I have two examples of this version. (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); A440 Vintage Hohner MARINE BAND Harmonica- No. 1896 Key Of A Original Even some fairly common harmonicas may be considered collectible by some people. Hohner MS Replacement Reed Plates - Harp Surgery I resisted. How should I deal with enharmonics on the Chromatic Harmonica? Hohner Marine Band Deluxe Harmonica - Wilson Music: Harmonica Return to Fairly Frequently Asked Questions. Here is an example: Later versions of that trademark omit the star. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. HOHNER Tombo PeeWee Harmonica Lee Oskar Marine Band Golden Melody Old $240. Do i have to use a hammer? Today it's still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first produced in 1896. Maintenance with the older harmonicas was hit and miss, with no guidance. It's simplistic in its design but beautiful in its achievements. Straight tuned. Verdict - The Hohner Marine Band 1896 is the classic harmonica played by old Blues greats like Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Litter Walter. You can see an interesting list of famous Marine Band players right here. In fact, one of the main reasons that Hohner developed their Special 20 and Crossover model harmonicas was to address the comfort issue. Hohner's Marine Band 1896 Harmonica | Making Music Magazine (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); Initially designed for European folk music . Pickup near South Perth in Kensington. The trademark has more subtle changes. Cookies and GESCH. Up until the mid 1970s, the Marine Band was not officially distributed outside of the US, but upon being given worldwide distribution, the US address was removed from the lower label and the purchaser was advised "Ask your dealer or Hohner distributor". The harp also has a much slimmer profile top to bottom than previous versions. These do not give you any indication of the instrument's age; they are merely the dates various trade awards were given. Hohner 1896 Marine Band Harmonica : Target - Target : Expect More. Pay Postage is at cost. Harmonica Parts - Screws & Fasteners - Hohner Shop If youre wanting to get a great plastic comb harmonica, Id recommend that you just get one of the tried-and-true originals the Special 20 or the Golden Melody. How is Jesus " " (Luke 1:32 NAS28) different from a prophet (, Luke 1:76 NAS28)? Vintage M Hohner Echo 54/64 Harmonica C G Made in Germany New Old Stock How Old Is My Hohner Marine Band Harmonica. Tone The tone of this harmonica is supreme. If you require a professional appraisal of an old harmonica for insurance purposes or any other reason, I am willing to provide such a service. Hohner Marine Band Review: The Industry Standard - Harmonica Jamz Hohner's Marine Band 1896 is the archetypal blues harmonica. * 0-80 x 3/8' brass bolts #70189 round head, or #70191 for hex head (strictly a matter of taste) * 0-80 nuts if you choose not to tap threads into the bottom draw reed plate, and the four 0-80 nuts you will need to secure the cover . Please message me if you are going to be more than 15 minutes late or not coming. 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! (The 270 has always been straight tuned.). Her willingness to let me blow into it suggested that maybe many other lips had been on its mouthpiece that same day, so I declined, at which point she said "It's perfectly OK - I've given it a good cleaning" and she put the harp in her mouth and proceeded to blow and draw with great enthusiasm. For example, a brand new Hohner Marine Band that rolled off the production line last week will still feature medals with the dates 1871, 1873, 1876 and 1881. It has a bunch of awards on the bottom. 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. Well, theyre good in so far as theyre cheap! Hohner Marine - in Chicago, IL - Shoppok Anyway, they now seem to be making a better sound than before. Thats right: billion with a B. I think its safe to say that they know a thing or two about making harmonicas! and GESCH. Presenting the Marine Band 1896 Classic from Hohner. Heres my Hohner Marine Band 1896 full review. HOHNER Vintage Harmonicas for sale | eBay I absolutely LOVE the Golden Melody. The significance of the six-pointed star has been the subject of much debate. does any one know how to tell how old a harmonica is? Although the comb is the same length, the covers have changed substantially. 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. Music: Practice & Theory Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for musicians, students, and enthusiasts. Hohner Progressive Series Harmonicas Which One Should I Buy? It's still sitting in a Mason Jar in my shop. 1 bid. But if youre totally obsessed with TONE at any cost, then this may be the harmonica youre looking for. If you're looking to emulate that old "woody" tone authentically at any cost, then look no further! The star vanished during the Nazi era and has never returned. There were several notable changes with the next specimen, probably from the mid to late 1930s: The most obvious change is with regards to the covers. The box is only slightly changed from earlier versions. However, despite all these improvements, the Marine Band MS lasted for less than a decade, compared with twelve decades (and counting) of the hand made version. 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. 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. there is no model on the harmonica itself, but the case says it is a c260. If it don't have little screws, don't take it apart, leave it alone. I have two Marine Band harps in G and C,40 years old or more.I took one apart to clean, and it has never been reassembled. 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! To top it all off, the corners are pretty pointy, so holding it for long periods of time could be uncomfortable. Return to Fairly Frequently Asked Questions. (I go into some detail about the changes of the Hohner Marine Band model on this page.) Old School Marine Band with nails - Opener - YouTube Low-tuned Diatonic Harmonica with Layered, Triple-laminated Bamboo Comb Construction and Conical Lower Cover Design - Key of Low G. $159.99. The upper tabs now bear the key of the harp at the right and A440 at the left. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Improved cover design gives greater volume and stability while preventing reed rattle. Rather than a pair of tabs at each end of the cover, there is a single tab at each end the full width of the cover. Whats not to love? There are many other small variations in the Hohner trademark that may help give a rough approximation of the manufacturing date, but they are a little beyond the scope of this article. All this has changed. Chillin on a nice afternoon while sending the Marine Band sounds out the window. Nevertheless, it is THE CLASSIC harmonica. Want to up your single note game? The Golden Melody is the most comfortable of all the Hohner line, has the darkest tone, and is the only harmonica tuned to Equal Temperament instead of Just Intonation, which means its especially good for playing single notes in tune. 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. 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. It is a Marine Band No. Add To Cart. Your email address will not be published. I've discussed that subject before, and you all insisted that i have to unscrew it. 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. Hohner Silver Concerto Chromatic Harmonica. 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. Harmonica Construction and its Effects on Sound and Feel. Only one problem: why in the world are there soooo many different Hohner harps to choose from? This has also lead to some more small changes in the engraving of the covers. Visit the IIIF page to learn more. The fine tuning of the instrument was also changed several times from the original 7-limit Just Intonation, to various more tempered tunings during the 1980s, then to something a little closer to Just Intonation in recent years. Compare. Be warned: if you email me to ask how much your old harmonica is worth, I will simply reply with a link to this page. The answer, of course, is for comfort! In 2015, Sotheby's sold a rather battered Hohner Vest Pocket Harp, something that would normally struggle to fetch a few dollars on eBay, for a whopping 4,000 - about $5,425! This next one probably dates from the late 1920s: The only significant difference between this one and the previous model, is that cuffs in the trademark have lost their jagged ends. Lets find out together. The archetypal blues harmonica with the traditional HOHNER tuning. Top 10 Best Harmonicas - Music Critic 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 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. Add To Cart. They are not pins or rivets.They are small nails. This time, the Marine Band Harmonica. It also has a wood comb. It is also probable that you are now considering emailing me for more information on the possible value of your harmonica. Once the harp has had the chance to dry out thoroughly, there is relatively little danger of any communicable diseases being passed on. Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. Top-Seller. Enter your email address and hit Grab It to get started. Old herings super 20 were like that too, using rivets. I've never had one and was looking on the market for one but I'm having second thoughts. That means its less comfy than a plastic combed harmonica like a Special 20. Hohner registered the name Up To Date as DRWZ 16213 later that same year (application made March 38th, granted May 5th) and trademarked the number 1896 with the USPTO in 1902 (Trade-Mark 38,458, filed May 16th, granted June 17th). 1896 model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. Do you have the box or case for it? The address of Hicksville NY on this box dates it to some time after 1960 (Hohner US being based at Hicksville from 1960 to 1982). Rivets are hollow-tube pins. Just a Q-Tip moistened with water or ispropyl alcohol. 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). 1881 Harmonica, Key Of G, Made In Germany. Hohners main Chord is known as the Hohner 48, because it plays 48 chords. 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. C $73.09. Key Features Help All Need Adjustment Cleaning Polishing & Lots of TLC3. The Hohner Old Standby Harmonica will get through, whether 're riding high, singing the blues, or just waiting on a train. An iconic harp with pear wood, side vents, excellent responisveness, and distinct timbre. Im working my way through every key to fill my harp case. I guess if youre saving $20 getting a Blues Harp instead of a Marine Band, and youre on a tight budget, go for it. Hohner has been making harmonicas for about 160 years. Discover the Worlds Finest Harmonica Learning Method . That's a tough one. And Pros love it too! Check out my free beginners kick-start course. 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. Until about 1955 16-holers were straight-tuned, afer which they were cross-tuned. The reeds are all brass, and there are 20 of them. You're in! The 12-hole version is the Super Chromonica, or 270. If youre looking to emulate that old woody tone authentically at any cost, then look no further! M.Hohner Vtg The Echo Harp Germany Bell Metal Reeds Box Harmonica. What can a lawyer do if the client wants him to be acquitted of everything despite serious evidence? Responsiveness From hole 1 to hole 10, the Marine Band is not sluggish anywhere. Check out my full Hohner Golden Melody review. The chord harmonica is used to provide chordal and rhythmic backing in an ensemble, much as rhythm guitar might do. The picture above shows the words PATENT APPLIED FOR on the cover, so presumably this 1906 catalog must have used an old illustration. Are there tables of wastage rates for different fruit and veg? you have to use your ear and i'm not trained enough to know the right tune for each hole, i don't know flip jers, but he seems very professional, he could retune Clean. The purists irrationally cleave to the notion that the sound of the Marine Band 1896 is the sound that was, for better or worse, the sound of the old time legends. HOHNERU.S.A. To get the best out of our site and for it to function correct, please read, accept and understand our 'Cookies Policy'. Here we have a second Hohner product. In my opinion, the Fender Blues Deluxe is a better purchase in the budget harmonica category, even though its a few bucks more. 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. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online. The covers still have the lips at the rear opening, but they are no longer flatted against the inside of the covers, which makes the harp much less open at the back. Is a collection of years plural or singular? This harmonica features U.S. Patent #588920 for an improvement in mouth-harmonicas, submitted by Jacob Hohner. If you are really wanting to learn the harmonica, I DO NOT recommend that you purchase the Pentaharp because it is SO DIFFERENT from a regular harmonica. 1896 model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. I pulled out this Marine Band 1896, and the thing bends like a champ! Both our time is valuable. How to learn & play sheet music with diatonic harmonica. 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. This one seems to be the final incarnation of the pre-war Marine Band: It is similar to the previous one, except that the abbreviated forms GESETL. Hohner Marine Band | Sweetwater $137.00. this excerpt from my Fender Blues Deluxe Review. If it's a pin, hammer the other side till it squeezes against the harmonica shell. Harmonica - cleaning tips? - Everything Else (Music related) Forum And just like automobiles and watches, when it comes to harmonicas, Germany is synonymous with quality as well. 12.56. This page tells you pretty much everything I can about the value of your old harmonica without actually seeing it. It only takes a minute to sign up. Cash preferred. There are some models of Hohner harmonicas that I do NOT recommend getting. The only reason I doc it one star is that I wish it had better key labels. Harmonica, Hohner Marine Band key of C. Like new and sterilised All parts are thoroughly cleaned & sterilised before custom work is done. Vintage Hohner Trutone Pitchpipe No. The six point star in the middle of the trademark is slightly larger and there are doubled circles around the WIEN and PHILAD. 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. Hohner Harmonica Harmonica, 10 (M189693X) - amazon.com How do you clean hohner marine band harmonica? - Answers If you want to learn more check out my full Special 20 Review. Youve got a harmonica very suitable to learn on. 20K subscribers HOHNER Marine Band When Jacob HOHNER registered his new harmonica design at the US Patent Office on January 30th, 1896, he did not understand the impact it was to have on. There was such an outcry from players when they heard that their beloved Marine Band was to be replaced, that Hohner changed their minds and the Marine Band MS was only marketed in Europe and was discontinued completely around 1997/98. An original Hohner harmonica at an affordable price! 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. Hohner Blues Harp vs. Marine Band: Which is right for you? Hohner Marine Band Deluxe - Hohner Diatonic Harmonicas Chromonica is a term that Hohner uses for several different ones. there's no screws on this one, it has rivets, where you have a machine pressing down on the plate and securing it in its place. M. Hohner Marine Band Harmonica, Germany harmonica, Marine Band No 1896 harmonica, vintage harmonica, m. hohner germany, marine band harmoni . It responds quickly to blows and draws alike, just as you would hope it would. If you don't take the cover, you can't clean it properly. C $13.89. Which Hohner Harmonica is the Best? - My Top 5 Hohner Harps Hope this helps. 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). Compare Compare Now site51274741945951115698 1274115056142. Here is your shopping list from www.micromark.com. Why do many companies reject expired SSL certificates as bugs in bug bounties? Its sound is typical for blues, folk, and country, but also pop and rock. The Harmonica Company is the trading name of The Harmonica World Ltd. Im putting these 2 Hohner harmonicas under the same heading because my response to these questions is similar. Harmonica Hohner Marine Band 125th Jubilee edition, key of C. C $96.66 + C $21.78 shipping. 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. Looks This harmonica is absolutely beautiful to look at. The box has different labels to previous versions, both inside the lid and on the bottom. Hohner 1896 Marine Band Natural Minor Harmonica. It is very easy to tell the Marine Band MS from the Classic/Handmade version. The harmonica is engraved: MARINE BAND The other instrument I should mention is the Marine Band MS. It is a Marine Band No. Item was in great shape from being a amp from the late 90s. Saturday 4th March: All orders are being dispatched as normal! Hohner M1896116X Marine Band Classic Bb Harmonica - amazon.com Played by iconic figures such as Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, and Bob Dylan, it remains the top choice for the top professional, as well as aspiring musicians around the globe. First launched in 1896, this model has been regularly played on stage by probably every famous harmonica player you can think of - from Bob Dylan to Neil Young to Adam Gussow to Howard Levy. To see a couple of great alternatives, check out my Lee Oskar Review and/or my Hohner Golden Melody Review. 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. rev2023.3.3.43278. Listed: 3 years ago Views: 227 Watchers: 1 About This Listing Compare. 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. Hohner Blues Harp Harmonica Review + Video: Bold & Powerful, Hohner Pro Harp Review: the Black & Gold Brother of the Fantastic Blues Harp, Harmonicas: 13 Super-Fun Facts You Never Knew About Them, Join 4700+ Successful Harmonica Jamz students - Play any Song and Jam with Other Musicians. If youre looking for a traditional blues harp to play Muddy, Walter (s), Sonny Terry Ted and dont customise, this is it. How to clean a marine band harmonica that cannot be unscrewed? 2009 - 2022 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com. These legends were some of the most demanding and finicky musicians on the planet. Even my friend Lee Oksar (who makes the equally awesome Lee Oskar harmonica) acknowledges that Hohner makes great harmonicas. $54.95 + $5.75 shipping. If you can afford it, Id recommend springing for it. Hohner Marine Band Crossover Harmonica $ 105.00 - $ 110.00 Select options; Hohner Marine Band Thunderbird $ 180.00 - $ 192.00 Select options; Related products. They are long they will still work. Looking for an amazing bang-for buck harp? 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. How do you tell if your harmonica is especially collectible?