Low-tuned Diatonic Harmonica with Layered, Triple-laminated Bamboo Comb Construction and Conical Lower Cover Design - Key of Low G. $159.99. After WWII this was reduced to seven nails. HOHNER Marine Band Part I - The Original Blues Harmonica $137.00. Many harmonica makers avoid G sharp, which makes these harder to find (and drives the cost up). Originally seven nails were used, but by the mid 1930s this had been increased to eight nails. Its sound is typical for blues, folk, and country, but also pop and rock. 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. Ive literally never met one person who doesnt agree. 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. Thats right: billion with a B. I think its safe to say that they know a thing or two about making harmonicas! Top 10 Best Harmonicas - Music Critic Hohner Marine Band Deluxe Hohner harmonica, upgraded version of the Marine Band Description Product Details Comments Respect the Roots - State of the Art! TheVINTAGEShopBG. The difference between the phonemes /p/ and /b/ in Japanese. Vintage M. Hohner "Marine Band" No. Here's my take on the Hohner Marine Band, which is the #1 best-selling harmonica model of all time. How to learn & play sheet music with diatonic harmonica. The claim REG. 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. If the openings alternate between top and bottom half of the hole, that's cross tuning. A wire brush may score the reeds or comb. The only hohner I've played is the bluesband variation. VTG M. HOHNER MARINE BAND HARMONICA - NO. T&C Although the comb is the same length, the covers have changed substantially. Both our time is valuable. And for dessert, heres avery cool article I found online: How Has the Hohner Marine Band Changed Over the Years? The best thing if you wish to get a good price for it, is to list it on somewhere like eBay with some good photographs and a clear description of it, particularly of any writing that may appear on the harmonica or its box - then cross your fingers and wait for the bidding to start. Get the full low down on the Hohner Special 20. It is also probable that you are now considering emailing me for more information on the possible value of your harmonica. 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. Why do many companies reject expired SSL certificates as bugs in bug bounties? These do not give you any indication of the instrument's age; they are merely the dates various trade awards were given. Here is an example: Later versions of that trademark omit the star. Aside from the boast of U.S.A. PATENT AUG. 24th 1897, the covers on this one seem identical to the previous model, however the combs are very slightly different, the earlier one being 4 1/16 inches long and the later one being 4 1/32 inches. It's a Hohner 260, then. After the Crossover, this is my 2nd favorite Hohner harmonica. It will not be helpful for beginners who really want to learn how to play harmonica. (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); I hope to be helpful to you on your harmonica journeys. VAT Number: GB287764345. This expands the pin/rivet at the ends and compresses the shell together further. Sold out. You can order from his website custom combs for Hohner chromatic harmonicas, ask for restoration and various repair services. or Best Offer. If a law is new but its interpretation is vague, can the courts directly ask the drafters the intent and official interpretation of their law? For more info check out my full review of the Marine Band 1896. Just taking a glance at it will make you feel like you travelled back in time to the early 1900s. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. They are long they will still work. It has a bunch of awards on the bottom. Old herings super 20 were like that too, using rivets. On the upper cover, the wreath is slightly smaller and the placement different, the signature is also smaller and the patent dates are placed more to right than on the 1923 model. Look at the openings inside the round holes, with the slide in the out position (i.e., not pressed in). Cookies I like Sp 20's, Deltas, and Soloist pros. Compare Compare Now site51274741945951115698 1274115056142. This harmonica has a rich and expressive sound that defines what most people think of when they imagine the sound . Sold out. Better quality and sound projection make it a favorite of many bluesmen. Can someone please help me. Thanks for contributing an answer to Music: Practice & Theory Stack Exchange! 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. Add To Cart. Hohner reed plates decoded. After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at Money no object? HOHNER Vintage Harmonicas for sale | eBay Add To Cart. Required fields are marked *. In fact, some harmonica collectors are so eager that I a few years ago watched a couple of them bid more than $40 dollars (plus shipping) for a harp they could have bought brand new from their local music store for a mere $4.95! The revolutionary laminated bamboo comb is completely sealed, making it water repellent and exceptionally stable. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. or Best Offer. The picture above shows the words PATENT APPLIED FOR on the cover, so presumably this 1906 catalog must have used an old illustration. 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! $270.00. The most recent version of the Marine Band case has the design on the top reduced in size once more: Here is the current (as of 2011) label on the bottom of the box: The most recent changes were made around 2011, when sealed combs were introduced. $12.00. 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. Today it is still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first introduced in 1896. The covers still have the lips at the rear opening, but they are no longer flatted against the inside of the covers, which makes the harp much less open at the back. Known for its full tone, wood comb, and its patented cover plates, the Marine Band harmonica was there when harmonica blues was born. Vintage Marine Band No. Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. $25.00 + $5.85 shipping. Or $4/month for 48 months. 1896 model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. However, you are in with a very good chance of inhaling someone else's dried mouth scrapings - that won't kill you, but it's not a very pleasant thought! 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. If you don't take the cover, you can't clean it properly. Cash preferred. If you require a personal response, please use ourContact page. Entdecke "Mundharmonika M-Hohner's 34B ""Old Standby" in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! 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 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. * 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 . We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. It was made in 1896, and it still has the same design. It has been suggested that it was a Star of David and that it was removed because of the Nazis. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. 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. Improved cover design gives greater volume and stability while preventing reed rattle. Registered Company 10370912. Everybody knows it. More on the way soon. Youve got a harmonica very suitable to learn on. Money no object? Heres my Hohner Marine Band 1896 full review. Check your inbox in the next minute or two for your first lesson. Its undisputed. According to a friend who has played marine band for many years, all that he's owned have screws, so this could be a rare model.The rivets could be drilled out and others put in after, but it may be worth checking its value first. That said, the Special 20 uses the Marine Band technology and we prefer the Hohner Special 20 because the plastic comb on the Special 20 doesnt swell over time. The Harmonica Company is the trading name of The Harmonica World Ltd. Check out my full Hohner Golden Melody review. 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. Matthias Hohner is a consummate entrepreneur and businessman. As this is a professional service, there will of course be a fee for it - and I should warn you that in the vast majority of cases, the cost of such an valuation will almost certainly be more than the instrument is worth. Vintage M. Hohner Marine Band Harmonica G | eBay This is probably the question I get asked the most by email and the best answer I can give is that like anything else, an old harmonica is worth whatever someone is willing to pay you for it. The circle with the star has the words GESETLICH and GESCHUTZT in full, instead of the abbreviated forms GESETL. The wood comb sandwiched by the visible edges of the brass reed plates, topped with the stainless steel cover plates is a winning combination. Hohner 125th Anniversary Marine Band Vs. Pre-war Vs. Stock MB - YouTube Hohner from the 19 to the late 19 also produced the Polyphonia No. 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. It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. Be warned: if you email me to ask how much your old harmonica is worth, I will simply reply with a link to this page. From the birth of the blues, the Marine Band 1896 has been a constant musical fixture. (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? Very responsive. Chromonica is a term that Hohner uses for several different ones. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Also the Seydel 1847 models are a bit larger than the Hohner Marine Band harps. Ive literally taught thousands of people how to play the harmonica, and not one beginner who has purchased the Special 20 hasnt loved it. I have never had someone buy a Hohner Special 20 and be disappointed with it. Links, Are you a beginner or struggling to sound good on 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. Her willingness to let me blow into it suggested that maybe many other lips had been on its mouthpiece that same day, so I declined, at which point she said "It's perfectly OK - I've given it a good cleaning" and she put the harp in her mouth and proceeded to blow and draw with great enthusiasm. It is very easy to tell the Marine Band MS from the Classic/Handmade version. Get the full low down on the Hohner Special 20. I've had it 30 years now. Our collection database is a work in progress. You're in! If you are lucky, the pin/rivet is wide enough to replace with a harmonica bolt and flat nut. In that case don't attempt pining the centers of the ends. The Marine Band harp is a result over 100 years of Hohner German craftsmanship. Between 12th and 14th Streets Top-Seller. Tech Specs Scale: Diatonic Blues Key: C Harmonica - cleaning tips? - Everything Else (Music related) Forum Required fields are marked *. How would an amateur easily clean a Hohner Marine Band? Several noted users are Bob Dylan, Brian Jones, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Little Walter and Neil Young. 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. Tubes can be made by rolling some brass foil. 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. They are not pins or rivets.They are small nails. Rivets are hollow-tube pins. 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. Straight tuned. The soft green case is 1960s. Check out my free beginners kick-start course. 1896, W/ ORIGINAL PACKAGING. Your email address will not be published. I once attended one of the UK's biggest antiques and collectibles fairs, hunting for old harps. On very rare occasions, even something which looks to most people like any other old harmonica may be a highly sought after model and a harmonica collector might be eager to take if off your hands. $4.99 shipping. Join 4700+ Successful Harmonica Jamz students - Play any Song and Jam with Other Musicians, Your email address will not be published. The Hohner Marine Band 1896 classic harmonica is the original blues harp. Next, whether it's a solid pin or hollow tube, tap it in the center with a center punch or large nail. Ready to suffer a little for your blues? Your email address will not be published. For example, a brand new Hohner Marine Band that rolled off the production line last week will still feature medals with the dates 1871, 1873, 1876 and 1881. Honestly, though, I rarely play this instrument because the others are SO much more comfy, and still sound really good. If money isnt tight and youre the kind of person who likes the best of the best, then go for the Crossover! 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. Although the covers are still lipped at the rear, the opening is noticeably wider. 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. 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. 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. The star vanished during the Nazi era and has never returned. How should I clean my fingerboard without damaging my violin? Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. $ 84 .99. If you want to learn more check out my full Special 20 Review. I always hear that the hohner marine Band is considered the best harmonica and almost God like. The biggest health risk is when you share a harmonica with someone within moments of it being used by the other person. 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! C. $19.99. A two-part hollow tube would definitely be called a rivet, but you're unlikely to find those on harmonicas. How should I deal with enharmonics on the Chromatic Harmonica? Ready to suffer a little for your blues? Super 64X (7584) Reed Plate Set. Does a barbarian benefit from the fast movement ability while wearing medium armor? The Hohner Pentaharp isnt actually one of my favorite Hohner harmonicas, but it is one of their newest offerings, so I thought it would be cool to check it out and tell you about it. 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. What can a lawyer do if the client wants him to be acquitted of everything despite serious evidence? For a clunky but functional hack, even a steel brad will work. Once the harp has had the chance to dry out thoroughly, there is relatively little danger of any communicable diseases being passed on. Up until the mid 1970s, the Marine Band was not officially distributed outside of the US, but upon being given worldwide distribution, the US address was removed from the lower label and the purchaser was advised "Ask your dealer or Hohner distributor". 1896 model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. It only takes a minute to sign up. For more, you can check out my full review of the Hohner Blues Band. Lets get down to business. Harmonica Parts - Screws & Fasteners - Hohner Shop Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. But they are not professional quality instruments like Special 20s. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. If youre looking at an outdated forum, you might see people complaining about Marine Bands not bending well out of the box. Probably any small tweezers or files would do - probably a cosmetic set would have the right tools. Even though many of them were quickly consigned to the garbage by parents with headaches, there are still a lot of them out there in boxes of unwanted toys, belongings of deceased relatives, junk stores and so on. If it's a pin, hammer the other side till it squeezes against the harmonica shell. Enter your email address and hit Grab It to get started. Its design has changed quite a bit over the last century and I have attempted here to draw up a chronology of its evolution. And just like automobiles and watches, when it comes to harmonicas, Germany is synonymous with quality as well. My name's Cooper, I'm 28 and I'm a musician based in Tel Aviv, working with other artists as a harmonica player, guitarist and pianist. Any way to know how old your harmonica is? | Blues Harmonica That means its less comfy than a plastic combed harmonica like a Special 20. Unlike the 1896, the 364 is easy to take apart and adjust. Special Financing - Ends Jan 1, 2024. . 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). Hohner Marine - in Chicago, IL - Shoppok Compare. Which Hohner Harmonica is the Best? - My Top 5 Hohner Harps Only one problem: why in the world are there soooo many different Hohner harps to choose from? Privacy I've never had one and was looking on the market for one but I'm having second thoughts. SPONSORED. It's not difficult so long as you use copper or brass which are soft. Wow! I guess if youre saving $20 getting a Blues Harp instead of a Marine Band, and youre on a tight budget, go for it. Reed plate edges and channel openings with new Ultraglide coating are rounded off for greater playing comfort. Translated: 1-216-1011018/1 is the article number. The Hohner Golden Melody is a bit larger than the Hohner Special 20. More on the way soon. PATENT AUG 24TH 1897MADE IN GERMANY. This is the quintessential blues harmonica from the Chicago Blues Era. The trademark has more subtle changes. All Hohner harmonicas had 4-digit date stamps on the reedplates from 2005 until about two years ago. 5 out of 5 stars (895) The 364 has 24 reeds, giving it a better note range. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Contact 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. The Harmonica Company is the trading name of The Harmonica World Ltd. Today its still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first produced in 1896. "Mundharmonika M-Hohner's 34B ""Old Standby" | eBay HOHNERU.S.A. This time, the Marine Band Harmonica. The awards have always been on the bottom cover. Hohner Silver Concerto Chromatic Harmonica. All parts are thoroughly cleaned & sterilised before custom work is done. 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. 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. The wooden comb, and the edge of the reedplate that is exposed between the coverplates and the comb, both help to make this harmonica very rough on the lips when played for long periods of time. It responds quickly to blows and draws alike, just as you would hope it would. Sponsored. Yes, they are the original harmonica that all the old blues masters played. The harp also has a much slimmer profile top to bottom than previous versions. A Hohner catalog from 1902 shows the 1896 model with the name Marine Band and the familiar picture of Matthias Hohner on the cover, also with the words PATENT APPLIED FOR, even though the accompanying caption clearly states Patented August 24th 1897: For what it is worth, the name Marine Band was registered with the German Trademark Office as DRWZ 14708 in 1896 (the application was made January 30th and granted March 13th) and with the United States Patent and Trademark Office as Trade-Mark 28,228 (application filed March 21st and granted May 5th). The bottom of the box and the inside of the lid are also different. In 2015, Sotheby's sold a rather battered Hohner Vest Pocket Harp, something that would normally struggle to fetch a few dollars on eBay, for a whopping 4,000 - about $5,425! Do new devs get fired if they can't solve a certain bug? Hohner 1896 Marine Band Harmonica Key of B (NO BOX) $39.99 10% Off $35.99 Used - Mint Free Shipping Hohner 1896BX-FSHRP Marine Band 1896 Classic Harmonica - Key of C $45.50 Brand New Free Shipping Hohner 1896BX-A Marine Band 1896 Classic Harmonica - Key of A (Small Business) $46.99 Brand New Free Shipping (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); Heres my take on the Hohner Marine Band, which is the #1 best-sellingharmonica model of all time. One thing that can really boost the value of an otherwise ordinary harmonica is if it has been used by someone famous. We accept major credit cards and PayPal. Why is there a voltage on my HDMI and coaxial cables? The brass reeds and wood comb give it that beautiful woody tone that, in my opinion, just cant be beat. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online. 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. Accessioned with original cardboard box. Harmonica Construction and its Effects on Sound and Feel. Seller 99.6% positive. The 1896 model first appeared in the year 1896, but back then it seems to have been called the Marine Orchestra. How do I clean my harmonica without taking it apart? I do not want to have to be a mechanic to play a harp. P4 A-440 Germany Vocal Old Style with Box. Ending Today at 5:24PM GMT 16h 54m. Pickup near South Perth in Kensington. If it needs more than that you have to take it apart, and it's held together with nails, which is a pain. 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. If you are really wanting to learn the harmonica, I DO NOT recommend that you purchase the Pentaharp because it is SO DIFFERENT from a regular harmonica. $34.99. How do I clean my harmonica without taking it apart? 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. Compare. To have a look please message me. Just to confuse matters even further, the model number 1896 was also applied to similar harmonicas with different names, aimed at different markets. 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. I will require that you send the instrument to me, paying for the shipping and insurance each way. If you get it wet enough for the comb to expand (by dunking it in water) the wood may not even dry back to its original size. If you're looking to emulate that old "woody" tone authentically at any cost, then look no further! Cookies How Has the Hohner Marine Band Changed Over the Years? However, I have since learned that this is by no means an uncommon specimen. Hohner Harmonicas | Guitar Center ate 1970s), and the Super 64x version (1980s). 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 its especially good for playing single notes in tune. 20K subscribers HOHNER Marine Band When Jacob HOHNER registered his new harmonica design at the US Patent Office on January 30th, 1896, he did not understand the impact it was to have on. How are they compared to other harmonicas too? Hohner MS Replacement Reed Plates - Harp Surgery My preference. There were also a few changes to the box around the time of WWII.