Look in the middle of the circle - if there is a star inside it, then it is probable that it was made prior to WWII. The number A440 stamped on certain Hohner harps indicates neither a limited edition, nor a model number - it tells you that it is tuned to standard concert pitch (see FFAQ10). Add To Cart. The 16-hole version comes in the traditional "64" 280 version, the Super 64 (introduced approx. If you don't take the cover, you can't clean it properly. The current version of the Blues Harp is part of Hohner's Modular Series and was introduced in the 1990s. $12.00. If it's a pin, hammer the other side till it squeezes against the harmonica shell. 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. Links, Are you a beginner or struggling to sound good on harmonica? You can order from his website custom combs for Hohner chromatic harmonicas, ask for restoration and various repair services. Very responsive. 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. Hope this helps. I have never had someone buy a Hohner Special 20 and be disappointed with it. My preference. After pressing the pin/rivet through, set the bottom side of the pin on an anvil (any raised piece of metal like a meat tenderizer or side of some pliers). Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. The 364, like many other Hohner models, has stainless steel covers and brass reed plates. BluesHarmonica.com. Hohner Marine Band Deluxe Hohner harmonica, upgraded version of the Marine Band Description Product Details Comments Respect the Roots - State of the Art! Old herings super 20 were like that too, using rivets. Your email address will not be published. The low monthly subscription of $16.95 gives you full access! Links, Are you a beginner or struggling to sound good on harmonica? Over time, I have absolutely fallen in love with this harmonica. The details might be a little too subtle to make out in the above pictures, but the designs have all been very slightly shrunk horizontally and very slightly stretched vertically. Mike "Fathead" Easton (Pennsylvania) Mr Easton has been in the harmonica repair business since 2000. Can someone please help me. Do new devs get fired if they can't solve a certain bug? It is a Marine Band No. Also the words DEM VERDIENSTE (alongside the WEIN medals) have now been abbreviated to D. VERDIENSTE. PATENT AUG 24TH 1897MADE IN GERMANY. the marine band is my active instrument and the thing is, i don't want to mess with the tuning, i don't know how to retunne, it's not like the guitar, you can't use a metronome right? If it is in impeccable condition and has its original box, then it is probably worth even more. Check out my full Hohner Golden Melody review. To top it all off, the corners are pretty pointy, so holding it for long periods of time could be uncomfortable. Do i have to use a hammer? Learn how your comment data is processed. What more dya want? 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. Accessioned with original cardboard box. Just a Q-Tip moistened with water or ispropyl alcohol. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online. The box now has #1896 added to the design on the top and a label on the bottom boasting of the quality of their instruments and of their award at the 1915 San Francisco Exposition. Tubes can be made by rolling some brass foil. Its a total classic. There is a commonly held belief (not completely without basis in fact) that Hohner harmonicas made before WWII are better than more recent ones. 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). Marine band is the worst harp I ever bought. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. I like Sp 20's, Deltas, and Soloist pros. Vintage M. Hohner Marine Band Harmonica Germany G Key With OG Box - Sounds Great. Here are answers to questions that I get about Hohner harmonicas time and time again: Everybody agrees that Hohner is an excellent brand of harmonica. $4.99 shipping. We accept major credit cards and PayPal. All Need Adjustment Cleaning Polishing & Lots of TLC3. Check out the spotlight post from our host Dave Stutts. For basic cleaning just rub the covers down with a microfiber cloth and use a toothpick to get the gunk out of the holes (hold the harp so the stuff falls out, not in). I have seen instruments that could be reliably dated to the late 1800s that had the six point star in the trademark and I have seen instruments that were definitely made after World War I that had only five points to the star. Check out my full Hohner Golden Melody review. Are there tables of wastage rates for different fruit and veg? VTG M. HOHNER MARINE BAND HARMONICA - NO. Old harmonicas which have pins or rivets typically have pear-wood combs however, and soaking them is not advisable. The 1896 model first appeared in the year 1896, but back then it seems to have been called the Marine Orchestra. 1896 model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. The cutouts at each of the covers are larger and more angular. Also, numbers such as 270, 365, or 34B do not indicate that the item was part of a limited edition (as I have seen suggested on various online auctions) they merely indicate the catalog number of that particular model. Cash preferred. Also the comb is now shorter than any of the previous models, a fraction under 4 inches long. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hohner's Marine Band 1896 is the archetypal blues harmonica. 8, which played 36 blow-only chords, in three rows. Figuring out the age of a harmonica is by no means easy, nor is it always relevant to the value of the instrument. T&C The picture of Matthias Hohner is slightly simplified compared with earlier versions and the laurel around his picture is also a little different. Clicking on the links under each picture will open new windows with close-ups of various parts of each instrument. Vintage Hohner Trutone Pitchpipe No. C $13.89. I think its well worth the extra money. 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. Although the WIEN medals keep their single circle outline, there is a partial circle of dots inside this outline. Check your inbox in the next minute or two for your first lesson. You're in! Straight tuned. For the rest of this article, I shall confine myself to physical examples of the instrument, rather than catalog illustrations. On very rare occasions, even something which looks to most people like any other old harmonica may be a highly sought after model and a harmonica collector might be eager to take if off your hands. 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. This attractive and robust instrument is a quality staple for beginners and a sure performer for seasoned veterans. A wire brush may score the reeds or comb. How do I clean my harmonica without taking it apart? (function (w,d) {var loader = function () {var s = d.createElement("script"), tag = d.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.src="https://cdn.iubenda.com/iubenda.js"; tag.parentNode.insertBefore(s,tag);}; if(w.addEventListener){w.addEventListener("load", loader, false);}else if(w.attachEvent){w.attachEvent("onload", loader);}else{w.onload = loader;}})(window, document); Which model is it? 2009 - 2022 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com. But if youre totally obsessed with TONE at any cost, then this may be the harmonica youre looking for. Our collection database is a work in progress. To get the best out of our site and for it to function correct, please read, accept and understand our 'Cookies Policy'. It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. The difference between the phonemes /p/ and /b/ in Japanese. It was made in 1896, and it still has the same design. US PATENT OFFICE is no longer present and NO 1896 is now printed directly under the word GERMANY instead of off to the left. Honestly, though, I rarely play this instrument because the others are SO much more comfy, and still sound really good. How can I find out which sectors are used by files on NTFS? The MS version is noticeably larger, about 4 1/16th inches by 1 1/16th inches, with a much thicker profile. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? 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. I hope to be helpful to you on your harmonica journeys. All this has changed. Thats why its one of my top recommended harps, along with Lee Oskar, as you can see in my article Which Harmonica to Buy for Beginners. Super 64X (7584) Reed Plate Set. In fact, some harmonica collectors are so eager that I a few years ago watched a couple of them bid more than $40 dollars (plus shipping) for a harp they could have bought brand new from their local music store for a mere $4.95! The box has different labels to previous versions, both inside the lid and on the bottom. These reviews are strictly based on my own experience and opinions. 2 Minute Hohner Pentaharp review here, if you wanna see it in action. To make space for this, the medals are all slightly smaller and have smaller lettering around them. 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. The only key label is a difficult-to-read engraving on the cover plate, virtually impossible to see in a dark club. ate 1970s), and the Super 64x version (1980s). TheVINTAGEShopBG. Check out my free beginners kick-start course. . The steel covers are similar to the later pre-war versions, although they give the harp a slightly thicker profile top to bottom. Comfort Comfort is the one area where the Marine Band 1896 does not fare well against the competition. 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. or Best Offer. 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. 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. Today it's still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first produced in 1896. Vintage M. Hohner "Marine Band" No. Entdecke "Mundharmonika M-Hohner's 34B ""Old Standby" in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! Return to Fairly Frequently Asked Questions. Thanks for all that. (I go into some detail about the changes of the Hohner Marine Band model on this page.) I guess if youre saving $20 getting a Blues Harp instead of a Marine Band, and youre on a tight budget, go for it. 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. Vintage M-Hohner's "Old Standby" Harmonica No. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Compare. Take the [not rivets] pins out, clean, then put them back. Add To Cart. Want to up your single note game? 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. Screws to replace Marine Band nails. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Joe Filisko for the loan of several of the pre-WWII examples shown above. Return to Fairly Frequently Asked Questions. It is very easy to tell the Marine Band MS from the Classic/Handmade version. Hey! (no music shop sells marine band harmonica in my county) This one is a Marine Band made by Hohner N 1896 key of C. How do you clean this one? Privacy The Marine Bands double-lacquered Pear wood comb is tough on the lips, especially if you play it for a long time. An iconic harp with pear wood, side vents, excellent responisveness, and distinct timbre. This time, the Marine Band Harmonica. Confused? Your harmonica will survive. 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. For more info check out my full review of the Marine Band 1896. This harmonica is probably from the 30's & includes original box Features: Key of C. Harp Dude Handmade fully stabilised Australian Spalted Burl hardwood comb 3. (1) Hohner Marine Band 1896 Harmonica - Key of B. Saturday 4th March: All orders are being dispatched as normal! Yes, they are the original harmonica that all the old blues masters played. After WWII this was reduced to seven nails. The star vanished during the Nazi era and has never returned. How do I disassemble a slide whistle in order to clean it? Harmonica Hohner Marine Band 125th Jubilee edition, key of C. C $96.66 + C $21.78 shipping. if you hold the instrument with the low notes to the left, Herr Hohner's portrait is on the lower cover. This one is probably from some time in the mid-1920s: The harmonica is slightly smaller than the preceding specimens, measuring 4" x 1", with the mild steel covers 2/3" deep at the front, and 3/4" at rear. The hands and the star are just slightly different from the previous version and the WIEN and PHILAD. 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). The picture of the US Marine Band is now printed directly on the top of the box, rather than being a separate piece of paper pasted on. How to learn & play sheet music with diatonic harmonica. Originally seven nails were used, but by the mid 1930s this had been increased to eight nails. My speculation is that the Marine Band 1896 is a relic, long ago surpassed by better thinking and better materials, and maintained in production only to please purists and romanticizers. Learn Harmonica! Is a PhD visitor considered as a visiting scholar? Newer revisited version of the classic Marine Band 1896. Hohner 1896 Marine Band Natural Minor Harmonica. Sturdy zipper case allows moisture to evaporate while keeping dust out. Hohner 1896 Marine Band Harmonica Key of B (NO BOX) $39.99 10% Off $35.99 Used - Mint Free Shipping Hohner 1896BX-FSHRP Marine Band 1896 Classic Harmonica - Key of C $45.50 Brand New Free Shipping Hohner 1896BX-A Marine Band 1896 Classic Harmonica - Key of A (Small Business) $46.99 Brand New Free Shipping Low-tuned Diatonic Harmonica with Layered, Triple-laminated Bamboo Comb Construction and Conical Lower Cover Design - Key of Low G. $159.99. 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. 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. Vintage. It felt to me like the edges of the reed plates were also adding to the discomfort. Registered Company 10370912. There were also some changes made to the covers, most notably getting rid of the gaps at the ends of the front edges of the covers that had a tendency to snag facial hair. Here we have a second Hohner product. M.Hohner Vtg The Echo Harp Germany Bell Metal Reeds Box Harmonica. Tech Specs Scale: Diatonic Blues Key: C How to handle a hobby that makes income in US. However, it is by no means safe to assume that an instrument bearing a trademark with fewer points to the star is older than one bearing a trademark with more points to the star. 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. Now I have this marine band, you have to see to believe! Sold out. This harmonica has a rich and expressive sound that defines what most people think of when they imagine the sound . Here's my take on the Hohner Marine Band, which is the #1 best-selling harmonica model of all time. The chord harmonica is used to provide chordal and rhythmic backing in an ensemble, much as rhythm guitar might do. Even my friend Lee Oksar (who makes the equally awesome Lee Oskar harmonica) acknowledges that Hohner makes great harmonicas. Once the harp has had the chance to dry out thoroughly, there is relatively little danger of any communicable diseases being passed on. If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. However, you are in with a very good chance of inhaling someone else's dried mouth scrapings - that won't kill you, but it's not a very pleasant thought! medals, single circles around ULM and STUTTGART medals. These do not give you any indication of the instrument's age; they are merely the dates various trade awards were given. 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. One fairly reliable way get some idea of the age of certain Hohner models is by the trademark on the cover. All in all, the Marine Band is a fantastic choice as a first harmonica and also for anyone who still doesnt have one in his collection. 18.80 postage. I've had it 30 years now. The Marine Band is the standard. Your email address will not be published. That means its less comfy than a plastic combed harmonica like a Special 20. Hohner Marine Band 1896 Diatonic Harmonica - C $54.99 Brand New 14-Day Return Policy Hohner Golden Melody Progressive Harmonica - Key of C $49.99 Brand New Blessing Harmonica (X2) 1970s $11.55 Brand New 14-Day Return Policy Hohner Big River Stock Comb Stamped F $8 Brand New Free Shipping Hohner Big River Stock Comb Stamped Db $8 Brand New Hohner Hot Metal Harmonica $ 17.99 Select options; Hohner Marine Band 364/24 Soloist Harmonica $ 79.00 Add to cart The Hohner company has produced more than forty different models bearing the name Marine Band over the years, ranging from simple Richter diatonics with twenty reeds, to huge multiple tremolo instruments with almost almost two hundred reeds and all sizes and types in between. On the upper cover, the lettering is fractionally larger than on the previous examples, both for the name MARINE BAND and the Hohner signature. 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. In the late 1980s, a plastic box was introduced: In the early 1990s, the design on the lid was enlarged: Also the word HANDMADE was stamped on the front of the box for a short time, to distinguish this model from the MS Marine Band being marketed at the time: Around this same time, Hohner started adding the barcode label to the bottom of the box (the ZA5 on this label dates it to around 1995, the year that the ZA5 reed alloy was introduced): The Marine Band itself went pretty much unchanged between the end of WWII and the end of the 20th century, at least as for as its visual appearance was concerned, with some very slight changes to the picture of Herr Hohner and the size of the lettering on the top cover. (function (w,d) {var loader = function () {var s = d.createElement("script"), tag = d.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.src="https://cdn.iubenda.com/iubenda.js"; tag.parentNode.insertBefore(s,tag);}; if(w.addEventListener){w.addEventListener("load", loader, false);}else if(w.attachEvent){w.attachEvent("onload", loader);}else{w.onload = loader;}})(window, document); IF THE ADD IS UP IT'S AVAILABLE. That's a tough one. How Has the Hohner Marine Band Changed Over the Years? Or $4/month for 48 months. It only takes a minute to sign up. It is also probable that you are now considering emailing me for more information on the possible value of your harmonica. It responds quickly to blows and draws alike, just as you would hope it would. Get the full low down on the Hohner Special 20. Looks This harmonica is absolutely beautiful to look at. During the mid-1960s through some time in the 1970s, they had soft wraparound plastic pouches, green for the 270 and brown for the 280. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Why are Suriname, Belize, and Guinea-Bissau classified as "Small Island Developing States"? During the mid-1960s through some time in the 1970s, they had soft wraparound plastic pouches, green for the 270 and brown for the 280. On the Harp-L forum, Joe Broecker explains the current code stamp on the Hohner MS series diatonic harmonica reed plates. Harmonica, Hohner Marine Band key of C. Like new and sterilised. 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. Made in Germany on a wood comb, most blues and rock artists play a Marine Band. Categories: Diatonic Harmonica, Harmonicas, Hohner, Manufacturer, Tags: 1896 classic, Diatonic, Harmonica, Hohner, Marine Band. Hohner has established themselves as the go-to brand for harmonicas rightly so high quality harps, for a fair price, that play well. Compared to the Special 20 (which has what's called an enclosed construction), this Hohner Marine Band harmonica has side vents that give it a "brighter, more vibrant sound," says Barrett,. If it needs more than that you have to take it apart, and it's held together with nails, which is a pain. Hohner M1896116X Marine Band Classic Bb Harmonica Brand: Hohner Accordions 63 ratings -27% $3812 Was: $52.90 Pattern Name: Single About this item Hohner Marine Band 1896 Classic in Bb Frequently bought together + + Total price: Add all three to Cart Some of these items ship sooner than the others. 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.