Goldbrick
949 posts
Apr 09, 2015
3:50 PM
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Why do you guys like the Special 20 so much?
I much prefer a regular Marine Band. Special 20's just seem light and flimsy and a bit tinny in my hands.
Th MB seems a bit mellower too.
Just wondering what the attraction is for you guys that dig them
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arzajac
1632 posts
Apr 09, 2015
4:21 PM
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There have lots going for them:
You can get them anywhere.
They are fairly consistent - you know what you are going to get.
They have excellent reeds.
I think folks under appreciate the tuning - most folks like a compromise tuning that leans more towards chords.
They are comfortable to play. The comb feels nice on the tongue and the whole harp is easy to cup and make a nice seal.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Apr 09, 2015 4:22 PM
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isaacullah
2994 posts
Apr 09, 2015
5:00 PM
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There are lots of plusses for me. More comfortable in the hands and mouth. No wood comb problems. Easy to dissassemble and work on. Good price. Great playing. Good quality build. Durable. Etc. Etc. But to me, the MOST important thing is that the tone is more focused, less brassy, and more modern-sounding. And the non-vented covers allow for greater control of the sound via cupping techniques.
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STME58
1272 posts
Apr 09, 2015
5:13 PM
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They play well for me and are more comfortable than a MB. I have experienced spotty quality with the MB but not with the SP 20.(Had I bought SP20s at the time I got the bad MB's I might have gotten a bad SP20, but I did not buy them then) Up until recently reed plates were available. I understand the Rocket plates fit the SP20 but I have not tried that yet.
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harpwrench
1011 posts
Apr 09, 2015
5:15 PM
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I'm guessing a lot of players like them because they're fairly air tight, reliable and won't swell. I sell about 50 custom MBs to 1 SP20 FWIW.
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HarpNinja
4079 posts
Apr 09, 2015
6:32 PM
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What Isaac said. Custom MBs rule, as do the XO, but the Sp20 has a focused and compresses feel I love.
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
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9000
225 posts
Apr 09, 2015
8:05 PM
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I always seem to return to the S20 for the same reasons noted in the above posts but I think it's okay to like whatever you like. I'm glad that there are now people like Mike Fugazzi and Arzajac talking about the quality on these forums. I used to always feel like there was something wrong with me because I liked them. I really thought the Rocket was going to be the replacement for them but it hasn't turned out that way.
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Music speaks where words fail.
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SuperBee
2536 posts
Apr 09, 2015
8:30 PM
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i play mainly marine bands and i dont plan to change, but i'm really equally happy with a 20. and when folks send me repairs i have grown to really appreciate the sp for ease of cleaning and a few other little factors which i find makes for a slightly slicker workflow...and, they are pretty great to play. i put a solid sandwich-type comb in a couple and i just forget they aren't marine bands
oh and i can buy them at the LMS.
Last Edited by SuperBee on Apr 09, 2015 8:30 PM
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nacoran
8403 posts
Apr 09, 2015
9:49 PM
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I could list the reasons, but it would be exactly the same list Isaac gave. I even prefer them to the Crossover; the corners aren't as sharp on the hands.
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Nate
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florida-trader
671 posts
Apr 10, 2015
6:55 AM
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FWIW - according to one Hohner Endorser (or is it Endorsee?) that I know, I am told that the Special 20 is the #1 Selling harp that Hohner makes.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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ted burke
174 posts
Apr 10, 2015
7:14 AM
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Hohner pretty much set the gold standard when they developed the Special 20; it is exceedingly popular harmonica for blues harmonica players, beginnger, intermediate and professional , because it's an exceedingly good instrument. For all the reasons stated here by Issac and arzazac, the instrument combines tone , expressiveness, durability, comfort at a price that's as attractive as the other qualities. It's just a damn good harmonica.
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Ted Burke
__________________
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tburke4@san.rr.com
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LittleBubba
316 posts
Apr 10, 2015
10:33 AM
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Playability is a given, or I wouldn't play it, but the deal-maker is the feel in my hands. So I agree with a bunch of y'all on that.
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RyanMortos
1489 posts
Apr 10, 2015
10:48 AM
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For everything that makes it different from the marine band & cheaper then the 1847/crossover. I think my top 5 would include (in no order) special 20, golden melody, manji, 1847, & then a well customized anything that I can play all bends & overdraw/blows on with ease.
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~Ryan
See My Profile for contact info, etc.
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Todd Parrott
1326 posts
Apr 10, 2015
4:44 PM
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I like them a lot in certain keys, like Eb. I like them better when the covers are opened. My favorite Special 20 is one with opened covers, and a Blue Moon Green acrylic comb. The mouthpiece of a Special 20 really does help some with fast country playing, just a little bit, but it does help in my opinion.
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Danny Starwars
96 posts
Apr 10, 2015
7:19 PM
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My few pennies worth - I have a set of SP20s (I have been meaning to branch out) and have recently been gifted with a Rocket and a Manji.
While I like the Rocket's rounded ends very much, I find the SP20 is much more responsive and 'faster' to play.
The thing is, in my country a Rocket is much more expensive than a SP20. I'd rather grab the SP20 in most cases.
I'm still evaluating the Manji; I like it more than the Rocket in terms of playability and 'speed'. Even if I end up liking it more than the SP20, it won't be by an enormous margin, and yet - again - they cost a lot more.
I think that for the general airtightness, playability, etc, PLUS the price point, it's hard to hassle the SP20.
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2_8CnjaiNLcPke4gWQ65A
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Dr.Hoy
22 posts
Apr 10, 2015
8:10 PM
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It has the same reeds as the Marine Band, doesn't it? The only difference, and correct me if I'm wrong, is the recessed reed plate design, which I find far more comfortable to play.
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HarveyHarp
663 posts
Apr 10, 2015
8:56 PM
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There a couple of differences. The Special 20s are tuned just a little different than the MB, and the reeds are riveted a little back from edge of the reed plate, which coupled with the thickness of the front of the comb, makes you mouth a little bit further from the reeds. I feel that the Marine Band has a slight edge in performance because of that in certain circumstances.
I put Marine Band plates in one of Tom"s aluminun Special 20 combs, along with MB Cover Plates, and it is a great harp. When I compare it with one in the same key with Special 20 Plates, the is a differance.
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HarveyHarp
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Dr.Hoy
23 posts
Apr 10, 2015
9:28 PM
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That's really interesting. How is the Special 20 harmonica tuned differently from the Marine Band?
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HarveyHarp
664 posts
Apr 10, 2015
10:36 PM
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I do not think it is much these days. I know Hohner Specs to Peterson show them as different, but they will not share that info.
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HarveyHarp
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BigBlindRay
246 posts
Apr 16, 2015
11:41 PM
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Bought 3 new Special 20's
All of them suffer from rattling when playing the 1 draw.
C, D, A
The issue has something to do with the coverplates rattling against the reedplates. - not reed rattling against coverplates.
Have tried to adjust the screw torque, remove the front facing reedplate screws - nada - the rattle still exists.
Anyone else get this problem with Special 20's?
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- BigBlindRay
BigBlindRay website
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SuperBee
2558 posts
Apr 17, 2015
12:47 AM
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i'm trying to work out how that its possible for the covers to rattle against the reedplates.
Danny Starwars described a buzz he was getting from a couple harps in the 2 or 3 blow zone, but i dunno if he resolved it.
ive been mending lots of special 20s here in Australia lately but haven't seen any new ones yet, and haven't met this issue. i'm interested to know how it works out, or take a look at it
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Danny Starwars
99 posts
Apr 17, 2015
1:22 AM
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Oh. One reason I like Special 20's?
The Hohner Pro Harp. How that piece of crap ever saw the light of day I'll never know. I've had a few PHs all the way back from the 80's til now (so it can't be a 'run' thing), mostly when I needed a harp for something and it's all the shop stocked. (I had all but given up until recently but sometimes got asked to play a number at an event).
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My YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2_8CnjaiNLcPke4gWQ65A
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Piro39
80 posts
Apr 17, 2015
6:19 AM
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Pre MS Pro Harps were Special 20's with black covers. I had some very good ones.
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groyster1
2779 posts
Apr 17, 2015
8:34 AM
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I like sp 20s because they are as airtight as any ootb harp Ive ever had.....that being said,I prefer the sound of marine bands.....probably because of the cover plates but not the combs
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