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. Its design has changed quite a bit over the last century and I have attempted here to draw up a chronology of its evolution. Ready to suffer a little for your blues? If money isnt tight and youre the kind of person who likes the best of the best, then go for the Crossover! When I first wrote about this next example, I described it as being "something of an oddball". C $135.09. 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. I have two examples of this version. You can hear the sound of the Fender Blues Deluxe versus the Hohner Blues Band in this excerpt from my Fender Blues Deluxe Review. The harp also has a much slimmer profile top to bottom than previous versions. Washington, D.C. Email powered by MailChimp (Privacy Policy & Terms of Use), International Media Interoperability Framework. 1 bid. If it is in impeccable condition and has its original box, then it is probably worth even more. I just had to ask it, because I received no direct answer to the other question, everyone suggested to unscrew it, but now as you see in the pictures, there's no screws. Required fields are marked *. Blues harp - not a bad harp. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. This harmonica was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. BluesHarmonica.com. 34 GERMANY Working. . Hohner Special 20 Marine Band Harmonica Key of F Germany T. $11.40. 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. $ 84 .99. 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. 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. 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. (I go into some detail about the changes of the Hohner Marine Band model on this page.) 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. Yes, they are the original harmonica that all the old blues masters played. It has a bunch of awards on the bottom. Super 64X (7584) Reed Plate Set. Also the comb is now shorter than any of the previous models, a fraction under 4 inches long. As it turned out, she was willing to sell the harp at a fair price, so I bought it. Youll get 3 free video lessons where youll learn. The trademark has more subtle changes. Money no object? How can a harmonica make some different sounds? A longtime favorite of many country artists, the model 34B Old Standby is always ready to express spontaneous musical soul. Fast shipping. Dont worry, Im here to help. Sponsored. This harmonica has a light brown and black stained wooden comb with metal cover plates screwed to top and bottom. Highly recommended. I think its worth the extra money. Between 12th and 14th Streets Tubes can be made by rolling some brass foil. The picture of Matthias Hohner is slightly simplified compared with earlier versions and the laurel around his picture is also a little different. 2009 - 2022 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Contact Which model is it? You can see an interesting list of famous Marine Band players right here. Vintage M. Hohner "Marine Band" No. Even some fairly common harmonicas may be considered collectible by some people. 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. The instrument is basically a Marine Band with Marine band Just intonation with improvements such as a sealed comb, screws instead of nails, open covers and comes with a semi solid zipper case. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage M. Hohner Marine Band Harmonica Key of C Germany No 1896 at the best online prices at eBay! The 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. For pins, file off the head on the side with least material and drive it through with a punch, over some table surface with a hole underneath the pin (or a 2x4 with a hole drilled in it, or even a socket). Screws to replace Marine Band nails. We finally arrive at the post-WWII Marine Band: The most noticeable difference on the lower cover is the lack of the star in the trademark. However, if your old harmonica is shaped like a zeppelin, an automobile, a fish, a boomerang or a rooster, or if it features art deco style paintwork, or has bells, pipes or horns attached to it, then you might possibly be holding something of value. medals, single circles around ULM and STUTTGART medals. The reedplates are held in place with screws and the covers attached with bolts, unlike the Classic Marine Band's nailed construction. 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. (The 270 has always been straight tuned.). Check your inbox in the next minute or two for your first lesson. One of the first celebrity-approved production instruments, the Hohner Marine Band 1896 harmonica may be the longest-running serial production instrument model in history. Check out my free beginners kick-start course. 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). Accessioned with original cardboard box. To have a look please message me. I always enjoy playing different tunings. Cash preferred. I imagine that's an inventory number. Compare. 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. Hohner has been making harmonicas for about 160 years. At the very center is a medallion held by two hands at right and left. Ready to suffer a little for your blues? After WWII this was reduced to seven nails. does any one know how to tell how old a harmonica is? . Return to Fairly Frequently Asked Questions. It only takes a minute to sign up. This was part of Hohner Modular Series that came out in the late 1980s and whose original concept was to replace the hand made models with instruments made on a computer-controlled assembly line. It was identical to the standard Marine Band 1896, except that it was gold finished and came in a special box. 1896 model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. 5 out of 5 stars (895) $25.00 + $5.85 shipping. Even though many of them were quickly consigned to the garbage by parents with headaches, there are still a lot of them out there in boxes of unwanted toys, belongings of deceased relatives, junk stores and so on. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Im putting these 2 Hohner harmonicas under the same heading because my response to these questions is similar. Harmonicas were made literally by the thousand and even sometimes by the million (Hohner, just one of the many companies to have manufactured them, produced their one billionth harmonica more than a quarter century ago). 18.80 postage. The bottom of the box and the inside of the lid are also different. Lets get down to business. 1896 model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. One thing that can really boost the value of an otherwise ordinary harmonica is if it has been used by someone famous. Look at the openings inside the round holes, with the slide in the out position (i.e., not pressed in). The claim REG. Full Disclosure: Not All Hohner Harmonicas Are Created Equal! There are some models of Hohner harmonicas that I do NOT recommend getting. Its sound is typical for blues, folk, and country, but also pop and rock. It was made in 1896, and it still has the same design. Clean. 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. One thing that can really boost the value of an otherwise ordinary harmonica is if it has been used by someone famous. Cheers! As I always say: if you want to sound like the old blues masters, why not play the harmonica they played? All these models have been in production for over 20 years. The picture above shows the words PATENT APPLIED FOR on the cover, so presumably this 1906 catalog must have used an old illustration. Preston 410 posts Jun 09, 2009 4:37 PM That's cool Mickil. Show details Yes, all of my top 5 Hohner harmonicas listed above as well as all of the MS Series, Progressive Series, and Marine Band Series in their final phase of assembly, they are still made by hand at factories in Germany. Until about 1955 16-holers were straight-tuned, afer which they were cross-tuned. Not the case today. Your harmonica will survive. Categories: Diatonic Harmonica, Harmonicas, Hohner, Manufacturer, Tags: Diatonic, Harmonica, Hohner, Marine Band Deluxe. Vote. After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at Old herings super 20 were like that too, using rivets. There are a couple of them I would like to mention here are they both also bore the model number 1896. Whats not to love? Better quality and sound projection make it a favorite of many bluesmen. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Next, whether it's a solid pin or hollow tube, tap it in the center with a center punch or large nail. Is a PhD visitor considered as a visiting scholar? How Has the Hohner Marine Band Changed Over the Years? The significance of the six-pointed star has been the subject of much debate. More on the way soon. Those may not be available though, and rivet pins are easy enough to make anyhow. Key Features 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. It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. Vintage Hohner Marine Band Harmonica In Box A440 small ad vertisement by RetroCite Ad vertisement from shop RetroCite RetroCite From shop RetroCite. 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. Hey! The 280 went from nailed-on wood (up until the early 1950s), then pinkish-borwn plastic with drift pins (1950s to about 1980), to screwed-on black (up to the present). I pulled out this Marine Band 1896, and the thing bends like a champ! To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Its got a loud bright tone, its easy on the lips, very responsive, very easy to bend and its very EXPENSIVE! 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. These sound great in a more chordal folk style as well. How Old Is My Hohner Marine Band Harmonica. 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. Most of what makes these so expensive is the cost of materials and making it a G sharp harmonica. 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. Several noted users are Bob Dylan, Brian Jones, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Little Walter and Neil Young. Basic harmonica maintenance is now straightforward, the right tools easily gotten. rev2023.3.3.43278. 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. One fairly reliable way get some idea of the age of certain Hohner models is by the trademark on the cover. This harmonica was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. T&C document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Figuring out the age of a harmonica is by no means easy, nor is it always relevant to the value of the instrument. PATENT AUG 24TH 1897MADE IN GERMANY. Many brands of harmonica have little medals engraved on the covers with various dates on them. 4.5 of 5 stars (38) Reviews. In that case don't attempt pining the centers of the ends. All this has changed. The size difference is not big but it is bigger. 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 Just bear in mind that youll have to sacrifice the comfort that other modern alternatives can provide. The Marine Band harp is a result over 100 years of Hohner German craftsmanship. We apologize for the interruption. The six point star in the middle of the trademark is slightly larger and there are doubled circles around the WIEN and PHILAD. C $13.89. Matthias Hohner is a consummate entrepreneur and businessman. or Best Offer. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. How to handle a hobby that makes income in US. Here is a picture from a 1905 Hohner catalog for the German market, showing the Orpheus Concert: The number 1896 also applied to a harmonica with the name Up To Date, as shown in this picture taken from a 1906 Hohner catalog for the US market: Hohner produced more than sixty different models bearing the name Up To Date, but this one clearly resembles the Marine Band, particularly with regard to its covers. Your Price $ 84.99 msrp:115.0,lowPrice:84.99. Discover the Worlds Finest Harmonica Learning Method . Calculating probabilities from d6 dice pool (Degenesis rules for botches and triggers). Photo courtesy of InterstateMusic.com. If you're looking to emulate that old "woody" tone authentically at any cost, then look no further! IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. How to clean a marine band harmonica that cannot be unscrewed? In my opinion, the Fender Blues Deluxe is a better purchase in the budget harmonica category, even though its a few bucks more. or Best Offer. Your harmonica will survive. VTG M. HOHNER MARINE BAND HARMONICA - NO. If the harmonica had a plastic comb, you could simply soak the whole thing in lemon juice overnight. Compare Compare Now site51274741945951115698 1274115056142. It's simplistic in its design but beautiful in its achievements. Hey good people out there. The harmonica is engraved: MARINE BANDM. 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 Hohner sound. To get the best out of our site and for it to function correct, please read, accept and understand our 'Cookies Policy'. Don't be afraid. 4.2/5 Stars Total. Ending Today at 17:11 EST 12h 5m. Youve got a harmonica very suitable to learn on. 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. Is a collection of years plural or singular? Saturday 4th March: All orders are being dispatched as normal! I have also heard it suggested the number of points on the star represented the number of sons that Matthias had. 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. I resisted.

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