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Blues Harmonica — Which Ones To Buy
Posted: Sat Oct 19, 2013 9:18 am
by leigh
Some friends found out I used to play harmonica (both blues and folk) and have asked me to play it with them. The last time I bought harps, they were Marine Bands and were $5 each.
Are they still the harps to buy or is there something better now?
**Leigh
Re: Blues Harmonica — Which Ones To Buy
Posted: Sat Oct 19, 2013 11:20 am
by Gravity Jim
I've got three of these, which pretty much cover the bases for anything I might be playing (either in key or cross harp).
http://www.amazon.com/Hohner-Blues-Harp ... B0002D00SW
Very similar to the Marine Band (which isn't five bucks anymore), but with lighter reeds. Upside is the notes are easier to bend. Downside is they're also easier to screw up. I really like them.
The Marine Band is still beloved by many harp players.
Re: Blues Harmonica — Which Ones To Buy
Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 12:36 pm
by leigh
Thanks, Jim. Definitely not $5 anymore!!
**Leigh
Re: Blues Harmonica — Which Ones To Buy
Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 1:41 am
by twistedtom
I like the Blues Harp and the Special 20 even better, they bend notes the best, and hold up well. I have had tons of harmonicas, and I have about ten now, maybe more. In all my time I do not think I have had 12 Marine Bands, as I did not like the way the wood swells, and they do not hold up as well.
Re: Blues Harmonica — Which Ones To Buy
Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 10:14 pm
by mhschmieder
I had a bunch of cross-harps from Lee Oskar many years ago (late 90's) but never felt comfortable on blues harmonica (I have a Melodica now instead of even going for a Chromatic model). For a long time they were the "standard".
OTOH most blues players stick with the tried-and-true Marine Band model from Hohner.
A lot of people swear by this Les Stroud signature model from Hohner (haven't tried it):
http://lesstroud.ca/news/the-les-stroud ... -by-horner