The answer, of course, is for comfort! For more, you can check out my full review of the Hohner Blues Band. Also, Matthias Hohner seems to have just a little more hair on the top of his head than he had in his previous portrait! An original Hohner harmonica at an affordable price! After WWII this was reduced to seven nails. Do you have the box or case for it? More importantly, they are no longer made of brass, but of what appears to be some sort of nickel alloy, possibly what is known as German Silver. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online. The chances are, if your harmonica just looks like a harmonica, then it probably isn't worth much at all. Ive never had anyone fight me when I say that the Marine Band wins in the category of TONE. How should I clean my fingerboard without damaging my violin? Looks This harmonica is absolutely beautiful to look at. Our collection database is a work in progress. Although the covers are still lipped at the rear, the opening is noticeably wider. The medals on the lower cover now have single circles, the star is smaller than on the previous version, with the hands and cuffs also slightly different in style. Responsiveness From hole 1 to hole 10, the Marine Band is not sluggish anywhere. 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. The 16-hole version comes in the traditional "64" 280 version, the Super 64 (introduced approx. Its sound is typical for blues, folk, and country, but also pop and rock. Vintage Harmonica Hohner Marine Band 1896 Key Harp M40. Yes, all of my top 5 Hohner harmonicas listed above as well as all of the MS Series, Progressive Series, and Marine Band Series in their final phase of assembly, they are still made by hand at factories in Germany. . If the harmonica has been lying around in someone's attic for a few years, you also have a chance of inhaling some other tasty delicacies. Improved cover design gives greater volume and stability while preventing reed rattle. Registered Company 10370912. Check your inbox in the next minute or two for your first lesson. Probably any small tweezers or files would do - probably a cosmetic set would have the right tools. I think its worth the extra money. One fairly reliable way get some idea of the age of certain Hohner models is by the trademark on the cover. Cookies Footnote: I should add that this is very much a work in progress and I would love to hear from anyone that has any examples of variations that I have not covered above, particularly if you have any reliable means of dating them accurately. The difference between the phonemes /p/ and /b/ in Japanese. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? This is the quintessential blues harmonica from the Chicago Blues Era. 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. How are they compared to other harmonicas too? Heres my Hohner Marine Band 1896 full review. Take the [not rivets] pins out, clean, then put them back. $ 84 .99. But they are not professional quality instruments like Special 20s. 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. Its uniquely authentic sound has defined the role of the harmonica in the blues tradition and made it the benchmark by which all others are judged. And for dessert, heres avery cool article I found online: How Has the Hohner Marine Band Changed Over the Years? In the late 1980s, a plastic box was introduced: In the early 1990s, the design on the lid was enlarged: Also the word HANDMADE was stamped on the front of the box for a short time, to distinguish this model from the MS Marine Band being marketed at the time: Around this same time, Hohner started adding the barcode label to the bottom of the box (the ZA5 on this label dates it to around 1995, the year that the ZA5 reed alloy was introduced): The Marine Band itself went pretty much unchanged between the end of WWII and the end of the 20th century, at least as for as its visual appearance was concerned, with some very slight changes to the picture of Herr Hohner and the size of the lettering on the top cover. Hohner used various trademarks over the years, but a particularly common one was a circle being held by two hands. It has a bunch of awards on the bottom. Compare. This harmonica is probably from the 30's & includes original box Features: Key of C. Harp Dude Handmade fully stabilised Australian Spalted Burl hardwood comb Verdict The Hohner Marine Band 1896 is the classic harmonica played by old Blues greats like Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Litter Walter. The trademark has more subtle changes. Here is an example: Later versions of that trademark omit the star. I just had to ask the question again, and please don't vote it up, it's kinda the same as the other one, I don't want any reputation. 18.80 postage. Only one problem: why in the world are there soooo many different Hohner harps to choose from? I absolutely LOVE the Golden Melody. Get the full low down on the Hohner Special 20. However, the 1896 only has 20 reeds. And just like automobiles and watches, when it comes to harmonicas, Germany is synonymous with quality as well. Low-tuned Diatonic Harmonica with Layered, Triple-laminated Bamboo Comb Construction and Conical Lower Cover Design - Key of Low G. $159.99. 34 GERMANY Working. Visit the IIIF page to learn more. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Learn Harmonica! 1 bid. Why does classical music sound out of tune on a Hohner Marine Band Deluxe Harmonica? To have a look please message me. Required fields are marked *. 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. Join 4700+ Successful Harmonica Jamz students - Play any Song and Jam with Other Musicians, Your email address will not be published. Likewise, there were various changes in the alloy used for the reeds and different reed profiles being used, although the lengths and widths of the reeds remained constant. Recent versions all have a hard plastic box, green for the 270, black for the 16-holers. Ready to suffer a little for your blues? Hohner Silver Concerto Chromatic Harmonica. $12.00. For rivets, use a center punch to guarantee centering a drill, and drill off the end which has the least material until you can pull it through from the other side by using a narrower screw inside, pulled with pliers. VTG M. HOHNER MARINE BAND HARMONICA - NO. Why do many companies reject expired SSL certificates as bugs in bug bounties? Ready to suffer a little for your blues? After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at How to learn & play sheet music with diatonic harmonica. These have a clear finish, rather than the traditional yellow/orange paint on the front and black paint on the ends and rear of the comb. I imagine that's an inventory number. I like Sp 20's, Deltas, and Soloist pros. Pickup near South Perth in Kensington. Initially designed for European folk music . 2 Minute Hohner Pentaharp review here, if you wanna see it in action. That's a tough one. More on the way soon. Hohner has established themselves as the go-to brand for harmonicas rightly so high quality harps, for a fair price, that play well. Honestly, though, I rarely play this instrument because the others are SO much more comfy, and still sound really good. Does a barbarian benefit from the fast movement ability while wearing medium armor? I had a lot of them and you can just take them out and back without any problem several times. I have never had someone buy a Hohner Special 20 and be disappointed with it. You can order from his website custom combs for Hohner chromatic harmonicas, ask for restoration and various repair services. Durability/Fixability the double-lacquered Pear wood comb could over time become susceptible to swelling, cracking, or splintering. medals, single circles around ULM and STUTTGART medals. Im putting these 2 Hohner harmonicas under the same heading because my response to these questions is similar. Got something to say? Together, they are capable of playing 48 chords. At the end of this video (after 9:00s) I am giving some playing examples with the Marine Band, youre welcome to check them out and also to check out the lesson if youre new to harmonica. Hohner Progressive Series Harmonicas Which One Should I Buy? The purists irrationally cleave to the notion that the sound of the Marine Band 1896 is the sound that was, for better or worse, the sound of the old time legends. Made in Germany on a wood comb, most blues and rock artists play a Marine Band. The cutouts at each of the covers are larger and more angular. Those that do are mostly in the German language and take some effort to obtain. 5 out of 5 stars (895) Known for its full tone, wood comb, and its patented cover plates, the Marine Band harmonica was there when harmonica blues was born. However, it is impossible to make an fair estimate of the value of an instrument without seeing it. This expands the pin/rivet at the ends and compresses the shell together further. IF THE ADD IS UP IT'S AVAILABLE. Don't be afraid. The Marine Bands double-lacquered Pear wood comb is tough on the lips, especially if you play it for a long time. However, the Pentaharp could be great for a guitarist who wants to be able to play bluesy riffs without having to spend months learning how to bend notes on a harmonica. On the upper cover, the lettering is fractionally larger than on the previous examples, both for the name MARINE BAND and the Hohner signature. Today its still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first produced in 1896. Sturdy zipper case allows moisture to evaporate while keeping dust out. In the last few years, I traveled through four continents while performing and teaching music, and I also run the blog GuitarSongsMasters.com - one of the world's top five most-read guitar blogs. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage M. Hohner Marine Band Harmonica Key of C Germany No 1896 at the best online prices at eBay! I will require that you send the instrument to me, paying for the shipping and insurance each way. 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. All in all, the Marine Band is a fantastic choice as a first harmonica and also for anyone who still doesnt have one in his collection. Jerry Murads Harmonicats 1947 Peg O My Heart was played on a Chord, with a cleverly arranged sequence of chords that produced the impression of a melody. The soft green case is 1960s. The dates are not that helpful at all, except that a harp with an award dated 1937 is unlikely to have been made before 1937! Key Features All this has changed. A later catalog shows an octave tuned harmonica with the same name, given the model number 1896 and claiming a patent date of August 24th, 1897 - the date of the patent claimed on the covers used on the Marine Band 1896 and several other models. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for VINTAGE M HOHNER ECHO 54/64 HARMONICA C G MADE IN GERMANY NEW OLD STOCK at the best online prices at eBay! The Hohner Marine Band 1896 classic harmonica is the original blues harp. Highly recommended. The steel covers are similar to the later pre-war versions, although they give the harp a slightly thicker profile top to bottom. Its a total classic. But if youre totally obsessed with TONE at any cost, then this may be the harmonica youre looking for. Better quality and sound projection make it a favorite of many bluesmen. The Hohner Blues Bender is not a great one. The revolutionary laminated bamboo comb is completely sealed, making it water repellent and exceptionally stable. The upper tabs now bear the key of the harp at the right and A440 at the left. They are 23 inches long, and each chord takes up 4 holes. If youre looking for a traditional blues harp to play Muddy, Walter (s), Sonny Terry Ted and dont customise, this is it. Cookies Verdict - The Hohner Marine Band 1896 is the classic harmonica played by old Blues greats like Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Litter Walter. BluesHarmonica.com. [7] There are various subdivisions of the Marine Band. 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. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? A440 Vintage Hohner MARINE BAND Harmonica- No. 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. Screws to replace Marine Band nails. Old herings super 20 were like that too, using rivets. The reedplates are held in place with screws and the covers attached with bolts, unlike the Classic Marine Band's nailed construction. All Need Adjustment Cleaning Polishing & Lots of TLC3. Id think twice before purchasing a Blues Bender. The bottom of the box and the inside of the lid are also different. Also the Seydel 1847 models are a bit larger than the Hohner Marine Band harps. Hohner 590 Big River MS-Series . Hohner 125th Anniversary Marine Band Vs. Pre-war Vs. Stock MB - Quick overview and comparison P Leasum 1.63K subscribers Subscribe 2.3K views 1 year ago In this video, Paul does a quick once. Its undisputed. Help 8, which played 36 blow-only chords, in three rows. A wire brush may score the reeds or comb. Tomorrow I'll try to get some pictures taken And posted. I have two Marine Band harps in G and C,40 years old or more.I took one apart to clean, and it has never been reassembled. This is a diatonic harmonica that works well for beginners and is one of the best selling harmonicas that the Hohner company has to offer. Required fields are marked *. Although the WIEN medals keep their single circle outline, there is a partial circle of dots inside this outline. Even some fairly common harmonicas may be considered collectible by some people. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Contact (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); Entdecke "Mundharmonika M-Hohner's 34B ""Old Standby" in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! To get the best out of our site and for it to function correct, please read, accept and understand our 'Cookies Policy'. (I go into some detail about the changes of the Hohner Marine Band model on this page.) However, it is by no means safe to assume that an instrument bearing a trademark with fewer points to the star is older than one bearing a trademark with more points to the star. Straight tuned. TheVINTAGEShopBG. However, despite all these improvements, the Marine Band MS lasted for less than a decade, compared with twelve decades (and counting) of the hand made version. 1896 Key Of A Original HARD CASE | Musical Instruments & Gear, Vintage Musical Instruments, Vintage Wind & Woodwind | eBay! Required fields are marked *. It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. 2.96K subscribers Here's a description of how to create a "Marine Band Opener" to crack open a Marine Band 1896 to work on it (customize, flatten reed plates, reed curvature, tuning,. Every time I play one of these, Im always like, wow, I forgot how awesome Special 20s are! Ive never heard of anyone purchasing a Special 20 and being unhappy with it. Ending Today at 5:24PM GMT 16h 54m. 3. Ending Today at 17:11 EST 12h 5m. Vote. The center of the medallion is empty on all but the oldest ones, which (before about 1937) had a six-pointed star in the medallion (though rosettes and 5-pointed stars have appeared in some of the very early ones). Preston 410 posts Jun 09, 2009 4:37 PM That's cool Mickil. Newer revisited version of the classic Marine Band 1896. The picture of Matthias Hohner is slightly simplified compared with earlier versions and the laurel around his picture is also a little different. or Best Offer. As I mentioned at the start of this article, there have been many other models made with the name Marine Band. The harmonica is engraved: MARINE BANDM. I have been playing Marine Bands for years and one specific Marine Band that I have has been around the world with me twice, mostly out of its carrying case, and it survived to tell you all about it. If you can afford it, Id recommend springing for it. We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. If money isnt tight and youre the kind of person who likes the best of the best, then go for the Crossover! Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Whilst old guitars are often considered to be "vintage", old harmonicas are generally considered to be merely something that has been in someone else's mouth. I have also heard it suggested the number of points on the star represented the number of sons that Matthias had. Almost unchanged since it was patented in 1896, the instrument embodies the real deep blues like no other and is the benchmark against which all others are judged. Hohner Golden Melody Review + Video: The Pretty Lady in Red. The Marine Band is the standard. Apparently I didn't do such a good job, as the dealer instantly pounced upon me and thrust the harp towards me with the words "You can play it if you like." 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). Harmonica Construction and its Effects on Sound and Feel. For low tunings, we recommend the Hohner Thunderbird, which has been designed from the ground up as a low tuned harmonica, but still has similar tone and feel to the classic Marine Band. Whats not to love? If you don't take the cover, you can't clean it properly. The 270 has always had a wood comb with nailed-on reedplates. The reed plate is 0.9 mm thick with a stainless steel cover plate. It was made in 1896, and it still has the same design. Please message me if you are going to be more than 15 minutes late or not coming. Learn how your comment data is processed. The labels on the inside of the lid and bottom of the box were unchanged from earlier versions. I have two examples of this version. 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). Lets get down to business. But even worse, the Hohner Hot Metal and Hohner Old Standby are what I consider to be terrible harmonicas, and I recommend running in the other direction from them! 2009 - 2022 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com. There is a commonly held belief (not completely without basis in fact) that Hohner harmonicas made before WWII are better than more recent ones. The star vanished during the Nazi era and has never returned. For the rest of this article, I shall confine myself to physical examples of the instrument, rather than catalog illustrations. The current version of the Blues Harp is part of Hohner's Modular Series and was introduced in the 1990s. If the openings alternate between top and bottom half of the hole, that's cross tuning. 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). Music: Practice & Theory Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for musicians, students, and enthusiasts. Marine Band Crossover Harmonica - Key of C. Marine Band Crossover Diatonic Harmonica - Key of C. 10 reviews Write your review Item ID: MarineCrossC. There are some slight differences in the engraving and the design of the hands in the trademark is considerably different and all the medals now have doubled circles around them. The harp also has a much slimmer profile top to bottom than previous versions. I've never messed with a Marine Band, but I hear they are quite small. Many brands of harmonica have little medals engraved on the covers with various dates on them. There are some models of Hohner harmonicas that I do NOT recommend getting. Everybody knows it. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Cash preferred. If youre on a tight budget and you can save $20 bucks or more, I guess you could get a Big River instead of a Special 20, but if possible Id try and save up for a Special 20 or a Golden Melody. How Old Is My Hohner Marine Band Harmonica. Money no object? The Harmonica Company is the trading name of The Harmonica World Ltd. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions. Its uniquely authentic sound has defined the role of the harmonica in the blues and folk genres and made it the benchmark by which all others are judged. But is the standard actually that good? VAT Number: GB287764345. The Hohner Old Standby Harmonica will get through, whether 're riding high, singing the blues, or just waiting on a train. * 0-80 x 3/8' brass bolts #70189 round head, or #70191 for hex head (strictly a matter of taste) * 0-80 nuts if you choose not to tap threads into the bottom draw reed plate, and the four 0-80 nuts you will need to secure the cover . Privacy Best Beginner Harmonica Which Harmonica Is The Best For Beginners? C $13.89. (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); Links, Are you a beginner or struggling to sound good on harmonica? Your Price $ 84.99 msrp:115.0,lowPrice:84.99. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. But if youre only saving $5 or $10, Id say, just save up and get the Marine Band. A longtime favorite of many country artists, the model 34B Old Standby is always ready to express spontaneous musical soul. Some time in the mid to late 1920s the design of the box also changed, with a picture of the US Marine Band being pasted to the top of the box. Several noted users are Bob Dylan, Brian Jones, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Little Walter and Neil Young. You're in! I once attended one of the UK's biggest antiques and collectibles fairs, hunting for old harps. However, the one that concerns us here is their model number 1896, Hohner's best-selling diatonic and probably the most well-known harmonica in the world. If it needs more than that you have to take it apart, and it's held together with nails, which is a pain. The low monthly subscription of $16.95 gives you full access! I know that probably doesn't help very much, but unlike used cars and collectible pottery, there is no "blue book" of used harmonica prices. Rather than a pair of tabs at each end of the cover, there is a single tab at each end the full width of the cover. Another change occurred around 2000, when the nickel plated mild steel covers used for the last eighty years or so, were replaced with stainless steel covers. Saturday 4th March: All orders are being dispatched as normal! Here is your shopping list from www.micromark.com. A really tough one. If youre currently considering buying a Hohner Blues Harp or a Hohner Big River, heres my advice: The Hohner Blues Harp, has a wooden comb. Youll get 3 free video lessons where youll learn. I do not want to have to be a mechanic to play a harp. Constitution Avenue, NW $4.99 shipping. Our next example is from the early 1930s: The covers are similar to the previous one, but for the trademark now has a larger star once more, much shorter cuffs and all the medals back to having doubled circles again. African American History Curatorial Collective, Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments. 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. Full Disclosure: Not All Hohner Harmonicas Are Created Equal! Harmonica, Hohner Marine Band key of C. Like new and sterilised. Check out my free beginners kick-start course. However, if your old harmonica is shaped like a zeppelin, an automobile, a fish, a boomerang or a rooster, or if it features art deco style paintwork, or has bells, pipes or horns attached to it, then you might possibly be holding something of value. Thats my old Marine Band you can notice the dent in the upper cover plate. The size difference is not big but it is bigger. The Hohner Golden Melody is a bit larger than the Hohner Special 20. There were also a few changes to the box around the time of WWII. You can hear the sound of the Fender Blues Deluxe versus the Hohner Blues Band in this excerpt from my Fender Blues Deluxe Review. This one seems to be the final incarnation of the pre-war Marine Band: It is similar to the previous one, except that the abbreviated forms GESETL. Just leave plenty of length so you can twist the other end like a fern frond using needle-nose pliers, then possibly hammer the swirl perpendicular against the harmonica shell. 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. I was also baffled about how to take off the harmonica cover plates, having wrongly thought they were held on by small screws and invested in a Hohner repair kit. 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. 1896 model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. If it don't have little screws, don't take it apart, leave it alone. Categories: Diatonic Harmonica, Harmonicas, Hohner, Manufacturer, Tags: Diatonic, Harmonica, Hohner, Marine Band Deluxe. Can someone please help me. Its got a loud bright tone, its easy on the lips, very responsive, very easy to bend and its very EXPENSIVE! How can I find out which sectors are used by files on NTFS? There were several notable changes with the next specimen, probably from the mid to late 1930s: The most obvious change is with regards to the covers. VAT Number: GB287764345. This has also lead to some more small changes in the engraving of the covers. Look at the openings inside the round holes, with the slide in the out position (i.e., not pressed in). How should I deal with enharmonics on the Chromatic Harmonica? Basic harmonica maintenance is now straightforward, the right tools easily gotten. As I always say: if you want to sound like the old blues masters, why not play the harmonica they played?