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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Why were different Hohner models developed?
Why were different Hohner models developed?
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Philosofy
521 posts
Mar 10, 2014
8:27 PM
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I'm kind of curious on why products are developed, and I'd like to know why Hohner has so many diatonic models. Its easy to see that they would develop a tremolo or octave harp to fill a market need, but what made them keep going on diatonics after the Marine Band? For instance, the Special 20 is just a Marine Band with a plastic comb. (At least to me, it is.) The Golden Melody has slightly different tuning and full cover plates. Thunderbird covers the lower octaves.
Looking just at Rockin Rons,we have:
Marine Band
Special 20
Crossover
Rocket
Thunderbird
Blues Harp
Big River
Why so many choices?
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capnj
209 posts
Mar 10, 2014
9:07 PM
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Yeah and you listed just the ones made in Germany,another list for the chinese made.Big worldwide business,they know it inside and out.Just as others have mentioned why the crappy mics,and amps,but then again it is good for the small guy,putting out quality mics and great amps,so the wizard behind the curtain is all knowing.Ante up guys a new price hike.
Last Edited by capnj on Mar 10, 2014 9:25 PM
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STME58
673 posts
Mar 10, 2014
9:21 PM
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This reminds me of the fisherman who came back to the to the tackle shop complaining that the lures he bought did not work, the proprietor responded, "What do you mean they don't work, you bought them didn't you?"
On a more serious note, I have special 20's, Crossover's, Marine bands, and Blues harps. Each has a different character. If I want to play something smooth and melodic I would go with the Blues Harp, if I want a sound with more bite I go for the Crossover. In my opinion the continuum from smooth to biting these four in order are Blues Harp, Special 20, Marine Band, Crossover. When I first started playing I doubt I would have noticed the difference. I am sure players more experienced than I could point out more differences between them.
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nacoran
7605 posts
Mar 10, 2014
10:29 PM
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I don't remember the thread, but I took a shot at this question before. Aside from the whole range of 'personal preference' things like temperament, shape, recessed or protruding reed plates, interchangeable parts, open back vs. closed backs, I think it breaks down like this-
You walk into a store planning on spending $30 for a harp, but right next to the $30 harp is a $35 dollar harp that is a little nicer, so you start looking at the $35 dollar harps, but right next to them is a $40 harp. Pretty soon you are convinced the best value for your money is the $100 harp, and they are on sale for $80, so you'll take two. :)
You might also want to take a look at this speech about spaghetti sauce. :)
http://www.ted.com/talks/malcolm_gladwell_on_spaghetti_sauce
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Todd Parrott
1206 posts
Mar 10, 2014
11:41 PM
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Probably because people like options, and so that harmonica players could debate for years on forums like this about which model is best. :)
Could you imagine how boring the harmonica world and the forums would be if there was only the Marine Band? :)
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Todd Parrott
1207 posts
Mar 10, 2014
11:47 PM
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P.S. We know that a version of what we know today as the Golden Melody has been around since at least 1957, under different names - 100th Anniversary Harp, Navy Band, etc. You can see them all in the display case in the lobby of Hohner USA if you ever get the chance to visit. (And for the record, contrary to popular belief, both Chamber and Frank Huang have told me on phone conversations in the past, that Chamber did not design the Golden Melody.)
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