We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Should you wish to replace reed plates on the Marine Band Classic, we recommend upgrading to the Andrew Zajac Marine Band Conversion Kit, which replaces the stock nails with a bolted setup, and makes the process of changing reed plates significantly easier. Hohner Marine Band Deluxe Hohner harmonica, upgraded version of the Marine Band Description Product Details Comments Respect the Roots - State of the Art! Very responsive. Rivets are hollow-tube pins. Links, Are you a beginner or struggling to sound good on harmonica? 4.2/5 Stars Total. As it turned out, she was willing to sell the harp at a fair price, so I bought it. Is a PhD visitor considered as a visiting scholar? Based on my decades of teaching n playing harmonica, these are the very best Hohner has to offer, in my humble opinion: If youre the sort of person who likes to have the very best of everything, and money is no object, then the Hohner Crossover is for you. This time, the Marine Band Harmonica. How to clean a marine band harmonica that cannot be unscrewed? 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. 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. What more dya want? One thing that can really boost the value of an otherwise ordinary harmonica is if it has been used by someone famous. How to learn & play sheet music with diatonic harmonica. From the birth of the blues, the Marine Band 1896 has been a constant musical fixture. All these models have been in production for over 20 years. 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. How Has the Hohner Marine Band Changed Over the Years? Together, they are capable of playing 48 chords. Unlike the 1896, the 364 is easy to take apart and adjust. Enter your email address and hit Grab It to get started. 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. That's a tough one. The Hohner Marine Band 364 is a quality instrument, just like the Marine Band 1896. 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). 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. The top is pretty plain. Categories: Diatonic Harmonica, Harmonicas, Hohner, Manufacturer, Tags: 1896 classic, Diatonic, Harmonica, Hohner, Marine Band. 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. 1896 Harmonica Made in Germany by M. Hohner with Box. These sound great in a more chordal folk style as well. Vintage M. Hohner Marine Band Harmonica Germany G Key With OG Box - Sounds Great. The steel covers are similar to the later pre-war versions, although they give the harp a slightly thicker profile top to bottom. 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. Check out my free beginners kick-start course. The 270 has always had a wood comb with nailed-on reedplates. If youre on a tight budget and you can save $20 bucks or more, I guess you could get a Big River instead of a Special 20, but if possible Id try and save up for a Special 20 or a Golden Melody. Guitarist? Thanks for contributing an answer to Music: Practice & Theory Stack Exchange! I assume from the presence of the star in the trademark that it dates from before WWII, however it also has a few features that are normally associated with post-war models. This harmonica has a light brown and black stained wooden comb with metal cover plates screwed to top and bottom. Chromonica is a term that Hohner uses for several different ones. 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 it's especially good for playing single notes in tune. Durability/Fixability the double-lacquered Pear wood comb could over time become susceptible to swelling, cracking, or splintering. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Legendary Hohner Marine Band Harp. The Hohner Marine Band was introduced in 1896 and is probably the most commonly played harmonica in the world, which is why shortcuts in its manufacturing process had such profound repercussions. How do I clean the windway on my recorder? 1896 model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. I like Sp 20's, Deltas, and Soloist pros. 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. Not to mention, the corners of the Marine Band are a bit sharp and hurt the hands when held for long periods of time. 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. 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. 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. 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. Check your inbox in the next minute or two for your first lesson. 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. How do you tell if your harmonica is especially collectible? I will require that you send the instrument to me, paying for the shipping and insurance each way. or Best Offer. Low-tuned Diatonic Harmonica with Layered, Triple-laminated Bamboo Comb Construction and Conical Lower Cover Design - Key of Low G. $159.99. Then in the mid to late 1990s, at the same time as Hohner retooled and made dramatic improvements to the tolerances between reed and reedplate, they went back to using seven nails for both reedplates and also added a production code stamped into the reedplate. Once the harp has had the chance to dry out thoroughly, there is relatively little danger of any communicable diseases being passed on. Privacy The chances are, if your harmonica just looks like a harmonica, then it probably isn't worth much at all. Hohner has established themselves as the go-to brand for harmonicas rightly so high quality harps, for a fair price, that play well. Note: I am not endorsed by any specific harmonica company. Tech Specs Scale: Diatonic Blues Key: C The concept failed and is often frowned upon by professional 48 chord players. Nevertheless, it is THE CLASSIC harmonica. 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. SKU: HMB1C After WWII this was reduced to seven nails. The low monthly subscription of $16.95 gives you full access! $25.00 + $5.85 shipping. 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. 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. Marine Band Crossover Harmonica - Key of C. Marine Band Crossover Diatonic Harmonica - Key of C. 10 reviews Write your review Item ID: MarineCrossC. Our next example is from the early 1930s: The covers are similar to the previous one, but for the trademark now has a larger star once more, much shorter cuffs and all the medals back to having doubled circles again. African American History Curatorial Collective, Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments. 2.96K subscribers Here's a description of how to create a "Marine Band Opener" to crack open a Marine Band 1896 to work on it (customize, flatten reed plates, reed curvature, tuning,. 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. I do not want to have to be a mechanic to play a harp. Marine band is the worst harp I ever bought. Vintage Marine Band No. 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). $12.00. Open quick view dialog for Hohner Marine Band Crossover Harmonica M2009 { "inCheckoutPromo":[] } Hohner Marine Band Crossover Harmonica M2009. Vintage M-Hohner's "Old Standby" Harmonica No. You're in! 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". * 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 . US PATENT OFFICE is no longer present and NO 1896 is now printed directly under the word GERMANY instead of off to the left. 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. $ 84 .99. Even some fairly common harmonicas may be considered collectible by some people. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. [7] There are various subdivisions of the Marine Band. The wood comb sandwiched by the visible edges of the brass reed plates, topped with the stainless steel cover plates is a winning combination. This harmonica was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. These legends were some of the most demanding and finicky musicians on the planet. Check out my full Hohner Golden Melody review. Anyway, they now seem to be making a better sound than before. Check out my in-depth Hohner Crossover review. Entdecke "Mundharmonika M-Hohner's 34B ""Old Standby" in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! Several noted users are Bob Dylan, Brian Jones, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Little Walter and Neil Young. 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. The price is about 35-40$ which is the most common price range for good harmonicas for everybody from straight up first-time harmonica players to professionals that record with it and play live. The harp also has a much slimmer profile top to bottom than previous versions. It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. Heres my take on the Hohner Marine Band, which is the #1 best-sellingharmonica model of all time. Rivets and pins are essentially the same thing. Want to up your single note game? How can I find out which sectors are used by files on NTFS? Today its still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first produced in 1896. A wire brush may score the reeds or comb. In the US filing, they claim that Marine Band had been in continuous use since January 30th, 1896. It was identical to the standard Marine Band 1896, except that it was gold finished and came in a special box. . 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). 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. I guess if youre saving $20 getting a Blues Harp instead of a Marine Band, and youre on a tight budget, go for it. Im working my way through every key to fill my harp case. (I go into some detail about the changes of the Hohner Marine Band model on this page.) Just as well, my Marine Band combs would have suffered. T&C 5 out of 5 stars (895) 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. Presenting the Marine Band 1896 Classic from Hohner. Lets get down to business. How are they compared to other harmonicas too? Hohner reed plates decoded. In that case don't attempt pining the centers of the ends. It's a Hohner 260, then. Registered Company 10370912. and GESCH. 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! Hohner Silver Concerto Chromatic Harmonica. If youre into jazz, gospel, or bluegrass, I highly recommend that you consider this harp. There are some slight differences in the engraving and the design of the hands in the trademark is considerably different and all the medals now have doubled circles around them. Chillin on a nice afternoon while sending the Marine Band sounds out the window. 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). Here is an example: Later versions of that trademark omit the star. Id think twice before purchasing a Blues Bender. Hey! Its got a louder, brighter projection than the Hohner Blues Band, its more responsive, especially on draw holes -2 and -3, and its MUCH easier to bend notes on. Whats not to love? Full Disclosure: Not All Hohner Harmonicas Are Created Equal! Harmonica Construction and its Effects on Sound and Feel. Responsiveness From hole 1 to hole 10, the Marine Band is not sluggish anywhere. Required fields are marked *. This harmonica was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. Vintage Hohner Marine Band Harmonica In Box A440 small ad vertisement by RetroCite Ad vertisement from shop RetroCite RetroCite From shop RetroCite. Hohner's Marine Band 1896 is the archetypal blues harmonica. 1881 Harmonica, Key Of G, Made In Germany. 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. Links, Are you a beginner or struggling to sound good on harmonica? Verdict The Hohner Marine Band 1896 is the classic harmonica played by old Blues greats like Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Litter Walter. If it needs more than that you have to take it apart, and it's held together with nails, which is a pain. Tomorrow I'll try to get some pictures taken And posted. The awards have always been on the bottom cover. Even my friend Lee Oksar (who makes the equally awesome Lee Oskar harmonica) acknowledges that Hohner makes great harmonicas. I always hear that the hohner marine Band is considered the best harmonica and almost God like. 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. I've never messed with a Marine Band, but I hear they are quite small. Our collection database is a work in progress. Check out my free beginners kick-start course. I just had to ask the question again, and please don't vote it up, it's kinda the same as the other one, I don't want any reputation. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions. 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 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. Special Financing - Ends Jan 1, 2024. Many brands of harmonica have little medals engraved on the covers with various dates on them. Take the [not rivets] pins out, clean, then put them back. The covers now have a substantial lip at the rear opening and the cutouts at the end of each cover are slightly smaller. If a law is new but its interpretation is vague, can the courts directly ask the drafters the intent and official interpretation of their law? If youre looking at an outdated forum, you might see people complaining about Marine Bands not bending well out of the box. However, the 1896 only has 20 reeds. $12.00. After the Crossover, this is my 2nd favorite Hohner harmonica. As this is a professional service, there will of course be a fee for it - and I should warn you that in the vast majority of cases, the cost of such an valuation will almost certainly be more than the instrument is worth. This was printed on a blow reed plate: 1-216-1011018/1 G Dur Hohner 27/03 L9/KA2. If it's a pin, hammer the other side till it squeezes against the harmonica shell. A couple of days later I got around taking it apart to clean it. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Learn how your comment data is processed. Just leave plenty of length so you can twist the other end like a fern frond using needle-nose pliers, then possibly hammer the swirl perpendicular against the harmonica shell. Vote. 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. For a clunky but functional hack, even a steel brad will work. Apparently I didn't do such a good job, as the dealer instantly pounced upon me and thrust the harp towards me with the words "You can play it if you like." Vintage Hohner Trutone Pitchpipe No. The 16-hole version comes in the traditional "64" 280 version, the Super 64 (introduced approx. 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). 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 The star vanished during the Nazi era and has never returned. 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. The MS version is noticeably larger, about 4 1/16th inches by 1 1/16th inches, with a much thicker profile. Acidity of alcohols and basicity of amines. Seller 99.6% positive. 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. 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. 1896, W/ ORIGINAL PACKAGING. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. But is the standard actually that good? The most recent version of the Marine Band case has the design on the top reduced in size once more: Here is the current (as of 2011) label on the bottom of the box: The most recent changes were made around 2011, when sealed combs were introduced. 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! If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. 5 out of 5 stars (1,424) Sale Price $33.50 $ 33.50 $ 37.22 Original Price $37.22 (10% off) Add to Favorites Hohner Marine Band 364/24 G Harmonica, Vintage Instruments Collectible Musical . The revolutionary laminated bamboo comb is completely sealed, making it water repellent and exceptionally stable. Cheers! Item was in great shape from being a amp from the late 90s. If youre looking to emulate that old woody tone authentically at any cost, then look no further! 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). The Hohner Pentaharp isnt actually one of my favorite Hohner harmonicas, but it is one of their newest offerings, so I thought it would be cool to check it out and tell you about it. 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. 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,. The cut-outs at the ends of the covers are taller, but not as wide as on the previous example. It responds quickly to blows and draws alike, just as you would hope it would. Hohner Special 20 Marine Band Harmonica Key of F Germany T. $11.40. (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); This has also lead to some more small changes in the engraving of the covers. 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. Compare. Do this on both sides.