Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum so I thought I should firstly introduce myself. I'm 34 and have been playing harp for only 6 months. In thankfully progressing pretty quickly and an enjoying every minute of it. At the moment I have a few harps. A Suzuki bluesmaster a special 20 and an older model hohner blues harp. I like them all but I really like the way the blues harp feels. Now mine is pretty old and I think it's time to get a new one. My question is this. What's the difference between the old and new models now it's part of the ms series? Primarily are any of the dimensions different? Hole size, spacing, overall size. I unfortunately don't live any where near a music store to compare. Many thanks!
Gday Ian. If you have a pre-MS Blues Harp, you'll find the current Blues Harp is similar in several ways: It is called 'Blues Harp' Made by Hohner Brass reeds Wooden comb ( but different type of wood) Non-vented cover plates. Richter tuning
That's it I think. The differences are Bigger size Different reed dimensions Different tuning scheme as in the way chords sound Comb material doesn't swell, but is brittle Held together with screws
Also, there are differences in pre-Ms Blues harps. The earlier ones can be quite good but later models not so much
Closest thing these days to a 70s Blues harp is probably a marine band 1896. Basically the same harp with vented covers. They sound different for that reason, but they are constructed the same way and same dimensions. Tuning of chords has changed a bit I think but that's just the way it is. If you're really keen you can retune to 'old school' scheme.
Better deal may be the marine band deluxe. Same harp but built with screws instead of nails. Marine band combs are sealed these days too, so they don't give the same probs with swelling like the once did
"Now mine is pretty old and I think it's time to get a new one."
What's wrong with it? Any harp can be restored.
If it's a pre-MS blues harp from the good old days, nothing on the market will have the same feel. Current Hohner Marine Bands (all types) are much brighter sounding today.
If you are really looking for any excuse to buy a new harp (very common feeling!) maybe try a Manji. It has long-slot reeds and has a smooth feel just like the vintage Hohner Stuff. Different tuning, though.
New MS Blues Harps are completely different than your vintage one. Both harps have ten holes. That's about the only similarity. (Please forgive my exaggeration)
Thanks for the input guys. @superbee loads of into. I guess I may just have to try it out. Have seen a couple on eBay for cheap so it may be worth a go. I'll take a look at the marine band pro whilst I'm at it too. @arzajac it's feeling pretty flat. The 6 reed sounds totally out. I'd consider getting it fixed but i don't have the tools or skills myself and I have no idea where to send it. I won't get rid of it though. And yes... Part of me wants a new harp! I was very close to getting a manji but everyone online keeps whinging that they are variable in quality. The main reason I like or liked the blues harp was it's size, feel and general layout (spacing etc) rather than tone etc. I'd love to be closer to a music store with more choices but my local one only sells maybe 3 harps.
Last Edited by Ian on Apr 05, 2015 4:49 PM
I'm not sure who may be doing repairs close to you. Postage is the killer, but if it's a good one it may be worth having repaired as arzajac said. Too far from me though I think.
Yeah. That's the problem living here, it's nice but far from most useful things. Guessing that you are Aussie given your welcome? I did a search online of harmonica repair places in the UK and there are a few although postage is still going to be a bit steep vs the cost of a new harp.
Last Edited by Ian on Apr 05, 2015 5:32 PM
Don't worry about the whining. All harmonicas have varying quality. Think about the instrument. A thin plate of brass with tiny reeds that are tuned in about a minuet by a bunch of different people with little grinders. There is just no way these instruments can be identical. They are better then they used to be though. It's all personal preference and no matter whose harp you buy, you will get a clunker now and then. Go get that new one and play it till the cows come home...BN
i agree with a lot of people that the MB would be one of the closest .also a huang bac pac harp is pretty close to a pre-MS BH.a lot of pre-MS BH's had thinner reeds than a MB for easier bending.
IMHO,a few hering models sound similar to a pe-MS BH .i have a few BH's from the 70's .
you could put your BH covers on a MB or bac pac harp and get the sound a little closer.
the manji is a very good harp. ---------- www.shakeylee.com
i do have bac pac reed plates on a marine band comb with blues harp covers. one would be hard pressed to hear a difference between it and a blues harp.
i know it is a few hours from you,but do you ever go over to the swanage blues fest? ---------- www.shakeylee.com
Last Edited by shakeylee on Apr 05, 2015 8:13 PM
Hello again. @superbee Tasmania... That really is downunder. Been there once, loved it, a beautiful place no doubt. @bn Getting more tempted with the manji! I'll have to get one online though. half of those online are 'from japan' and are at about half the price of the ones available from UK distribution. I went on their site where it says that there are counterfeit goods in circulation... Is this true? Doesn't seem like the ideal candidate for a fake. @shakeylee yeah it's definitely pre ms. No screws etc. I went to the swanage festival in 2007 or thereabouts.not been since. Thanks again for the input guys. The blues harp that was on eBay has disappeared so I'll have a look I think for a manji.... I think!
Last Edited by Ian on Apr 06, 2015 2:42 AM
Ok. One last thing. Slightly off topic. I. Forgot to mention I also have a marine band which is a bit leaky but otherwise in tune. Is there a way for an amateur to fix this with basic tools?
" Is there a way for an amateur to fix this with basic tools?"
It depends what you mean by basic tools.
The harp is not airtight and can benefit from a flatter comb (stock or replacement comb) and flatter reed plates. Here's how to convert the nails to screws and flatten the draw reed plate.
You can flat sand the stock comb but I would recommend you seal it afterwards (and keep it flat at the same time!)
its my understanding that the vintage blues harps had thinner reeds to make for easier bending but it was really a hohner marketing move.....the vintage marine bands that played well were superior to blues harpsIMHO
groyster1- I think the thinner reed thing is a myth. The Hohner catalogs from the 70's say: "World's first blues Harmonica. (???!!! Gee, I guess Little Walter was playing some other kind of music) Great new sound. Reeds set higher for greater action and longer life. New durable (Um...no) plastic snap case."
Sounds like the reed offset may have been set a little higher so that they didn't choke as readily with the harder blowing that they perceived blues players would use. I've restored a half dozen of them and can't say that I noticed the offset being much different from Marine Bands of the same era. Next time I change a reed in one I'll compare the thickness to a MB. I'm pretty sure it's the same reeds and reed plate as the MB though. I think the only difference is the cover plates and maybe the reed offset. I remember them as being the same price as the MBs back in the 70's but the '72 price list I have shows the BH listing at $4.25 and the MB at $3.95 so my remembery could be off. Maybe some of the pro restorers could weigh in on the reed thickness issue.
Thanks again for the pointers. I'll get to that when I get a free afternoon. In the meantime I'll await the delivery of my new manji! Took the plunge last night. I'll keep the BH and get it looked at when I get the chance. Nice bunch of people in this forum. Speak soon.
Ian, don't let the counterfeit claims scare you off. Manufacturers try to protect their "certified" dealers, distributors and repair shops. I have to buy on line because there is no music store within 40 miles of home that carries what I want. Local stores make the claim that none of their clientele want to spend more than ten bucks for a harp. Obviously, whomever they are selling to aren't serious players. Do buy from a trusted source and don't hesitate to check out buyer reviews and recommendations. If you get to the point where you want custom, there are a number of highly accredited builders on this forum for both harps and mics. Postage is always going to be an issue, though.
