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. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. The covers now have a substantial lip at the rear opening and the cutouts at the end of each cover are slightly smaller. This next instrument came with a booklet in its case that was dated 1905 and the design of the label inside the lid of the case was trademarked in 1907 (DRWZ 101069). That's a tough one. Also, Matthias Hohner seems to have just a little more hair on the top of his head than he had in his previous portrait! And just like automobiles and watches, when it comes to harmonicas, Germany is synonymous with quality as well. A two-part hollow tube would definitely be called a rivet, but you're unlikely to find those on harmonicas. I have so far been unable to locate any similar legal protection for the name Marine Orchestra. Earlier 270s had a red cardboard box with fancy texturing, while the 280 had a hard red box (1950s) and earlier had a round-top wooden box with fake texture finish and yelow lining. Free shipping for many products! 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. Ready to suffer a little for your blues? Guitarist? If you're looking to emulate that old "woody" tone authentically at any cost, then look no further! Don't be afraid. 1896 model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. I have also heard it suggested the number of points on the star represented the number of sons that Matthias had. . I have never seen any actual physical examples of this stage in its evolution, but here is a picture from an 1896 catalog of the William Tonk and Bro. For rivets, use a center punch to guarantee centering a drill, and drill off the end which has the least material until you can pull it through from the other side by using a narrower screw inside, pulled with pliers. Tone The tone of this harmonica is supreme. The bottom of the box and the inside of the lid are also different. 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. How Has the Hohner Marine Band Changed Over the Years? After the Crossover, this is my 2nd favorite Hohner harmonica. 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 the openings alternate between top and bottom half of the hole, that's cross tuning. 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). The concept failed and is often frowned upon by professional 48 chord players. are back again and the lines between them are vertical rather than horizontal, making it identical to the postwar MB except for the presence of the star. The go to harp for players such as Jerry Portnoy and Kim Wilson, although this iant publicised as the Marine Band Deluxe isnt marketed in the US. There are some models of Hohner harmonicas that I do NOT recommend getting. 1896 Harmonica Made in Germany by M. Hohner with Box. 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. The front left channel and rear right weren't playing sound, power supply was working and output transistors were working, just had to clean the gain pots and all 4 channels work. 9 Inspiring Reasons to Do So. The cut-outs at the ends of the covers are taller, but not as wide as on the previous example. Comfort Comfort is the one area where the Marine Band 1896 does not fare well against the competition. Your email address will not be published. Return to Fairly Frequently Asked Questions. Check out my free beginners kick-start course. Hohner Marine Band 1896 Harmonica is the number one choice of top professionals. To make space for this, the medals are all slightly smaller and have smaller lettering around them. Youll get 3 free video lessons where youll learn. Hohner from the 19 to the late 19 also produced the Polyphonia No. Newer revisited version of the classic Marine Band 1896. Which model is it? . But if youre totally obsessed with TONE at any cost, then this may be the harmonica youre looking for. Its got a loud bright tone, its easy on the lips, very responsive, very easy to bend and its very EXPENSIVE! A couple of days later I got around taking it apart to clean it. I guess if youre saving $20 getting a Blues Harp instead of a Marine Band, and youre on a tight budget, go for it. this excerpt from my Fender Blues Deluxe Review. Also the words DEM VERDIENSTE (alongside the WEIN medals) have now been abbreviated to D. VERDIENSTE. Also, hole numbers appear on the upper cover for the first time. Check your inbox in the next minute or two for your first lesson. Another change occurred around 2000, when the nickel plated mild steel covers used for the last eighty years or so, were replaced with stainless steel covers. The brass reeds and wood comb give it that beautiful woody tone that, in my opinion, just cant be beat. For low tunings, we recommend the Hohner Thunderbird, which has been designed from the ground up as a low tuned harmonica, but still has similar tone and feel to the classic Marine Band. Ronnie Shellist of Hohner harmonicas giving us an expert look at the Marine Band Series of harmonicas. Rivets and pins are essentially the same thing. 4.5 of 5 stars (38) Reviews. There are a couple of them I would like to mention here are they both also bore the model number 1896. Cash preferred. This harmonica has a light brown and black stained wooden comb with metal cover plates screwed to top and bottom. Compare. However, I have since learned that this is by no means an uncommon specimen. The lips at the rear of the covers are still flattened, making the harp more open at the rear, but the M. HOHNER on the lower cover is slightly shorter than on the previous examples and where it used to say MADE BY and GERMANY on either side of the name, it now says MADE IN GERMANY and FABRIQU EN ALLEMAGNE. Anyway, they now seem to be making a better sound than before. Do I need a thermal expansion tank if I already have a pressure tank? They are long they will still work. Its undisputed. The Marine Band is the standard. HOHNERU.S.A. C, A, A Flat, B, B Flat, D, D Flat, E, E Flat, F, G. The most popular models are either single-sided or double-sided Echo harps, but the single-sided ones can be combined into quadruple or sextuple corncob setups, with a different key on each row. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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 Marine Band A440 1896 Classic Harmonica - Key of G Used - Good $19.95 + $5 Shipping This piece of gear has sold View similar gear from other sellers on Reverb View similar gear Watch Watch this gear and we'll notify you if it becomes available again. How is Jesus " " (Luke 1:32 NAS28) different from a prophet (, Luke 1:76 NAS28)? It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. 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! This is probably the question I get asked the most by email and the best answer I can give is that like anything else, an old harmonica is worth whatever someone is willing to pay you for it. 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). This was because the instrument was said to have been given to Jimi Hendrix by Bob Dylan and there was a signed affidavit to this effect. Also the comb is now shorter than any of the previous models, a fraction under 4 inches long. It felt to me like the edges of the reed plates were also adding to the discomfort. It has been suggested that it was a Star of David and that it was removed because of the Nazis. or Best Offer. In the last few years, I traveled through four continents while performing and teaching music, and I also run the blog GuitarSongsMasters.com - one of the world's top five most-read guitar blogs. 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. C $13.89. Legendary Hohner Marine Band Harp. African American History Curatorial Collective, Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments. Well, theyre good in so far as theyre cheap! If it is in impeccable condition and has its original box, then it is probably worth even more. If you require a personal response, please use ourContact page. Durability/Fixability the double-lacquered Pear wood comb could over time become susceptible to swelling, cracking, or splintering. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online. The first production runs turned out some rather unresponsive harps with short lived reeds, but these problems were address with longer scale reeds, improved tolerances and a better reed alloy. Your email address will not be published. Hope this helps. During the cleaning process, I removed three or four dried out cocoons of who-knows-what sort of insect that had decided a harmonica would be the perfect place to incubate its offspring. However, I found you could use a small flat-bladed screw driver (the one that came with the Hohner kit was OK) to gently ease off each cover plate in turn by levering them slowly away from the wooden centre of the harmonica. Straight tuned. Thanks for all that. used on every other Marine Band I have seen. M. Hohner Marine Band Harmonica, Germany harmonica, Marine Band No 1896 harmonica, vintage harmonica, m. hohner germany, marine band harmoni . In fact, in 1980 they produced their one billionth harmonica. This is most notable with the circle in the middle of the trademark, which is now oval rather than being perfectly circular. Between 12th and 14th Streets There is a commonly held belief (not completely without basis in fact) that Hohner harmonicas made before WWII are better than more recent ones. does any one know how to tell how old a harmonica is? Hello Audrey, Fun project. The MS covers have integral cover supports at the rear and the upper cover clearly says MARINE BAND MS: The MS Series as a whole went through various charges during the 1990s. The Hohner 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. $34.99. To get the best out of our site and for it to function correct, please read, accept and understand our 'Cookies Policy'. 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. Its design has changed quite a bit over the last century and I have attempted here to draw up a chronology of its evolution. My name's Cooper, I'm 28 and I'm a musician based in Tel Aviv, working with other artists as a harmonica player, guitarist and pianist. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Just to confuse matters even further, the model number 1896 was also applied to similar harmonicas with different names, aimed at different markets. Matthias Hohner is a consummate entrepreneur and businessman. I always hear that the hohner marine Band is considered the best harmonica and almost God like. 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 the Seydel 1847 models are a bit larger than the Hohner Marine Band harps. I spotted an old F. A. Bohm tremolo harmonica lying on one of the tables and tried to suppress my look of interest as I approached it. One change that is easier to spot is the number of nails used to secure the lower reedplate. However, the 1896 only has 20 reeds. It is also probable that you are now considering emailing me for more information on the possible value of your harmonica. In my opinion, the Fender Blues Deluxe is a better purchase in the budget harmonica category, even though its a few bucks more. Sweetwater Savings: $ 30 .01 MSRP: $ 115 .00. 1896 Key Of A Original HARD CASE | Musical Instruments & Gear, Vintage Musical Instruments, Vintage Wind & Woodwind | eBay! Why does classical music sound out of tune on a Hohner Marine Band Deluxe Harmonica? It will not be helpful for beginners who really want to learn how to play harmonica. The answer, of course, is for comfort! Hohner Progressive Series Harmonicas Which One Should I Buy? Many harmonica makers avoid G sharp, which makes these harder to find (and drives the cost up). The Hohner Marine Band is a number-one choice among top professionals and one of the most recognizable harmonicas all over the world. One came without a box, the other came in a box identical to the next example, but as the key stamped on the box did not match the key of the harp, it was obviously not the original one. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Post a comment below. Ready to suffer a little for your blues? The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? I pulled out this Marine Band 1896, and the thing bends like a champ! 1896 model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. What more dya want? The lower label now gives the address as M Hohner Inc., New York City and offers a free instruction book and the inside label brags that the harmonica has been "scientifically tested". Want to up your single note game? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Verdict The Hohner Marine Band 1896 is the classic harmonica played by old Blues greats like Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Litter Walter. The soft green case is 1960s. $54.95 + $5.75 shipping. 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. Old herings super 20 were like that too, using rivets. 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 Hohner Marine Band Crossover is part of the Marine Band series, top-of-the-line professional quality instrument for the discerning player in modern blues, rock, jazz, soul or funk. It could also be interesting for someone like me who has been playing harmonica for decades, and enjoys the challenge of a new tuning to explore. Links, Are you a beginner or struggling to sound good on harmonica? Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. The top is pretty plain. Seller 99.6% positive. Is the Hohner Special 20 Any Good? Do new devs get fired if they can't solve a certain bug? The wooden comb, and the edge of the reedplate that is exposed between the coverplates and the comb, both help to make this harmonica very rough on the lips when played for long periods of time. Harmonica Hohner Marine Band 125th Jubilee edition, key of C. C $96.66 + C $21.78 shipping. How are they compared to other harmonicas too? Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. and GESCH. In the US filing, they claim that Marine Band had been in continuous use since January 30th, 1896. Check out my in-depth Hohner Crossover review. Here's a folder containing all the photos that you may want to see. Hohner's Marine Band 1896 is the archetypal blues harmonica. For some time, the Marine Band was also available in a hard case, as well as the usual card box: Our third example dates from some time prior to WWI and displays several changes from the previous model. If all the top halves are open in a straight line, that's straight tuning. The Hohner Big River has a plastic comb, so its more comfy on the lips than wooden-combed harps like the Marine Band and the Blues Harp. Screw For Cover Plates - Marine Band Crossover, Thunderbird And Octave, Auto Valve. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NEW Hohner Marine Band Classic 1896 w/ Case - Key of A - Free US Shipping at the best online prices at eBay! or Best Offer. However, it is impossible to make an fair estimate of the value of an instrument without seeing it. VAT Number: GB287764345. The Hohner Golden Melody is a bit larger than the Hohner Special 20. When I first wrote about this next example, I described it as being "something of an oddball". Its uniquely authentic sound has defined the role of the harmonica in the blues and folk genres and made it the benchmark by which all others are judged. Super 64X (7584) Reed Plate Set. 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. It was made in 1896, and it still has the same design. Hohner Marine Band Deluxe Hohner harmonica, upgraded version of the Marine Band Description Product Details Comments Respect the Roots - State of the Art! Aside from the boast of U.S.A. PATENT AUG. 24th 1897, the covers on this one seem identical to the previous model, however the combs are very slightly different, the earlier one being 4 1/16 inches long and the later one being 4 1/32 inches. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Vote. More on the way soon. It also has a wood comb. Contact Improved cover design gives greater volume and stability while preventing reed rattle. Top-Seller. Are there tables of wastage rates for different fruit and veg? (1) Hohner Marine Band 1896 Harmonica - Key of B. The only hohner I've played is the bluesband variation. But is the standard actually that good? 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. The original version of the Blues Harp was introduced in the late 1960s and despite the stories about the reeds somehow being different (see this pagefor more details), was essentially a Marine Band with different covers. If you have a very good condition old Hohner Marine Band, or 64 Chromonica, then there could be a player prepared to pay a reasonable price for it. All Hohner harmonicas had 4-digit date stamps on the reedplates from 2005 until about two years ago. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Contact The harmonica is engraved: MARINE BAND Presenting the Marine Band 1896 Classic from Hohner. This is a diatonic harmonica that works well for beginners and is one of the best selling harmonicas that the Hohner company has to offer. C $73.09. Hohner 1896 Marine Band Natural Minor Harmonica. Ive also spoken with representatives from Hohners main competitors, like Suzuki and Seydel, and they too all agree that Hohner is a great brand of harmonica. Why are Suriname, Belize, and Guinea-Bissau classified as "Small Island Developing States"? 8, which played 36 blow-only chords, in three rows. Visit the IIIF page to learn more. Sturdy zipper case allows moisture to evaporate while keeping dust out. Sponsored. Those may not be available though, and rivet pins are easy enough to make anyhow. As I mentioned at the start of this article, there have been many other models made with the name Marine Band. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for VINTAGE M HOHNER ECHO 54/64 HARMONICA C G MADE IN GERMANY NEW OLD STOCK at the best online prices at eBay! If you don't take the cover, you can't clean it properly. The trademark has more subtle changes. Marine Band Crossover Harmonica - Key of C. Marine Band Crossover Diatonic Harmonica - Key of C. 10 reviews Write your review Item ID: MarineCrossC. That means its less comfy than a plastic combed harmonica like a Special 20. It is a Marine Band No. Just taking a glance at it will make you feel like you travelled back in time to the early 1900s. I cannot provide free appraisals by email, not even rough estimates, so please don't ask. I imagine that's an inventory number. Discover the Worlds Finest Harmonica Learning Method . it won't stick to its place. 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. 34 GERMANY Working. TheVINTAGEShopBG. It has a bunch of awards on the bottom. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. How do I clean my harmonica without taking it apart? Although the covers are still lipped at the rear, the opening is noticeably wider. Some time in the mid to late 1920s the design of the box also changed, with a picture of the US Marine Band being pasted to the top of the box. If youre looking for a traditional blues harp to play Muddy, Walter (s), Sonny Terry Ted and dont customise, this is it. But if youre only saving $5 or $10, Id say, just save up and get the Marine Band. Preston 410 posts Jun 09, 2009 4:37 PM That's cool Mickil. Help The dates are not that helpful at all, except that a harp with an award dated 1937 is unlikely to have been made before 1937! The harmonica is engraved: MARINE BANDM. Nevertheless, it is THE CLASSIC harmonica. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. US PATENT OFFICE is no longer present and NO 1896 is now printed directly under the word GERMANY instead of off to the left. Is a collection of years plural or singular? Can someone please help me. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Joe Filisko for the loan of several of the pre-WWII examples shown above. 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. However, the Pentaharp could be great for a guitarist who wants to be able to play bluesy riffs without having to spend months learning how to bend notes on a harmonica. There may be more subtle changes in construction that could further date a harmonica (such as the rounded rivet heads on prewar 64s) but that stuff is beyond my expertise. 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. Categories: Diatonic Harmonica, Harmonicas, Hohner, Manufacturer, Tags: 1896 classic, Diatonic, Harmonica, Hohner, Marine Band. The claim REG. 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. This harmonica features U.S. Patent #588920 for an improvement in mouth-harmonicas, submitted by Jacob Hohner. The size difference is not big but it is bigger.