How to convert your Hohner Special 20 into a Marine Band
Hello Harp Techs
For me when Gobble Gobble Day approaches, it's my cue to hit the Harpsmith bench. This year I decided to morph one of my Hohner Special 20 harmonicas into a Marine Band harmonica.
Q: Why pray tell, would you miss out on Turkey and Pumpkin pie and spend your time on this project?
A: Although I find the Special 20 harmonicas to be extremely comfortable, for certain gigs I require a more “acoustic” voicing that can only be achieved with the “vented” cover plates found on the Marine Band. The prize was too great for me not to make the sacrifice ;o)
This is a relatively simple process. The material and tool list are as follows:
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Blue Painters Tape
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3/32” drill bit and drill (drill press works best, but any hand drill will work)
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Small hammer and anvil
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Straight jewelers screwdriver
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Hohner Special 20 (#560) harmonica
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Hohner Marine Band (#1896) harmonica
Remove the cover plates from both harmonicas. The Marine Band 1896 do not use nuts/bolts, but traditional nails. Grab a Quarter from your loose change tray and partially insert into the back of the top cover plate, then give it a little twist--raising the cover plate and lifting the nails along for the ride. Repeat this process for the draw cover plate.
Carefully hammer flat the sharp nail "pops".
Apply a strip of Blue Painter’s Tape onto the leading edge of the Special 20 cover plate.
Precisely align the Marine Band cover plate to the leading edge of the Special 20 cover plate.
A Tee Pee made of cover plates … fun for the entire family!
Prevent wiggling by taping the end tabs.
Chuck up your drill with a 3/32” bit.
With the Special 20 cover plate facing upward, carefully drill through the bottom Marine Band cover plate. Notice the wood block I placed under the cover plate tab? this will mitigate “tearing” of the sheet metal effect.
The new clearance hole is perfectly positioned for the Special 20 comb. Repeat process for the bottom Marine Band cover plate.
Assemble the Marine Band cover plates onto your Special 20 harmonica using the original nut/bolts.
End view of attached Marine Band cover plate onto the Special 20 harmonica.
These Babies sound wonderful and fit so well together, I wouldn’t be that surprised if they became your next favorite set of harmonicas! Share your thoughts with the rest of the the forum.
Your Harpsmith,
Kinya
You just let the cat out of the bag Ken ;o) That was going to be my surprise project next time.
It does take considerably more work to vent the Special 20 plates properly. For me, I ALWAYS have donor Marine Bands laying around, so it was it no brainer to do this strategy.
Keep in mind Harp Techs, the key signature stamped into the right top Marine Band tab will become irrelevant after you drill out the tab for the Special 20 bolt--making any Marine Band a good donor for cover plates.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Kinya,
I didn't mean to let the cat out of the bag :-() I should have known that you have other items up that Master Harp Tech sleeve of yours….
Ken
Kinya,
Is there a reason you prefer to use the Marine Band cover plate versus venting the Special 20 cover plate as you did in the February 2008 edition of Mel Bay's HarmonicaSessions? I realize venting the Special 20 requires a little more work, but at least you would not have to use up a Marine Band cover plate. In fact, I have been contemplating building two sets of Special 20's. One set with standard cover plates and one with vented cover plates – maybe next Thanksgiving??? Only if the wife lets me...
Happy Harmonica Holidays,
Ken