The Hohner Marine Band 1896 Classic harmonica is the original blues harmonica. Today it is still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first introduced in 1896. 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. Assembled with 3 reed plate screws and 4 cover screws to maximize air tightness and facilitate maintenance. Less air-loss due to fine-cut reed plates - optimised flatness and extremely small tolerances between reed and reed plate The Marine Band Thunderbird is a model of low and super-low pitched 10-hole diatonic harmonica that was introduced in 2011. It possesses a bamboo comb like the Crossover, and a conical shaped lower cover plate. Designed by noted harmonica player and customizer Joe Filisko, this plate helps reduce any rattle caused by the low frequency tone produced by the reeds. It is available in low major keys A through F, as well as low B-flat and E-flat, and double-low F. [12] The Blues Harp has been around since the early 1970s. Until the 1990s, it was functionally identical to the Marine Band, the only differences being the cover plates and the varnish on the front of the wood comb, and the Blues Harp's profile was thinner as well. At one point, Johnny Cash promoted the Blues Harp. [18] In the 1990s, Hohner made the Blues Harp part of its Modular System (MS) line. This new Blues Harp lost its uniqueness, and is interchangeable with the other models in the MS line, but it currently remains the standby of many players who use MS harps.

Verdict– The Hohner Marine Band 1896 is the classic harmonica played by old Blues greats like Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Litter Walter. If you’re looking to emulate that old “woody” tone authentically at any cost, then look no further! Just bear in mind that you’ll have to sacrifice the comfort that other modern alternatives can provide. 4.2/5 Stars Total.

Crossover

During the American Civil War, Matthias Hohner distributed harmonicas to family members in the United States who in turn gave them to the soldiers. [3] Classical harmonica player Larry Adler had his own harmonica series, still produced by the company, which were chromatic with either 12 or 16 holes. [43] Toots Thielemans [ edit ] The first serial production harmonica with rounded comb sides, edges, and corners for maximum comfort. The most popular models are either single-sided or double-sided Echo harps, but the single-sided ones can be combined into quadruple or sextuple 'corncob' setups, with a different key on each row. Guitars were produced under the Hohner name from the late 1950s until around 2015 when the company withdrew from the guitar market. During that period, guitars were commissioned or designed by several of the Hohner companies including those in Germany, USA, United Kingdom and France.

Bendability– Both the draw bends and the blow bends on this harmonica were very easy to execute and control with precision. If you’re looking at an outdated forum, you might see people complaining about Marine Bands not bending well out of the box. Not the case today. I pulled out this Marine Band 1896, and the thing bends like a champ! 5/5 Stars.Sano tube amplifiers, acoustic guitars, bass guitars, electric guitars". www.guitar-list.com . Retrieved 2023-01-15. Golden Melody, designed by Frank and Cham-Ber Huang, has a curved shape. This German-made, plastic-comb model has a slightly different tuning ( equal temperament) than other diatonic harmonicas, making the Golden Melody better suited for playing single-note melodies and solos. [25] The 64 Chromonica is a four-full-octave harmonica in the key of C. With 64 reeds on a plastic comb, it boasts an extra octave below the middle-C note, giving it an accentuated versatility. [39] Hohner Musikinstrumente GmbH & Co. KG - The Bob Dylan Collection". Hohnerusa.com . Retrieved 2010-03-19.

To mark the 125th anniversary of the most iconic harmonica model of all time – the Hohner Marine Band - Hohner is releasing a special limited edition replica of the instrument that shaped the music of legends like Little Walter or Sonny Terry and is still synonymous with blues harmonica today in 2021. Only 125 will be sold worldwide. Jazz player Toots Thielemans also has a chromatic harmonica line with two types being Mellow Tone (for classical material) and Hard Bopper (for contemporary material). [44] Stevie Wonder [ edit ] From the 1940s through 1990s, the company also manufactured various electric/electronic keyboards. Especially in the 1960s and 1990s, they manufactured a range of innovative and popular electromechanical keyboard instruments; the cembalet, pianet, basset, guitaret, and clavinet. In the 1980s, several Casio synthesizers (such as the Casio HT-3000/Hohner KS61midi and the VZ-1/HS-2) were sold under the Hohner brand. Keys availableThe Seydel 1847 classic harmonica was the first mass-produced Richter diatonic harmonica with stainless steel reeds. The 1847 classic is the result of Seydel's 160-year of experience in manufacturing high-quality harmonicas. This Seydel blues harp fits all the traditional demands as well as being impressively innovative. As one of the first production musical instruments with a celebrity endorsement, the Marine Band 1896 may just be the longest running serial production instrument models in history. Matthias Hohner was the consummate businessman and marketer. He saw an opportunity with John Philip Souza and his popular Marine Band, so much so that Souza was offered an endorsement and his image remains on the case to this day. Marine Band Harmonica HistoryThe Marine Band Soloist (364s) is the same as a twelve-hole chromatic harmonica without a button. Available in key of C. [15] Beard and lip friendly - cover plates with rounded edges without any cuts at the mouthpiece and ergonomic built hole openings and rounded dividers Hohner Musikinstrumente GmbH & Co. KG - Steven Tyler Signature Series". Hohnerusa.com . Retrieved 2010-03-19. a b c "Hohner Electravox N General Servicing Instructions". Manualslib.com . Retrieved 26 August 2019. The Marine Band Crossover also features the same reeds, but is made on a bamboo comb that is water repellent. [11]

Matthias Karl Hohner, son of Dipl.-Ing. Matthias Hohner [ de] and a direct descendant in fourth generation and name bearer of the founder Matthias Hohner [ de], was one of the last members of the Hohner dynasty involved in managing the family business, between 1968 and 1986. His son Matthias Francisco Hohner belonged to the first generation of direct descendants who did not enter into the family business. Many direct descendants of the founder are still active as members of the "Deutsches Harmonika Museum" and the "Hohner'sche Familienverein". The Chromonica, no longer in production, contained forty reeds and played 2½ full chromatic octaves. This was the original Hohner chromatic model, available until recently in C or G. [32] The Discovery 48 an entry level chromatic harmonica, aimed at beginners. Contains forty-eight reeds featuring full length cover plates, the same 1.2mm reeds found in the deluxe and a reversible mouth piece.The Meisterklasse chromatic is a very high-end model (7565). It is Hohner's premium 14-hole chromatic (56 notes). Like its diatonic sibling, it features an anodized aluminum comb, and chrome-plated brass cover plates and mouthpiece. [42] The cover plates extend the length of the comb. Essentially, it looks like a bigger version of the original diatonic Meisterklasse introduced in the 1980s (but which was later revised for the MS series reed plates).