Barry - You seem to have lots of harps especially in C and G. Have you found a couple of models that you really like for tone and playability in either or both keys?
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Hi @BnT … In C I like the Lee Oskar and the Hohner Blues MS - if I had to choose I’d pick the Hohner (but I’d regret not having the Lee Oskar). In G, for tone and look and feel, I adore the Seydel which is why I have two. Sadly, I broke both within a few weeks (and they aren’t cheap)… Bought an East Top in G, but don’t like the tone (although a couple of friends say it sounds great). So I bought the Marine Band Deluxe and it’s now the only G I use - really like it. Maybe I’m becoming a Hohner Harpist?
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@BnT, I have the Hohner Bluesharp (my first two at the beginning) and the Rocket Amp in both pitches.
The first are made of wood and the other two are made of plastic.
I like both models depending on what I’m playing.
Regards from Astrid 
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Your okay, I have 4 chromatics and 20 diatonics 3 years Nov 17. I have slowed up , I think I finally have enough 
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@BnT
Wow! You have really lived the life! Your message is a litany of the blues, and harp-playing saints. I really appreciate you sharing your story. I suspected you might be a writer when I read your first post. And your music is solid blues. Thanks for those sounds. Great work!
My own road in music was more modest and with many sidetracks, and a long span of not performing anywhere. I played with several bands that nobody ever heard of: Jubals, Royal Jokers, Charley Carey and the Castaways, Joe Cool, Natural Gas, and a few western bands, played a few gigs as a sideman in the studios in Ft. Worth, The Castaways were signed to a short term contract with Capital Records but the single did not do well enough for them to pick up the option. About six years ago I joined the Gangsa Rhythm Band In Winnipeg. They are a group of guys from the northern Luzon in the Philippines (from the headhunting tribes in the mountains there). Mostly country music. But some pop, rock, and Latino. I was a drummer most of my career. Now the infirmities of age have begun so the harmonica will allow me to play (if I improve a lot), for a while longer. Music is still a large part of who I am.
Thanks again, BnT, for sharing.
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I have way too many to count. I mostly play the original Hohner Golden Melody: seven of them are in my gig bag (G, A, B, C, Db, Eb, and E) and one is out of commission because it doesn’t have cover plate screws. The reason why I love them: I love how comfortable it is to hold and the bright, raspy tone that comes out. I mainly play 90s country and southern gospel, but I can also wail on them for a blues song.
I also own 8 Hohner Special 20s (G, Ab, A, Bb, B, C, D, and F#) but I mainly use the Ab, D, and F#, a Kongsheng Bluebird in Db, a Lee Oskar in High G, a Hohner Rocket in F, a DaBell Story in E, a Hohner Blues Harp in C, a Golden Bird Parrott Tuned Harmonica in Bb (this was a gift to me from my teacher and good friend, Todd Parrott), two Hohner Bluesbands (I’m ashamed that I own more than one Bluesband, but hey more harps for me to collect), and a offbrand harmonica in C. It is clear that I have an addiction to the instrument.
Also about the gentlemen thing, sometimes I get misgendered with he/him pronouns by mistake by other harmonica players. It’s so funny when it comes to being mistaken for a guy even though you look like a young woman and have a feminine first name (my name is Amy), so I just laugh to myself and kindly remind people that I go by she/they. No worries, my dude.
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Hello Milady,
I’ve had a golden melody in C on order for 5 weeks. Called the store yesterday to find out where it’s at and was told it will be another 2 months. Apparently, there are none in Western Australia. Seems like toogdog and I are the only people in the state that play harmonica. After reading your zealous post about GMs I’m even more forlorn in my anticipation.
Regards
Dude Curly
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I have been playing less than a year and I have 6. I don’t think it’s a big problem if you enjoy it. I have mostly oscars and if I don’t find a deal they are less than 50 a piece. That’s not nothing, but it’s really not that bad if you think of the hours you play them and think about the songs and keys. Compare it to people who go to professional sports games. In my town the NFL is a 300 a day event. A 50 dollar harmonica lasts a long time and gives me something to think about even when I’m not playing. It sounds like you even play in public, to me it’s worth it and I just play at home and for my kids.
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My first with green stamps like a rewards program in the 60’s, hence the name and had to talk my mom into it, as dad was a staunch Lawrence Welk Fan.
So one C Hohner marine band for years. Then when I got older and had money I usually had a C or Bd around. Then usually only two or three. But now I play more, I’m retired, good breathing exercise. So I have mostly hohners in most keys, blues special 20’s a couple of low rockets, that resin comb is smooth, F and E, the others, all A-G one flat but I have a hohner and and eaststop Bd and a C and an A, a G, hohners, wood comb, also a harmo which is like a eaststop, very smooth, pricey, in G.
12 hohner blues+ east 4 + harmo 1 + 2 hohner rockets, an old Eb that has nails, kind of gummed up, old Opera I got at an antique shop, making a new comb, someday for it, Interesting sloped cavities in the comb, smelled of tobacco and whiskey.
21 total, 20 playable.
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The woman player mention, yes, you tube has a bunch. This one gal was so good I saved it and watch and learn from time to time, excellent blue’s riff choices, you tube. and where I live there are two I know of and I live in a rural area of only a couple thousand people. One played first position neil young song at a birthday party we played a few months ago, it wasn’t long may you run.
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That ain’t GAS. You’re not even at the price of ONE good guitar yet!!! 
I’m guessing I’ve bought AT LEAST 20 harps in the last 3 years? I wonder how many harps I have…should I count them? 
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I have been playing tenor sax for about 5 years , and mouthpiece are the thing (6) . I recently started with blues harmonica ( about a month ) . I have purchased 9 harmonica’s ( three somewhere in the USPS ? ) , one I throw away, one I returned leaving me with 4 at hand . Sorry I chimed in because I do not have three years under my belt . But at this rate , check back in three years , I might need two suitcases ha ha ha ha .
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@Ren_de Which East:Top 16 hole chromatic do you have and how do you like it? I play chromatics and generally like East:Top but I’m not so keen on the EAP-16 Performer, When I get a chance I’ll customising it but the low octave definitely has some issues on mine. I also started as a drummer but when in my first career I went to sea as a merchant navy cadet I took the smallest instrument I could find, a diatonic harp. @jeffw which Cascha chromatic did you buy and is it valved? I’ve looked at a lot of inexpensive especially non-valve chromatics and so many resemble East:Top models. my favorite for travelling is a 10/40 East:Top NV in C see my post in Favorite harp and why.
Unlike apparently most on this forum I’m minimising. Fortunately, playing chromatic/solo tuned diatonics I can get away with just six chromatics Ab; Bb; C; D; E and F# and by holding in the slide it also gives me solo tuned diatonics in A; B; Db; Eb; F and G, all 12 solo tuned keys in 6 instruments in a 11" x 7" (28cm x 18cm) box plus my favorite travelling harmonica. I’m still facinated by what far better players than me can do with diatonics but I just can’t be asked to carry a suitcase full of harmonicas in case a particular one might be needed. Jay1
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This is the Cascha chromatic - not really sure if it is “valved”.
Chromatic 10-40 (caschamusic.com)
I haven’t counted them as a guess my wife say I’ve got about 40 or 50, (and counting
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Hello @Andy2 ,
I’m really laughing right now…
You had previously asked for the explanation of SPAH. When this term was first mentioned here in the forum, I thought the following: It’s someone who has too many harps 
. Shopping spree for harps 
.
Whenever I think about a new harp, I always think that I have enough harps. NO, man or woman can never have enough.
Regards Astrid (
)
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Ever thought about looking closely at it? 
Vavles are visible (if present) when looking from the backside between the covers and the reedplates.
– Slim
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To be honest I would not know what to look for. I have no idea what “valves” are in this context and I was just responding to a question from another user.
Ha ha I didn’t know that I’m the same with guitars I’ve got a collection of 12 and counting plus 7 or so cigar box guitars.
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@jeffw Hi Jeff it looks as if your Cascha chromatic could easily be made by East:Top, I’ll have a look when I can but if it is non valve you’ve got a nice, usable chromatic. Holes 9 & 10 are turned differently to a 12 hole but that shouldn’t cause you any problems. In my opinion (not everyone agrees) valves can be a real pain in the butt. If it’s useful I’ll try to send a picture of a valved and non valved reed plate. Jay1