I started the Beginner to Boss course with a Hohner Blues Band that I’d gotten for free through a promotional thing, and then a couple of months later I upgraded to the five-piece set of Special 20s. Not long thereafter, I bought a Marine Band in C just because I wanted to try it. I’ve pretty much alternated my daily sessions between the Special 20 and the Marine Band ever since.
I definitely like the sound of the Marine Band better. But I like the feel of the Special 20 A LOT better!
It’s not just that the plastic comb on the Special 20 doesn’t beat up my mouth like the wooden one on the Marine Band does, or that the corners of the Special 20 are less pointed. The biggest thing for me is that the Special 20 is a physically larger piece of equipment and easier for my big hands to deal with. It often seems like the Marine Band gets swallowed up in my hands like a bluegill going down the gullet of a largemouth bass. It shifts around in there, and thus becomes more difficult to play.
I’m wondering whether anyone else has experienced this type of deal and what some alternatives might be going forward. I could send an email to Hohner asking them to make the Marine Band bigger, but that probably won’t work. I’d actually take the harshness of the wooden comb in exchange for that incredible Marine Band sound, but I just can’t get around the size thing.
I have never owned or held a Hohner Blues Harp, but according to the official Hohner home page the Marine Band Deluxe is 10 cm (or 3.9 inches) long while the Hohner MS Series Blues Harp is 10.5 cm (or 4.1 inches) long.
Thanks, Slim. I guess I should have thought to look there. I love the Blues Harp even though it requires some mustache wax to keep me “safe” from it. I’m still trying to work up the courage to try a Marine. Band… If it it is smaller, AND grabs hair AND is nailed together, I think I’ll put it off a little longer.
Tom
Hey if size matters to you, you might actually like the Hohner Rocket. Of all the Hohner line, it feels the biggest to me. I’d like to know if @robertchartrand2104 agrees with me?
I love the Rocket because it’s design and seal means that you don’t have to force it. Most importantly and accordingly, it is so much easier to bend notes. I also own a Suzuki Manji and several Lee Oscars but won’t go back. More accomplished players may not feel the need for a Rocket.
The Hohner Rocket in my opinion is the best culmination of marine band and special 20 the reeds are super responsive the comb is a little thicker with rounded corners the covers with their opened up backside and side porting make for much better volume with less effort lower octives are available and the price aint too bad either and they are imo even more forgiving than special 20s which were my goto favorites they feel good in my hand Ive spent a bit of cash on harps the last 6yrs to find this out so i hope it helps somebody peace
Right on @Southside_Slim thanks for sharing man! Yeah, for some reason I find the Rocket Amps to be more responsive than the Rockets, so I prefer them. Rock on.
OOH OH ? this is good information i was not aware i havent had any input from anyone who actually plays at your level until now ,so dig this Thom Halcheck of Blue Moon sells customized covers for almost Anything and i think he has Rocket Amp covers and like thats the only diff is the hoods right?I know he makes combs for them and double stacks and custom tunings too haha this kinda makes me happy bcuz now ill have an excuse to get some custom hydroprinted powdercoated fancy goto meetin show skirts for my ROCKETS WHOODAWGY i got a hahahhappy there eskoozy me lmfao been a rough day plus i just had a really good practice jam for about 45 minnits the good ones when ii go all in leave me super light headed haha a freebie thank you Bro PEACE
Thanks for the post! I was hoping that size wouldn’t matter with the harmonica. …but apparently, size always matters! HAHA!
I have a LO, a Special 20, and a MB Crossover. The LO and Special 20 look and feel like they are fairly comparable in size and playability, with the Special 20 being only slightly easier to play. Then, when I play the Crossover it feels tiny, and the LO and Special 20 seem huge! I know the crossover isn’t that much smaller… it may just be the look, the comb color, the style, the weight, a few millimeters here and there, etc. but it feels much smaller and the holes seem smaller, and closer together; however, it is also the best sounding and easiest play! Very strange!
I really want to love the LO based on the ratings and everyone raving about them. I like it and play it daily for my lessons, but the crossover remains my favorite so far, despite my perceptions of it’s smaller size. I’ve also tried playing in the @Luke modified grip between the thumbs, and it works very well. Definitely a different feel and slightly changes the tone, but very useful to be able to change it up.
I still want to try a MB Deluxe (which I suspect will be very similar to the Crossover), a Rocket (which I’ve heard described as a beefed up and improved Special 20), and a Golden Melody (with its unique shape that‘s supposed to be super comfortable to hold and play).
From what I understand, I can’t go wrong with any of them… So, it’s really just a matter of time and trying to decide which one to get first. HAHA!
@pnicholas1967 Not sure if you are aware, but Hohner are giving the Golden Melody a make-over. Any that are in the shops now are apparently the last of the traditional model. The ‘new improved’ (by some definition of improved) model is supposed to be out sometime this year.
