Harmonicas

[TonyT]

I'm going to take a harmonica class next session. I need a 10-hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C. I want a nice harmonica, but don't need to be stupid about it. Somebody take it from here...

 

[southernGuild]

Hey Tony, I think that the LEE OSCARS are TERRIFFIC value all around and damn good harmonicas too. Check into them and you'll see the numerous reasons why. VERY clever design and build that runs trough the whole product line. a 10 hole C diotonic will certainly get you started. Cheers Southern

 

[FNG]

Just get a Horner Marine Band for starters. Classic model. You can branch out in harps and keys later.

 

[killdeer43]

I have:
Hohner Golden Melody Blues Band in C
Hohner Blues Harp in G
Lee Oskar in E
I've always liked the Hohners -- Marine Band, Blues Band, and Blues Harp. Hard to go wrong and they're priced to buy. Always take one camping when I go. Very portable! :wink:

If you want to empty the house of unwanted guests, in-laws, etc., mount your G Blues Harp in a holder, hang it on your neck, and do all the Dylan you know, while keeping up with your guitar of course. Nothing but fun! :lol:

And blow it in the wind,
Joe

 

[Dr. Spivey]

These are nice. http://coast2coastmusic.com/cgi-bin/cart/SE10201.html Easy playing and great tone.

 

[evenkeel]

Hohner's German made harps are the industry standard. They also have some lower priced Chinese made harmonicas that are a good value. The Lee Oscars are also good.

 

[fronobulax]

OK. I'll bite. What makes one harmonica better than another? Construction features? Durability? Effort spent in making sure it is physically capable of playing in tune before it leaves the factory? Is there such a thing as a $100 harmonica? If so, what makes it different from a $10 one and do those differences matter?

Not trying to be a smarta**. I know enough about most instruments to at least separate the beginner models from the rest and I realized I didn't know that for harmonicas.

 

[dreadnut]

I used to get the wood Hohner Blues Harps for $5, soak 'em in a glass of water to make the wood swell a bit and boy could you bend the reeds on the blues! 'course, they didn't last too long :roll:

 

[TonyT]

Thanks everyone.

 

[FNG]

OK. I'll bite. What makes one harmonica better than another? Construction features? Durability? Effort spent in making sure it is physically capable of playing in tune before it leaves the factory? Is there such a thing as a $100 harmonica? If so, what makes it different from a $10 one and do those differences matter?

Not trying to be a smarta**. I know enough about most instruments to at least separate the beginner models from the rest and I realized I didn't know that for harmonicas.

Some of the most classic harp blues were played on plain old Horners. You can buy a cheapo dime store harp, or you can spend some coin on a nice chromatic. But you can do the job with a solid Horner.

Now harps amps and mics....that's another story.

 

[Ross]

Hohner Big River harps are also well-regarded.

 

[JerryR]

Hohner Big River harps are also well-regarded.

Until I try to play one when doing Me and Bobby McGee :roll: Harp is great - it is the harpist needs shooting

 

[Dr. Spivey]

Hohner's German made harps are the industry standard. They also have some lower priced Chinese made harmonicas that are a good value. The Lee Oscars are also good.

Hohner's quality and consistency ain't what it used to be. They still make a lot of good harps, but they have plenty of competition. Seydel, Hering and Suzuki all are making instruments that equal or exceed their Hohner equivalents. Lee Oskars are very nice as well, but some folks don't like their tone, which is very dependent on playing style.

I played nothing but Hohner for 30 years, but now days my main diatonics are Seydel. I also have some Suzukis and a set of Hohner Golden Melodys. My chromatic is a Suzuki as well as a couple trems. The Special 20's that I loved for decades are now backups/beaters. Like guitars, there is a lot of good stuff out there these days.