HohnerHohner Harmonica, multi-coloured (1896BX-A)

cheap and good quality.

It's been many years since I played a Marine Band having moved on to other makes, such as Lee Oskar, quite early on. In the last few years I have returned to Hohner with the Special 20. I thought I'd try a Marine Band again just for interests sake. Apart from it arriving with one of the plate fixing pins missing, which didn't impress me, I find that I immediately loved the sound. As a tongue blocker, after being used to the smooth comfort of a plastic comb, the hard edge of the wooden comb was the reason for one less star than I might have given. It brought back memories of the swelling wood from the extra moisture from the tongue contact all the time. As tongue blocking is a vital element of harmonica playing I'll probably stay with the Special 20 rather than rip my tongue to shreds, but, damn, I love that sound!

A lovely harmonica, its a shame one of the sound holes doesnt sound clear, whether it needs freeing up inside I dont know, I havent had time to look ( and pins make it harder to check), but either way it isn't 100% out of the box.

A reliable, well made diatonic harp.....The Marine Band makes the classic blues tones available to the harpist.....ease in gently to start with.....then gradually explore the expressive possibilities of this piece of history.....

Cant go wrong with Hohner

Great harmonica, sounds good, thickness just right, as for sheerness, it chaffes around the inner thigh .