Hohner used various trademarks over the years, but a particularly common one was a circle being held by two hands. The other instrument I should mention is the Marine Band MS. P4 A-440 Germany Vocal Old Style with Box. (1) Hohner Marine Band 1896 Harmonica - Key of B. 1896 model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. 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). HOHNER Tombo PeeWee Harmonica Lee Oskar Marine Band Golden Melody Old $240. These sound great in a more chordal folk style as well. Whilst old guitars are often considered to be "vintage", old harmonicas are generally considered to be merely something that has been in someone else's mouth. If you don't take the cover, you can't clean it properly. Also, numbers such as 270, 365, or 34B do not indicate that the item was part of a limited edition (as I have seen suggested on various online auctions) they merely indicate the catalog number of that particular model. Add To Cart. If the openings alternate between top and bottom half of the hole, that's cross tuning. It has a bunch of awards on the bottom. On very rare occasions, even something which looks to most people like any other old harmonica may be a highly sought after model and a harmonica collector might be eager to take if off your hands. (The 270 has always been straight tuned.). I play it in its Richter tuning and Natural Minor tuning and it is fantastics, Your email address will not be published. Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. The 1896 model first appeared in the year 1896, but back then it seems to have been called the Marine Orchestra. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. An iconic harp with pear wood, side vents, excellent responisveness, and distinct timbre. How to clean a marine band harmonica that cannot be unscrewed? 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. All of the above raises the inevitable question of hygiene - is it safe to play something that has been in someone else's mouth? Its responsive, its got a great bluesy tone, and its one of the easiest harmonicas on which to learn how to bend notes. (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); More on the way soon. Although the comb is the same length, the covers have changed substantially. 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. 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. 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. I think its worth the extra money. Be warned: if you email me to ask how much your old harmonica is worth, I will simply reply with a link to this page. Or $4/month for 48 months. It has been suggested that it was a Star of David and that it was removed because of the Nazis. Do I need a thermal expansion tank if I already have a pressure tank? Want to up your single note game? 5 out of 5 stars (895) The steel covers are similar to the later pre-war versions, although they give the harp a slightly thicker profile top to bottom. Legendary Hohner Marine Band Harp. More on the way soon. The instruments, held together with nails, were hard to get apart, hard to get back together. The Hohner Marine Band 1896 Classic harmonica is the original blues harmonica. Anyway, they now seem to be making a better sound than before. The archetypal blues harmonica with the traditional HOHNER tuning. I want a marine band, I would do a Buddah model cause i'd like to play it, not take it apart. This harmonica has a rich and expressive sound that defines what most people think of when they imagine the sound . Tech Specs Scale: Diatonic Blues Key: C 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. More significant is the introduction of a groove towards the front of each reedplate to accept the front edge of the covers. Rivets are hollow-tube pins. This harmonica features U.S. Patent #588920 for an improvement in mouth-harmonicas, submitted by Jacob Hohner. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Contact It will not be helpful for beginners who really want to learn how to play harmonica. $25.00 + $5.85 shipping. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? 34 GERMANY Working. Vintage M. Hohner "Marine Band" No. The Hohner Marine Band 1896 classic harmonica is the original blues harp. 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. Verdict - The Hohner Marine Band 1896 is the classic harmonica played by old Blues greats like Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Litter Walter. Once the harp has had the chance to dry out thoroughly, there is relatively little danger of any communicable diseases being passed on. Vintage Marine Band No. A couple of days later I got around taking it apart to clean it. The MS version is noticeably larger, about 4 1/16th inches by 1 1/16th inches, with a much thicker profile. Compare. 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). Your email address will not be published. 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). Dont worry, Im here to help. Initially designed for European folk music . The 12-hole version is the Super Chromonica, or 270. If it's a pin, hammer the other side till it squeezes against the harmonica shell. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its got a louder, brighter projection than the Hohner Blues Band, its more responsive, especially on draw holes -2 and -3, and its MUCH easier to bend notes on. As I always say: if you want to sound like the old blues masters, why not play the harmonica they played? VAT Number: GB287764345. The only key label is a difficult-to-read engraving on the cover plate, virtually impossible to see in a dark club. Similarly, I recommend avoiding the Hohner Trumpet Call and the Hohner Weekender. If youre looking at an outdated forum, you might see people complaining about Marine Bands not bending well out of the box. Now I have this marine band, you have to see to believe! The picture above shows the words PATENT APPLIED FOR on the cover, so presumably this 1906 catalog must have used an old illustration. The Hohner Blues Bender is not a great one. 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 Hohnersound. Vintage Hohner Marine Band Harmonica In Box A440 small ad vertisement by RetroCite Ad vertisement from shop RetroCite RetroCite From shop RetroCite. I have so far been unable to locate any similar legal protection for the name Marine Orchestra. US PATENT OFFICE is no longer present and NO 1896 is now printed directly under the word GERMANY instead of off to the left. There were several notable changes with the next specimen, probably from the mid to late 1930s: The most obvious change is with regards to the covers. This time, the Marine Band Harmonica. Your email address will not be published. Comfort Comfort is the one area where the Marine Band 1896 does not fare well against the competition. Heres my take on the Hohner Marine Band, which is the #1 best-sellingharmonica model of all time. The Hohner Marine Band is a number-one choice among top professionals and one of the most recognizable harmonicas all over the world. Do i have to use a hammer? I've had it 30 years now. I have been playing Marine Bands for years and one specific Marine Band that I have has been around the world with me twice, mostly out of its carrying case, and it survived to tell you all about it. ate 1970s), and the Super 64x version (1980s). How to learn & play sheet music with diatonic harmonica. This attractive and robust instrument is a quality staple for beginners and a sure performer for seasoned veterans. * 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 . You can see an interesting list of famous Marine Band players right here. Your harmonica will survive. 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. Vintage Harmonica Hohner Marine Band 1896 Key Harp M40. The Golden Melody is the most comfortable of all the Hohner line, has the darkest tone, and is the only harmonica tuned to Equal Temperament instead of Just Intonation, which means its especially good for playing single notes in tune. The harmonica is engraved: MARINE BANDM. I do not want to have to be a mechanic to play a harp. If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. Is the harmonica straight tuned or cross tuned? Acidity of alcohols and basicity of amines. Very responsive. or Best Offer. Double sided harmonica - Weltmeister Rare World War 2 Double sided - Old Harmonica - Collectible harmonica Ad vertisement by TheVINTAGEShopBG. 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 It is very easy to tell the Marine Band MS from the Classic/Handmade version. [7] There are various subdivisions of the Marine Band. 2009 - 2022 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com. Hohner reed plates decoded. The chord harmonica is used to provide chordal and rhythmic backing in an ensemble, much as rhythm guitar might do. How do I clean my harmonica without taking it apart? Seller 99.6% positive. Key Features The case is a soft green wraparound. I have a couple of them and it was my first real harmonica which drew me into this world so I hold massive respect for this instrument. Hohner has been making harmonicas for about 160 years. I imagine that's an inventory number. 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. Prior to about 1937 the 270 had a six-pointed star in a medallion at the center of the bottom cover. Accessioned with original cardboard box. Pear wood comb is triple-lacquered, minimising swelling and ensuring greater volume and faster response. Get the full low down on the Hohner Special 20. How Has the Hohner Marine Band Changed Over the Years? They were apparently hoping to cash in on the fame and name recognition of the Marine Band to boost interest in their new instrument. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. Its uniquely authentic sound has defined the role of the harmonica in the blues tradition and made it the benchmark by which all others are judged. 1896 model in the key of C, with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. M. Hohner Marine Band Harmonica, Germany harmonica, Marine Band No 1896 harmonica, vintage harmonica, m. hohner germany, marine band harmoni . VAT Number: GB287764345. Saturday 4th March: All orders are being dispatched as normal! In 2015, Sotheby's sold a rather battered Hohner Vest Pocket Harp, something that would normally struggle to fetch a few dollars on eBay, for a whopping 4,000 - about $5,425! Well, theyre good in so far as theyre cheap! But if youre totally obsessed with TONE at any cost, then this may be the harmonica youre looking for. The revolutionary laminated bamboo comb is completely sealed, making it water repellent and exceptionally stable. 5/5 Stars. The A440 is a little bigger than before and the key on the right tab of the upper cover is now stamped into the metal, rather than engraved. The 364 has 24 reeds, giving it a better note range. Look at the openings inside the round holes, with the slide in the out position (i.e., not pressed in). Looking for an amazing bang-for buck harp? Compare Compare Now site51274741945951115698 1274115056142. Better quality and sound projection make it a favorite of many bluesmen. Sweetwater Savings: $ 30 .01 MSRP: $ 115 .00. The trademark has more subtle changes. 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. Improved cover design gives greater volume and stability while preventing reed rattle. Sturdy zipper case allows moisture to evaporate while keeping dust out. Its a total classic. The soft green case is 1960s. Hohner Marine Band Deluxe Hohner harmonica, upgraded version of the Marine Band Description Product Details Comments Respect the Roots - State of the Art! Tubes can be made by rolling some brass foil. Reed plate edges and channel openings with new Ultraglide coating are rounded off for greater playing comfort. Highly recommended. My name's Cooper, I'm 28 and I'm a musician based in Tel Aviv, working with other artists as a harmonica player, guitarist and pianist. 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. Nevertheless, it is THE CLASSIC harmonica. The box has different labels to previous versions, both inside the lid and on the bottom. 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. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Cheers! I pulled out this Marine Band 1896, and the thing bends like a champ! The 280 went from nailed-on wood (up until the early 1950s), then pinkish-borwn plastic with drift pins (1950s to about 1980), to screwed-on black (up to the present). How do I disassemble a slide whistle in order to clean it? medals have gone back to single circles, although the ULM and STUTTGART medals still have double circles. Probably any small tweezers or files would do - probably a cosmetic set would have the right tools. The reed plate is 0.9 mm thick with a stainless steel cover plate. During the cleaning process, I removed three or four dried out cocoons of who-knows-what sort of insect that had decided a harmonica would be the perfect place to incubate its offspring. or Best Offer. Hohner Marine Band 1896 Diatonic Harmonica - C $54.99 Brand New 14-Day Return Policy Hohner Golden Melody Progressive Harmonica - Key of C $49.99 Brand New Blessing Harmonica (X2) 1970s $11.55 Brand New 14-Day Return Policy Hohner Big River Stock Comb Stamped F $8 Brand New Free Shipping Hohner Big River Stock Comb Stamped Db $8 Brand New BluesHarmonica.com. Hohner Blues Harp Harmonica Review + Video: Bold & Powerful, Hohner Pro Harp Review: the Black & Gold Brother of the Fantastic Blues Harp, Harmonicas: 13 Super-Fun Facts You Never Knew About Them, Join 4700+ Successful Harmonica Jamz students - Play any Song and Jam with Other Musicians. (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); 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. (I go into some detail about the changes of the Hohner Marine Band model on this page.) Your harmonica will survive. It's a Hohner 260, then. there's no screws on this one, it has rivets, where you have a machine pressing down on the plate and securing it in its place. Confused? 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). Looking for an amazing bang-for buck harp? Although the WIEN medals keep their single circle outline, there is a partial circle of dots inside this outline. This was part of Hohner Modular Series that came out in the late 1980s and whose original concept was to replace the hand made models with instruments made on a computer-controlled assembly line. Join 4700+ Successful Harmonica Jamz students - Play any Song and Jam with Other Musicians, Your email address will not be published. For a clunky but functional hack, even a steel brad will work. Postage is at cost. Don't be afraid. Figuring out the age of a harmonica is by no means easy, nor is it always relevant to the value of the instrument. Up until the mid 1970s, the Marine Band was not officially distributed outside of the US, but upon being given worldwide distribution, the US address was removed from the lower label and the purchaser was advised "Ask your dealer or Hohner distributor". Does a barbarian benefit from the fast movement ability while wearing medium armor? Pickup near South Perth in Kensington. To see a couple of great alternatives, check out my Lee Oskar Review and/or my Hohner Golden Melody Review. Hohner from the 19 to the late 19 also produced the Polyphonia No. 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. These legends were some of the most demanding and finicky musicians on the planet. How should I clean my fingerboard without damaging my violin? In fact, one of the main reasons that Hohner developed their Special 20 and Crossover model harmonicas was to address the comfort issue. Do new devs get fired if they can't solve a certain bug? VTG M. HOHNER MARINE BAND HARMONICA - NO. If youre looking to emulate that old woody tone authentically at any cost, then look no further! Do this on both sides. Unlike many of the other contestants on this list, this harmonica comes in a custom, vintage-design case. Can someone please help me. I always enjoy playing different tunings. How should I deal with enharmonics on the Chromatic Harmonica? They are long they will still work. 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. Washington, D.C. Email powered by MailChimp (Privacy Policy & Terms of Use), International Media Interoperability Framework. My speculation is that the Marine Band 1896 is a relic, long ago surpassed by better thinking and better materials, and maintained in production only to please purists and romanticizers. Also the words DEM VERDIENSTE (alongside the WEIN medals) have now been abbreviated to D. VERDIENSTE. Rivets and pins are essentially the same thing. We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. (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); In fact, in 1980 they produced their one billionth harmonica. Here we have a second Hohner product. and GESCH. Check out my full Hohner Golden Melody review. 9 Inspiring Reasons to Do So. 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.