I thought I’d rekindle this discussion as I’m a single note Guy. I love my Rocket Amp but I like my new model GM also. I never got to play the old GM. One thing I like about the GM is that the comb extends further beyond holes 1 and 10 so I find the extremes a bit easier to play. On the Special 20s the harp tends to fall out of my mouth when playing at either end. The rocket seems to be in between. Previous opinions are generally against the changes to the GM but there were also opinions that there may have been teething problems early on. I’m wondering if anyone’s opinion might have changed. Has quality control corrected any of the earlier issues?
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@PapaCurly, I’m also mainly single notes guy and I also have a Rocket in Ab, and a Golden Melody in C, but the old version, not the new one.
I love both harps! The Rocket definitely gives a amazing projection and nice sound on the deep Ab notes.
The Golden Melody is great all along the top and bottom, except for my 8 draw which tends to stick a bit, though it seems to play better after it “warms” up.
I’ll pipe in here on @Cameronjake 's question about gapping on another thread. I’ve opened up my Golden Melody to see if the 8 draw is any different from the rest, but it seems to be the same, so I usually just give it twang or two and the put it back together.
Without proper tools, I limit myself to obvious fine tuning like stuck lint and spit patrol. 
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I learned the hard way on my first harp that TOO MUCH tweaking can lead to messing up reeds.
As @Slim and others here say, practice first on less expensive harps
With that said, many times some of the reasons the harp isn’t playing correctly become obvious just by taking it apart and looking at it 
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I recently purchased the new GM from harmonicaland . It needed a lil tuning on the #2 draw reed . But now it plays great . I like the new design screws and how the covers snap into place . It was also the most expensive harmonica I own at almost $70 with tax and license . I personally like the design and it sounds and looks like a bad a&& harmonica IMHO . I wish it came in one of those zipper bags . But I now have ( hopefully three harmonicas with a case now somewhere in the USPS ) 7 harmonicas so the zipper case is really not an issue.
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Surprisingly I have found a distributer here in Australia who still has some of the old model GM. Discounted price and free postage. I’ve ordered one in D, don’t have it yet, but I’m assured that it’s on its way and is definitely the old one. So now I can make the New V Old comparison myself. If you’re in Australia, and are interested, let me know and I will give you the contact details. He still has few remaining in stock, but not every key. He obviously won’t be getting any more in so, probably our last chance.
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@PapaCurly Grab as many as you can! I LOVE the old ones, and don’t care for the new ones AT ALL! Rock on! 
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@youngthug welcome to the forum bro! I don’t think the new Golden Melody is a solid choice. I would prefer Lee Oskar, SP20, Crossover, Marine Band Deluxe, or Rocket over a new GM any day of the week. That’s my 2 cents.
I didn’t love them initially, but thought quality control might improve, and it hasn’t. I’d steer clear.
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