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Hohner Special 20 Harmonica

Many use harmonicas to learn how to make music because they are easy to learn and maintain. Harmonicas can also play quite a lot of music styles, from blues to rock.

However, with the numerous types and brands of harmonicas in the market, which one delivers that flexible sound and quality? The Hohner Special 20 Harmonica, may be the solution for you.

Description/Features

Hohner has pulled out all the stops for this Special 20 harmonica as the company promises this will be the only harmonica you will ever need. It can play any music style for any level of harmonica player, and it is said that professionals love the Hohner brand.

Want to know more about this harmonica? Check out the specifications of the Hohner Special 20 Harmonica below:

  • This Special 20 Classic features a durable, airtight, plastic comb that ensures that playing this harmonica will be easy. The reed plates are recessed into the injection-moulded plastic comb to help produce a sound faster.
  • The rounded covers without side vents give a powerful and warm tone that is perfect for rock, blues and country players.
  • The harmonica is sure to play a rich chord sound with its 20 classic reeds thanks to its traditional Hohner tuning.
  • Users will also get a classic case to keep the harmonica safe when traveling.

Reviews

Although professionals are said to use this harmonica, this doesn’t mean that everyone is satisfied with this harmonica. Here are some reviews from current users of the Hohner Special 20 Harmonica Major C revealing how they have found the experience in using it.

Cons

There are not so many negative comments regarding the Hohner Special 20 Harmonica in Major C. However, some users have cited some things that are worth considering. Users said that the harmonica is not well-assembled as they found the cover plates were not screwed on properly and some were misaligned.

As a result of these misaligned parts, the sounds were offbeat when they started playing the harmonica. There were also comments that they found rust in the reed plates.

Some also noticed that some of the reeds produced a weird tune that is very noticeable and off key. Others said that some of the holes were wider, causing them to have difficulties producing a single note, especially with the end holes.

Its durability has also been put into question as some have reported that they only used the harmonica for a few weeks before it completely broke. One user has complained regarding the customer service because when they tried getting a replacement, the customer support did not believe their case.

There were also users who said they received used harmonicas instead of paying for the price of a new harmonica.

Pros

On the other hand, satisfied users have said that the company who made this harmonica has not lost its touch in manufacturing good harmonicas. The durability and assembly quality of this harmonica is undeniable as users saw no problems with the assembly of this harmonica.

The parts were also well-thought out because users said that this harmonica has a plastic comb, allowing the moisture to build up naturally in the instrument without having to stick to the plastic comb.

They also said that it is very easy to clean since it has a plastic and metal construction, allowing them to clean this easily with running water. Users have also said that it is very easy to play as one only has to inhale and exhale without much effort for it to produce a sound.

The sound it produces is also very clear and crisp, allowing users to try blending the music styles they want to try, from blues to rock. Some users said that this harmonica is good for beginners because of its ease of use and quality, with a few remarking they learned a lot while playing this harmonica.

There are also users who said that this harmonica is friendly to the lips since it does not felt uncomfortable for their lips to touch the plastic cone. Users have also said that for its cheap price, it is actually quite a bargain especially for beginners because of the sound it produces and how well-made it is. Some commented that they didn’t experience any problems even when it was played every day for a long period of time.

Bottom Line

If you want to play a song like a pro using a harmonica, you need to have a harmonica that will deliver the sound necessary to match your song. The Hohner Special is a favorite among many professionals, promising users that this is a harmonica that will deliver the emotions you want to convey in your music. If you are curious how this harmonica holds up against other ones that are similar, go ahead and check out the The Hohner Crossover vs Diatonic Special 20 comparison.

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Hohner 1501BX Blues Band

When you want to play the blues, rock, country and folk for the first time, you need to get a harmonica that is properly tuned so you can play in the prominent key for each music type. If you are looking for a good harmonica in the key of C, Hohner 1501BX Blues Band could be the harmonica for you.

Description/Features

Want an affordable and classic instrument to play your favorite music? The Hohner 1501BX Blues Harmonica has everything you may need. Here is the list of specifications you will get if you purchase your very own Hohner 1501BX Blues Harmonica:

  • Comes with solid brass reed plates.
  • Has a stainless steel coverplate and a plastic body.
  • Free online lessons are also available for this harmonica for beginner users.

Reviews

From the descriptions, some may say this harmonica is too simple and as such, some may question whether or not it’s worth getting a Hohner. However, there is also some possibility others would contradict this notion and say that buying one is a good idea. Here are some reviews from current and past owners of the Hohner 1501BX Blues Harmonica so you can see what they have to say about their experiences:

Cons

Users have cited that the 1501BX has several flaws making them reluctant to recommend it to the others. Some users reported that it is poorly assembled as some of the reeds would not play at all and if they did, they took a lot of effort to be played properly. If they did play, it would produce an off-key or flat sound that meant it sounded out of tune.

Some even found it very difficult to play this harmonica due to the inaccuracies of the reeds. The poor assembly also affected the quality and durability of this instrument because some said that the harmonica broke almost immediately after they used it. They also reported air gaps in the harmonica, affecting the quality of the usability of this harmonica.

There were also users who said that this is a very small harmonica which is not good for adult users and even children. Users said that this harmonica is good as a child’s toy rather than a serious harmonica for beginners given its various flaws.

Some of the satisfied users did say that this is not a good harmonica to use for a long time if one is already proficient in playing a harmonica. One user remarked that when they moved to another harmonica which was premium quality, the 1501BX sounded off-key in comparison.

Pros

On the other hand, some users said that this is the harmonica to buy because of its quality, value and price.

In terms of its quality and assembly, users said that they were impressed with its build. It felt like the Hohner Special 20 in terms of how it felt like in the hand and the parts are similar since it comes with a black plastic comb, stainless steel covers and brass reed plates.

The sound is also very good and sounded like the Hohner 20 Special or a quality harmonica that would be worth more than the actual harmonica. Some also added that it is very versatile, allowing users to play blues, rock and folk if one is already starting to get used to it.

Others even said that they were able to experiment with this harmonica like any other harmonica. The beginners also said that they like the fact the reeds are numbered so they know which part they need to play and it has an instructions guide for maintenance and learning hot to play chords.

Some even said that the instructions online were also important because they were able to learn a lot about their Hohner harmonica. They also love the fact that it is compact and easy to carry thanks to the case that comes with it.

Buyers also said that they are very happy that it is very cheap and that the people they bought the harmonica for said that it is good for beginners. Some parents even bought this harmonica for their children so they would be able to concentrate better and learn a new skill.

There were also some who said that even after a month of using this harmonica, they were able to play 50 songs.

Bottom Line

As one of the most notable brands of harmonicas in the market, Hohner promises that any harmonica they make is top class. For beginners, the Hohner 1501BX Blues Band Harmonica in the key of C promises to help you learn to play your favorite music pieces with ease.

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Bestharmonica.com has a list of more excellent harmonicas worth checking out!

 

Hohner 3P1501BX Bluesband Harmonica

Harmonicas are usually tuned to a specific key which means you can’t play tunes in a different key. You may have to purchase another harmonica to get that other key which may cost you a lot of money.

However, if you are looking for a harmonica pack that will help you get the other keys and not cost a lot of money, check out the Hohner 3P1501BX Bluesband Harmonica, Pro Pack.

Hohner Blues Band Review

The Hohner Bluesband Harmonica is a fun little instrument that we were happy to play and review. It is one of the cheapest ones that we found that was tolerable and still classy looking. It holds up well under mild use, and is a great place to start if you are learning to play the harmonica.

If you want to play various keys and not buy individually, you have to get a value pack that contains everything you need at an affordable price. Here are some of the things you will receive if you buy yourself a Hohner 3P1501BX Bluesband Harmonica, Pro Pack:

  • Each pack will have three harmonicas for the keys of G, A and C
  • All three have molded plastic bodies, enabling users to play it without problems.
  • It also has stainless steel covers with the label of the harmonica on top.
  • This harmonica’s reeds are made from brass

Before you purchase this package, you need to know if this harmonica set will indeed be a good buy. Here are some reviews by people who have bought the Hohner 3P1501BX Bluesband Harmonica Pro Pack, so you can see how well it performed for them.

Cons

We did have a few complaints and concerns after purchasing and reviewing this harmonica. A common expectation of buying low-end, mass-produced harmonicas is the chance for some holes to be DOA (dead on arrival).

This means the reeds are already, bent, cracked, or damaged in some way as they arrive brand new in the packaging. This will make some of the holes unusable, which you can manage if it’s on the outside holes of your harmonica, but on the inner holes, it can be a lot harder or impossible to work with. Some will sound high pitch or off-key, others will not produce sound.

Pros

On the other hand, this is a good beginner’s harmonica set. If you never see any of these defects, then you will see that this harmonica is well-made and not possessing any flaws in the harmonicas’ functions.

The harmonicas are also very solid to play, more responsive to some other cheap harmonicas, and each one works perfectly. It can be very easy to bend notes with this harmonica and learn how to play each each if you dedicate yourself to the practice.

It is also very comfortable to hold, and comfortable resting on the lips while playing, ensuring that users can play this without problems. The harmonica also sounded great and perfectly in key.

The customer service is also good, and if you end up with a harmonica with dead reeds, you can ask for a replacement and you will likely receive a replacement quickly. We also like the fact that this set comes with free lessons which can be accessed online, allowing the users to train with the harmonicas and learn how to properly use them. This is a big appeal, because we love free lessons!

Since the harmonicas come in a set, the price is exceptionally reasonable. We feel as though we can comfortably recommend it for any age level. Beginners will most likely get the most use and experience from a set like this. We also like the fact that this harmonica set is very cheap and performs brilliantly in spite of the low price.

Bottom Line

When it comes to playing blues, rock, country, and folk, you simply need to have the right tools for the job. Specifically when it comes to harmonicas, you have to have the right instruments in different keys to play these three music styles.

The Hohner 3P1501BX Bluesband Harmonica, Pro Pack, Keys of C, G and A Major will help you do just that without having to shell out money on getting individual harmonicas.

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HDE Silver Swan Diatonic 10 Hole Harmonica

Do you want to express your emotions – from love to heartaches – through a niche instrument? Fans of Folk and World music, Country and the Blues, welcome to the world of Harmonicas.

Grabbing and learning to play a harmonica is right up your alley if you responded positively to the above question. Though it isn’t as easy as grabbing the first harmonica you see. You should know which harmonica would give you the sound that would reflect your emotions and blow everyone away. That is why we have highlighted the Silver Swan Diatonic 10 Hole Key of C Blues Harmonica.

Features of the Swan Harmonica

A harmonica is an affordable investment that you shouldn’t miss if you are a fan of music or you just want to play tunes to help you relax and or celebrate. The HDE Silver Swan Diatonic 10 Hole Key of C Blues Harmonica will help you with that and could even be your instrument of choice once to get used to it.

Here are the things you will get with every package of Swan’s HDE Silver Swan Diatonic 10 Hole Key of C Blues Harmonica:

  • The base and cover plates of the harmonica are made from copper plates while the springs are made from phosphoric copper alloy and the frets are made from resin.
  • The logo of the harmonica is printed on the nameplate and it comes with its very own durable carrying case.
  • The notes played by this harmonica are those of the key of C.
  • Aside from the harmonica and the carrying case, you also get an instruction manual where you can learn how to take care of your harmonica and how to play it.

Are Swan Harmonicas Good?

If you are a beginner, it is important that you know whether or not your harmonica will suit your level and whether or not it is easy to play, maintain, and clean up. Does the HDE Silver Swan qualify as a harmonica that will meet your basic needs? Here’s a summary of our reviews of this one of a kind harmonica from Swan:

Cons

In terms of its sound quality, it does not make a very loud sound like you would get in a more expensive harmonica. It is noteworthy to mention that if you want a crisp sound and a loud harmonica, this is not the product you should choose.

This was among the most harsh comments we had on the good-looking instrument. We found that there can be some inconsistencies among sound from hole to hole, though this is not incredibly noticeable. This could be do to cheap manufacturing, or fast production with some cheaper components. We disassembled the instrument and found that there are several plastic pieces making up a large portion of this harmonica.

While this next comment can be a good thing for learning, it is more of a frustration long-term; we found this harmonica to be a bit more difficult to play. The lack of responsiveness could be due to the plastic components or quick, mass manufacturing.

Pros

On the other hand, this harmonica is actually and is a good brand for beginners and those looking for a cheap harmonica.

When it comes to the sound, we thing that it is a good blues harmonica and the sound it makes allows the users to discern properly if they are doing something out of tune. Cheaper harmonicas like this one are great for training a musician’s ear.

Since it does not produce a very loud sound, it is perfect for children and older people who want to learn how to play a harmonica. It also helps beginners to exercise their breathing patterns.

Each pitch of the harmonica is perfect, and some even saying that they use it for performances. If you get a grunge style mic, that just might work. We also love the fact that it is easy to clean thanks to its traditional wing-nut design.

It also looks very good; this is the kind of harmonica you think of when you try to picture one in your mind. We also love the fact this harmonica comes with its very own carrying case, protecting the harmonica from water, dirt, etc. when traveling.

We like the fact the company included an instruction manual to assist new users on how they can use and take care of their harmonica. A personal preference of ours: any instructions are better than no instructions.

It is very durable and very well made, an overall good first investment, in our opinion.

Bottom Line

One very important note is that beginners do not need luxury harmonicas. A basic harmonica that requires a little extra effort to play can actually help the learning process. Later down the road it teaches appreciation for high-quality harmonicas and responsiveness.

Playing a harmonica creates music that is soothing to anyone who hears it. The HDE Silver Swan Diatonic 10 Hole Harmonica plays music like no other and will help you relax at the same time. This is an investment you won’t want to miss out on.

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Buying Guide for the Best Harmonicas on the Market

Harmonicas are a favorite of many players because they are easy to play, affordable and can be brought anywhere. There’s more to choosing a harmonica than just looking at size and price because harmonicas can deliver a variety of tones you would not expect.

Harmonicas are also very versatile, allowing users to play any type of musical style imaginable. Many artists have harmonicas and play them constantly, making this the perfect instrument to bring anywhere.

However, if you are purchasing one, selecting a good harmonica can be difficult. Here is a short buying guide that will help you pick the proper harmonica for your use. Or if you’re a beginner harmonica player, here is a list of additional things to consider before making that first harmonica purchase.

Types of Harmonicas

There are actually several types of harmonica, and even more harmonica brands, which vary in specialty. However, there are three major categories of harmonicas in the market which is sorted by how they are tuned and they are chromatic, diatonic and tremolo.

Diatonic harmonicas

These are the most typical types of harmonica bought by those who want to play blues, folk music and pop.

The reason why the harmonica is a favorite among musicians from these music styles is that it is designed to play in one specific key. The design of the diatonic harmonica is also perfect to do note-bending and overblowing to change the pitch of the harmonica and play various styles in the process. Players also prefer this type of harmonica because of the fact it can be played in various positions to play other keys.

Chromatic harmonicas

Chromatic harmonicas on the other hand, have a button-activated lever which shifts the air into two separate reed plates within the harmonica which allows it to play all the notes in the western musical scale.

Advanced players, once they get accustomed with this type of harmonica, will be able to play any scale they want and understand the ‘gear shift’ of chromatic harmonicas.

It is important to note that bending pitches and overblowing is slightly difficult in a chromatic harmonica due to its larger reeds. However, this harmonica can still create the chords and effects one would be able to get in bending and overblowing.

It is advisable that users first master playing a diatonic harmonica before moving on to chromatics due to the number of scales one has to memorize.

Tremolo

Tremolo harmonicas are known as echo harmonicas because of their capacity to produce a warbling tone which is produced by having two reeds for a specific note. The first pitch heard to create the warbling sound is sharp while the other tune that can be heard is a flat tone.

Musicians playing Asian rock and pop love this type of harmonica because of its sound. However, fans of country and campfire music also look for tremolo harmonicas to give that rustic feeling to their songs.

Specialty Harmonicas

Aside from these three main types of harmonicas, there are specialty harmonicas that can be used in several performances and keys. One of the best known types of specialty harmonica is the chord harmonica, which can perform 48 different chords that can make an octave that would work well for harmonica ensembles.

Orchestral harmonicas can perform various pitch ranges and notes in any key. Orchestral harmonicas are also available in either diatonic or chromatic versions depending on one’s preferences.

Harmonica aids

Aside from buying a harmonica, there are some tools that will help you hone your skills with a harmonica and assist you in learning what you need to know about harmonicas. Tutorial books, key guides and transcriptions are currently available in the market for beginners to try out.

Performing with your harmonica

If you will be performing with your harmonica or you just want to perform for your family and friends, you need to know that there are certain types of microphones that would match perfectly with your harmonica. Normally, one would play their harmonicas with their hands cupped in the mic to ensure that the sound would remain to be crisp.

Brands like Shure, Shaker Retro Rocket, and Audix all make harmonica-friendly microphones. There are also amplifiers available from brands such as Hohner and Fender which can assist in boosting the sound of your harmonica.

What is the Best All Around Brand of Harmonica?

As with buying a guitar, piano or other musical instrument, harmonicas are also available in a range of brands that each has different qualities. There are many brands offering harmonicas to buyers today and many of these brands have an interesting history.

Even before considering brand, there are other things you may want to know or look into regarding your harmonica purchase. Here is the best Harmonica Advice I’ve ever received.

Popular Brands

After you have decided What Harmonica Key to Get, it is a natural next step to take a look at some brands.

Two of the earliest brands of harmonicas which became available in the market are Seydel and Hohner, which were founded in 1847 and 1857 respectively. Both brands had a rivalry with their respective harmonicas; Boomerang and the Marine Band. However, Seydel lost their rivalry when they found themselves on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain.

After the loss of Seydel in the race, the US company Kratt tried to compete in the harmonica market as German brands like Hohner lost their luster in the Second World War and its aftermath. However, Hohner regained its prominence after the war and became one of the major players in the harmonica market.

Aside from Hohner, several brands have also gained prominence worldwide. Some of the notable examples are Lee Oskar, Suzuki, Hering and Huang.

These brands are quite good for specific styles of music. Additionally, they may be the kind of harmonica you want to look into if you are buying your first harmonica.

Without any further delay, here are the Best Harmonica Brands!

The Top 10 Best Harmonica Brands and The Most Popular Harmonicas They Make

Suzuki Harmonica

Suzuki has been a widely popular, long-standing name in the harmonica world. Established in 1953, harmonicas are actually the first instrument the brand Suzuki ever produced in the music world. Ever since then, the name Suzuki has been reliable for both beginner musicians and professional musicians alike. With a focus on innovation and creativity, Suzuki works to push the boundaries and redefine the harmonica instrument.

They are constantly re-evaluating and looking to see where they can make tweaks or improvements with their next release. Their goal is to keep advancing the harmonica while holding on to its roots to create a new generation of harmonica playing. Their products are affordable, and come with many different options ranging for beginner players up to professional players.

Hohner Harmonica

Hohner has and will continue to have a monopoly over the harmonica industry, simply because their harmonicas are timeless and top-shelf quality. Many professionals run to the Hohner name for their harmonicas and choose to play this brand exclusively. In fact, some of the legends such as Adam Gussow, Bob Dylan, and two time Harmonica Solo World Champion Cy Leo have all stuck to the tried and true brand of Hohner.

Established in 1856 in a small town in Germany, Hohner has kept the same aesthetic and design for their harmonicas for generations. Their harmonicas are beautifully crafted and incredible quality. Many of their instruments provide this professional level quality while still staying within an affordable price.

SEYDEL Harmonica

Established in 1847 and produced in Klingenthal, Germany, what makes SEYDEL especially unique is that they are one of the few producers left to still hand make each of their harmonicas rather than mass produce them. Their instruments are each carefully designed and crafted, holding on to its original roots and aesthetic. They are crafted out of stamped, stainless steel plate covers, ABS comb to prevent moisture damage, and brass reeds for responsiveness, make them a bright, snappy option for harmonicas.

Aside from being hand crafted, these harmonicas have rounded edges to make them easy to hold in your hands as well as easier to play on your lips and tongue. With their smooth ergonomic design, these harmonicas are lip and beard proof, meaning they won’t cause any damage to you while playing.

Lee Oskar Harmonica

Lee Oskar Harmonicas, designed by harmonica musician, Lee Oskar, himself, have been especially noted for their clear sound quality, sleek design, brilliant construction, and high end materials. Globally recognized for their design, reliability, and quality, Lee Oskar Harmonicas are superior because of their ability to be completely interchangeable.

For most harmonicas, if a reed cracks or the comb becomes swollen with moisture damage, you can either buy a new harmonica, or pay a professional technician to repair the harmonica for you. Lee Oskar is the first brand to make all of it’s parts, from reed plates to combs, and even cover plates completely interchangeable if anything were to become damaged. Not only is this most cost-effective, but it extends the lifespan of your harmonica so you can keep playing years if maintained properly.

SWAN Harmonica

The SWAN Harmonicas are ideal for a variety of different types of music including jazz, folk, country, rock, and especially blues. These harmonicas offer a clean, unique sound slightly different than most traditional harmonica brands. Because of this slight feature, it actually makes them very versatile in the music industry. While traditionally being a 10-hole chromatic harmonica, these harmonicas are able to reach 40 different tones, making them easy to jam along with any genre of music and extremely enjoyable to play.

These harmonicas are light and comfortable to hold, easy to play, and come with a beautiful design. Many have reviewed that although these harmonicas are extremely versatile, they are still cheap in price and materials. Therefore, if you are a beginner player to the harmonica, this brand is a great first option.

Boseno Harmonica

Boseno Tremolo harmonicas are extremely unique and offer a very non-traditional sound in the harmonica world. Tremolo harmonicas come with double holes and double reed plates. Boseno actually imports their phosphor bronze alloy from Chile to ensure high quality and responsive sounds from the reeds. This quality bronze ensures your harmonica reeds will resist damage, and overall extend the lifespan of the instrument.

In addition to this, Boseno harmonicas are designed with black stainless steel cover plates for a beautiful aesthetic and classic look. These harmonicas are sturdy, reliable, and focuses on comfort and taste for beginner and professional players.  While tremolo harmonicas are not meant for every genre of music, they can be used on classical stages, or for unique sound effects. These little instruments are perfect for any level of musician and are extremely fun to play.

Harmo Harmonica

The Harmo is one of the most beautiful harmonica brands on the market today. Established in 2016 by professional harmonica player, David Herzhaft, each harmonica is careful hand crafted and tested for quality right here in the United States. Being new to the market, the Harmo brand has quickly taken flight and has easily become one of the top harmonica makers in the market. Their harmonicas are each crafted with a sleek, minimal design with their logo etched into the stainless steel cover plate.

They are comfortable to hold, heavy in your hand, and easy to play. Because of their extremely high quality, these harmonicas are aimed for intermediate to professional level players. They are the more expensive option compared to other brands, but the quality you will receive from these little instruments is unmatched.

Fender Harmonica

When people first think of the brand name Fender their minds go to their guitars. In fact, Fender crafts many beautiful instruments aside from just guitars. Their harmonicas are one of the top brands chosen by players around the world. Designed for comfort and durability, the Fender harmonicas have made a name for themselves for being one of the loudest harmonicas available.

Compared to other brands, these harmonicas have loud, responsive reeds, great for jamming or playing for an audience. Fender also offers the convenience of interchangeable parts. Similar to Lee Oskar, Fender provides replacement parts for your harmonica to extend its lifespan and keep you playing your instrument. Their wide variety of different harmonicas offers different types of playing depending on your music genre and skill level. This brand is fantastic for both beginners and experienced players.

PowerBender

With over thirty years of experience in the music making industry, PowerBender works to create a strong, powerful little instrument to the music world. PowerBender tuning builds off of the best qualities of the Richter Tuning while slightly altering the scare to make your power notes easier to hit though a three-octave range. Overblowing is also easily obtainable for each hole, making it easy to hit different notes and chords.

The PowerBender harmonica is built with quality and design in mind for beginner to intermediate players. While still built durable, the PowerBender is not quite sturdy or versatile enough for long term playing or professional players. That is why this brand is ideal for new harmonica players.

SonnyBoy’s Classic Harmonicas

Started by two passionate music professors in the UK, Pete Smith and Ben Hewlett, founders of the SonnyBoy’s Music Store, have worked together to create a top of the line products for their students and any new musician. Their goal is to provide a product that is professional quality without the professional price tag. With over 45 years of harmonica player experience, Pete and Ben have worked to create an incredible instrument for all new harmonica players.

In addition to already having an incredible product, the pair also release a YouTube video review of each of their new products they release so you can hear the harmonica being played before you purchase it. They also teach online lessons, and strive to ignite a passion for the harmonica in their students. In fact, with each purchase you will also receive a free, one-hour beginner, intermediate, and advanced lesson from them.

The passion they have for teaching, music, and the harmonica comes out in their product. While they are a smaller brand name, they are quickly being recognized as one of the finest quality harmonicas at an affordable price.

Blues Harmonicas

For blues players and regular harmonica players, Lee Oskar, Hering, Seydel, Huang and Suzuki are mostly preferred aside from Hohner’s Meisterklasse. Lee Oskar’s harmonicas look very sleek and play very well in a variety of keys, including the most common harmonica key of C

Hering is now making great harmonicas too for blues players with its chromatic harmonica now becoming a favorite for players like Peter Madcat Ruth.

Seydel’s 1847 harmonica is also a great favorite for blues players such as Charlie Musselwhite and James Cotton as it is easy to play and inexpensive in cost. Their other harmonica, the Session Steel, is becoming another harmonica of preference as it has stainless steel reeds and is cheaper, with a sound that can compete with other harmonicas.

Suzuki’s Promaster series can compete against Hohner’s Meisterklasse when it comes to its sound quality and the quality of the harmonica’s body.

Suzuki’s other variants such as Bluesmasters, Harpmasters, Manji and Olive are also very good for playing the blues. The price range of these top-class blues brands is about $35 to $100+, depending on the brand and series.

Cheap Yet Quality Harmonicas

For cheap yet quality harmonicas, brands like Johnsons and Meranos, Huang – for its Huang Bacpac series -, Suzuki – for its Easy Rider and Folkmasters series – and Hohner’s Blues Band are your options.

It is also not a bad choice to try out Hohner’s Big River and Huang Star Performer as a cheap yet quality harmonica for your collection. These harmonicas prove that you don’t need to spend hundreds to get something that is functional and satisfying.

If you want to buy a cheap harmonica for your kids, you can also check out Hohner’s Fuego Azul and China’s Golden Cup, Hero, and Parrot brands. Each of these have been called the best inexpensive harmonica at one point or another, as they are fairly cheap, yet they would still be able to produce great music.

Chromatic Harmonicas

In the chromatic harmonica section, several brands would work well for you. The first notable one is Hohner’s Chrometta series or their Discovery series. The Discovery series is actually quite a bit cheaper than the Chrometta, but it still has a high-quality sound.

The Hohner 270 Deluxe is also not a bad choice for a chromatic harmonica. If you are willing to spend more, you should consider the Meisterklasse and Amadeus models. Hering also makes top-notch chromatic harmonicas, for example their 64-hole chromatics.

Suzuki is also another brand you can check out for their chromatic harmonicas. Several series from this brand are notable chromatics including the SCX series, Gregoire, Fabulous and the Sirius series.

Seydel also has its very own chromatic harmonica series, the Saxony Chromatic, which people say is similar to Hering’s chromatic harmonica in terms of its mouthpiece and design.

If you want to try out Huang, they also have good chromatic harmonicas for example their 12-hole chromatic series as seen in the Huang Cadet Soloist series.

Given all these brands, it is still crucial that buyers double check each one of these brands before purchasing to ensure that it will fit their needs. Check out a general overview of the best harmonicas out there.

Noteworthy Brands

The above categories lay out why some people might lean towards one harmonica or another, but we think there are some brands that stand out above others and are worth the mention.

Hering Blues Harmonica Review

The Hering is a Harmonica Brand that has held its own among the mess of other huge names. They make harmonicas like the Hering Free Blues Harmonica. This one is not with the bottom tier harmonicas and we like it that way! It’s lightweight and proves itself to be consistent. Some complain about the weight, and we did question why it was so lightweight. Could something this lightweight really be considered a professional harmonica?

But we decided it didn’t have to feel like a professional harmonica. It was fun to play, and the price is right! If we really wanted a professional harmonica, we wouldn’t have gone bargain hunting in mid-range priced harp.