Hohner Special 20 (Progressive)
Wed, 04/29/2015 - 18:55
Hi,
I have been playing Hohner Special 20 harps for quite a few years now. It's my favorite harmonica because of the slightly darker and mellow tonality. But the new progressive special 20 harmonica just feels......different. They just do not sound and feel the same as the old version. Has Hohner done something different to the reed or something? I really don't like the new model.
Thanks.
Tue, 07/28/2015 - 07:34
#2
more on the Rocket harmonica
Hello All. Since the April posting, I had worked under the hood of close to (25) Hohner Progressive Rocket harmonicas.
Once dialed in, this impressive harmonica rapidly displaced my Marine Band type harmonicas as my new set of performing harmonicas.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hello
Based on the "Progressive" series Hohner harmonicas, including: Special 20, Rocket and Golden Melody, that I have worked on--the reed plate slot tolerances and tuning were exceptional.
However; what I have found without exception, was that many reeds needed to be calibrated (the out-of-the-box settings were gapped too wide, resulting in difficulty in bending some notes on the harmonica).
Adjusting the gapping (offsets), and reed profiling will be necessary to "dial in" your harmonica. Once adjusted to your playing style, you will find your new Progressive Series Special 20 harmonica to perform better than the previous Special 20 series harmonicas. Tip: the Progressive series Special 20 harmonicas have distinctly different cover plates.
Have you watched our Harp Tech series on reed profiling (gapping)?
Your Harpsmith, Kinya