Harmonica Reviews & Descriptions

Hello PRSNRS, welcome to the whacky and wonderful world of harmonicas. Usually, my Forum category would be found under; 

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/forums/ask_harp_tech_expert_kinya_pollard 

Your questions are right up our alley:

Q1: 

I have a Hohner Special 20 and Crossover in A, Lee Oskers in C & G, a Hohner Crossover in C and a Hohner Golden Melody in B flat. My choices were not made scientifically and I had very little experience with harmonicas when I purchased them. Now I practice ~ 45-60 minutes each day for the last year and try to use all those harmonicas. I still have not found one that fits my (large) hands and big mouth. 

A1a: 

Right out of the gates, your selection of harmonicas are terrific. The Hohner Special 20 measures 3.9375" long (and it's cousin, Rocket @ 4") are my favorite harmonicas that I choose for my gigging harmonicas, and the foundational custom harmonicas that I modify for customers. The Hohner Crossover length is the same, at 3.9375" and the Hohner Golden Melody (effectionately known as the Jelly Bean) measures 4.125" at the widest part of the mouthpiece. All four of these Hohner harmonicas, use EXACTLY the same type of brass/zinc reeds, but the Rocket has slightly larger square holes for the mouthpiece.

A1b:

The Lee Oskar harmonica is manufactured by Tombo in Japan and measure 4.125" long. The square holes of the mouthpiece are very close in spacing to the Hohner Rocket. Interesting factoid, Hohner's reponse to the Lee Oskar harmonicas was to create the MS (modular system) line of harmonicas, including the Blues Harp, Big River, Cross Harp, and Meisterklasse ... and Bob Dylan, Ozzy Osborne, Billy Joel, Steven Tyler, Tiffany...

A1c:

Noteworthy considerations will be the type of harmonica music you endeavor to play well.

1. For example for acoustic (more treble) chordal type blues, the compromised tuning of your Crossover--with vented coverplates is a terrific choice.
2. For that Big Fat Amplified Chicago type (more bass) Blues (Rock), the non-vented cover plates of the Special 20 (and Rocket) with it's compromised tuning is an excellent choice when you marry it up to a bullet type microphone and tube amplifier. With no air escaping out of the side vented coverplates, all your volume exits out the back of the harmonica and into the microphone
3. Similar attributes can be found with the Golden Melody non-vented cover plates, with the exception of this harmonica being 12 tone equal temperament. Here playing single note horn type lines work especially well.

A1d:

Paradoxically, sometimes I wish I had large hands. Just listen to Big Walter Horton, Joe Filisko or Andy Just. I have small hands and for my Amplified Blues type playing I needed to have an airtight seal surround my bullet mic grip (the Bulletini mic from BlowsMeAway helped). I figured if my harmonica idol, the late great Paul Butterfield never played past the 7th hole, why not me ;o) Numerous years ago this led me to create and build for myself, a set of 7-hole harmonicas. Effectively shrinking the length of the harmonica, by eliminating the upper octave of the diatonic harmonica, I was able to, without too much effort sound "fatter". I called those harmonicas the Mag7, short for Magnificent 7. KongSheng from China now manufactures a 7 hole diatonic harmonica called Baby Fat for those readers interested in a shorter harp.

A1e: Go Big

Hohner used to make the 14 hole 365 diatonic (also known as Big Red). Measuring 5.125" long. Without custom work, the 365 tends to be very leaky, and therefore, difficult to play (bend notes) Harmonica customizers may still sell them... I've also seen them on eBay, for example; 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HOHNER-HARMONICA-MARINE-BAND-G-CHORD-ORIGINAL-B...

Another viable choice will be the new Lucky 13, designed by our friend Brendan Power and built in China by Easttop. Available in the US via Rockin' Rons Music. 

https://www.rockinronsmusicsd.com/brendan-power-lucky-13-bass-blues-harm...

Q2:

Is there are review article or opinion piece that addresses the different manufacturers and model types that BluesHarmonica.com sanctions? I've found many discussions on the internet but have no way of evaluatiing their credibility. 

A2:

By extension, most of the experts here at bluesharmonica.com review, play, teach, repair and write about Hohner harmonicas.  Having traveled to harmonica factories, Hohner in Trosingen, Germany and Suzuki Musical Instruments in Hamamatsu, Japan, I personally have a unique hands-on perspective of the workmanship and playability of these harmonicas. For those factories I have not visited, including Seydel, I did meet and interview Seydel's President--Lars Seifert. When in Japan, I also met the President of Tombo.

When you have time, on this site, check out my Forum and educational Harp Tech Study videos.

Your Harpsmith, Kinya