Check your inbox in the next minute or two for your first lesson. Cheers! That means its less comfy than a plastic combed harmonica like a Special 20. If it don't have little screws, don't take it apart, leave it alone. But if youre totally obsessed with TONE at any cost, then this may be the harmonica youre looking for. Vintage M-Hohner's "Old Standby" Harmonica No. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. 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. It is a Marine Band No. HOHNER Tombo PeeWee Harmonica Lee Oskar Marine Band Golden Melody Old $240. The most recent version of the Marine Band case has the design on the top reduced in size once more: Here is the current (as of 2011) label on the bottom of the box: The most recent changes were made around 2011, when sealed combs were introduced. However, the 1896 only has 20 reeds. If you are really wanting to learn the harmonica, I DO NOT recommend that you purchase the Pentaharp because it is SO DIFFERENT from a regular harmonica. This next one probably dates from the late 1920s: The only significant difference between this one and the previous model, is that cuffs in the trademark have lost their jagged ends. $34.99. If it's a pin, hammer the other side till it squeezes against the harmonica shell. there is no model on the harmonica itself, but the case says it is a c260. Here are answers to questions that I get about Hohner harmonicas time and time again: Everybody agrees that Hohner is an excellent brand of harmonica. Hohner's Marine Band 1896 is the archetypal blues harmonica. Clicking on the links under each picture will open new windows with close-ups of various parts of each instrument. How can a harmonica make some different sounds? There are some models of Hohner harmonicas that I do NOT recommend getting. The Hohner Marine Band 364 is a quality instrument, just like the Marine Band 1896. You can see an interesting list of famous Marine Band players right here. The box is only slightly changed from earlier versions. The Marine Band harp is a result over 100 years of Hohner German craftsmanship. Washington, D.C. Email powered by MailChimp (Privacy Policy & Terms of Use), International Media Interoperability Framework. The Hohner company has produced more than forty different models bearing the name Marine Band over the years, ranging from simple Richter diatonics with twenty reeds, to huge multiple tremolo instruments with almost almost two hundred reeds and all sizes and types in between. Hohner Hot Metal Harmonica $ 17.99 Select options; Hohner Marine Band 364/24 Soloist Harmonica $ 79.00 Add to cart 2 Minute Hohner Pentaharp review here, if you wanna see it in action. At some point the comb material was changed from peachwood to pearwood, but I don't know how to tell the two woods apart by visual inspection. Ending Today at 17:11 EST 12h 5m. Cant do so, I tried talking one off but i couldn't put it back. Registered Company 10370912. Im putting these 2 Hohner harmonicas under the same heading because my response to these questions is similar. I have two Marine Band harps in G and C,40 years old or more.I took one apart to clean, and it has never been reassembled. We apologize for the interruption. It will not be helpful for beginners who really want to learn how to play harmonica. $12.00. Hey! Aside from the boast of U.S.A. PATENT AUG. 24th 1897, the covers on this one seem identical to the previous model, however the combs are very slightly different, the earlier one being 4 1/16 inches long and the later one being 4 1/32 inches. Learn Harmonica! The other instrument I should mention is the Marine Band MS. Your email address will not be published. 1896 Key Of A Original HARD CASE | Musical Instruments & Gear, Vintage Musical Instruments, Vintage Wind & Woodwind | eBay! Vintage Hohner Marine Band Harmonica In Box A440 small ad vertisement by RetroCite Ad vertisement from shop RetroCite RetroCite From shop RetroCite. It is very easy to tell the Marine Band MS from the Classic/Handmade version. The Hohner Marine Band Deluxe brings the incomparable sound of the Marine Band 1896 into the 21st century with a variety of improvements which optimise handling and ensure greater volume and faster response, while retaining the rich and powerful Hohner sound. These have a clear finish, rather than the traditional yellow/orange paint on the front and black paint on the ends and rear of the comb. 4.5 of 5 stars (38) Reviews. I imagine that's an inventory number. Required fields are marked *. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Harmonica Company is the trading name of The Harmonica World Ltd. Help The box now has #1896 added to the design on the top and a label on the bottom boasting of the quality of their instruments and of their award at the 1915 San Francisco Exposition. medals have gone back to single circles, although the ULM and STUTTGART medals still have double circles. The go to harp for players such as Jerry Portnoy and Kim Wilson, although this iant publicised as the Marine Band Deluxe isnt marketed in the US. IF THE ADD IS UP IT'S AVAILABLE. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Here's a folder containing all the photos that you may want to see. Your harmonica will survive. The Marine Band is the standard. Hohner Golden Melody Review + Video: The Pretty Lady in Red. Ive also spoken with representatives from Hohners main competitors, like Suzuki and Seydel, and they too all agree that Hohner is a great brand of harmonica. In the late 1980s, a plastic box was introduced: In the early 1990s, the design on the lid was enlarged: Also the word HANDMADE was stamped on the front of the box for a short time, to distinguish this model from the MS Marine Band being marketed at the time: Around this same time, Hohner started adding the barcode label to the bottom of the box (the ZA5 on this label dates it to around 1995, the year that the ZA5 reed alloy was introduced): The Marine Band itself went pretty much unchanged between the end of WWII and the end of the 20th century, at least as for as its visual appearance was concerned, with some very slight changes to the picture of Herr Hohner and the size of the lettering on the top cover. One change that is easier to spot is the number of nails used to secure the lower reedplate. 4/5 Stars. We accept major credit cards and PayPal. On the upper cover, the lettering is fractionally larger than on the previous examples, both for the name MARINE BAND and the Hohner signature. Reed plate edges and channel openings with new Ultraglide coating are rounded off for greater playing comfort. It's like trying to cook eggs without breaking them. Please message me if you are going to be more than 15 minutes late or not coming. Top-Seller. The wood comb sandwiched by the visible edges of the brass reed plates, topped with the stainless steel cover plates is a winning combination. I want a marine band, I would do a Buddah model cause i'd like to play it, not take it apart. 2/5 Stars. Hohner from the 19 to the late 19 also produced the Polyphonia No. Hohner 1896 Marine Band Natural Minor Harmonica. What more dya want? 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. 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. 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! The biggest health risk is when you share a harmonica with someone within moments of it being used by the other person. Registered Company 10370912. One fairly reliable way get some idea of the age of certain Hohner models is by the trademark on the cover. Many harmonica makers avoid G sharp, which makes these harder to find (and drives the cost up). 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. Yes, they are the original harmonica that all the old blues masters played. Vintage HOHNER Tombo PeeWee Harmonica Collection Lee Oskar Marine Band Golden Melody Old Standby Professional 2016 1. Just bear in mind that youll have to sacrifice the comfort that other modern alternatives can provide. https://theharmonicacompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/HOHNER-Marine-Band-Deluxe-Harmonica-1.mp4. Also, hole numbers appear on the upper cover for the first time. Yes, all of my top 5 Hohner harmonicas listed above as well as all of the MS Series, Progressive Series, and Marine Band Series in their final phase of assembly, they are still made by hand at factories in Germany. Known for its full tone, wood comb, and its patented cover plates, the Marine Band harmonica was there when harmonica blues was born. How do I disassemble a slide whistle in order to clean it? If youre wanting to get a wooden-combed harmonica, I recommend that you just get the tried-and-true original, the Marine Band (or, if you can afford it, the Crossover which is much comfier on the lips with its triple-lacquered bamboo comb). 5 out of 5 stars (1,424) Sale Price $33.50 $ 33.50 $ 37.22 Original Price $37.22 (10% off) Add to Favorites Hohner Marine Band 364/24 G Harmonica, Vintage Instruments Collectible Musical . How do I clean the windway on my recorder? Here is an example: Later versions of that trademark omit the star. 5 out of 5 stars (895) PATENT AUG 24TH 1897MADE IN GERMANY. The dates are not that helpful at all, except that a harp with an award dated 1937 is unlikely to have been made before 1937! Rivets and pins are essentially the same thing. They were apparently hoping to cash in on the fame and name recognition of the Marine Band to boost interest in their new instrument. C $73.09. 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? medals, single circles around ULM and STUTTGART medals. The Hohner Marine Band is a number-one choice among top professionals and one of the most recognizable harmonicas all over the world. 1896 model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. Show details The rear of the covers still have the lipped edges, but these lips have been folded back against the inside of the covers. Return to Fairly Frequently Asked Questions. Tone The tone of this harmonica is supreme. I just had to ask it, because I received no direct answer to the other question, everyone suggested to unscrew it, but now as you see in the pictures, there's no screws. This one is probably from some time in the mid-1920s: The harmonica is slightly smaller than the preceding specimens, measuring 4" x 1", with the mild steel covers 2/3" deep at the front, and 3/4" at rear. (function (w,d) {var loader = function () {var s = d.createElement("script"), tag = d.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.src="https://cdn.iubenda.com/iubenda.js"; tag.parentNode.insertBefore(s,tag);}; if(w.addEventListener){w.addEventListener("load", loader, false);}else if(w.attachEvent){w.attachEvent("onload", loader);}else{w.onload = loader;}})(window, document); Chillin on a nice afternoon while sending the Marine Band sounds out the window. These legends were some of the most demanding and finicky musicians on the planet. From Germany Japan & Occupied Japan2. The picture above shows the words PATENT APPLIED FOR on the cover, so presumably this 1906 catalog must have used an old illustration. Hohner registered the name Up To Date as DRWZ 16213 later that same year (application made March 38th, granted May 5th) and trademarked the number 1896 with the USPTO in 1902 (Trade-Mark 38,458, filed May 16th, granted June 17th). Required fields are marked *. Compare. Vote. As I mentioned at the start of this article, there have been many other models made with the name Marine Band. 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). It could even gouge out the holes, ruining the harp. Guitarist? A wire brush may score the reeds or comb. Presenting the Marine Band 1896 Classic from Hohner. After the Crossover, this is my 2nd favorite Hohner harmonica. They are not pins or rivets.They are small nails. For a clunky but functional hack, even a steel brad will work. Hohner Progressive Series Harmonicas Which One Should I Buy? Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online. 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. Sold out. There were also some changes made to the covers, most notably getting rid of the gaps at the ends of the front edges of the covers that had a tendency to snag facial hair. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Nevertheless, it is THE CLASSIC harmonica. The number A440 stamped on certain Hohner harps indicates neither a limited edition, nor a model number - it tells you that it is tuned to standard concert pitch (see FFAQ10). 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. 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. Improved cover design gives greater volume and stability while preventing reed rattle. Is the harmonica straight tuned or cross tuned? 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. The claim REG. Hope this helps. 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 MS covers have integral cover supports at the rear and the upper cover clearly says MARINE BAND MS: The MS Series as a whole went through various charges during the 1990s. 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). P4 A-440 Germany Vocal Old Style with Box. BluesHarmonica.com. They are long they will still work. All Need Adjustment Cleaning Polishing & Lots of TLC3. This is probably the question I get asked the most by email and the best answer I can give is that like anything else, an old harmonica is worth whatever someone is willing to pay you for it. M.Hohner Vtg The Echo Harp Germany Bell Metal Reeds Box Harmonica. How should I clean my fingerboard without damaging my violin? rev2023.3.3.43278. The best thing if you wish to get a good price for it, is to list it on somewhere like eBay with some good photographs and a clear description of it, particularly of any writing that may appear on the harmonica or its box - then cross your fingers and wait for the bidding to start. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If youre looking to emulate that old woody tone authentically at any cost, then look no further! Today its still manufactured in much the same way as when it was first produced in 1896. Key Features (My apologies for the poor condition of this particular box.). I have also heard it suggested the number of points on the star represented the number of sons that Matthias had. Anyway, they now seem to be making a better sound than before. VAT Number: GB287764345. Well, theyre good in so far as theyre cheap! I absolutely LOVE the Golden Melody. Your email address will not be published. The current version of the Blues Harp is part of Hohner's Modular Series and was introduced in the 1990s. 1896, W/ ORIGINAL PACKAGING. Just leave plenty of length so you can twist the other end like a fern frond using needle-nose pliers, then possibly hammer the swirl perpendicular against the harmonica shell. The Marine Bands double-lacquered Pear wood comb is tough on the lips, especially if you play it for a long time. We finally arrive at the post-WWII Marine Band: The most noticeable difference on the lower cover is the lack of the star in the trademark. The instruments, held together with nails, were hard to get apart, hard to get back together. More importantly, they are no longer made of brass, but of what appears to be some sort of nickel alloy, possibly what is known as German Silver. C $135.09. These do not give you any indication of the instrument's age; they are merely the dates various trade awards were given. Best Beginner Harmonica Which Harmonica Is The Best For Beginners? I have so far been unable to locate any similar legal protection for the name Marine Orchestra. I will require that you send the instrument to me, paying for the shipping and insurance each way. A later catalog shows an octave tuned harmonica with the same name, given the model number 1896 and claiming a patent date of August 24th, 1897 - the date of the patent claimed on the covers used on the Marine Band 1896 and several other models.