Customer Reviews

Hohner Big River Harmonica, Key of C

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These harps have a nice, bluesy sound. They are definitely the best harps in their price range, way ahead of comparably priced Asian harps, but I find them much harder to bend than both my Special 20's and Lee Oskars. If you have a very good solid bend or play mostly in straight harp, you might consider it. On the other hand, if you are just learning to bend, definitely spend the extra money for a Special 20. You'll thank me for the hours of frustration you'll miss out on.

This was my first harmonica and it still is working great. It is a very low price for such a great sound, and, it is made by Hohner in Germany, not in China. Yes, bending the notes can be hard sometimes, but once you get the hang of it you can do it on almost any harmonica. Overall, really good. I recomend it fully.

I own mostly Lee Oscar Harmonicas (only because that is what my local music store carries). But the Hohner Big River Harmonica is the BEST sounding harmonica your money can buy. Hohner knows how to make a nice sounding, quality harmonicas. They have been making harmonicas OVER 180 years. This is a cheap harmonica that plays well.

I tested a Lee Oscar and a Big River Harmonica with a harmonica blower at Elderly's Music and both sounded great and sounded very similar. I couldn't tell the difference between them. Both Lee Oscar and Hohner Big River harmonicas use replaceable reed plates which save you money.

Lee Oscar Harmonicas are also great sounding harmonicas but it is the most expensive harmonica on the market. Many famous harmonica players use the Hohner Big River Harmonica. What does that tell you? The Big River is a great playing harmonica at a low price. What more could you ask for?

The Big River is touted as the "workhorse" of the German made Hohner line. Another way of saying that is that it's the lowest end of their "quality" harps. OK. Fair enough. It's certainly better, much better, than their pitiful Chinese made junk, eg., the Piedmont Blues harp or the Bluesband harp (I speak here from experience on the latter). Having said that, it's a sturdy harp with overly stiff reeds that just doesn't give you the fluidity and flexibility you might want. At least that's my experience, and I now own two Big Rivers. I find myself with real mixed feelings about this harp. It clearly IS a quality harp in some ways, and this is apparent if you've experienced the junk. But it doesn't come close to other quality harps that I own: the Harpmaster, the Delta Frost, the ProHarp.

If you're on a strict budget - these things used to cost, not too long ago I gather, about $12 - then give this harp some consideration, and learn to deal with its limitations. If you can afford to spend $5 to $10 more on a harp, look elsewhere for what in my opinion is a much better playing experience.

The Big River has great sound. A few days ago I was bending blues loudly, while walking on an Oregon beach. The sound really carries. I've been playing Hohner blues harps for quite awhile and finally worked around to my first big river and I'm sold! Truly I cannot say if new benders would have a problem with them because I've been bending for years and so can't tell. My impression is that big river is a very durable harmonica and fantastic for the price. So I plan to buy more.

This is not a bad harmonica, however, I bought this harmonica as a beginner and did not find out until yesterday why I was having so much trouble hitting single notes. The comb of your normal harmonica sticks out from the rest of the harmonica. This harmonica's comb is pushed farther inward instead of outward. It may not seem like it means much, but when I bought another harmonica whose comb stuck outward, I hit all single notes. Some advice to beginners looking to purchase a harmonica: Buy the Hohner Special 20.

received the wrong product from the vendor, Key of F instead of key of C. Emailed the vendor and they apoligized and sent the correct one out the same day. Haven't received it yet.

I am not a harmonica player, so I was looking for a decent harp at a fair price. Even though I am a beginner, I didn't want to buy just any beginner's harp so I thought I would go up a step and buy this intermediate harmonica. Research told me Hohner was a very good brand, and it couldn't be more true.

I am a singer and I have always loved one of Billy Joel's more popular songs "Piano Man". I learned the song fairly quickly and this harp sounds incredible. I couldn't be happier with the purchase, I can't wait to perform using this harp.

this harmonica sounds great! only problem is that the 2 reed didnt work, i opended up the case, and lifted it a tad,and now it sounds perfect.

Got this harmonica from my sister last Christmas. It's in very good quality sound and very responsive. The Big River looks great, easy to hold and comes with a neat plastic case. Totally worth it!