Customer Reviews

Hohner Marine Band Harmonica, Key of C

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this for my wife, who was just beginning to learn to play. The sound is pretty good ... a bit sharper than the other two Hohner models I've heard, the Blues Harp and the Special 20. Honestly, I'd have to say that I prefer the sound of both the Blues Harp and the Special 20 to this one, but I'm no pro.

We ended up returning this unit because the 3 draw hole was defective. Actually, neither I nor my wife could get good sound out of 2 draw or 3 draw, but evidently 2 draw is a common problem for novices. Her harmonica teacher confirmed that 3 draw wasn't working right so we returned it. Went and got a Special 20 instead; works fine and, as I said, I think it has a better sound. Also, Hohner advertises the Special 20 as being a better model to learn on, so I think we're sticking with Special 20's for the time being.

The Marine Band has to be without a doubt the most responsive harmonica I own. The minute you blow into it the notes effortlessly fly out of it; like running water or a knife going through butter. The Marine Band really cuts through the mix of other instruments in ways that I have not seen other harps do. The tone is great! It speaks with an amazing clarity and has a rich and beautiful timbre that is tight and incredibly focused, yet lush and warm at the same. It is much brighter than the Hohner Blues Harp Overall the Marine Band is a very musically versatile instrument. It will do what you tell it to. If you want to play screaming solos, rock, cry the blues, folk, make your harmonica sing or if you are nuts about tone, this is the harp for you. The Marine Band is ideal for single note playing (you do have to pucker more than you would with bigger harps like Lee Oskar). Additionally, it is comfortable and smooth on the lips, and the comb is sealed off a lot better than the Blues harp. It's easy to hold and it fits perfectly in the Hohner neck rack (if you are a guitar player like me) without moving around. This harp delivers the sound that I hear in my head without fear of being held back in my musical ideas because of poor construction. Do yourself a favor and buy one, you will be amazed at what you hear coming out of this little harp. Thanks Hohner for a great product!

Very good and reliable product.I have purchased these harmonicas all my life.Never had a bad one.

I'm a beginner and wanted to pick up playing because of Bob Dylan. The riff in 'Like a Rolling Stone' is so cool. Dylan used a Marine Band, so I wanted to use it too. Sounds a little lame, but that's who I am. Hendrix used a Strat, so I'm going to buy a Strat. :)

Shipping was blazing fast, that's why I love Amazon. I could go to my local Sam Ash or Guitar Center, but I never felt welcomed. (Maybe because I'm a poser) I mean I did buy the Marine Band just because Dylan used it...Lennon did as well. I accept the fact. I also didn't want to pay full price + TAX for one because I am a beginner. They do have cheaper harmonicas for $12, but I felt the Marine Band at $29 was a reasonable price to pay for an instrument I could carry anywhere. Plus, if I did get any better the Marine Band would still be good enough at an advanced level.

Mine came out of the box and sounds fine. But I don't really know how to play, so take my review with a grain of salt. I just know Bob Dylan used a Marine Band. Time to learn "Idiot Wind". haha

I've been trying out lots of different harmonicas recently, so I've gotten the chance to really compare and contrast different models. Despite my preconceived notions about Marine Bands, I've found that I really like them. Nice bright sound, relatively easy to play (although it does require a little more air than, say, a Lee Oskar), and notes play well consistently. Plus, this harp has a special place in harmonica history, being one of the oldest harps currently made and one of the most popular harmonicas of all time. I'd recommend this, both to beginners and more experienced players.

My Marine Band arrived yesterday with a very disappointing flaw. The 1 blow reed was defective because it vibrates against a burr on the reed plate. I opened it up and tried to fix it myself to no avail.

This morning I called Hohner. Within 30 seconds I was speaking to someone in the Reed Service department.
He told me that opening the Marine Band voids the warranty, but that he is going to send me a replacement free of charge this time anyways. I don't even have to bother sending my defective harp back!

Buy Hohner's great harmonicas with confidence that they will take care of you. And never open a Marine Band or any other harmonica where the cover and reed plates are fastened with nails until after the 60 day warranty expires.

I got this to replace my Hohner Golden Melody Harmonica, Key of C harp. Right out of the box it sounds richer, even though I've adjusted the reeds on my G. M. I was really surprised at how much better this harp sounds.

I also found it easier to hold and while I was worried the edges might make is slightly harder to play than the more streamlined G.M. that doesn't seem to be the case.

On the downside, it is wood, and I've heard wood harps can have swelling problems. Also, the construction doesn't seem quite as robust as the G.M. For example the screws are smaller and will require a really small driver to remove (there's 4 on his one, while the G.M. has two). However, it's a quality harp and the differences really are minor.

Everyone I talk to always says the Marine Band is the best harp for under $50, now I know why. It's a great harp for any newbie, or like me, a someone who's been a beginner for a few years.

I started playing the harmonica about 6 months ago. My first was the Hohner Blues Band plastic version for $5. It is a great learning harmonica and I genuinely recommend it if you are just beginning. I resisted shelling out the $30 to upgrade to the Marine Band thinking that there was no difference. There is definitely a difference. The Marine Band is a lot sharper on the notes and a lot easier to sound good on. If you have gotten beyond the beginning stages and want to take the next step in harmonicas I absolutely recommend this one. You will be able to tell the difference between the airy plastic beginner's harp and this one immediately.

I call mine Lazarus cuz when I got it a couple of the notes didn't work which makes it difficult (to say the least) to play music. So I get it ready to be returned, forgot to actually send it, later thought I remembered sending it, then found it just the other day in the box waiting for my memory to catch up. Took it out the box to show a friend and every note magically worked. Not sure what the physical explanation is since I just started playing the ol' mouth harp, but I'm sure there is one

Great instrument. Relatively easy to bend notes. Great tone. It's a little smaller front to back than my other harps (Special 20, Bluesmaster, Blues Harp MS), but I like it. Can't wait for my Key of D and Bb to come in! Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a new harp.