The other instrument I should mention is the Marine Band MS. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Hohner Marine Band | Sweetwater The details might be a little too subtle to make out in the above pictures, but the designs have all been very slightly shrunk horizontally and very slightly stretched vertically. Presenting the Marine Band 1896 Classic from Hohner. The original version of the Blues Harp was introduced in the late 1960s and despite the stories about the reeds somehow being different (see this pagefor more details), was essentially a Marine Band with different covers. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Here's my take on the Hohner Marine Band, which is the #1 best-selling harmonica model of all time. Why does classical music sound out of tune on a Hohner Marine Band Deluxe Harmonica? Check out the spotlight post from our host Dave Stutts. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Heres my Hohner Marine Band 1896 full review. (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); Most of what makes these so expensive is the cost of materials and making it a G sharp harmonica. The chord harmonica is used to provide chordal and rhythmic backing in an ensemble, much as rhythm guitar might do. 2/5 Stars. You can see an interesting list of famous Marine Band players right here. Anyway, they now seem to be making a better sound than before. The Hohner Big River has a plastic comb, so its more comfy on the lips than wooden-combed harps like the Marine Band and the Blues Harp. "Mundharmonika M-Hohner's 34B ""Old Standby" | eBay Do new devs get fired if they can't solve a certain bug? Calculating probabilities from d6 dice pool (Degenesis rules for botches and triggers). Ronnie Shellist of Hohner harmonicas giving us an expert look at the Marine Band Series of harmonicas. Co. of New York: The covers on this instrument are "upside down" compared with the current incarnation of the Marine Band, ie. If money isnt tight and youre the kind of person who likes the best of the best, then go for the Crossover! T&C Vintage Harmonica Hohner Marine Band 1896 Key Harp M40. And Pros love it too! Required fields are marked *. Required fields are marked *. Here are answers to questions that I get about Hohner harmonicas time and time again: Everybody agrees that Hohner is an excellent brand of harmonica. We accept major credit cards and PayPal. I resisted. [7] There are various subdivisions of the Marine Band. VTG M. HOHNER MARINE BAND HARMONICA - NO. 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. 1 bid. Ive literally taught thousands of people how to play the harmonica, and not one beginner who has purchased the Special 20 hasnt loved it. Its got a loud bright tone, its easy on the lips, very responsive, very easy to bend and its very EXPENSIVE! Visit the IIIF page to learn more. Don't be afraid. PATENT AUG 24TH 1897MADE IN GERMANY. 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. The rear of the covers still have the lipped edges, but these lips have been folded back against the inside of the covers. Just as well, my Marine Band combs would have suffered. Blues Harp or Marine Band - Adam Gussow Harmonicas - New & Used Harmonicas For Sale | Reverb 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. Hohner Marine Band Series Harmonicas | Everything You Need To Know 34 GERMANY Working. 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). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Vintage HOHNER Tombo PeeWee Harmonica Collection Lee Oskar Marine Band Golden Melody Old Standby Professional 2016 1. Today its still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first produced in 1896. medals, single circles around ULM and STUTTGART medals. US PATENT OFFICE is no longer present and NO 1896 is now printed directly under the word GERMANY instead of off to the left. If youre into jazz, gospel, or bluegrass, I highly recommend that you consider this harp. I have a couple of them and it was my first real harmonica which drew me into this world so I hold massive respect for this instrument. An iconic harp with pear wood, side vents, excellent responisveness, and distinct timbre. 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 low monthly subscription of $16.95 gives you full access! If you are lucky, the pin/rivet is wide enough to replace with a harmonica bolt and flat nut. The revolutionary laminated bamboo comb is completely sealed, making it water repellent and exceptionally stable. It's a Hohner 260, then. A440 Vintage Hohner MARINE BAND Harmonica- No. NEW Hohner Marine Band Classic 1896 w/ Case - Key of A - Free US $34.99. The wood comb sandwiched by the visible edges of the brass reed plates, topped with the stainless steel cover plates is a winning combination. Thanks for contributing an answer to Music: Practice & Theory Stack Exchange! Legendary Hohner Marine Band Harp. Its a total classic. Lets get down to business. Ready to suffer a little for your blues? Sturdy zipper case allows moisture to evaporate while keeping dust out. If you're into jazz, gospel, or bluegrass, I highly recommend that you consider this harp. The Hohner Marine Band 364 is a quality instrument, just like the Marine Band 1896. Want to up your single note game? ate 1970s), and the Super 64x version (1980s). Straight tuned. Hello Audrey, Fun project. Categories: Diatonic Harmonica, Harmonicas, Hohner, Manufacturer, Tags: 1896 classic, Diatonic, Harmonica, Hohner, Marine Band. Postage is at cost. Return to Fairly Frequently Asked Questions. Full Disclosure: Not All Hohner Harmonicas Are Created Equal! You're in! Hohner Marine Band 1896 Harmonica is the number one choice of top professionals. $ 84 .99. The answer, of course, is for comfort! SKU: HMB1C 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). Hohner Harmonica Harmonica, 10 (M189693X) - amazon.com This harmonica was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. VAT Number: GB287764345. Here is a picture from a 1905 Hohner catalog for the German market, showing the Orpheus Concert: The number 1896 also applied to a harmonica with the name Up To Date, as shown in this picture taken from a 1906 Hohner catalog for the US market: Hohner produced more than sixty different models bearing the name Up To Date, but this one clearly resembles the Marine Band, particularly with regard to its covers. 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. 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. I always enjoy playing different tunings. For some time, the Marine Band was also available in a hard case, as well as the usual card box: Our third example dates from some time prior to WWI and displays several changes from the previous model. Here we have a second Hohner product. 5/5 Stars. 1881 Harmonica, Key Of G, Made In Germany. I pulled out this Marine Band 1896, and the thing bends like a champ! 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. Compare. Cant do so, I tried talking one off but i couldn't put it back. Looks This harmonica is absolutely beautiful to look at. Money no object? Looking for an amazing bang-for buck harp? Screw For Cover Plates - Marine Band Crossover, Thunderbird And Octave, Auto Valve. 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! Accessioned with original cardboard box. Completely assembled with screws for easy maintenance. Vintage C.A. and GESCH. It has a bunch of awards on the bottom. Vintage M. Hohner Marine Band Harmonica Germany G Key With OG Box - Sounds Great. Any way to know how old your harmonica is? | Blues Harmonica Unlike many of the other contestants on this list, this harmonica comes in a custom, vintage-design case. It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. The box has different labels to previous versions, both inside the lid and on the bottom. medals have gone back to single circles, although the ULM and STUTTGART medals still have double circles. TheVINTAGEShopBG. On the upper cover, the lettering is fractionally larger than on the previous examples, both for the name MARINE BAND and the Hohner signature. 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! During the mid-1960s through some time in the 1970s, they had soft wraparound plastic pouches, green for the 270 and brown for the 280. Compare. Hohner Marine - in Chicago, IL - Shoppok 3 comments. Contact If you want to learn more check out my full Special 20 Review. Tech Specs Scale: Diatonic Blues Key: C The top is pretty plain. Today it is still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first introduced in 1896. If youre looking at an outdated forum, you might see people complaining about Marine Bands not bending well out of the box. If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. Top 10 Best Harmonicas - Music Critic Its sound is typical for blues, folk, and country, but also pop and rock. * 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 . If youre wanting to get a great plastic comb harmonica, Id recommend that you just get one of the tried-and-true originals the Special 20 or the Golden Melody. Old herings super 20 were like that too, using rivets. Is the Hohner Special 20 Any Good? The Golden Melody is the most comfortable of all the Hohner line, has the darkest tone, and is the only harmonica tuned to Equal Temperament instead of Just Intonation, which means it's especially good for playing single notes in tune. or Best Offer. Special Financing - Ends Jan 1, 2024. Hohner Old Standby Harmonica : Target The Pentaharp was specifically designed for guitar players, and its tuning is laid out totally differently from a regular harmonica. Initially designed for European folk music . Harmonica, Hohner Marine Band key of C. Like new and sterilised Why do many companies reject expired SSL certificates as bugs in bug bounties? Learn how your comment data is processed. It is a Marine Band No. 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. If you don't take the cover, you can't clean it properly. For pins, file off the head on the side with least material and drive it through with a punch, over some table surface with a hole underneath the pin (or a 2x4 with a hole drilled in it, or even a socket). Also the words DEM VERDIENSTE (alongside the WEIN medals) have now been abbreviated to D. VERDIENSTE. Add To Cart. Hohner Blues Harp vs. Marine Band: Which is right for you? Enter your email address and hit Grab It to get started. One of the first celebrity-approved production instruments, the Hohner Marine Band 1896 harmonica may be the longest-running serial production instrument model in history. 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! This next instrument came with a booklet in its case that was dated 1905 and the design of the label inside the lid of the case was trademarked in 1907 (DRWZ 101069). 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. First launched in 1896, this model has been regularly played on stage by probably every famous harmonica player you can think of from Bob Dylan to Neil Young to Adam Gussow to Howard Levy. Cheers! Youve got a harmonica very suitable to learn on. (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); The 364 has 24 reeds, giving it a better note range. The only key label is a difficult-to-read engraving on the cover plate, virtually impossible to see in a dark club. Your harmonica will survive. Here's a folder containing all the photos that you may want to see. This harmonica features U.S. Patent #588920 for an improvement in mouth-harmonicas, submitted by Jacob Hohner. How would an amateur easily clean a Hohner Marine Band? Either way, you want a pin/rivet with a head on one side, and about 1mm or 1/16th inch sticking through the other side of the harmonica. The Chord Harmonica consists of two harmonicas hinged together. Prior to about 1937 the 270 had a six-pointed star in a medallion at the center of the bottom cover. The harmonica is engraved: MARINE BANDM. Both our time is valuable. Special 20 vs. Marine Band - size matters to me - Harmonica Forum Even some fairly common harmonicas may be considered collectible by some people. Whats not to love? Perfecting the modern harmonica - Craftsmanship Magazine Hohner Marine Band Crossover Harmonica - Key of C - Sweetwater are back again and the lines between them are vertical rather than horizontal, making it identical to the postwar MB except for the presence of the star. If you do it carefully the small pins will come out intact and you can push them back firmly into the same holes after you have cleaned up and adjusted the reed plates. The box is only slightly changed from earlier versions. All parts are thoroughly cleaned & sterilised before custom work is done. This has also lead to some more small changes in the engraving of the covers. The harp also has a much slimmer profile top to bottom than previous versions. M. Hohner Marine Band A440 1896 Classic Harmonica - Key of G Used - Good $19.95 + $5 Shipping This piece of gear has sold View similar gear from other sellers on Reverb View similar gear Watch Watch this gear and we'll notify you if it becomes available again. How are they compared to other harmonicas too? There are some models of Hohner harmonicas that I do NOT recommend getting. If the harmonica had a plastic comb, you could simply soak the whole thing in lemon juice overnight. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. If it is in impeccable condition and has its original box, then it is probably worth even more. The Hohner Marine Band is a number-one choice among top professionals and one of the most recognizable harmonicas all over the world. Antique Harmonicas - Etsy How to clean a marine band harmonica that cannot be unscrewed? The harmonica is engraved: MARINE BAND From the photo with the best focus, it looks like it's possible that it's not a rivet, just a screw head that has broken off. It responds quickly to blows and draws alike, just as you would hope it would. To make space for this, the medals are all slightly smaller and have smaller lettering around them. This was printed on a blow reed plate: 1-216-1011018/1 G Dur Hohner 27/03 L9/KA2. My preference. I absolutely LOVE the Golden Melody. Seydel Shne Bandmaster Chromatic Harmonica. Join 4700+ Successful Harmonica Jamz students - Play any Song and Jam with Other Musicians, Your email address will not be published. HOHNERU.S.A. At some point the comb material was changed from peachwood to pearwood, but I don't know how to tell the two woods apart by visual inspection. One came without a box, the other came in a box identical to the next example, but as the key stamped on the box did not match the key of the harp, it was obviously not the original one. The lips at the rear of the covers are still flattened, making the harp more open at the rear, but the M. HOHNER on the lower cover is slightly shorter than on the previous examples and where it used to say MADE BY and GERMANY on either side of the name, it now says MADE IN GERMANY and FABRIQU EN ALLEMAGNE. 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. A limit involving the quotient of two sums. How much is my old harmonica worth? - Pat Missin Mike "Fathead" Easton (Pennsylvania) Mr Easton has been in the harmonica repair business since 2000. Or $4/month for 48 months. Hohner Silver Concerto Chromatic Harmonica. How is Jesus " " (Luke 1:32 NAS28) different from a prophet (, Luke 1:76 NAS28)? How has the Hohner Marine Band changed over the years? - Pat Missin This attractive and robust instrument is a quality staple for beginners and a sure performer for seasoned veterans. Is the harmonica straight tuned or cross tuned? (no music shop sells marine band harmonica in my county) This one is a Marine Band made by Hohner N 1896 key of C. How do you clean this one? You can order from his website custom combs for Hohner chromatic harmonicas, ask for restoration and various repair services. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? Im putting these 2 Hohner harmonicas under the same heading because my response to these questions is similar. Lets find out together. I assume from the presence of the star in the trademark that it dates from before WWII, however it also has a few features that are normally associated with post-war models. Best Beginner Harmonica Which Harmonica Is The Best For Beginners? Hohner Special 20 (Set of 12) - Harmonica Review Those may not be available though, and rivet pins are easy enough to make anyhow. The 10 Most Expensive Harmonicas In The World | Ventured There may be more subtle changes in construction that could further date a harmonica (such as the rounded rivet heads on prewar 64s) but that stuff is beyond my expertise. https://theharmonicacompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/HOHNER-Marine-Band-Deluxe-Harmonica-1.mp4. In fact, in 1980 they produced their one billionth harmonica. Is a PhD visitor considered as a visiting scholar? Where to Repair Your Chromatic Harmonica? - Harmonica Studio (1) Hohner Marine Band 1896 Harmonica - Key of B. Youll get 3 free video lessons where youll learn. I have also heard it suggested the number of points on the star represented the number of sons that Matthias had. I like Sp 20's, Deltas, and Soloist pros. I once attended one of the UK's biggest antiques and collectibles fairs, hunting for old harps. Also the comb is now shorter than any of the previous models, a fraction under 4 inches long. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. It could even gouge out the holes, ruining the harp. I guess it is possible that anything resembling a Jewish symbol would have been risky to display as part of a trademark during those times, but I am aware of no evidence that the Hohner family were Jewish, besides which they also used five and eight pointed stars in some of their designs. Reed plate edges and channel openings with new Ultraglide coating are rounded off for greater playing comfort. Does a barbarian benefit from the fast movement ability while wearing medium armor? How Old Is My Hohner Marine Band Harmonica. Are there tables of wastage rates for different fruit and veg? 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. 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. The Harmonica Company is the trading name of The Harmonica World Ltd. or Best Offer. I hope to be helpful to you on your harmonica journeys. Why are Suriname, Belize, and Guinea-Bissau classified as "Small Island Developing States"? After the Crossover, this is my 2nd favorite Hohner harmonica. Hohner Marine Band Deluxe Harmonica - The Harmonica Company In that case don't attempt pining the centers of the ends. (My apologies for the poor condition of this particular box.). Do this on both sides. The Best Harmonicas For Every Genre - American Songwriter The Hohner Marine Band was introduced in 1896 and is probably the most commonly played harmonica in the world, which is why shortcuts in its manufacturing process had such profound repercussions. C, A Harmonic Minor, A Natural Minor, A Flat Natural Minor, B Natural Minor, B Harmonic Minor, B Flat Harmonic Minor, C Harmonic Minor, D Harmonic Minor, D Natural Minor, F Natural Minor, F Sharp Harmonic Minor, F Sharp Natural Minor, C Natural Minor, A, A Flat, B, B Flat, B Flat Natural Minor, D, D Flat, E, E Flat, E Natural Minor, F, F Sharp, G, G Natural Minor, G Harmonic Minor, D Flat Natural Minor, E Harmonic Minor, E Flat Natural Minor, Excellent all round harmonica. BluesHarmonica.com. African American History Curatorial Collective, Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments. Get the full low down on the Hohner Special 20. Ive also spoken with representatives from Hohners main competitors, like Suzuki and Seydel, and they too all agree that Hohner is a great brand of harmonica. Very responsive. There were also a few changes to the box around the time of WWII. used on every other Marine Band I have seen. I have seen instruments that could be reliably dated to the late 1800s that had the six point star in the trademark and I have seen instruments that were definitely made after World War I that had only five points to the star. My grandfather gave me a Hohner Chromonica back in the 80's and I would like to get an idea of how long he had it before he gave it to me. Don't be afraid. 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. I had a lot of them and you can just take them out and back without any problem several times.