BluesHarmonica.com. Washington, D.C. Email powered by MailChimp (Privacy Policy & Terms of Use), International Media Interoperability Framework. medals, single circles around ULM and STUTTGART medals. It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. 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. Not the case today. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online. The trademark has more subtle changes. Ready to suffer a little for your blues? 1896 Key Of A Original HARD CASE | Musical Instruments & Gear, Vintage Musical Instruments, Vintage Wind & Woodwind | 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. Fast shipping. 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. The claim REG. Of course, the tradeoff is comfort, but for tone, the Marine Band 1896 easily gets 5/5 Stars. Check out my full Hohner Golden Melody review. 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. Hohner's Marine Band 1896 is the archetypal blues harmonica. Improved cover design gives greater volume and stability while preventing reed rattle. If you think you've found a valuable old treasure in the attic, it's likely that you are going to be disappointed. The revolutionary laminated bamboo comb is completely sealed, making it water repellent and exceptionally stable. Anyway, they now seem to be making a better sound than before. and GESCH. The 280 went from nailed-on wood (up until the early 1950s), then pinkish-borwn plastic with drift pins (1950s to about 1980), to screwed-on black (up to the present). From Germany Japan & Occupied Japan2. If you already own a Hohner Blues Harp or a Hohner Big River harmonica, and youre wondering if its a good harmonica to learn on: fear not, youre in great shape. Here we have a second Hohner product. Clicking on the links under each picture will open new windows with close-ups of various parts of each instrument. The instruments, held together with nails, were hard to get apart, hard to get back together. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Check out my free beginners kick-start course. How should I deal with enharmonics on the Chromatic Harmonica? To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. It is probable that you found this page with a search engine, as you sit at your computer with an old harmonica in your lap, curious as to how much it is worth. One change that is easier to spot is the number of nails used to secure the lower reedplate. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. 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. (I go into some detail about the changes of the Hohner Marine Band model on this page.) Hohner registered the name Up To Date as DRWZ 16213 later that same year (application made March 38th, granted May 5th) and trademarked the number 1896 with the USPTO in 1902 (Trade-Mark 38,458, filed May 16th, granted June 17th). The current version of the Blues Harp is part of Hohner's Modular Series and was introduced in the 1990s. This harmonica has a light brown and black stained wooden comb with metal cover plates screwed to top and bottom. 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. Its responsive, its got a great bluesy tone, and its one of the easiest harmonicas on which to learn how to bend notes. Today its still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first produced in 1896. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Contact Please message me if you are going to be more than 15 minutes late or not coming. Required fields are marked *. Heres my Hohner Marine Band 1896 full review. For more info check out my full review of the Marine Band 1896. 18.80 postage. A longtime favorite of many country artists, the model 34B Old Standby is always ready to express spontaneous musical soul. I've never had one and was looking on the market for one but I'm having second thoughts. Don't be afraid. The Marine Band Deluxe brings the incomparable sound of the Marine Band 1896 into the 21st century with a variety of improvements which optimise handling and ensure greater volume and faster response, while retaining the rich and powerful Hohnersound. Figuring out the age of a harmonica is by no means easy, nor is it always relevant to the value of the instrument. Can someone please help me. Now I have this marine band, you have to see to believe! 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. rev2023.3.3.43278. It's a 10 hole. The low monthly subscription of $16.95 gives you full access! 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. The awards have always been on the bottom cover. Blues harp - not a bad harp. Pins can be made either by flat filing the pointy tip off brass upholstery brads (hold it with pliers) or by balling the end of some copper wire over a gas stove. Also the comb is now shorter than any of the previous models, a fraction under 4 inches long. I've discussed that subject before, and you all insisted that i have to unscrew it. Until about 1955 16-holers were straight-tuned, afer which they were cross-tuned. But if youre only saving $5 or $10, Id say, just save up and get the Marine Band. I play it in its Richter tuning and Natural Minor tuning and it is fantastics, Your email address will not be published. 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. Listed: 3 years ago Views: 227 Watchers: 1 About This Listing 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. Also, hole numbers appear on the upper cover for the first time. It is a Marine Band No. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Constitution Avenue, NW HOHNERU.S.A. 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. 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. M.Hohner Vtg The Echo Harp Germany Bell Metal Reeds Box Harmonica. The Hohner Marine Band 1896 classic harmonica is the original blues harp. The MS version is noticeably larger, about 4 1/16th inches by 1 1/16th inches, with a much thicker profile. Also, numbers such as 270, 365, or 34B do not indicate that the item was part of a limited edition (as I have seen suggested on various online auctions) they merely indicate the catalog number of that particular model. 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. More on the way soon. To have a look please message me. Better quality and sound projection make it a favorite of many bluesmen. Accessioned with original cardboard box. Heres my take on the Hohner Marine Band, which is the #1 best-sellingharmonica model of all time. The top is pretty plain. Today it is still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first introduced in 1896. 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. Although the WIEN medals keep their single circle outline, there is a partial circle of dots inside this outline. Registered Company 10370912. or Best Offer. Whats not to love? It's a Hohner 260, then. The A440 is a little bigger than before and the key on the right tab of the upper cover is now stamped into the metal, rather than engraved. 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. I think its well worth the extra money. Do you have the box or case for it? Free shipping for many products! 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". Screws to replace Marine Band nails. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. But they are not professional quality instruments like Special 20s. Compare Compare Now site51274741945951115698 1274115056142. 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. Compare. 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. How can a harmonica make some different sounds? More significant is the introduction of a groove towards the front of each reedplate to accept the front edge of the covers. Post a comment below. Its a total classic. 3 comments. Unlike many of the other contestants on this list, this harmonica comes in a custom, vintage-design case. SKU: HMB1C The six point star in the middle of the trademark is slightly larger and there are doubled circles around the WIEN and PHILAD. Postage is at cost. What can a lawyer do if the client wants him to be acquitted of everything despite serious evidence? 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 size difference is not big but it is bigger. Nevertheless, it is THE CLASSIC harmonica. IF THE ADD IS UP IT'S AVAILABLE. Your harmonica will survive. $12.00. VTG M. HOHNER MARINE BAND HARMONICA - NO. The concept failed and is often frowned upon by professional 48 chord players. there is no model on the harmonica itself, but the case says it is a c260. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. 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). Vintage Marine Band No. 12.56. If youre looking at an outdated forum, you might see people complaining about Marine Bands not bending well out of the box. My speculation is that the Marine Band 1896 is a relic, long ago surpassed by better thinking and better materials, and maintained in production only to please purists and romanticizers. Ronnie Shellist of Hohner harmonicas giving us an expert look at the Marine Band Series of harmonicas. All Hohner harmonicas had 4-digit date stamps on the reedplates from 2005 until about two years ago. 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? 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). Cover Plate Support - Super Chromonica, 12-hole Style. Your email address will not be published. If youre wanting to get a wooden-combed harmonica, I recommend that you just get the tried-and-true original, the Marine Band (or, if you can afford it, the Crossover which is much comfier on the lips with its triple-lacquered bamboo comb). 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. More on the way soon. 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. The brass reeds and wood comb give it that beautiful woody tone that, in my opinion, just cant be beat. The reed plate is 0.9 mm thick with a stainless steel cover plate. I had a lot of them and you can just take them out and back without any problem several times. Just bear in mind that youll have to sacrifice the comfort that other modern alternatives can provide. 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. Enter your email address and hit Grab It to get started. 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. I imagine that's an inventory number. Don't be afraid. I've had it 30 years now. But is the standard actually that good? The difference between the phonemes /p/ and /b/ in Japanese. (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? $54.95 + $5.75 shipping. 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. How are they compared to other harmonicas too? The rear of the covers still have the lipped edges, but these lips have been folded back against the inside of the covers. The hands and the star are just slightly different from the previous version and the WIEN and PHILAD. Hohners main Chord is known as the Hohner 48, because it plays 48 chords. Compare. One fairly reliable way get some idea of the age of certain Hohner models is by the trademark on the cover. This is the quintessential blues harmonica from the Chicago Blues Era. 8, which played 36 blow-only chords, in three rows. Check your inbox in the next minute or two for your first lesson. you have to use your ear and i'm not trained enough to know the right tune for each hole, i don't know flip jers, but he seems very professional, he could retune 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! Hohner has established themselves as the go-to brand for harmonicas rightly so high quality harps, for a fair price, that play well. The Hohner Marine Band 1896 Classic harmonica is the original blues harmonica. This attractive and robust instrument is a quality staple for beginners and a sure performer for seasoned veterans. Cash preferred. This is most notable with the circle in the middle of the trademark, which is now oval rather than being perfectly circular. Many harmonica makers avoid G sharp, which makes these harder to find (and drives the cost up). One of the easiest harmonicas in the world for bending. I have never had someone buy a Hohner Special 20 and be disappointed with it. Ive literally taught thousands of people how to play the harmonica, and not one beginner who has purchased the Special 20 hasnt loved it. Hello Audrey, Fun project. . 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. To see a couple of great alternatives, check out my Lee Oskar Review and/or my Hohner Golden Melody Review. Maintenance with the older harmonicas was hit and miss, with no guidance. However, it is impossible to make an fair estimate of the value of an instrument without seeing it. Straight tuned. When I first wrote about this next example, I described it as being "something of an oddball". Help Sponsored. I like Sp 20's, Deltas, and Soloist pros. Rivets are hollow-tube pins. That means its less comfy than a plastic combed harmonica like a Special 20. does any one know how to tell how old a harmonica is? 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. 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); M. Hohner Marine Band Harmonica, Germany harmonica, Marine Band No 1896 harmonica, vintage harmonica, m. hohner germany, marine band harmoni . TheVINTAGEShopBG. Money no object? Categories: Diatonic Harmonica, Harmonicas, Hohner, Manufacturer, Tags: Diatonic, Harmonica, Hohner, Marine Band Deluxe. One thing that can really boost the value of an otherwise ordinary harmonica is if it has been used by someone famous. 4.2/5 Stars Total. There are some models of Hohner harmonicas that I do NOT recommend getting. 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. Its got a loud bright tone, its easy on the lips, very responsive, very easy to bend and its very EXPENSIVE! 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. Sturdy zipper case allows moisture to evaporate while keeping dust out. Chromonica 260 Reed Plate Set Key C Major. 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. US PATENT OFFICE is no longer present and NO 1896 is now printed directly under the word GERMANY instead of off to the left. 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. There are a couple of them I would like to mention here are they both also bore the model number 1896. 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. An original Hohner harmonica at an affordable price! You're in! 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! We finally arrive at the post-WWII Marine Band: The most noticeable difference on the lower cover is the lack of the star in the trademark. 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. The Hohner Marine Band 1896 classic harmonica is the original blues harp. Lets find out together. A440 Vintage Hohner MARINE BAND Harmonica- No. They are 23 inches long, and each chord takes up 4 holes. Vote. 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. It is a Marine Band No. It is very easy to tell the Marine Band MS from the Classic/Handmade version. 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. $ 84 .99. Screw For Cover Plates - Marine Band Crossover, Thunderbird And Octave, Auto Valve. For more, you can check out my full review of the Hohner Blues Band. Full Disclosure: Not All Hohner Harmonicas Are Created Equal! If you don't take the cover, you can't clean it properly. And just like automobiles and watches, when it comes to harmonicas, Germany is synonymous with quality as well. Hohner Progressive Series Harmonicas Which One Should I Buy? (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); A limit involving the quotient of two sums. 1896, W/ ORIGINAL PACKAGING. Just taking a glance at it will make you feel like you travelled back in time to the early 1900s. Improved cover design gives greater volume and stability while preventing reed rattle. 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. The 364 has 24 reeds, giving it a better note range. It's simplistic in its design but beautiful in its achievements. Hope this helps. This was printed on a blow reed plate: 1-216-1011018/1 G Dur Hohner 27/03 L9/KA2. Old herings super 20 were like that too, using rivets. Photo courtesy of InterstateMusic.com. Bendability Both the draw bends and the blow bends on this harmonica were very easy to execute and control with precision. Vintage C.A. Heres my Hohner Marine Band 1896 full review. Even some fairly common harmonicas may be considered collectible by some people. Unlike the 1896, the 364 is easy to take apart and adjust. 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. 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. Tone The tone of this harmonica is supreme. For the rest of this article, I shall confine myself to physical examples of the instrument, rather than catalog illustrations. 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! Hohner Hot Metal Harmonica $ 17.99 Select options; Hohner Marine Band 364/24 Soloist Harmonica $ 79.00 Add to cart Best Beginner Harmonica Which Harmonica Is The Best For Beginners? A really tough one. Should you wish to replace reed plates on the Marine Band Classic, we recommend upgrading to the Andrew Zajac Marine Band Conversion Kit, which replaces the stock nails with a bolted setup, and makes the process of changing reed plates significantly easier. The answer, of course, is for comfort! $25.00 + $5.85 shipping. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. There are many other small variations in the Hohner trademark that may help give a rough approximation of the manufacturing date, but they are a little beyond the scope of this article. One is the Centennial Edition Marine Band which, as it's name suggests, was introduced in 1996 to mark the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the Marine Band harmonica. 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. Its undisputed. If it is in impeccable condition and has its original box, then it is probably worth even more. $12.00. 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. You're in!
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