This is the Best Hohner Harmonica (5 Harp Shoot-out)

00:00 Introduction
00:26 The Hohner Brand
00:51 The Lesser Hohner Harmonica’s (DON’T BUY THESE!)
1:25 The Hohner Blues Band (vs. the Fender Blues Deluxe)
1:52 The Hohner Pentaharp (Best for Guitar Players Who Don’t Play Harp)
4:20 The Hohner Marine Band 1896 (Best for Classic Blues Tone)
5:51 The Hohner Special 20 (Best for Beginners + Bends Like a Champ!)
7:00 The Hohner Golden Melody (Best for Comfort + Looks + Single Notes)
7:57 The Hohner Crossover (Best of All)
8:49 SHOOTOUTS!!!!
9:15 Tongue-Blocking Boogie Woogie Style
9:35 Trills
9:57 Chordal Folk Style
10:23 Oh Susanna
10:44 Low 1st Position Blues
11:10 High 1st Position Blues (with blow bends)
11:43 Conclusion
12:22 Blooper Reel

Thanks so much for watching this free harmonica review of my Top 5 Favorite Hohner’s. Here are answers to questions that I get about Hohner harmonicas time and time again:

Is Hohner a Good Harmonica Brand? 
Everybody agrees that Hohner is an excellent brand of harmonica. I’ve literally never met one person who doesn’t agree. Even my friend Lee Oksar (who makes the equally awesome Lee Oskar harmonicas) acknowledges that Hohner makes great harmonicas. I’ve also spoken with representatives from Hohner’s main competitors, like Suzuki and Seydel, and they too all agree that Hohner is a great brand of harmonica. It’s undisputed.

Hohner has been making harmonicas for about 160 years. In fact, in 1980 they produced their one billionth harmonica. That’s right: billion with a B. I think it’s safe to say that they know a thing or two about making harmonicas!

Are Hohner’s Still Made in Germany?
Yes, all of my top 5 Hohner harmonicas – 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. And just like automobiles and watches, when it comes to harmonicas, Germany is synonymous with quality as well.

What About Hohner Blues Harp and Hohner Big River Harmonicas?
If you already own a Hohner Blues Harp or a Hohner Big River harmonica, and you’re wondering if it’s a good harmonica to learn on: fear not,  you’re in great shape. You’ve got a harmonica very suitable to learn on. If you've got a Hohner Blues Harp and your lips are hurting, consider a plastic-combed harmonica like a Special 20, Golden Melody, or a Lee Oskar.

If you’re currently considering buying a Hohner Blues Harp or a Hohner Big River, here’s my advice: 

The Hohner Blues Harp, has a wooden comb. That means it’s less comfy than a plastic combed harmonica like a Special 20. If you’re 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) 

I guess if you’re saving $20 getting a Blues Harp instead of a Marine Band, and you’re on a tight budget, go for it. But if you’re only saving $5 or $10, I’d say, just save up and get the Marine Band. I think it’s well worth the extra money. If money isn’t tight and you’re the kind of person who likes the best of the best, then go for the Crossover!

The Hohner Big River has a plastic comb, so it’s more comfy on the lips than wooden-combed harps like the Marine Band and the Blues Harp.

If you’re wanting to get a great plastic comb harmonica, I’d recommend that you just get one of the tried-and-true originals - the Special 20 or the Golden Melody. If you’re 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 I’d try and save up for a Special 20 or a Golden Melody. I think it’s worth the extra money.

Thanks for watching!

Rock on,
Luke

[stevebakerbluesharp]

Glad you like the Crossover. I was closely involved with the development and agree with your assessment, I rarely play anything else. It may have been helpful to mention the differences in fine tuning between the different models. Marine Band 1896 & Special 20 use the traditional Hohner tuning, which gives nice sounding chords. The Golden Melody is best suited for single note playing due to the tempered tuning (12TET), the chords sound a little rough. The Crossover uses a compromise tuning between traditional Hohner and tempered tunings, it's how I've tuned my own harps for a long time and gives reasonably sweet chords while still sounding in tune with other instruments in most positions.

[righteyeartistry]

Was playing the Golden Melody since the first came out. Saved a lot of misery from the Marine Band. Retired back in ‘94. Can’t believe how much they cost now. Stunning.

[joerobertson]

Thank you for this video!! Especially the shootout section at the end. Playing the same songs the same way on different harps really helps!

[kennethskaggs]

I sure liked your Run Down. I have been playing since I was 13 years old and now I am in my mid 60's. For all of these years, I have had a bunch of Harps ! I have always came back to Hohner's period ! I had just recently purchased a couple of the Hohner Rocket Amp Harps. Got them in a odd ball key. (E and Low G) I like them ! I have 2 Lee Oskars one in E Flat and the other in High G that I have had for dang near 20 years and still ticking. I have a cheap Hohner that I had bought at Cracker Barrel 23 years ago that's in my Arsenal. Different Strokes for Different Folks. i also have a Case of Fender Blues Deluxe that just ROCK !

[Crossroad_Blues]

My first harmonica was a Hohner Blues Bender and I still remember it fondly. My parents gave it to me for my 10th birthday and I have not spent a day without a harmonica since then.

[markmeador]

I’m just a player for fun. I’m 71 and played since I was 6. My dad played and that is how I started. Marine Band was my first and I played the first one for 40 years. I bought a new Marine Band and a Special 20 at the same time. A world of difference between the two. The Special 20 is a lot easier to play but I prefer the sound of my Marine Band(personnel preference)

[stefanomanchia]

i got Golden Melody, i've literally fallen in love with her

[wadepatton]

I'm glad I didn't already place my order for a set of Marine Band. Dig the Golden Melody sound. To my ear it's a toss-up between the GM and the Crossover. Price makes the GM the winner for my case. Thanks for the vids. I'm learning lots. I need a harmonica to distract everyone from my guitar playing.

[kerpela]

Absolutely agree! Crossover is the best sounding harmonica ever! Very deep and crisp sound. I’ve had mine for years and I love it.

[Sagart]

Much better comparison video than we usually get for guitars - where everything is just Understanding why you recommend one over another was really helpful.

[mjremy]

Thank you, Luke! That was incredibly helpful. I love the rougher nasal tone of the MB 1896 but as you said - nails, wood, discomfort, no cleaning.... all dealbreakers. The Crossover is the old Marine Band new and improved version. They also have the Thunderbird in that line.

Crossover it is, and da*mn the cost.

[tonig.]

Well, in the mid 1960s when I started and then in the 1970s with Lee Oskar, Livin Blues etc. I can't judge the quality of the Hohner C etc. today, because I have neglected this harmonica playing with the technology - electronics of today. Today I prefer to listen to the many other talented harmonica players on Youtube. But my favorite passion for harmonicas and harmonica players has never left me. It's nice that you can also follow the opinions about the newer harmonicas. Thank you.

[javierf]

So I went for the Crossover. I had bought the Suzuki Hammond but your review of the crossover made me change my mind.

[DeckerIV]

Dude, I'm addicted to guitar gear and now I'm getting addicter to harps. Thanks for feeding my new addiction, also congrats on almost hitting 100k

[dalebrandenburger]

Loving the marine Band Deluxe! Eight bucks more than the special 20, responsive as the crossover but the chords sound better!

[ecalzo]

Well i've began with the Fender you're showing here Luke.. and at the end i bought the Hohner golden melody and the Hohner Big river the Blues Harp MS i have was gifted to me because i built two cigar box guitar for a Guitar Shop .. thank you for your help Man .. Hi from Italy

[sleeve]

I used to play Harp when I was a kid.
Still have a few laying around, but seldom play !
But once I discovered the Golden Melody, there was no going back, for me !
Mind you, that's better than 50 year's ago, or so, as I'm now 66 !
That said, the prices from what I remember, are insane !
And seemingly new derivations, like the Horner Pinta, that brought me here !
You saved me $50.00 !
Not what I had hoped it was, so thank you for the demo, and comments !
🤘😎

[TPoynter]

I'm looking to buy my first harmonica this week to truly start learning on something more then a kids toy, so this video is greatly appreciated!

[Will-Max]

I have a set of Special 20's, love them. Bought a Rocket once, seems as good as the 20, just louder. Also, have a barely used Blues Harp with a bad reed, I'm really mad that it is riveted together. Not fixable at all.

[GeoffsPhilsInfo]

I love harmonicas, I used to have an old Hohner, it had a button on the side, I can't remember it's model name I think it was in the key of C