Man, I’ve just purchased on a deal a set of Marine Bands old school 1896 and they are glorious! They are rough and primitive but what a sound, bends like butter!! Besides they fit the best on the harp rack, no slip at all
Special 20 has the softest sound , and great mouthpiece. Thats my go to. Especially when I'm buying 10 of them for gigs. Because they aren't as expensive as other good harps.
I'm a Hohner harmonica man lifer myself. I've tried a few other brands, but none of them were as comfortable playing as Hohner's time tested shape and size, etc.
Now I have two Hohners, a Special 20 and a Rocket AMP. These are good harmonicas. Although they do not have the same sound as harmonicas with a wooden comb, they are easier to care for. Hohner is a great company.👍👍🙂
I just love the Rocket series...been moving to the green Rocket Amps...Jason didn't like the color haha...I'm surprised it didn't make the the "kings" they have larger airways and the reeds are very responsive. The high reeds play well too. I need to try to crossover. For cheap decent harps the East Tops are pretty damn good btw...Jason..love ya man!
Thank you Jason for another honest review. Although I cannot stand the lime green combs, I was impressed with the playability of the Rocket Amp. PS I love the comment from the person who said they should put your picture on the box for the Golden Melody. Brilliantly funny! All the Best...~ Greg Gordon 🎵
I've played Hohners forever. At 67 means 45 years. And, really just Marine Bands, the 364, 365, chromatic, but thought about checking out the East Tops. Much less expensive. But, I already miss the Hohners!
Dude you’re almost 50??? I’m 44 and I look way older 😂 Hard living buddy. Love the video. Your immense talent makes me sick 😜😜😜 Man I gotta get a crossover that thing had the tone for my ears!
great comparison video. i have tried some different brands and i have to say that hohner is very consistent never got a dud yet cant say the same for SOME other brands that cost more and come with dead holes or out of tune
I’ve tried so many harps, and always come back to the sp20. After customizing it’s really tough to beat them. My only complaint is the small space on the front corners of the cover plates. Nothing a little smoothing out can’t fix, but I wish Hohner would make them smooth from the factory. I’ll have to try some rocket plates on the sp20.
I LOVE the Rocket. I would prefer the Amp covers but don’t like the green comb, lol. So my gig harps are all Rockets and I have a lot of Special 20s. I have a Flex case medium with 7 Crossovers that I don’t play a lot, but those are the 🐐.
A very enjoyable review, thanks J! I started on Blues Harps and LOs, now I always play MBD and Crossovers - but I think I’m gonna get a green Rocket :) Cheers!
I still recommend Hohners to beginners because reg brass reeds are easier to bend than phospher bronze ones. The Blues Harp is still my favorite by them. I have a B. Blues Harp. Which I have had for 20 years I love how you can just swap the reedplates out.
I have a Crossover in Ab that is most excellent. I have a Rocket in A that is exceptionally loud, made me sort of jump when I first played it. Both harps played all overbends out of the box. As you mentioned, Hohner made sure those two harps have very tight reed/slot tolerances. The tuning for both, whatever temperaments, are perfect to my ears. I find the Crossover easiest to hit clean octaves and overbends with, maybe because their holes are smaller than on the Rocket.
hiya J, good to hear your take on the new Hohner products, they certainly sound great when you play them, ive got a set of the new "Pentaharps" which were fantastic straight out of the box, and a set of older "Bluesband International's" which i believe were when Hohner first adventured into the MS playground, these were made in china and are atrocious, bad tuning, very leaky, but nice on the mouth, so i think with a little work when i get time could sound as good as the "Blues Harp" same construction - but gotta say i'm seriously looking at the "Rockets" they are awesome, still got my "Lee Oskars" for the regular harps and alternative tunings, regardless still need to practice and play more so be with you on your next "Free Friday" . Thanks again for your time and dedication, have a great time at your gigs, looks like you're killin it from the vids posted, luvnhugs to you both, 😘😎
I'm a Hohner gal and I've played Special 20s, Blues Harps, OG Rockets, and OG Golden Melodies. As you can tell, I play plastic combed harmonicas. I don't like the feeling of wooden combs. They feel very gritty in my mouth and cause sensory issues for me (keep in mind that hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to certain things related to the five senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch is common with disabilities like Autism). I'm a sensory seeker but I don't like the combination of wood and metals like brass together, especially when I tongue block (which I don't do often). I like the tone of the Blues Harp, but I'm just not a fan of the comb and I don't plan on buying a Big River just to swap out the combs. I've played Special 20s for most of my harmonica career and I still do play some of them. And I like the one Rocket that I own. My main harp of choice is the Golden Melody (the pre-2023 design). I personally think that the Golden Melody Classic is my favorite harmonica, not only for the legacy stuff with Terry McMillan as they were his harp of choice as well, but I love them due to the comfort they provide on the hand and lips as well as the tone they deliver. I used to get comments all the time from blues players that they aren't made to play blues and are only made to play melodies because of the Equal Temperment tuning, but take a look at Sonny Terry and Paul DeLay. Both of them are phenomenal blues players and nobody told them to stop using GMs because of some elitists's made up rule. I even was told that I would be out of tune with the band if I ever play them live, which is total horse crap. I played with Golden Melodies live and nobody was bothered by the tuning at all, because nobody outside of harmonica circles cares about what you're playing. The audience just wants to have a good time watching the artist(s) and the band just wants you to do your thing. There is a lot of misinformation being spread in harmonica circles like using pedals or cupping a vocal mic distorts your sound and you have to sound like the popular guys to be successful as a harmonica player. There's even some stuff that I'm trying to unlearn like with acoustic amps "not being loud enough" to play gigs with (that one I was told by a professional blues harmonica player who kept commenting on my posts and who called me obsessive for how I dealt with being bullied). I honestly don't know why I get so much hate as a harmonica player. 😢
I can overblow my reg MB, crossover , and deluxe. I prefer the deluxe but have been using my crossover since my -3 went out on my deluxe. Been thinking about a rocket for a while now.
Oi oi J!!! Tried a few rockets but just prefer the wood combs mbs deluxe 4 me every time m8 but the rockets & sp.20s are easy on the old lips if your a newbie BLESS from England XXX
“ A good player can make even a bad instrument sound good. “ Not saying Hohner is no good , Au contraire. I’m a loyal Hohner Crossover/ Deluxe kinda guy myself. The reeds adjust well , they play well , sound good, and ya can dance to it ! 👯♀️Hohner is thee king . Just breath baby. 👂❤❤❤ 😎
About the overblows out of the box: If I would send you some bluesharps direct from Hohner I would take good care somebody spezial from Hohner (like this very skilled servicelady would lay a hand on it first. 🧐
They totally don't care about me that much! 😅😅😅 I promise. Besides the harps come to the USA in the boxes I opened from Germany that would take a lot more planning and secretly marking the boxes somehow. I'll make a video where I go to the store and buy one just for you!
Man, I’ve just purchased on a deal a set of Marine Bands old school 1896 and they are glorious! They are rough and primitive but what a sound, bends like butter!! Besides they fit the best on the harp rack, no slip at all
❤️
Special 20 has the softest sound , and great mouthpiece. Thats my go to. Especially when I'm buying 10 of them for gigs. Because they aren't as expensive as other good harps.
Crossover is best 👌🏼
I'm a Hohner harmonica man lifer myself. I've tried a few other brands, but none of them were as comfortable playing as Hohner's time tested shape and size, etc.
Same here … even came back to 1896.
Now I have two Hohners, a Special 20 and a Rocket AMP. These are good harmonicas. Although they do not have the same sound as harmonicas with a wooden comb, they are easier to care for. Hohner is a great company.👍👍🙂
Special 20 with an aluminum comb is real butter. I think it is perfect with that mod.
I just love the Rocket series...been moving to the green Rocket Amps...Jason didn't like the color haha...I'm surprised it didn't make the the "kings" they have larger airways and the reeds are very responsive. The high reeds play well too. I need to try to crossover. For cheap decent harps the East Tops are pretty damn good btw...Jason..love ya man!
Thank you Jason for another honest review. Although I cannot stand the lime green combs, I was impressed with the playability of the Rocket Amp. PS I love the comment from the person who said they should put your picture on the box for the Golden Melody. Brilliantly funny! All the Best...~ Greg Gordon 🎵
I like the lttle john popper thing at the start of the special 20 segment
Hohner should put you on the Golden Melody box.😆😉 glad to see they are still talking to you.
😆 🤣 😂 😹
😆 🤣 😂 😹
I've played Hohners forever. At 67 means 45 years. And, really just Marine Bands, the 364, 365, chromatic, but thought about checking out the East Tops. Much less expensive. But, I already miss the Hohners!
I also like Hohner harps, tried them all, now, after few years, I play only Blues Harp and it is excelent...
This video is what is a "harmonica heaven", wow
Dude you’re almost 50??? I’m 44 and I look way older 😂
Hard living buddy. Love the video. Your immense talent makes me sick 😜😜😜
Man I gotta get a crossover that thing had the tone for my ears!
I am 50 and WE look great! ❤️
great comparison video. i have tried some different brands and i have to say that hohner is very consistent never got a dud yet cant say the same for SOME other brands that cost more and come with dead holes or out of tune
I’ve tried so many harps, and always come back to the sp20. After customizing it’s really tough to beat them. My only complaint is the small space on the front corners of the cover plates. Nothing a little smoothing out can’t fix, but I wish Hohner would make them smooth from the factory. I’ll have to try some rocket plates on the sp20.
I LOVE the Rocket. I would prefer the Amp covers but don’t like the green comb, lol. So my gig harps are all Rockets and I have a lot of Special 20s. I have a Flex case medium with 7 Crossovers that I don’t play a lot, but those are the 🐐.
Excellent video. Enjoyed the info on the different harmonicas.
Wow. That box is worth some money. Love the blues harp. I have one by Tom that I got in F specifically to play Pat’s jamming in the jungle.
A very enjoyable review, thanks J! I started on Blues Harps and LOs, now I always play MBD and Crossovers - but I think I’m gonna get a green Rocket :) Cheers!
I still recommend Hohners to beginners because reg brass reeds are easier to bend than phospher bronze ones. The Blues Harp is still my favorite by them. I have a B. Blues Harp. Which I have had for 20 years I love how you can just swap the reedplates out.
Well said m8 ALLWAYS played blues harps till the M B deluxe came out.i got a 15 year old Bb blues harp & it STILL sings BLESS from England m8 x
Great vid, Jason!! Love the comparisons and the improv jam. Thank you for all you do!!🙏
I have a Crossover in Ab that is most excellent. I have a Rocket in A that is exceptionally loud, made me sort of jump when I first played it. Both harps played all overbends out of the box. As you mentioned, Hohner made sure those two harps have very tight reed/slot tolerances. The tuning for both, whatever temperaments, are perfect to my ears. I find the Crossover easiest to hit clean octaves and overbends with, maybe because their holes are smaller than on the Rocket.
THANK you! Just ordered a Crossover in C and it's coming tomorrow. Intrigued by the Rocket now. Also, thanks for the "Easy" quote. 😊
Caught that!!! ❤️ Thank ⚜️ You!
Thank you Jason that was great as usual. Best regards!!!
Thanks Jason!
Love my Marine Band Deluxe!
This guy is awesome. Thanks for the vids.
Your awesome! Thank ⚜️ You Doc!
You received all the ones I would love to have :)) bravo !
hiya J, good to hear your take on the new Hohner products, they certainly sound great when you play them, ive got a set of the new "Pentaharps" which were fantastic straight out of the box, and a set of older "Bluesband International's" which i believe were when Hohner first adventured into the MS playground, these were made in china and are atrocious, bad tuning, very leaky, but nice on the mouth, so i think with a little work when i get time could sound as good as the "Blues Harp" same construction - but gotta say i'm seriously looking at the "Rockets" they are awesome, still got my "Lee Oskars" for the regular harps and alternative tunings, regardless still need to practice and play more so be with you on your next "Free Friday" . Thanks again for your time and dedication, have a great time at your gigs, looks like you're killin it from the vids posted, luvnhugs to you both, 😘😎
Great _GREAT_ haul (w shirts and cap)! Killer ... Ive never tried a Blues Harp ... I like the River harp, tho ... 😂🎉😮
Rad video jason thanks for fun and interesting videos god bless you man
very funny and very interesting, I liked it 💘
Enjoyed watching n listening 😎
I'm a Hohner gal and I've played Special 20s, Blues Harps, OG Rockets, and OG Golden Melodies. As you can tell, I play plastic combed harmonicas. I don't like the feeling of wooden combs. They feel very gritty in my mouth and cause sensory issues for me (keep in mind that hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to certain things related to the five senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch is common with disabilities like Autism). I'm a sensory seeker but I don't like the combination of wood and metals like brass together, especially when I tongue block (which I don't do often). I like the tone of the Blues Harp, but I'm just not a fan of the comb and I don't plan on buying a Big River just to swap out the combs.
I've played Special 20s for most of my harmonica career and I still do play some of them. And I like the one Rocket that I own. My main harp of choice is the Golden Melody (the pre-2023 design). I personally think that the Golden Melody Classic is my favorite harmonica, not only for the legacy stuff with Terry McMillan as they were his harp of choice as well, but I love them due to the comfort they provide on the hand and lips as well as the tone they deliver. I used to get comments all the time from blues players that they aren't made to play blues and are only made to play melodies because of the Equal Temperment tuning, but take a look at Sonny Terry and Paul DeLay. Both of them are phenomenal blues players and nobody told them to stop using GMs because of some elitists's made up rule. I even was told that I would be out of tune with the band if I ever play them live, which is total horse crap. I played with Golden Melodies live and nobody was bothered by the tuning at all, because nobody outside of harmonica circles cares about what you're playing. The audience just wants to have a good time watching the artist(s) and the band just wants you to do your thing.
There is a lot of misinformation being spread in harmonica circles like using pedals or cupping a vocal mic distorts your sound and you have to sound like the popular guys to be successful as a harmonica player. There's even some stuff that I'm trying to unlearn like with acoustic amps "not being loud enough" to play gigs with (that one I was told by a professional blues harmonica player who kept commenting on my posts and who called me obsessive for how I dealt with being bullied). I honestly don't know why I get so much hate as a harmonica player. 😢
Agree. Sadly …1896. Must be modified. But LOVE them
Hohner Rocket Amp is the king of kings then 🚀🚀🚀
Awesome comparison man 😊 I'm mostly a Blues Harp player myself, but I've played a few others over the years.
I love the Blues Harp as well. Great harmonica in my opinion. They don’t get much love from people and I’m never sure why?
Have a great trip nice video dispels poor harmonicas myth
I can overblow my reg MB, crossover , and deluxe. I prefer the deluxe but have been using my crossover since my -3 went out on my deluxe. Been thinking about a rocket for a while now.
Damn cool!!!!brother, wish I got stuff from Hohner, rock on brother, have you tried playing with your nose yet? Lol Hohner is my favorite also!😎👍
Oi oi J!!! Tried a few rockets but just prefer the wood combs mbs deluxe 4 me every time m8 but the rockets & sp.20s are easy on the old lips if your a newbie BLESS from England XXX
“ A good player can make even a bad instrument sound good. “ Not saying Hohner is no good , Au contraire. I’m a loyal Hohner Crossover/ Deluxe kinda guy myself. The reeds adjust well , they play well , sound good, and ya can dance to it ! 👯♀️Hohner is thee king . Just breath baby. 👂❤❤❤ 😎
I want the hat.
I fold the back of my SP20 and MB:)
Officially jealous here.
My favourite is rocket
Soli Deo Gloria
(To The Glory of God Alone)
-Ronnie
Amen
Really funny : prefer all open covers .
Hello !!
I'd like to hear what you can do with the Low D. I just got my first Seydel steel low D for Irish music, I love it❤️🔥🎵
Coming up my brother!
I like the seydel session low D harmonica. Especially the low notes.
Damn! You are a savage.
Ricci: Thunderbird , Rocket, Rocket Amp. Please :)
We Did the rocket amp here!
@@jasonricci yeah I know ! But I thought they sent you the classic Rocket …?
@@ikust007 hmmm.... ok!OK!! Coming soon!
@@jasonricci :))
Ricci: what’s the difference between the BH and MB?
Different reeds, comb, screws and covers! So everything!
@@jasonricci oh ! Reeds ! Okedo !
Over draw?
Soon! Same as an overblow but 9n the draw reeds most common on 7d, 9d and 10! ❤️
Holy Jason i thought you are 36-37 years old. Nice genetics.
Thank ⚜️ You ❤️ ❤️
About the overblows out of the box: If I would send you some bluesharps direct from Hohner I would take good care somebody spezial from Hohner (like this very skilled servicelady would lay a hand on it first. 🧐
They totally don't care about me that much! 😅😅😅 I promise. Besides the harps come to the USA in the boxes I opened from Germany that would take a lot more planning and secretly marking the boxes somehow. I'll make a video where I go to the store and buy one just for you!
Excellent video. Enjoyed the info on the different harmonicas.