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Hohner Rocket Review
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the_happy_honker
191 posts
Oct 23, 2014
6:03 AM
My first impression when I opened the zippered pouch of my Rocket (Bb), was that it was a Special 20 Deluxe, as Hohner has incorporated tried-and-true features of the MB Deluxe and Crossover modifications in the Rocket design.

Special 20 cover plate screws rust and this rust spreads easily to the cover plate, making the harp look funky and cheap after som time. The Rocket screws are brass like the Crossover and don't rust. The screws have been moved forward, as well. This serves absolutely no function, as there are reed plate screws at the front for air-tightness, but it evokes (steals) the look of some custom harps and Suzuki's Manji. The backs of the cover plates are also opened up, like the MB Deluxe and Crossover.

The comb has rounded sides, not just rounded corners and edges, making it feel more comfortable, smaller in the hands than the Special 20, even though they share the same external dimensions. It is impossible to check flatness, but taping the slots shut and then breathing into the channels reveals the harp to have very good, but not perfect, compression. I loosened and then retightened the eight (8)! screws with the same result. Up to the standard of Suzuki's Harpmaster/Bluesmaster combs, I'd say.

Hohner have inexplicably made the front of the comb, the part that recesses the reed plates, thicker front-to-back. This creates more of a discontinuity in the mouthpiece curvature and I have to take care not to leak air when moving quickly around the harp. It also requires adjusting my embouchure on overblows, which is annoying.

It occured to someone at Hohner to use the extra height of the recessed comb to print the key on the end of the comb in letters that are actually legible, instead embossed on the covers, a good move.

The comb has three cover plate holes in each end, which leads one to think the Rocket comb will accomodate more than just Rocket covers. And indeed, it does. Special 20 and MBD/Crossover cover plates fit perfectly.** So anyone who has dreamed of putting MB coverplates on a recessed comb, now you can do just that. I rather like it.

The channels are very, very slightly wider thatn the Sp20, about 200 microns for most of their length. The Hohner marketing department claims this makes for more efficient movement of air, which is utter bloviance, in my opinion. The channel partitions taper at the front, true. For this harpist, it means fast, ultra-steady warbles suddenly become effortless, but the unintended snagging of adjacent holes also becomes possible as well.

The Rocket has Marine Band reeds, you know 'em, you love 'em. The usual slashy tuning marks are in evidence, but happily not many of them. Tuning at the reed tips has been done tastefully, without twisting the reeds. That is good news for assessing a harp's potential for overdraws.

The tone of the Rocket is about what you would expect, somewhere between an agressive MB Deluxe and a Sp20 with covers opened in the back. I haven't had it on a tuner, but it appears also to have the same temperament as these two.

Overall: "Solid" is probably the most fitting adjective I can think of. Solid in the hands and in the mouth, solid in tone.

I remember MBH member Nastyolddog (later, NOD), before he got booted from the forum, used to say he wished Hohner would update the Sp20. If he has since climbed out of that Foster's lager brewing tank he fell into, I hope he will give Rocket a try, as It seems to incorporate just about everything he asked for.

Are the improvements worth almost a doubling of the price? Speaking for myself, the answer is "no." I'm indifferent to the recessed comb design and putting a Marine Band-style cover plate on it is not something I yearn for. What design deficits the SP20 has can be easily remedied in 10 minutes by putting a bit of hobby oil on the cover plate screws and nuts before playing the first time (prevents rust) and cutting or sanding down the sharp corners and edges. Opening the backs is just about the easiest mod you can make.

But if you like recessed combs and think that your trusty Sp20 could use a bit of sprucing up, then Rocket is for you.


** MS and Golden Melody cover plates don't fit at all, of course.

the_happy_honker
groyster1
2697 posts
Oct 23, 2014
7:15 AM
the rocket is louder than a sp20 even with covers in back open....the rocket has side vents also....but the sp20 customs I have are superior to the rocket
HarpNinja
3974 posts
Oct 23, 2014
8:03 AM
If anyone is interested, I have new Rockets in B, F, and G for sale. They are unused. I ended up with more then I needed.

Thanks!
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
tookatooka
3706 posts
Oct 23, 2014
1:18 PM
Rust on the SP20 Coverplate screws. Are you sure? Never had that on any of mine. The brass colour plating just wears off and you're left with a dull grey screwhead. Certainly never seen any rust on my collection.
HarpNinja
3976 posts
Oct 23, 2014
1:25 PM
I've seen rust around the cover screws on SP20's.
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
NiteCrawler .
318 posts
Oct 23, 2014
1:43 PM
@ happy honker, I,ll third the motion on the Sp 20 cover plate screws.In fact I have had a few older 20,s in an old work van (shed on wheels) for the past 2 yrs that don,t have any rust,although as said the brass screws have patined a bit.BTW; I loved the comment on NOD falling into the Fosters brew tank,thats a good one!
schaef
36 posts
Oct 23, 2014
3:40 PM
@harpnija I'll take the f rocket. Need email address
HarpNinja
3977 posts
Oct 23, 2014
6:01 PM
Mikefugazzi@gmail.com
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog


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