can shed some light on this. Thank you and I will be looking forward to your reply.
If you know how to tune the reeds then it’s an easy job to get the coverplates off of the Hohner Marine Band. You will need something very thin to pry them up. A really thin screwdriver or knife blade. I use a pocket knife blade to pry the covers off. I never had the nails fly out because I go slowly. Just pry a little at a time and switch sides after each pry so you don’t bend the cover plate. There should be no problem putting the nails back in they should hold everything together just fine. Putting in screws is a more complicated job.
@@HarmonicaJoecom Thanks for the advice on that. The other person that demonstrated it used a small paring knife. I think he also used some sandpaper to sand the edges of the knife a little bit. It seems like he also put some kind of square notch at the end of the paring knife as well. I'll take another look at that and see if I can figure it out. Thanks again!
That seems like a lot of un needed effort. The nails come out fairly easy. If you don’t want to use a knife (understandable !) then use something very thin and flat like a mechanics feeler gauge. I use that a lot mainly to support the reed when working on it but it also works very well at opening up a Marine Band harmonica.
@@HarmonicaJoecom
Thanks, I'll try that.
First Marine Bands, and the earliest Blues Harp, circa 1968, did swell, and I'd whittle the protruding comb with a sharp knife rather than sand, creating rounded bevels into the adjacent holes. My Blues in B flat is my fave, after 50 years?! and the wood has always looked darker, sounded denser, swelled less than typical light pearwood. For the new Deluxe, what is "sealed," versus the varnish coat on the 1896, how permanent, water-resistant, and peel-resistant is it? It seems that the plastic or impregnated wood/laminate/synthetic combs resonate better and never swell, warp, like raw wood and once resin/recycled sawdust combs are perfected the industry will save money and provide superior instruments, aside from those who have stashes of ebony and rosewood to carve really exquisite dense combs.
z1522 Have you tried the Hohner Crossover with the bamboo comb? I really like them. I like the Deluxe a lot also but I only have a couple of them. I go back to the regular Marine Band often and it just sounds “right”. Most of the time I play Special 20s or Crossovers though.
Old video but a good video. Thanks I have all three as well, my favourite is the crossover but that depends on what I’m playing.
For some tunes it can seem too loud and brassy, in which case I would go to the original. The deluxe unfortunately being my least favourite but only by playing style preference not quality
If you played a well known song on each harmonica, it would be easy to compare the sound qualities.
Nice mate, thanks!
Ahhhh The choices!
Yes!
The 1896 is double lacquered. Perhaps yours, being 8 or so years old, is not.. but their website states the comb is pearwood and is double lacquered.
Rowe Cavelli hmmmm, I haven't had to purchase a new harp in a while so maybe they are sealed better now. All stock Marine Bands I have come in contact with swell somewhat and stick out because while they are sealed pear wood, it doesn't look like they are sealed inside the comb along the tines. Hopefully the new Marine Bands are and that would solve the swelling problem. Thanks for the info.
I have a aTremolo Concert Harp no.481/2 from 1926 Philadelphia Grand Prix. I have found only one like it at the Smithsonian. Do you know how many were made & any other information would be greatly appreciated. I can send pics or answer any questions
Unfortunately I don’t know much about tremolo harmonicas.
How does hohner blues harp bend compared to hohner marine band 1896 right out of box
Pretty much the same feeling to me.
So I'm s super super beginner who has started learning on a cheep bluesband that I've had for at least 20 years. I want to learn and practice more but I'm a bit torn between the marine band and the crossover. Any insight or advice on which to go with?
It might be too late but you can't go wrong with special 20 for the beginning, for multitude of reasons. Order one ASAP and start enjoying it, blues bands are not really capable of anything. If it's old it's probably even out of tune too.
@@6Oko6Demona6 thank you for the feedback. I put a marine band deluxe on my christmas list. If I don't get one I'll check out the special 20.
They are both fantastic harps and also the Marine Band Deluxe that was suggested. The Hohner Special 20 is one of my favorites
What is your note range on a C Marine Band? I like to have one that I would be able to play most modern worship songs on.
Dirk thanks for the question! The easy answer is the range of the typical 10 hole diatonic harmonica in C is from C3 to C6. Many worship songs are in the key of G so a C harmonica will work if played in 2nd position otherwise known as crossharp. Since songs come in several different keys you will probably need a few more harps to cover all the bases. I suggest checking out my video ua-cam.com/video/dXKCeMjI_Fw/v-deo.html in which I explain which harmonicas to get started with. I also have links in the descriptions of my videos where you can purchase harmonicas. Let me know how it goes for you.
Buying a Chromatic harmonica is a great option too.
Great video, thank you! I just purchased an 1896 in C and a beginner
Craig Melancon Great! That’s a fun harp to play! Check out some of my other videos and I’ll be posting more beginner videos soon!
@@HarmonicaJoecom I subscribed! I play the trumpet and can read music
Craig Melancon thank You! I also play trumpet and read. I started reading music right away back when I was in 4th grade starting to play music.
@@HarmonicaJoecom later for me 7th grade, I still play
Which has a darker tone marine band 1986 or marine band deluxe?
I think they are pretty close. If I had to choose I think the Deluxe might be a little darker but not by much.
Someone gave me a Hohner Blues Harp in A. Is it much different from a Marine Band 1896 in the same key?
No they have the same notes if they are both the same key harmonica. The Hohner Blues Harp is a very good harmonica that I think is under rated.
I got blues harp in A,C and G. They are okay for learning, not overpriced and not too bad. C and A are responsive and solid, G with longer reeds is not as airtight and not rly responsive for fast playing, as all lowe keys tend to be, just, the more expensive harmonicas are Louder and dont leak air. But if u can get blues harps or crossover for learning. I got 3 key BH for the price of 1 and a half of mb Deluxe, i wanted more keys so i can practice better. My next buy is gonna be MB deluxe i guess, looking forward to it.
Interesting comparison. Very helpful. Aren’t they tuned differently? i.e., equal temperament vs. just intonation
I think the tuning has evolved over the years from just intonation to a compromise tuning that blends chordal playing and single note playing.
Thanks for the video. I'm starting out on the harmonica. Which one of these three would you suggest?
Well I writing this much later than your comment so hopefully you got a harmonica and are playing already. Any of the marine Bands or Special 20 are great. The Special 20 is what I recommend for most people.
How do you get that sound at 2:29? Thanks!
Don Walker Don Walker Thanks for asking Don! I'm playing a Bb harmonica. To play the lick start with hole 4 draw pre bent down and then release the bend up to hole 4 draw. Then slide up to hole 5 draw. Then 5 blow, 4 blow, 3 blow, 3 draw pre bent and release it up to regular 3 draw. Then 2 draw and 1 draw, 1 blow
What do you think of special 20's??
Gordon Tulloch I think Hohner Special 20’s are great! I played them for many years before the Crossover came out and I went back to the Marine Band style of harp. I still play Special 20’s frequently.
Cool video. I heard that Hohner discontinued the Deluxe though, not sure why either.
Wanna send a couple of those overstock Marine Band's my way?
Kerry Crowel thanks!
yes! I have a few listed on my website. Marine Bands, Golden Melody’s Special 20s etc. only 1or 2 of each.
harmonicajoe.com/harmonica-shop/harmonicas/
Are you licking the harmonica when tongue blocking?
Not licking but you are using your tongue to block off the holes you don’t want to sound.
Nice video but here is a question from a total beginner. I am a reasonable guitarist (mainly acoustic) wanting to mix it up a bit but with no harmonica skills. They say buy a C to start...well I bought the cheap Hohner Hot Metal and it does not feel good, happy to spend the money and all my research says Marine Band or Special 20. Which of the three today or the Special 20 would you recommend?
99Jaapie I really like The Special 20 and also the Marine Bands and Crossover and state that in the video. Maybe start with the Special 20 or Crossover and see how you like them. You don’t always have to start off with key of C. It’s just a little easier because most instructional videos and books are written for the key of C harmonica. If you play guitar in E a lot then maybe get a harmonica in the key of A so when you learn to play crossharp style you can play along with your guitar tracks.
I'm wanting to purchase my first harmonic however after watching many videos there is so much info and opinions out there I have become more confused and overwhelmed and dont know which one or kind to get. Hohner Marine band is common so I may go with that one in the key of C I'm thinking. I love the blues so hope I'm going to make the right choice. Oh yes and I guess it's recommended to not spend less then $30.00?
Truthseeker please see my reply to your comment in the comments section above yours. For some reason it didn't get linked to your comment. Thanks for asking!
Yes it can get overwhelming with all of the information available! At some point you just have to decide on one and jump in! I think you can’t go wrong with either the Hohner Marine Band or the Hohner Special 20. Let me know what you get!
I am a beginner. just starting out.
Willis Greenstreet good luck with your journey
Great! Have fun!
Why dose mine have one screw
I always want to know if there's a difference, that one bends better than the other one?
Sven Rock When it comes to bending I think it is a combination of the players technique as much as it is the harmonica. For me I think the Marine Band series is about the same when it comes to bending. Out of the box the Crossovers seem to be a little more consistent with the reed gapping than the regular Marine Band which I have found occasionally needs a little tweaking when new. When it comes to overblows then I think the Crossover has the edge. Out of the box the Crossover seems to work great but I do really like the sound of the 1896 Marine Band harp which leads me back to my first statement that it depends a lot on the player's technique as much as the harmonica used.
Thanks for the question!
Do you think the crossover is more comfortable on the lips and tongue than the others? I have a session steel and it’s so smooth, nervous to switch…
I love the Session Steel harmonicas. The crossover is a completely different feel and I love them also. The nice thing about playing the harmonica is that is is relatively inexpensive compared to most other musical instruments so we can purchase different harmonicas and give them a go.
I've been playing for two weeks. A baby. And I have a question. I purchased a Marine Band Delux. What are the side vents function?
They seem to make the sound a little brighter.
Hello I'm a beginner and I want to get a harmonica in c major but I'm really confused on what should I get, first I thought of getting Hohner special 20 but people are saying that the new progressive one is really bad then I thought of getting crossover but I'm afraid it might die on me so early as it happened to some people and it's not that cheap what do you suggest I should get? I really like the sound of blues and the slow blues. so I hope you can recommend something for me thanks in advance
GG EZ I wouldn’t let other people decide what is best for you. Get whatever harmonica you want and make your own decision. Everyone plays a little different and some play much harder than is needed which tends to make the harmonica reeds go flat. Since you asked, I have had all good experiences playing Hohner Special 20s and also Crossovers for many years. In fact some that I play I’ve been using for several years and they are still going strong. In the grand scheme of things, harmonicas are cheap and if you don’t like one brand then try another. At least we’re not playing a violin or tuba or other instrument that costs many thousands of dollars.
Whats ur apinion with hohner m.b deluxe compared too hohner so 20
I really like them both! The Special 20 feels great and I find the MB Deluxe overblows much easier. I also like the sound of the MB better to my ears. I routinely use the SP20 and the regular MB and also the MB Deluxe. I have a mixture of them in my gig case.
OK ty for ur input I ended getting m.b 1896 cause my music store where I am only carry .m.b 1896 and blues bands I am complete beginner so far I relly love the looks of it and the feel of it feels so very good to me and really love the sound of it also love the smallness of it I do also play bottom accordion
I discovered the emery board for my marine band wood comb immediately when it catches my lip i rasp a little on it and it softens up nicely. Don’t over scrape or you’ll wipe out your comb and it’ll be unplayable because the comb is suddenly shorter and your lips wont seal out the next hole 🕳
Good tip!
What would you recommend for a beginner special 20, blues harp or the marine
Kelly -Boi All of those choices are great. I think most people like the Hohner Special 20 and the Lee Oskar harmonicas because of the plastic comb. They feel good and are easy to play.
@@HarmonicaJoecom thank you for the advice i saw your other video a decided on a lee oskar
Crossover is a grass harp.
I was told all Marine Bands are sealed now? True?
Warren Allred The new Marine Bands I have seen are much better sealed than the older models for sure. I don’t think they are sealed as well as the Deluxe or Crossovers which seem to have a thicker layer of sealant. I love Marine band harmonicas and think that for most players they are great and don’t swell up as much if at all as they used to years ago.
i'm 74 years old. i haven't played since i was a teenager although i have picked up one every so often. i was mediocre at best. i learned using the instruction booklet that came with the m.b. back in the early '60s or very late '50s. i started looking online at harmonica playing and i have heard a lot about using the lips as opposed to the tongue. i wish to become a competent player. i am going to purchase a crossover. i don't have a harp right now. do i have to switch from the tongue method to the lips in order to progress?
Either way is a great way to play harmonica. I think most people use lip pursing. After you get better you end up using both lip pursing and tongue blocking. The Hohner Crossover is a great harmonica, check out the Hohner Special 20 as well because it is also fantastic.
@@HarmonicaJoecom thankyou. i think i'm actually doing both. i just received my crossover harp and i think i'm doing both. it's been so long and the harp needs to be broken in. it's "stiff". working on the scales and a few songs that i used to play often. i need a lot of practice. i'll look for more of your videos.
@@charlesdiehl3162 I just read your post. loved hearing that at 74 yrs you're reinventing yourself as a budding musician. I'm 68 & I've benn a beginner on the harp for about 25 yrs. I'm having a ball with it. I'd like to hear more about your mouney & compare notes. if you hear someone say you're too old, don't believe it. Enjoy! btw tje crossover is a great harp, but you probably know that by now. Cheers
Tim Heup
I have a Honor marine band 1896 Classic key of A
So is the crossover better than the deluxe??? I dont know which one to go for
They are just different, I don’t think one is better than the other. I play both. I think the Crossover is louder maybe a little raspier (if that is a word) and a little easier to do overblows and the Deluxe has a really nice tone and is also very easy to play.
Just subscribed mate
Thanks!
I used to have 12 key of C Marine band my new 1 Is in the key A But it's a 10 key
Bassist for 20 years.. just started Harp.. any tips
You’ll be fine. It’s simply playing music on a (much) smaller instrument! Let me know how it goes
@@HarmonicaJoecom Having fun Got the special 20 like you said C an A... was wondering if Low tune harps would cool since I Play bass
Tyrone Johnson Low tuned harmonicas are fun to play! I have a few Special 20 low tuned harps and they play great. I have not played the Thunderbirds yet but all I have heard points to them being very good. I will get a couple sometime when I can afford them! I also have a low tuned Seydel and it is very good as well.
I've heard the Hohner Special 20 is very easy to bend. Have you tried it and why?
The Special 20 is one of my favorite harmonicas to play. I’ve been playing them for many years. It is fairly easy to bend notes on it but I don’t think it’s any easier than other harmonicas such as the Lee Oskar or Hohner Marine Band. Play what feels good and sounds good to you, if you enjoy playing it you’ll end up putting in more time and that’s a good thing when it comes to music!
Which key would you recommend for a beginner?
Sturmhawke I would suggest a C harmonica first because most of the learning material, books and videos are geared to a C harp. After that I would get an A and a D because they work with most blues songs. Then a G and an F. Great question,
HarmonicaJoe.com Many thanks Joe. Marine Band in C on order from Amazon! Looking forward to starting my harmonica journey.
Sturmhawke great! Let me know how it goes
Thanks for uploading this comparison video! I'm torn between Marine Band Deluxe and Crossover. I want to play like Neil Young or Bob Dylan. Which would you recommend, deluxe or crossover?
Well both of those guys played Regular 1896 Marine Bands which is a fantastic harmonica. Both the Deluxe and the Crossover are great harmonicas. Best thing is to try them both and decide. I play all 3 of the various Marine Bands and also the Special 20.
Good review buddy thanks
Robbie Speirs Thanks! Glad you liked it!
Will the wood varnished in the Marine Band classik?
How do you get the Marine Band classic waterproof?
Greetings from Germany
The wood comb in the Classic is not varnished, but it is varnished in the Deluxe and Crossover.
To make the Classic waterproof, dunk it in mineral oil, let it dry, dunk for a second time, let it dry, and dunk for a third and final time, and let it dry. That will completely seal your comb.
I do not like the Classic, but I do love the Deluxe and Crossover. Their combs are better, they use screws instead of nails, they are louder, and they are tuned better. You are lucky to be German. Hohner and Seydel are both from Germany.
Greetings from England.
@@Voltanaut what is mineral oil
@@pohhalai655 It's something some players use to coat the harps to make them easier to play and resistant to swelling.
Or like an old standby??
Gordon Tulloch I have never played an Old Standby. Do they have a plastic comb?
I also have a cheap Blues band harmonica honor in the key of C its made in china My expensive honor is made in Germany That's the 1 that's in the key of A. The Marine band 1896
I got a set of Special 20's recently, but already there's a dead sound especially on the in-breaths a lot of time. Is that a defect or is it something that needs to be unscrewed and cleaned? I'm definitely no expert. I know next to nothing. I'm a guitarist playing with a headgear trying to play Dylan/Neil Young type tunes. Years ago, knowing nothing I bought a complete set of plastic Piedmonts for $20 that actually served me well for the most part. Eventually they all went dead. Knowing nothing I went back to Guitar Center and picked up a set of "Bluesband" for a similar price, and they are definitely not worth waisting a dime on. Unplayable out of the box. That's why I was so disappointed in upping my investment and getting these dead sounds so soon. Thanks for any advice you can give.
Stephen Pickering Hi Stephen, thanks for the question! I checked out some of your videos and you have some nice songs! As for your harmonicas not working I have a thought. Normally harmonicas last a very long time and rarely "go dead". In listening to your videos I'm thinking you might be trying to draw too much air through the harp. This will cause a harmonica to sound flat and eventually will lead to metal fatigue of the reeds. I get it that you want the harp to be loud but the small instrument can only give so much before it fatigues. Try backing off a little on the amount of air you put through the harmonica which will allow it to play in tune and not fatigue the reeds. Try it for a while and let me know how it goes. If you are interested I am available for Skype lessons. My email is in the video description.
Thanks for the great question! Joe
Nice! Thanks for the reply! I very much might take you up on the Skype lessons. I just got the Special 20s in the last week so I haven't recorded any of those yet. I ordered a Marine Band Crossover the other night in F (Bob Dylan's "I Want You" for instance) Thanks again for the response. You're great!
do you still sell your inventory ?
Not really. I sell a few harps now and again on ebay but for now I’m hanging on to what I have.
Love u ♥️
Thanks!
Joe, I'm just starting. What's the most affordable brand?
Thanks Alfred, There are really cheap harmonicas available that don’t play well so stay away from the really cheap harps. I only recommend what I have actual experience with so I don’t know much about the new Chinese harps and haven’t played them. That said, I think a great harmonica to play that will sound good and last a long time is the Hohner Big River harmonica. After that I would say the Hohner Special 20 and the Lee Oskar orange label.
@@HarmonicaJoecom so don't get east top?
I never played an Easttop harp so I don’t know much about them. I can’t say good or bad because I don’t have any experience with them.
@@HarmonicaJoecom ok. I'm trying to find something under 40 dollars.
Alfred Ramirez The Hohner Big River is less than $40.
I used MBs from when the box was cardboard and not called 1896. I used to shave the comb with a razor blade if it swelled. Gets rid of cutting yourself.
I have done that some over the years but I think those days are over since it seems like they are sealed better
Forgot to mention what key they are in.
B flat
Sorry, I missed it.
How about the Big River Harp ? Is it a good harp for a beginner ?
Dennis Gaffney Yes! I think the Hohner Big River harmonicas are great especially for a beginner. In fact I started out on a Big River years ago. They are under rated.
Please send me 1 of your harmonicas i realy want to learn to play but can't afford to buy one love ur video thanks
whats the best key harp for a beginner?
Great question tomcat27557! For most people a harmonica in the key of C will work best because most instructional material is in C. However soon after you'll want to get some other keys as you learn to play in crossharp (especially if you like blues music) and the next couple of keys would be harmonicas in "A" and "D". That explanation gets way beyond the scope of the comments section so please check out my website harmonicajoe.com and I also offer lessons over Skype where I can answer all your questions.
Thanks for asking!
C, G, F, F#, Bb, E, Eb A, Ab, D, Db, B probably in this or similar order. Start with C & G
C
New content asap..
Tyrone Johnson Yes I agree! What would you like to learn?
@@HarmonicaJoecom Break down Sonny terry in the start of movie crossroads Please..
Oh yea, good one! I’ll see what I can do. I do have some other ideas that I’m going to film also. Thanks for the suggestion!
@@HarmonicaJoecom Good day..What's good with sonny Terry Lesson
Is the deluxe the same as the 1896
TYLER THE ONE The Deluxe is similar. The quality and finish is much better than the regular 1896 harmonica. I find out of the box the Deluxe sometimes plays way better...but not all the time.
The Tour Divide is epic. Have you completed it?
Not Wilson No I haven’t ridden it yet. I trying to do it within the next 2 years. Have you ridden the Divide? That is one of my favorite movies.
HarmonicaJoe.com agreed, it is an inspiring film. No, I intended to give it a go several years ago but I think that window has closed for me now. I convinced a friend though. He did it 2x and did quite well on his second go.
Not Wilson I’m not fast so I’ll tour the route. It’s a matter of $. I figure I’ll need 6 to 8 weeks to ride the whole thing. I’m considering doing it in pieces also, a little each year. Would love to ride it every year. How do people get the $$ and time off to ride all these long rides?!
Ha! Yes, my friend was a self-employed real estate agent! Still took a hit to his wallet BUT had a flexible schedule. Best of luck in the endeavor!