Hohner Quality
Every now and then, I see some thread on a site complaining about Hohner quality - particularly how it's declined over the years. A "G" Special 20 harp I have that is very leaky around the 2 & 3 blow reeds got me wonderin' about this as well. I'm thinking on upgrading my harp selection this year - possibly with the Crossover.
What is your opinion on Hohner quality these days? Are there particular Hohner harps that are better quality than others?
Thanks for your response Kinya. Your comment about how impressed you are with the hand's-on factory you toured in Germany made me remember a similar trip I made to the Ray Ban plant in Rochester, New York back in the '80s. I always used to scratch my head about why Ray Ban sunglasses were so expensive - until I saw how they were made. I was amazed to watch the workers hand mold, hand appoint, hand finish, and hand assemble their sunglasses. It really was impressive to see first hand their attention to detail and the pride the workers took in making what are really American icons (now, unfortunately, made in Italy). I afterwards very much appreciated the high price of Ray Bans, and have no qualms about plunking down two hundred bucks now after witnessing the process. You really are getting what you pay for.
I've heard others speak of Hohner's assembly plant as you have - which makes me scratch my head when I read some people's complaints of quality problems with their harps. What is amazing is that Hohner can - as you noted - keep their prices down, in spite of a hands-on approach to construction.
There aren't too many outfits around these days that still work like that. It's unfortunate, as we really have lost something as consumers when more production facilities go automated.
Speaking of hand made ...
In years past, consultants convinced Hohner to install a line of robotic production machines that promised to increase production output. This resulted in the "MS" series, or Modular System. Virtually all of the reed plates, combs and cover plates are compatible with each other, including: BLUES HARP MS, PRO HARP MS, CROSS HARP MS, BIG RIVER MS, and even the MEISTERKLASSE MS. It was a terrific concept for product extensions (variety of models) and ease of maintenance.
Apparently, production output was achieved , except the harmonicas lacked the playability of the "hand made" models. Today, the MS machinery will handle the routinize functions of comb silk screening, reed plate and cover plate installation, etc., but the fine tuning is completed by skilled labor.
"Play the notes people want to hear" (c) 2008
Kinya Pollard
The Harpsmith
Kinya
This site is the Harp resource I have needed for years.I have been following your articles on the Mel Bay ezine for some time, I play Special 20s and so found your articles of particular interest. The question I have is: what are the cover plates made of, are they chrome plated or some alloy containing stainless steel?
Thanks
Geoff Boyle
Hello Geoff,
Prior to 2000, I believe Hohner used a thin Nickel Steel for its cover plates. This material was not desirable because the cover plates would tarnish, rust, and was easy to crush.
Currently Hohner cover plates are chrome (chromium) finished over a slightly thicker gauge metal. For the most part, it minimized the short comings of the Nickel Steel.
For a tarnish and crush free solution (although expensive to retool the punches and dies) stainless steel is hard to beat. Just ask anyone who plays Seydel and/or Lee Oskar.
"Play the notes people want to hear © 2008
Kinya Pollard
The Harpsmith
Hello, Kinya!
Would you please be kind enough to comment on the durability and playability of the above type reeds? I have heard so many differing opinions from harmonica players regarding them, but will greatly value a skilled craftsman's knowledge in this arena.
Thank you for your time,
Tom Barrett
Hohner's that can be found in blister packs, especially the most recent Marine Bands and Marine Band Deluxes with fully lacqured combs, are going to be very high quality. You can tell the new Marine Bands by the orange comb (instead of the yellow and black). The new Deluxes have a different coverplate design.
Here is a pic: http://flic.kr/p/b6smkt
The general quality of the mid to late 00's Hohner harps is going to be good to great. The stuff from the 70's-90's is kind of hit or miss - a large generalization, I know.
I have to laugh at people with harsh comments against any harmonica manufacturer as they usually 1.) haven't bought any recently made harps from those companies 2.) are comparing very old harps with new ones from different companies 3.) don't know what they're talking about, but since they read something online and are just sharing someone else's thoughts on the matter.
It was smart of you to post the question here. I would say that Hohner had quality issues years back, but the current production harps are fantastic. This is double true if you take the time to gap your own harps as that is a matter of taste and impossible to nail for everyone out of the box.
Hey Tom,
Good to hear from you.
Seydel is so committed to stainless steel reeds, all their top-of-the line harmonicas--both diatonic and chromatic have them. Three things I know about stainless steel:
1. extremely durable, long lasting and hygienic (think restaurants)
2. much harder to work on stainless steel reeds over brass and/or phosphor-bronze
3. voices and responses differently than both brass and phosphor bronze, in fact, a little too stiff for my tastes
As for phosphor-bronze, Suzuki specifies them for all their top-of-the line harmonicas. PB has many attributes of the SS, except it is wayyyy easier to work on. As for longevity, I am very impressed with the staying power of the PB reeds. This is based on empirical knowledge, as I have been tracking the Suzuki Manji harmonicas that I maintain for monster player, Andy Just.
So, this is what I recommend you do; select a harmonica key that you are most comfortable playing (e.g. Bb), then purchase the same key in both a Seydel and Suzuki. Play each harmonica for a least two weeks, then make your assessment after you had a chance to practice, gig, and sleep with them.
Let us know how this works out for you.
Your Harpsmith,
Kinya
Funk and Wagnalls Dictionary defines “quality” (qual•i•ty): 1 That which makes a being or thing such as it is; a distinguishing element or characteristic. 2 The characteristics of anything regarded as determining its value, place, worth, rank, or position. 3 That which distinguishes sounds of the same pitch and intensity from different sources as from different instruments; timbre.
What are your benchmarks (definitions) for a high quality harmonica?
Are you attracted to the aesthetic features of the harmonica, such as the fit, and finish? Does the weight make a difference to you? Does it feel like a real instrument, or a toy?
Or is your primary point of reference the playability of the harmonica? After working with many students and customers, on hundreds of harmonicas over the past fourteen years, it is my assessment that most “players” are primarily concerned with the playability of their instrument: the voicing (tuning and tone), volume, and responsiveness. Does it submit to your every command?
In 2005, I had the pleasure of interviewing Rick Epping a month before his retirement from Hohner USA. Rick was in the forefront of promoting quality control at Hohner. It was fascinating to learn how he advocated for closer reed to reed plate tolerances (increases playability) and how he “hand shaped” the initial sample set of Knittlingen scale reeds for Hohner (increases longevity of reeds). Rick also traveled to Hohner’s Chinese harmonica factory to consult on improved manufacturing and assembly processes.
When I traveled to Trossingen, Germany a couple of years ago, one of the highlights of my visit was a tour of the Hohner factory. It was inspiring to witness the processes of manufacturing and assembling of a mass produced “hand made” instrument at relatively low prices (compared to other wind instruments). All over the factory floor, from reed milling to cover plate stamping, tuning and packaging – Hohner was all about quality.
Hohner offers an amazing array of harmonica choices. There is a make and model for virtually every type of player. With so many to select from, you are bound to get varying opinions regarding quality.
In conclusion, I found the fundamental aspects of Hohner harmonicas to be world class. If you are not satisfied with the playability of your harmonica, contact a qualified Harp-Tech to calibrate your instrument to your specific preferences. You can also learn to work on your own harmonicas. The Harpsmith will be there to look over your shoulder and make certain you grab the right tool ;o)
“Play the notes people want to hear” © 2008
Kinya Pollard
The Harpsmith