Difference between Marine Bands?
Welcome to the site Kinya! Can you explain for the BluesHarmonica.com Community the difference between the Hohner Marin Band, Hohner Marine Band Deluxe and the Hohner Crossover?
Thanx Jon,
I'll be leaning on you for Seydel tips!
"Play the notes people want to hear" (c) 2008
Kinya Pollard
The Harpsmith
Hello Harmonicats!
Hohner Marine Band Harmonicas are the gold standard of blues harmonica. With its trademark vented cover plates adorned with ornate stampings, wooden combs and outstanding reed sets -- the traditional voicing of this harmonica is unmistakable. Just listen to any Sonny Boy (1 & 2), Little Walter, George Smith, Paul Butterfield, or William Clarke recordings, just to name too few.
Patented on August 24, 1897 (#588,920.) by Matthias Hohner, at least 40 different harmonica models have worn the iconic Marine Band name over the past 113 years. The three most notable diatonic models are:
#1896 Marine Band
Unique to this model is the traditional manufacturing method of assembling the reed plates onto a pear wood comb with nails, as well as inserting nails through the cover plates to secure them onto the harmonica. (I actually witnessed this process when I toured the Hohner factory in Trossingen, Germany a couple of years ago). The pear wood comb is not moisture sealed, nor is the edges sanded round. When the player's saliva swells the comb, the mouthpiece tines push outward and exposes the sharp edges - OUCH! The lip scars are rights of passages for many harmonica players ;o) Tuning of the Marine Band has evolved from Just Intonation – featuring chordal playing, to the current Compromised Just – highlighting chordal as well as single note playing.
The #1896 Marine Band was my first harmonica (circa 1973); however, I would not recommend it for the beginner player. The Hohner Marine Band Deluxe would be a better choice.
#2005 Marine Band Deluxe
We can all thank internationally recognized Steve Baker for influencing the design of the MB DLX harmonica. The physical dimensions are identical to the standard Marine Band, as well as the reeds. Distinctly different, however, are the cover plates and comb.
On the back side of the cover plates, the player will notice the folds have been pressed down to clear the way for greater sound volume. In addition, the cover plates are attached to the harmonica using four binding posts, rather than nails (a clear advantage when servicing the harmonica). The best part of the MB DLX is the new pear wood comb (also assembled with bolts to the reed plates). Here, Hohner sanded the sharp edges of the mouthpiece and sealed the entire perimeter of the comb with a finish that will prevent swelling. This makes playing more comfortable and more responsive. Tuning is identical to the standard #1896 Marine Band.
“CROSSOVER” Marine Band
Introduced last summer at the SPAH convention in Sacramento, California, this instrument is Hohner’s best harmonica to display the Marine Band name. Essentially the CROSSOVER is close to being an out-of-the-box “customized” harmonica.
Great care and attention had been devoted to adjusting the reed profiles and offsets, making this the most responsive diatonic harmonica Hohner have ever produced.
The sealed comb material is fabricated with environmentally renewable bamboo, making this harmonica air tight and extremely comfortable to play – no lip scars here!
Finally, for players who favor single note playing, particularly overblowing, you will appreciate the voicing of the twelve tone “Equal Temperament” (12 TET) tuning.
So many Marine Bands and so little time!
“Play the notes people want to hear” © 2008
Kinya Pollard
The Harpsmith
As to your last comment though, I would modify it to:
"So few Crossovers, and so little time!"
Hello Kinya,
Why are Suzuki harps never mentioned I wonder. I have purchased many harmonicas...and just looking at a Suzuki vs a Hohner...there just seems to be no comparison..the Suzuki looks as if it has better craftsmanship.
They are expensive...i like the ProMasters....
Also anything made in Japan always excells...at least in my mind...
It seems to me that all harmonicas basically sound they same.
I have a custom made Filsco method Marine Band and it does respond better but it cost $300 and took 6 months of waiting to recieve.
When I look at a Marine Band it looks cheap...is it just my imagination?
It is frustrating to think that there might be another harmonica that is out there that might be better...what to do?
What do you think about ProMasters?
Thank you!
Steve
"Also anything made in Japan always excels"
You should type on my new Toyota keybooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
?
Hey Steve, Thanx for your question regarding Suzuki harmonicas. In the December 2009 issue of Mel Bay’s Harmonica Sessions, I wrote a review of the new Suzuki Manji harmonica. On the first page I wrote: “As a Harp-Tech, I have always been a fan of Suzuki’s craftsmanship. Their harmonicas are a marvel of precision engineering. As a harmonica player, however, I became frustrated with Suzuki harmonica’s lack of “vivedus” (Latin: ‘to live’, ‘be alive’). Fortunately, the new Manji by Suzuki altered my belief system”.
Pro player, Andy Just, is no stranger to the harmonica community and the contemporary blues genre. Listen to Andy ignite the bandstand with Robben Ford. The Manji harmonica satisfied his ferocious and demanding type of harmonica playing. As a matter of fact, Andy accepted Suzuki’s request to become one of their endorsees. You may have seen him at the recent NAMM show Suzuki booth, in Anaheim, CA. I found many advanced harmonica customizing strategies incorporated into the Manji, including exceptionally close tolerances between the phosphor bronze reeds and reed plates. Note the Filisko cover plate bolt positioning, and the vented cover plate design quoted from Mathias Hohner’s Marine Band. I believe Suzuki got it right with the Manji harmonica. It has the potential of being a game changer in the universe of affordable high quality harmonicas.
"Play the notes people want to hear" (c) 2008 Kinya Pollard The Harpsmith
... because he broke a string.
Apparently he was not aware that by replacing the string, he would have been able to restore his guitar to its original playing condition.
Sound preposterous? Maybe … but how many of you harmonica players throw away a perfectly good instrument over one blown reed?
"Play the notes people want to hear" (c) 2008
Kinya Pollard
The Harpsmith
I'm just teasing, dude...
;o)
I didn't get a chance to meet with you before leaving at this years Masterclass in SJ and was hoping that since we live so close, you would set aside some time soon and show me how to work on my harps. I have a few that need serious attention and would greatly appreciate the assistance and training.
Hope to hear from you soon. If you could use my email below, I'll get it much faster. Thanks!
Jim
fdmd70@mac.com
Hello Jim,
I conduct six hour "hands-on" Harp Tech Clinics at my HARPSMITH workshop in San Jose, California (10 minutes from the International Airport) in October. I limit each class to five participants @ $185 each.
The agenda is created after I had opportunity to interview each applicant and determine the group's prioritites, for example, embossing (burnishing) reed profiling, comb modifications, etc.
HARPSMITH is equipped with a wonderful inventory of tools, tuners and amps. The sand in our hour glass will flow quickly, but I can assure you, everyone will feel more than satsified.
If you are interested, respond back to me through this forum.
“Play the notes people want to hear” © 2008
Kinya Pollard
The Harpsmith
Sounds great Kinya. I have a few things going on in October so do you have the date nailed down yet? I'm definitely interested. Thanks.
Jim
Hello Jim,
Currently the date is a moving target. Stay tuned!
Regards, Kinya
I wish I could get you to work on a select few of mine before the end of the month if at all possible. I will probably be playing with some guys soon and wanted to be ready to go. Currently my D harp needs some tlc and my new crossover 9 hole is hard to blow. I don't want to mess it up and would love to at least get a few of them dialed. Any chance you have some time this month? I would greatly appreciate it.
Jim
Jim,
Unfortunately no, but don't despair. Jon Harl, a student of Richard Sleigh and a member of bluesharmonica.com is a full time harp tech and should be able to handle your request quickly.
Hey Jon, can you help us out here?
Kinya
Thanks Kinya. Do you have his contact info?
Jim
Hello. I have been practicing with the Special 20 alittle now, and i have it in key of A and Key of C. I am currently thinking of investing in a Crossover. but i dont know what Key to buy first. i would like to be able to play rock songs like Heart of gold (Neil Young) and The River (Bruce springsteen). What key would be best for me then?
Hello Ola, thank you for joining us!
Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" is in the Key of G, and because Neil is playing his harmonica in 1st position -- you will need a G harmonica.
Bruce Springstein's "River" is in the key of Em, and because Bruce is playing his harmonica in 3rd position -- you will need a D harmonica.
Have fun and keep us posted of your progress.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Welcome Kinya.... I'll be watching this forum with much interest. You have many good ideas and lots of experience that will be good to tap into.