After WWII this was reduced to seven nails. $137.00. The purists irrationally cleave to the notion that the sound of the Marine Band 1896 is the sound that was, for better or worse, the sound of the old time legends. Recent versions all have a hard plastic box, green for the 270, black for the 16-holers. Durability/Fixability the double-lacquered Pear wood comb could over time become susceptible to swelling, cracking, or splintering. Played by iconic figures such as Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, and Bob Dylan, it remains the top choice for the top professional, as well as aspiring musicians around the globe. Several noted users are Bob Dylan, Brian Jones, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Little Walter and Neil Young. The chances are, if your harmonica just looks like a harmonica, then it probably isn't worth much at all. medals, single circles around ULM and STUTTGART medals. The Hohner Marine Band 1896 classic harmonica is the original blues harp. A Hohner catalog from 1902 shows the 1896 model with the name Marine Band and the familiar picture of Matthias Hohner on the cover, also with the words PATENT APPLIED FOR, even though the accompanying caption clearly states Patented August 24th 1897: For what it is worth, the name Marine Band was registered with the German Trademark Office as DRWZ 14708 in 1896 (the application was made January 30th and granted March 13th) and with the United States Patent and Trademark Office as Trade-Mark 28,228 (application filed March 21st and granted May 5th). If you require a professional appraisal of an old harmonica for insurance purposes or any other reason, I am willing to provide such a service. If you have a very good condition old Hohner Marine Band, or 64 Chromonica, then there could be a player prepared to pay a reasonable price for it. Im putting these 2 Hohner harmonicas under the same heading because my response to these questions is similar. From Germany Japan & Occupied Japan2. They are not pins or rivets.They are small nails. If the harmonica has been lying around in someone's attic for a few years, you also have a chance of inhaling some other tasty delicacies. For example, a brand new Hohner Marine Band that rolled off the production line last week will still feature medals with the dates 1871, 1873, 1876 and 1881. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. . C $13.89. Better quality and sound projection make it a favorite of many bluesmen. Hohner Progressive Series Harmonicas Which One Should I Buy? They are long they will still work. Thats why its one of my top recommended harps, along with Lee Oskar, as you can see in my article Which Harmonica to Buy for Beginners. Thats right: billion with a B. I think its safe to say that they know a thing or two about making harmonicas! It took some major abuse on the travels. [7] There are various subdivisions of the Marine Band. Mike "Fathead" Easton (Pennsylvania) Mr Easton has been in the harmonica repair business since 2000. The Marine Band is the standard. Heres my take on the Hohner Marine Band, which is the #1 best-sellingharmonica model of all time. TheVINTAGEShopBG. If youre on a tight budget and you can save $20 bucks or more, I guess you could get a Big River instead of a Special 20, but if possible Id try and save up for a Special 20 or a Golden Melody. Just bear in mind that youll have to sacrifice the comfort that other modern alternatives can provide. It is a Marine Band No. VTG M. HOHNER MARINE BAND HARMONICA - NO. Please message me if you are going to be more than 15 minutes late or not coming. Yes, they are the original harmonica that all the old blues masters played. Money no object? T&C Ending Today at 17:11 EST 12h 5m. 8, which played 36 blow-only chords, in three rows. Calculating probabilities from d6 dice pool (Degenesis rules for botches and triggers). Those that do are mostly in the German language and take some effort to obtain. Guitarist? P4 A-440 Germany Vocal Old Style with Box. Post a comment below. The reedplates are held in place with screws and the covers attached with bolts, unlike the Classic Marine Band's nailed construction. Your email address will not be published. I assume from the presence of the star in the trademark that it dates from before WWII, however it also has a few features that are normally associated with post-war models. Old herings super 20 were like that too, using rivets. Super 64X (7584) Reed Plate Set. The 364 has 24 reeds, giving it a better note range. The picture of Matthias Hohner is slightly simplified compared with earlier versions and the laurel around his picture is also a little different. It felt to me like the edges of the reed plates were also adding to the discomfort. If you're into jazz, gospel, or bluegrass, I highly recommend that you consider this harp. Do this on both sides. Do I need a thermal expansion tank if I already have a pressure tank? The current version of the Blues Harp is part of Hohner's Modular Series and was introduced in the 1990s. Can someone please help me. 3 comments. Sweetwater Savings: $ 30 .01 MSRP: $ 115 .00. Cant do so, I tried talking one off but i couldn't put it back. Just as well, my Marine Band combs would have suffered. Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. Postage is at cost. Your email address will not be published. 1896 model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. On the upper cover, the wreath is slightly smaller and the placement different, the signature is also smaller and the patent dates are placed more to right than on the 1923 model. On the upper cover, the lettering is fractionally larger than on the previous examples, both for the name MARINE BAND and the Hohner signature. Harmonica Construction and its Effects on Sound and Feel, Original cover design from 1896 ensures the classic blues sound, Greatly reduced swelling behaviour through double-coated pear wood comb. Either way, you want a pin/rivet with a head on one side, and about 1mm or 1/16th inch sticking through the other side of the harmonica. Looking for an amazing bang-for buck harp? Although the comb is the same length, the covers have changed substantially. The front left channel and rear right weren't playing sound, power supply was working and output transistors were working, just had to clean the gain pots and all 4 channels work. C, A, A Flat, B, B Flat, D, D Flat, E, E Flat, F, G. The most popular models are either single-sided or double-sided Echo harps, but the single-sided ones can be combined into quadruple or sextuple corncob setups, with a different key on each row. Clicking on the links under each picture will open new windows with close-ups of various parts of each instrument. Ending Today at 5:24PM GMT 16h 54m. Its sound is typical for blues, folk, and country, but also pop and rock. Verdict The Hohner Marine Band 1896 is the classic harmonica played by old Blues greats like Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Litter Walter. Whats not to love? Reed plate edges and channel openings with new Ultraglide coating are rounded off for greater playing comfort. Translated: 1-216-1011018/1 is the article number. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. The Harmonica Company is the trading name of The Harmonica World Ltd. First launched in 1896, this model has been regularly played on stage by probably every famous harmonica player you can think of from Bob Dylan to Neil Young to Adam Gussow to Howard Levy. There are some slight differences in the engraving and the design of the hands in the trademark is considerably different and all the medals now have doubled circles around them. Do i have to use a hammer? In the 1980s they were using six nails for the lower reedplate (although I have also seen a few examples that only used five nails on each reedplate). After pressing the pin/rivet through, set the bottom side of the pin on an anvil (any raised piece of metal like a meat tenderizer or side of some pliers). Get the full low down on the Hohner Special 20. It's a 10 hole. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Contact Many harmonica makers avoid G sharp, which makes these harder to find (and drives the cost up). Harmonica Hohner Marine Band 125th Jubilee edition, key of C. C $96.66 + C $21.78 shipping. $12.00. Don't be afraid. Compare Compare Now site51274741945951115698 1274115056142. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. During the mid-1960s through some time in the 1970s, they had soft wraparound plastic pouches, green for the 270 and brown for the 280. The U.S.A. PATENT AUG. 24th 1897 and MADE IN GERMANY claims are no longer present on the upper cover and the lettering of the name MARINE BAND is substantially larger. I think its worth the extra money. For basic cleaning just rub the covers down with a microfiber cloth and use a toothpick to get the gunk out of the holes (hold the harp so the stuff falls out, not in). What more dya want? To get the best out of our site and for it to function correct, please read, accept and understand our 'Cookies Policy'. The harmonica is engraved: MARINE BANDM. If all the top halves are open in a straight line, that's straight tuning. Vote. Pins can be made either by flat filing the pointy tip off brass upholstery brads (hold it with pliers) or by balling the end of some copper wire over a gas stove. For low tunings, we recommend the Hohner Thunderbird, which has been designed from the ground up as a low tuned harmonica, but still has similar tone and feel to the classic Marine Band. The brass reeds and wood comb give it that beautiful woody tone that, in my opinion, just cant be beat. Heres my Hohner Marine Band 1896 full review. There are some models of Hohner harmonicas that I do NOT recommend getting. If it needs more than that you have to take it apart, and it's held together with nails, which is a pain. How is Jesus " " (Luke 1:32 NAS28) different from a prophet (, Luke 1:76 NAS28)? It could even gouge out the holes, ruining the harp. Photo courtesy of InterstateMusic.com. This has also lead to some more small changes in the engraving of the covers. Marine band is the worst harp I ever bought. If the harmonica had a plastic comb, you could simply soak the whole thing in lemon juice overnight. Registered Company 10370912. Its undisputed. the marine band is my active instrument and the thing is, i don't want to mess with the tuning, i don't know how to retunne, it's not like the guitar, you can't use a metronome right? Return to Fairly Frequently Asked Questions. Learn how your comment data is processed. For pins, file off the head on the side with least material and drive it through with a punch, over some table surface with a hole underneath the pin (or a 2x4 with a hole drilled in it, or even a socket). Its design has changed quite a bit over the last century and I have attempted here to draw up a chronology of its evolution. Hohner Golden Melody Review + Video: The Pretty Lady in Red. The cut-outs at the ends of the covers are taller, but not as wide as on the previous example. The box is only slightly changed from earlier versions. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. This was because the instrument was said to have been given to Jimi Hendrix by Bob Dylan and there was a signed affidavit to this effect. Vintage Hohner Marine Band Harmonica In Box A440 small ad vertisement by RetroCite Ad vertisement from shop RetroCite RetroCite From shop RetroCite. In the US filing, they claim that Marine Band had been in continuous use since January 30th, 1896. The chord harmonica is used to provide chordal and rhythmic backing in an ensemble, much as rhythm guitar might do. It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. The cover plates are attached with nails instead of screws which could make fixing/tuning this harmonica difficult. 4.2/5 Stars Total. All parts are thoroughly cleaned & sterilised before custom work is done. This was printed on a blow reed plate: 1-216-1011018/1 G Dur Hohner 27/03 L9/KA2. M. Hohner Marine Band A440 1896 Classic Harmonica - Key of G Used - Good $19.95 + $5 Shipping This piece of gear has sold View similar gear from other sellers on Reverb View similar gear Watch Watch this gear and we'll notify you if it becomes available again. Compared to the Special 20 (which has what's called an enclosed construction), this Hohner Marine Band harmonica has side vents that give it a "brighter, more vibrant sound," says Barrett,. Enter your email address and hit Grab It to get started. Acidity of alcohols and basicity of amines. * 0-80 x 3/8' brass bolts #70189 round head, or #70191 for hex head (strictly a matter of taste) * 0-80 nuts if you choose not to tap threads into the bottom draw reed plate, and the four 0-80 nuts you will need to secure the cover . A440 Vintage Hohner MARINE BAND Harmonica- No. Hohner 1896 Marine Band Harmonica Key of B (NO BOX) $39.99 10% Off $35.99 Used - Mint Free Shipping Hohner 1896BX-FSHRP Marine Band 1896 Classic Harmonica - Key of C $45.50 Brand New Free Shipping Hohner 1896BX-A Marine Band 1896 Classic Harmonica - Key of A (Small Business) $46.99 Brand New Free Shipping But if youre totally obsessed with TONE at any cost, then this may be the harmonica youre looking for. There is a commonly held belief (not completely without basis in fact) that Hohner harmonicas made before WWII are better than more recent ones. The harp also has a much slimmer profile top to bottom than previous versions. This harmonica has a light brown and black stained wooden comb with metal cover plates screwed to top and bottom. Youll get 3 free video lessons where youll learn. I pulled out this Marine Band 1896, and the thing bends like a champ! I had a lot of them and you can just take them out and back without any problem several times. Show details Known for its full tone, wood comb, and its patented cover plates, the Marine Band harmonica was there when harmonica blues was born. If you get it wet enough for the comb to expand (by dunking it in water) the wood may not even dry back to its original size. This page tells you pretty much everything I can about the value of your old harmonica without actually seeing it. Privacy Based on my decades of teaching n playing harmonica, these are the very best Hohner has to offer, in my humble opinion: If youre the sort of person who likes to have the very best of everything, and money is no object, then the Hohner Crossover is for you. Don't be afraid. How can a harmonica make some different sounds? By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. It was made in 1896, and it still has the same design. My grandfather gave me a Hohner Chromonica back in the 80's and I would like to get an idea of how long he had it before he gave it to me. It is also probable that you are now considering emailing me for more information on the possible value of your harmonica. From the photo with the best focus, it looks like it's possible that it's not a rivet, just a screw head that has broken off. Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? The fine tuning of the instrument was also changed several times from the original 7-limit Just Intonation, to various more tempered tunings during the 1980s, then to something a little closer to Just Intonation in recent years. 18.80 postage. Constitution Avenue, NW This next instrument came with a booklet in its case that was dated 1905 and the design of the label inside the lid of the case was trademarked in 1907 (DRWZ 101069). The only key label is a difficult-to-read engraving on the cover plate, virtually impossible to see in a dark club. There are many other small variations in the Hohner trademark that may help give a rough approximation of the manufacturing date, but they are a little beyond the scope of this article. The Marine Band Classic is one of the few Hohner diatonics that is available in a full range of natural and harmonic minor tunings. The address of Hicksville NY on this box dates it to some time after 1960 (Hohner US being based at Hicksville from 1960 to 1982). If youre wanting to get a great plastic comb harmonica, Id recommend that you just get one of the tried-and-true originals the Special 20 or the Golden Melody. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage M. Hohner Marine Band Harmonica Key of C Germany No 1896 at the best online prices at eBay! does any one know how to tell how old a harmonica is? Hohner has been making harmonicas for about 160 years. The original version of the Blues Harp was introduced in the late 1960s and despite the stories about the reeds somehow being different (see this pagefor more details), was essentially a Marine Band with different covers. How should I deal with enharmonics on the Chromatic Harmonica? How to handle a hobby that makes income in US. However, I found you could use a small flat-bladed screw driver (the one that came with the Hohner kit was OK) to gently ease off each cover plate in turn by levering them slowly away from the wooden centre of the harmonica. Saturday 4th March: All orders are being dispatched as normal! How Has the Hohner Marine Band Changed Over the Years? Also the words DEM VERDIENSTE (alongside the WEIN medals) have now been abbreviated to D. VERDIENSTE. Listed: 3 years ago Views: 227 Watchers: 1 About This Listing For some time, the Marine Band was also available in a hard case, as well as the usual card box: Our third example dates from some time prior to WWI and displays several changes from the previous model. I absolutely LOVE the Golden Melody. Compare. 1896 Harmonica Made in Germany by M. Hohner with Box. It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. Although the WIEN medals keep their single circle outline, there is a partial circle of dots inside this outline. If you do it carefully the small pins will come out intact and you can push them back firmly into the same holes after you have cleaned up and adjusted the reed plates. I had a lot of them and you can just take them out and back without any problem several times. It is probable that you found this page with a search engine, as you sit at your computer with an old harmonica in your lap, curious as to how much it is worth. They are long they will still work. Comfort Comfort is the one area where the Marine Band 1896 does not fare well against the competition. From the birth of the blues, the Marine Band 1896 has been a constant musical fixture. Vintage C.A. The details might be a little too subtle to make out in the above pictures, but the designs have all been very slightly shrunk horizontally and very slightly stretched vertically. If you already own a Hohner Blues Harp or a Hohner Big River harmonica, and youre wondering if its a good harmonica to learn on: fear not, youre in great shape. Registered Company 10370912. There were also a few changes to the box around the time of WWII. Legendary Hohner Marine Band Harp. are back again and the lines between them are vertical rather than horizontal, making it identical to the postwar MB except for the presence of the star. Here we have a second Hohner product. If youre looking at an outdated forum, you might see people complaining about Marine Bands not bending well out of the box. Her willingness to let me blow into it suggested that maybe many other lips had been on its mouthpiece that same day, so I declined, at which point she said "It's perfectly OK - I've given it a good cleaning" and she put the harp in her mouth and proceeded to blow and draw with great enthusiasm. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. M.Hohner Vtg The Echo Harp Germany Bell Metal Reeds Box Harmonica. One fairly reliable way get some idea of the age of certain Hohner models is by the trademark on the cover. Hohner from the 19 to the late 19 also produced the Polyphonia No. If you don't take the cover, you can't clean it properly. Verdict - The Hohner Marine Band 1896 is the classic harmonica played by old Blues greats like Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Litter Walter. Honestly, though, I rarely play this instrument because the others are SO much more comfy, and still sound really good. However, I have since learned that this is by no means an uncommon specimen. you have to use your ear and i'm not trained enough to know the right tune for each hole, i don't know flip jers, but he seems very professional, he could retune Vintage Harmonica Hohner Marine Band 1896 Key Harp M40. However, despite all these improvements, the Marine Band MS lasted for less than a decade, compared with twelve decades (and counting) of the hand made version. And for dessert, heres avery cool article I found online: How Has the Hohner Marine Band Changed Over the Years? For more info check out my full review of the Marine Band 1896. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for VINTAGE M HOHNER ECHO 54/64 HARMONICA C G MADE IN GERMANY NEW OLD STOCK at the best online prices at eBay! If you can afford it, Id recommend springing for it. 34 GERMANY Working. Rather than a pair of tabs at each end of the cover, there is a single tab at each end the full width of the cover. I have never seen any actual physical examples of this stage in its evolution, but here is a picture from an 1896 catalog of the William Tonk and Bro. $25.00 + $5.85 shipping. I have never had someone buy a Hohner Special 20 and be disappointed with it. During the mid-1960s through some time in the 1970s, they had soft wraparound plastic pouches, green for the 270 and brown for the 280. The covers now have a substantial lip at the rear opening and the cutouts at the end of each cover are slightly smaller. 5/5 Stars. After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at At the end of this video (after 9:00s) I am giving some playing examples with the Marine Band, youre welcome to check them out and also to check out the lesson if youre new to harmonica. We apologize for the interruption. According to a friend who has played marine band for many years, all that he's owned have screws, so this could be a rare model.The rivets could be drilled out and others put in after, but it may be worth checking its value first. $54.95 + $5.75 shipping. If you think you've found a valuable old treasure in the attic, it's likely that you are going to be disappointed. Contact Its responsive, its got a great bluesy tone, and its one of the easiest harmonicas on which to learn how to bend notes. Help That said, the Special 20 uses the Marine Band technology and we prefer the Hohner Special 20 because the plastic comb on the Special 20 doesnt swell over time. rev2023.3.3.43278. To top it all off, the corners are pretty pointy, so holding it for long periods of time could be uncomfortable. Also the comb is now shorter than any of the previous models, a fraction under 4 inches long. Co. of New York: The covers on this instrument are "upside down" compared with the current incarnation of the Marine Band, ie. Now I have this marine band, you have to see to believe! The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Another change occurred around 2000, when the nickel plated mild steel covers used for the last eighty years or so, were replaced with stainless steel covers. If you require a personal response, please use ourContact page. medals have gone back to single circles, although the ULM and STUTTGART medals still have double circles. Your Price $ 84.99 msrp:115.0,lowPrice:84.99. Responsiveness From hole 1 to hole 10, the Marine Band is not sluggish anywhere. Together, they are capable of playing 48 chords. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Everybody knows it. This harmonica features U.S. Patent #588920 for an improvement in mouth-harmonicas, submitted by Jacob Hohner. Screw For Cover Plates - Marine Band Crossover, Thunderbird And Octave, Auto Valve. Should you wish to replace reed plates on the Marine Band Classic, we recommend upgrading to the Andrew Zajac Marine Band Conversion Kit, which replaces the stock nails with a bolted setup, and makes the process of changing reed plates significantly easier. Our next example is from the early 1930s: The covers are similar to the previous one, but for the trademark now has a larger star once more, much shorter cuffs and all the medals back to having doubled circles again. Ive literally taught thousands of people how to play the harmonica, and not one beginner who has purchased the Special 20 hasnt loved it. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The picture above shows the words PATENT APPLIED FOR on the cover, so presumably this 1906 catalog must have used an old illustration. Ive had several beginners who were struggling while playing these, and then theyinvested a bit more into a Special 20, a Lee Oskar, or a Golden Melody and they came back ecstatic at how much easier it was to play. The Hohner Old Standby Harmonica will get through, whether 're riding high, singing the blues, or just waiting on a train.