Hohner Old Standby Harmonica, Key of C

by Hohner

Product Features

• Key-of-C harp great for blues, rock, country, folk, and many other styles of music
• High-quality construction with 10 holes and 20 plastic reeds
• Richter tuning and undivided air channels allow for techniques such as bending and overblowing reeds
• Plastic body with plated stainless steel cover featuring classic anchor logo
• Includes pull-apart plastic case

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4 x 1 x 1 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0027V3ELW
• Item model number: 34B-BL-C
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #187 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #3 in Musical Instruments > Folk & World Instruments > Wind Instruments > Harmonicas
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 20, 2009

Product Description

Whether you're riding high, singing the blues or just waiting on a train, this harp from Hohner will get you through the day. A longtime favorite of many Country artists, the Old Standby has standard tuning, and this model is in the key of C. Take it with you anywhere.

Nothing like an old friend to get you through the day.

Hohner Diatonic Harmonicas
For 150 years, Hohner's diatonic harmonicas set the industry standard through high quality construction, excellent response and unsurpassed tone. Often called Blues Harps, they remain a fixture in blues, rock, country, folk, and many other styles of music. Traditional Richter tuning and undivided air channels allow for techniques such as bending and overblowing reeds, creating the signature wailing sound typical of the harmonica.

The Old Standby
The Old Standby lives up to its name, with solid Hohner construction to keep it by your side for years to come. Perfect for new players to veteran bluesmen alike, this harp is 4 inches long, with 10 holes and 20 plastic reeds (like most diatonics). The plated cover features the classic Old Standby anchor graphic.

About Hohner
Hohner--the world's largest manufacturer of harmonicas--has proudly maintained a tradition of high quality instrument making. Our mission is to offer a diverse range of models designed to meet the needs of every musician in today's musical climate.

Tireless investment in research and development, combined with knowledge that has been cultivated for decades, insures our high quality standards--both now and in the future. By working in close co-operation with the most renowned professional harmonica players, we ensure that our instruments remain on the cutting edge of the industry. Our up-to-date manufacturing process uses special alloys and precise stamping and milling tools to produce reeds of optimal sound quality, responsiveness and longevity.

Hohner's long standing dedication to harmonica excellence has inspired a loyal following among players from all walks of life; young and old, amateur and professional.

What's in the Box
Hohner Old Standby in Key of C, Plastic Case

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 95 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Inconsistent manufacturing, just buy a real Honer from Germany. March 31, 2011

By Benjamin Herbst

Amazon Verified Purchase

OK, I've been playing harmonica for about 10 years, and have a bunch of harps, but thought I'd give a couple old standbys a try. I'd say most pro harp players have played them, so this review is just for beginners. First, if you really want to learn how to play harmonica, just buy a decent harmonica in the $25 to $35 range. Just one, probably in the key of C. I'd suggest a Honer special 20, Lee Oscar, Herring Blues, or Suzuki blues. The cheapest harmonica from Honer I'd recommend is a Big River. They used to be $12 but I think they are a bit higher now.

Of the two "Old Standby's" I received (C and A), the A harp was out of tune out of the box on the draw (on the first blow) and also "rattled" on the 4 draw. The C harp was in tune, bent notes easily, didn't leak too much air, and generally is easy to play, and actually is a good beginner harmonica, though not as smooth and nice as a decent Suzuki or Honer. As a beginner, you probably won't be able to tell if it is the harmonica or your technic that is the problem. Both harmonicas bent easily. I opened them both up, and also opened a Honer Bluesband (the cheapest harmonica $5) and the old standby reed plates are exactly the same as the Bluesband. As a mater of fact, the old standby looks in every way the same as a Bluesband except the name on the coverplates. So, you could save a couple bucks and just buy a Bluesband (which is the standard beginner harmonica), but they only come in the key of C (though when I started I had one in the key of A, and it actually played real good). If you are the kind of person that just likes to mess around and try different things and quickly quit (harmonica is actually a difficulty instrument to play well), or if you like to drink a lot of whiskey and blow the harmonica real hard, I'd recommend a bluesband, or one of these old stand by's as a 1st harp, as they are so cheap you can just loose it or throw it away, or blow it out by blowing too hard and then throw it in the trash without loosing much sleep. If you are serious, and dedicated, and feel like you really want to put a couple years, or the rest of your life into learning how to play harmonica, I'd say just spend the money on a decent harp (probably special 20 to start in the key of C) and you can figure it out on your own from there.

One last thing ... looking at the reed plates, they have all been hand tuned (probably with a Dremel/Foredom type tool with a grinding wheel), including the A harmonica that was out of tune on the draw. I guess the made in China ones don't have the same quality control, or ear training as the German made ones. Also note that all of them can be tuned (though very delicate) if you know what you are doing, and made to play just fine. Lastly, I'll add that one nice thing about the cheaper harps (old standby/bluesband) is that your lips touch plastic, which is soft. On some of the pro harps, your lips touch brass, and you actually need to take the harp apart, and using very fine sand paper (1000 grit) dull the sharp metal edges or you will waste your lips pretty quick. Good luck, and have fun with the harmonica ... they are quite addictiveHohner Special Twenty Harmonica, Key of CHohner Old Standby Harmonica, Key of CHohner Blues Band Harmonica 1501, CSuzuki BLUESMASTER HARMONICA C!

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful August 12, 2010

By Kestutis Satkauskas

Amazon Verified Purchase

Wonderful harmonica. Solid build, hard plastic body with metal plating. Please note, this harmonica is made in China, I guess that is why price is lower. Still I would definitely recommend

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars good value December 15, 2009

By Brinda Myers

Amazon Verified Purchase

This harmonica, although cheap, does the job and sounds great! A good value that has given me lots of fun. I have many harmonicas and this is one of my two favorites.