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. I will require that you send the instrument to me, paying for the shipping and insurance each way. 3. 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. Screws to replace Marine Band nails. Does a barbarian benefit from the fast movement ability while wearing medium armor? If youre looking for a traditional blues harp to play Muddy, Walter (s), Sonny Terry Ted and dont customise, this is it. 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. The Hohner company has produced more than forty different models bearing the name Marine Band over the years, ranging from simple Richter diatonics with twenty reeds, to huge multiple tremolo instruments with almost almost two hundred reeds and all sizes and types in between. Visit the IIIF page to learn more. 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! How Has the Hohner Marine Band Changed Over the Years? The harp also has a much slimmer profile top to bottom than previous versions. The Pentaharp was specifically designed for guitar players, and its tuning is laid out totally differently from a regular harmonica. Check out my full Hohner Golden Melody review. 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. Together, they are capable of playing 48 chords. Those may not be available though, and rivet pins are easy enough to make anyhow. Registered Company 10370912. The covers now have a substantial lip at the rear opening and the cutouts at the end of each cover are slightly smaller. Help Your email address will not be published. Want to up your single note game? Do this on both sides. Thanks for all that. The only hohner I've played is the bluesband variation. Played by iconic figures such as Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, and Bob Dylan, it remains the top choice for the top professional, as well as aspiring musicians around the globe. Id think twice before purchasing a Blues Bender. it won't stick to its place. 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." (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 current version of the Blues Harp is part of Hohner's Modular Series and was introduced in the 1990s. Its undisputed. 5 out of 5 stars (895) They are not pins or rivets.They are small nails. The 270 has always had a wood comb with nailed-on reedplates. Hey good people out there. Today its still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first produced in 1896. I have never seen any actual physical examples of this stage in its evolution, but here is a picture from an 1896 catalog of the William Tonk and Bro. 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. The price is about 35-40$ which is the most common price range for good harmonicas for everybody from straight up first-time harmonica players to professionals that record with it and play live. Categories: Diatonic Harmonica, Harmonicas, Hohner, Manufacturer, Tags: Diatonic, Harmonica, Hohner, Marine Band Deluxe. There is a commonly held belief (not completely without basis in fact) that Hohner harmonicas made before WWII are better than more recent ones. Which model is it? 3 comments. Hohner Blues Harp Harmonica Review + Video: Bold & Powerful, Hohner Pro Harp Review: the Black & Gold Brother of the Fantastic Blues Harp, Harmonicas: 13 Super-Fun Facts You Never Knew About Them, Join 4700+ Successful Harmonica Jamz students - Play any Song and Jam with Other Musicians. Special Financing - Ends Jan 1, 2024. Do you have the box or case for it? 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. 4.2/5 Stars Total. All Need Adjustment Cleaning Polishing & Lots of TLC3. I play it in its Richter tuning and Natural Minor tuning and it is fantastics, Your email address will not be published. It was made in 1896, and it still has the same design. 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. Known for its full tone, wood comb, and its patented cover plates, the Marine Band harmonica was there when harmonica blues was born. 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. If you require a personal response, please use ourContact page. 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. Low-tuned Diatonic Harmonica with Layered, Triple-laminated Bamboo Comb Construction and Conical Lower Cover Design - Key of Low G. $159.99. If you think you've found a valuable old treasure in the attic, it's likely that you are going to be disappointed. Old harmonicas which have pins or rivets typically have pear-wood combs however, and soaking them is not advisable. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. 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 instrument is basically a Marine Band with Marine band Just intonation with improvements such as a sealed comb, screws instead of nails, open covers and comes with a semi solid zipper case. Look at the openings inside the round holes, with the slide in the out position (i.e., not pressed in). Many brands of harmonica have little medals engraved on the covers with various dates on them. 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. Even some fairly common harmonicas may be considered collectible by some people. 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). the marine band is my active instrument and the thing is, i don't want to mess with the tuning, i don't know how to retunne, it's not like the guitar, you can't use a metronome right? The 364 has 24 reeds, giving it a better note range. The cut-outs at the ends of the covers are taller, but not as wide as on the previous example. In my opinion, the Fender Blues Deluxe is a better purchase in the budget harmonica category, even though its a few bucks more. $12.00. Categories: Diatonic Harmonica, Harmonicas, Hohner, Manufacturer, Tags: 1896 classic, Diatonic, Harmonica, Hohner, Marine Band. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Completely assembled with screws for easy maintenance. They are 23 inches long, and each chord takes up 4 holes. Check out the spotlight post from our host Dave Stutts. The labels on the inside of the lid and bottom of the box were unchanged from earlier versions. You're in! These sound great in a more chordal folk style as well. The brass reeds and wood comb give it that beautiful woody tone that, in my opinion, just cant be beat. One thing that can really boost the value of an otherwise ordinary harmonica is if it has been used by someone famous. Do i have to use a hammer? Hohner Marine Band Harmonica Features at a Glance: Classic blues sound Key of C (diatonic) Number one choice of top professionals Full tone and wood comb Reeds: 20 Reedplates: Brass Comb: Pearwood Pick up a Hohner Marine Band harmonica and embrace the tradition of blues and rock history! Vintage HOHNER Tombo PeeWee Harmonica Collection Lee Oskar Marine Band Golden Melody Old Standby Professional 2016 1. ate 1970s), and the Super 64x version (1980s). If you have a very good condition old Hohner Marine Band, or 64 Chromonica, then there could be a player prepared to pay a reasonable price for it. A limit involving the quotient of two sums. Learn how your comment data is processed. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. 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. Here's a folder containing all the photos that you may want to see. I've never had one and was looking on the market for one but I'm having second thoughts. P4 A-440 Germany Vocal Old Style with Box. If it is in impeccable condition and has its original box, then it is probably worth even more. Accessioned with original cardboard box. HOHNERU.S.A. It felt to me like the edges of the reed plates were also adding to the discomfort. Improved cover design gives greater volume and stability while preventing reed rattle. 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. Thats why its one of my top recommended harps, along with Lee Oskar, as you can see in my article Which Harmonica to Buy for Beginners. Rivets and pins are essentially the same thing. I've had it 30 years now. Hohner Special 20 Marine Band Harmonica Key of F Germany T. $11.40. 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. I once attended one of the UK's biggest antiques and collectibles fairs, hunting for old harps. Looking for an amazing bang-for buck harp? However, it is impossible to make an fair estimate of the value of an instrument without seeing it. It is also probable that you are now considering emailing me for more information on the possible value of your harmonica. The Hohner Marine Band 1896 Classic harmonica is the original blues harmonica. T&C These do not give you any indication of the instrument's age; they are merely the dates various trade awards were given. Check out my free beginners kick-start course. All this has changed. Guitarist? 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. 1 bid. PATENT AUG 24TH 1897MADE IN GERMANY. (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); Pickup near South Perth in Kensington. Discover the Worlds Finest Harmonica Learning Method . How can a harmonica make some different sounds? How Old Is My Hohner Marine Band Harmonica. Lets get down to business. Cheers! Is the Hohner Special 20 Any Good? 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). In the 1980s they were using six nails for the lower reedplate (although I have also seen a few examples that only used five nails on each reedplate). Harmonica Construction and its Effects on Sound and Feel. $137.00. (I go into some detail about the changes of the Hohner Marine Band model on this page.) Most of what makes these so expensive is the cost of materials and making it a G sharp harmonica. Unlike the 1896, the 364 is easy to take apart and adjust. If youre looking to emulate that old woody tone authentically at any cost, then look no further! 1 - Its a standard, 10 hole, diatonic, in C. 2 - 30 for a top-quality, German made musical instrument 3 - Wood is one of my favorite materials, and of course, the marine band is made of wood (well part of it) 4 - Hand-built, i love special things that aren't made by machine, it gives an extra sense, an extra connection to the person who built it (So you can dip your toes in the water without breaking the bank.) This harmonica was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. It is a Marine Band No. I always enjoy playing different tunings. 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. Of course, the tradeoff is comfort, but for tone, the Marine Band 1896 easily gets 5/5 Stars. It is a Marine Band No. More on the way soon. Clean. Cant do so, I tried talking one off but i couldn't put it back. There are some models of Hohner harmonicas that I do NOT recommend getting. The Hohner Old Standby Harmonica will get through, whether 're riding high, singing the blues, or just waiting on a train. 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. A couple of days later I got around taking it apart to clean it. Hohner used various trademarks over the years, but a particularly common one was a circle being held by two hands. This one is probably from some time in the mid-1920s: The harmonica is slightly smaller than the preceding specimens, measuring 4" x 1", with the mild steel covers 2/3" deep at the front, and 3/4" at rear. It is very easy to tell the Marine Band MS from the Classic/Handmade version. An iconic harp with pear wood, side vents, excellent responisveness, and distinct timbre. It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. 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. African American History Curatorial Collective, Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments. Vintage Harmonica Hohner Marine Band 1896 Key Harp M40. Photo courtesy of InterstateMusic.com. Chromonica 260 Reed Plate Set Key C Major. Then in the mid to late 1990s, at the same time as Hohner retooled and made dramatic improvements to the tolerances between reed and reedplate, they went back to using seven nails for both reedplates and also added a production code stamped into the reedplate. 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. Legendary Hohner Marine Band Harp. To get the best out of our site and for it to function correct, please read, accept and understand our 'Cookies Policy'. How do I clean my harmonica without taking it apart? After pressing the pin/rivet through, set the bottom side of the pin on an anvil (any raised piece of metal like a meat tenderizer or side of some pliers). I don't want to reopen a closed question and it is unethical to unaccept the accepted answer, it was a good one but now i need different answers, new situation. 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. Not the case today. 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. I cannot provide free appraisals by email, not even rough estimates, so please don't ask. C. $19.99. Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. One change that is easier to spot is the number of nails used to secure the lower reedplate. Ending Today at 5:24PM GMT 16h 54m. 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. Dont worry, Im here to help. Chillin on a nice afternoon while sending the Marine Band sounds out the window. The answer, of course, is for comfort! What can a lawyer do if the client wants him to be acquitted of everything despite serious evidence? Thanks for contributing an answer to Music: Practice & Theory Stack Exchange! This harmonica features U.S. Patent #588920 for an improvement in mouth-harmonicas, submitted by Jacob Hohner. This next one probably dates from the late 1920s: The only significant difference between this one and the previous model, is that cuffs in the trademark have lost their jagged ends. 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 From the birth of the blues, the Marine Band 1896 has been a constant musical fixture. It will not be helpful for beginners who really want to learn how to play harmonica. Hohner Golden Melody Review + Video: The Pretty Lady in Red. Until about 1955 16-holers were straight-tuned, afer which they were cross-tuned. or Best Offer. Here's my take on the Hohner Marine Band, which is the #1 best-selling harmonica model of all time. This has also lead to some more small changes in the engraving of the covers. 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. How to clean a marine band harmonica that cannot be unscrewed? Washington, D.C. Email powered by MailChimp (Privacy Policy & Terms of Use), International Media Interoperability Framework. All parts are thoroughly cleaned & sterilised before custom work is done. Many harmonica makers avoid G sharp, which makes these harder to find (and drives the cost up). This is the quintessential blues harmonica from the Chicago Blues Era. After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at Vintage Marine Band No. Now I have this marine band, you have to see to believe! Im working my way through every key to fill my harp case. SPONSORED. But if youre only saving $5 or $10, Id say, just save up and get the Marine Band. 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. 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. 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. You're in! Money no object? Cover Plate Support - Super Chromonica, 12-hole Style. 5/5 Stars. The 1896 model first appeared in the year 1896, but back then it seems to have been called the Marine Orchestra. Based on my decades of teaching n playing harmonica, these are the very best Hohner has to offer, in my humble opinion: If youre the sort of person who likes to have the very best of everything, and money is no object, then the Hohner Crossover is for you. Why are Suriname, Belize, and Guinea-Bissau classified as "Small Island Developing States"? Once the harp has had the chance to dry out thoroughly, there is relatively little danger of any communicable diseases being passed on. 2009 - 2022 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com. These reviews are strictly based on my own experience and opinions. Matthias Hohner is a consummate entrepreneur and businessman. if you hold the instrument with the low notes to the left, Herr Hohner's portrait is on the lower cover. It's not difficult so long as you use copper or brass which are soft. To get the best out of our site and for it to function correct, please read, accept and understand our 'Cookies Policy'. Straight tuned. HOHNER Tombo PeeWee Harmonica Lee Oskar Marine Band Golden Melody Old $240. The revolutionary laminated bamboo comb is completely sealed, making it water repellent and exceptionally stable. Seller 99.6% positive. A really tough one. 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. I had a lot of them and you can just take them out and back without any problem several times. C $135.09. In the US filing, they claim that Marine Band had been in continuous use since January 30th, 1896. I guess if youre saving $20 getting a Blues Harp instead of a Marine Band, and youre on a tight budget, go for it. The Hohner Marine Band 1896 classic harmonica is the original blues harp. 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,. 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. Co. of New York: The covers on this instrument are "upside down" compared with the current incarnation of the Marine Band, ie. 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. and GESCH. Full Disclosure: Not All Hohner Harmonicas Are Created Equal! 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. It's still sitting in a Mason Jar in my shop. All these models have been in production for over 20 years. Hohner Hot Metal Harmonica $ 17.99 Select options; Hohner Marine Band 364/24 Soloist Harmonica $ 79.00 Add to cart If it don't have little screws, don't take it apart, leave it alone. I've never messed with a Marine Band, but I hear they are quite small. In fact, one of the main reasons that Hohner developed their Special 20 and Crossover model harmonicas was to address the comfort issue. The Marine Band harp is a result over 100 years of Hohner German craftsmanship. T&C Entdecke "Mundharmonika M-Hohner's 34B ""Old Standby" in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Although the covers are still lipped at the rear, the opening is noticeably wider. 1896 Harmonica Made in Germany by M. Hohner with Box. The wood comb sandwiched by the visible edges of the brass reed plates, topped with the stainless steel cover plates is a winning combination. 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! If you have a very good condition old Hohner Marine Band, or 64 Chromonica, then there could be a player prepared to pay a reasonable price for it. I had a lot of them and you can just take them out and back without any problem several times. Constitution Avenue, NW A longtime favorite of many country artists, the model 34B Old Standby is always ready to express spontaneous musical soul. The Marine Band is the standard. Thats right: billion with a B. I think its safe to say that they know a thing or two about making harmonicas! there is no model on the harmonica itself, but the case says it is a c260. Very responsive. Tech Specs Scale: Diatonic Blues Key: C The lower label now gives the address as M Hohner Inc., New York City and offers a free instruction book and the inside label brags that the harmonica has been "scientifically tested". 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. C, A, A Flat, B, B Flat, D, D Flat, E, E Flat, F, G. 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. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. Its got a loud bright tone, its easy on the lips, very responsive, very easy to bend and its very EXPENSIVE! 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. Figuring out the age of a harmonica is by no means easy, nor is it always relevant to the value of the instrument. As I mentioned at the start of this article, there have been many other models made with the name Marine Band. 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! The difference between the phonemes /p/ and /b/ in Japanese. Ronnie Shellist of Hohner harmonicas giving us an expert look at the Marine Band Series of harmonicas. 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. Acidity of alcohols and basicity of amines. Anyway, I tried unscrewing it, and one of the rivets fell off, you can see that in the pictures, and therefore I cannot take the plate off, I could break it but will never be able to reassemble it.