Sets vs individual

Hi Eric, good to hear from you.

I have never found harmonicas that are "sold as a set" to have any less or more quality than those stock harmonicas (not customized) purchased individually. Having written that, one has to be mindful of the make and model of the harmonica.

For example, it is common to find retailers package the stock (not customized) Hohner Special 20 harmonicas in six different keys (e.g. A, Bb, C, D, F, G). When compared to a set of Harpsmith enhanced Hohner Special 20 harmonicas, an intermediate to professional player will appreciate the obvious increase in tone, volume and playability-over the stock Special 20.

Another example, would be the beginner starter harmonica, the Hohner Blues Band, often sold as an economical set of seven (A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G). On the outside, they appear to be identical to the Special 20; however, on the inside the reed plates and reeds are constructed of inferior (sounding) materials. Tone and playability of the Blues Band harmonica are lackluster. In fact, they are virtually impossible to customize and improve. Mostly they are fun to throw into a rowdy Road House crowd at the end of an encore ;o)

Your Harpsmith, Kinya