slaphappy
199 posts
Jul 24, 2016
10:42 AM
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WTF, this is my favorite model of harp! What does this mean exactly? We will not be able to get MBD's in the USA w/o ordering directly from Hohner (but not Hohner USA apparently??)
from Rockin' Rons this morning.
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With the help of a major retail store ( they are really not into harps) we were able to bring in some more of the loved Marine Band Deluxes. in stock 6C, 6D, 6A, 5G We might be able to get more in E and Eb within a couple weeks.
The info below is a reality. Hohner USA no longer offers the Marine Band Deluxe to dealers..
Info from Hohner. RockinRons has no other info or answers.
Drew.Lewis
6:41 AM (1 hour ago) 3-4-16
to me
Hey Ron,
I am just getting back to some of my emails… We talked about this one at NAMM.
The Deluxe is now discontinued in the states. I believe they are keeping these going for the rest of the world, but for us these represent about 8% of the crossover sales… so… generally it is the same customer..
Anyone that wants to buy a 6 pack of the same key still can so long as Germany continues to make them. We wont stock them in the US though.
Thanks
Drew Lewis
Product Manager Hohner Harmonicas and Melodicas
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4' 4+ 3' 2~~~
-Mike Ziemba
Harmonica is Life!
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Goldbrick
1553 posts
Jul 24, 2016
11:56 AM
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It means they make more money on crossovers and want you to buy those to maximize profit
Looks like Amazon has them for $50
Last Edited by Goldbrick on Jul 25, 2016 6:35 AM
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JustFuya
933 posts
Jul 24, 2016
12:38 PM
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Took a look out of curiosity. You can buy the reed plates or for 7.25 more you can buy the complete harp. Temporarily.
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Goldbrick
1554 posts
Jul 24, 2016
3:25 PM
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Amazon has em for $50 and free shipping
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MP
3370 posts
Jul 24, 2016
4:27 PM
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Bummer, I love these harps.
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Have good day. M.A.P.
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slaphappy
200 posts
Jul 24, 2016
4:34 PM
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why Hohner why?
I like the crossovers but prefer MBDs especially key of C or lower.
any of the Hohner folks who hang out here have any insight?
Slaphappy is upset!
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4' 4+ 3' 2~~~
-Mike Ziemba
Harmonica is Life!
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florida-trader
964 posts
Jul 24, 2016
8:03 PM
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I can also verify that the MB Deluxe is being discontinued in the US. I heard a rumor a few months ago and asked my sales rep. He confirmed what I heard but I was able to buy a pretty fair supply of them before they went away. I plan to tweak them and install custom combs on them but I could be persuaded to sell a stock harp if someone really needs one.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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WinslowYerxa
1178 posts
Jul 25, 2016
1:39 AM
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slaphappy - why do you prefer the MBD in lower keys? Crossover is the same harp except for comb and temperament AFAIK.
===========
Winslow
Check out my blog and other goodies at winslowyerxa.com
Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition with tons of new stuff
Join us in 2016 for SPAH on the San Antonio River Walk!
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slaphappy
201 posts
Jul 25, 2016
7:27 AM
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it's the temperament and a little bit of mystery mojo I think.
the draw chord is a bit sweeter OTB to my ears and I'm doing more chord and rhythm stuff with lower keys.
I think crossover is kinda pricey too!
Why just the USA? Will they continue to manufacture it or is this just to sell out the remaining inventory outside the US
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4' 4+ 3' 2~~~
-Mike Ziemba
Harmonica is Life!
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1847
3583 posts
Jul 25, 2016
7:40 AM
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i have an idea.....
what if they introduced a crossover deluxe? a bamboo comb,
with a marine band tuning. the only issue i have with the crossover is the tuning.
it is too bright sounding.
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.
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mlefree
722 posts
Jul 25, 2016
8:19 AM
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I noticed that Hohner discontinued the less expensive of the two models.
Michelle
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SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
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nacoran
9167 posts
Jul 25, 2016
10:08 AM
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Hohner added two new harps, the deluxe and the crossover, to the MB line. Then they cut it back to just the crossover, and everyone complains they are taking away choices! :)
The regular old MB is cheaper to make, I'm guessing (it still has nails right?) That probably gives them their margins on the MB. And the premium price on the Crossover gives them their margins there. Doesn't help if the deluxe was the right tradeoff of cost and features for you, but I can sort of understand it from a business perspective.
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Nate
Facebook
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First Post- May 8, 2009
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Kingley
4026 posts
Jul 25, 2016
10:18 AM
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Shame they have stopped selling them. Just keep your old MB Deluxe harps though. When they are broken either replace the individual broken reeds or just buy Crossover plates and retune them to standard MB tuning. That's what I'll be doing if they ever stop selling them over here.
I love the MB Deluxe. All mine have Bluemoon black corian combs fitted to them. Same with the couple of Crossovers I own. I have a bunch of standard MB's that I also plan on doing the same thing too.
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slaphappy
202 posts
Jul 25, 2016
10:19 AM
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Seydel and Suzuki offer these features at more competitive price points that the crossover no? I haven't done much research lately because I was happy with my MBDs but now I'm tempted to take my business elsewhere.
just bummed though because all I really want is a marine band with screws and better comb and a little tighter setup that didn't break the bank.
FML. ;)
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4' 4+ 3' 2~~~
-Mike Ziemba
Harmonica is Life!
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MN
414 posts
Jul 25, 2016
10:56 AM
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A bummer indeed. The MBD is a damn good harp. I just ordered a couple on Amazon. Thanks for the tip, guys.
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slaphappy
203 posts
Jul 25, 2016
11:02 AM
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yeah, I picked up a C from Rockin Rons but what I really want is a Bb and I can't find one now.
damnit hohner.
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4' 4+ 3' 2~~~
-Mike Ziemba
Harmonica is Life!
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1847
3586 posts
Jul 25, 2016
11:53 AM
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i have been asking seydel for quite some time if they could make a marine band deluxe with steel reeds.
i bet it could be a block buster if done right..... the same size and shape... the cover plates would need to be very similar
or that could be a deal breaker. possibly chamfer the tines like on a harrison harmonica.
the steel reeds sound better than the current hohner reeds. this is a huge opportunity for them.
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barbequebob
3258 posts
Jul 25, 2016
12:13 PM
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This isn't the first time Hohner has ever made some really dumb marketing mistakes. From about 1981-1989, the Super 64 Chromonica (NOT to be confused with th Super 64X, which is a VERY different chromatic harmonica) was discontinued in the USA, tho still available when Hohner still had offices in Canada, which they closed down by the late 80's and by 1989, allowing them to be sold in the USA again. Rather than just complaining on any harp sites, including this one, you need to make more noise by sending as many complaint letters as possible to the Hohner USA offices and flood the living crap out of them until they listen. I can tell from experience when Hohner attempted to try and sell the MS version of the Marine Band, myself plus a ton of other pros sent Hohner tons on very negative letters and they never introduced them to the USA because of the major stink about it.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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the_happy_honker
250 posts
Jul 25, 2016
4:03 PM
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If I couldn't get Deluxes anymore (I'm not in the US, so I don't have to worry, at least not now), I would consider buying Rockets and putting my Deluxe coverplates on them.
Rocket has the Classic/Deluxe temperament and after a bit of adjustment to the recessed comb, I can hear little, if any difference in tone.
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hot4blues
6 posts
Jul 25, 2016
5:28 PM
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Well, if the MBD is no longer being sold in America, if you or someone you know lives on the U.S./Canadian border, just pay our friends up north a visit. Or maybe this would be a great excuse to visit Canada. But similar reason I don't buy Seydels. Not really a worldwide company like Hohner or Suzuki. Heck, even a LO can be found in any Guitar Center right here in America.
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SuperBee
3947 posts
Jul 25, 2016
5:42 PM
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I believe the cartel also controls sales to Canada
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Bilzharp
125 posts
Jul 25, 2016
6:28 PM
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Am I understanding correctly that Crossovers outsell Deluxes by 11 to 1 (according to Hohner's project manager quoted in the original post). What rock have I been living under? I really thought it would be the other way around. Oh well, guess I'll go back to drilling and tapping all these nailed Marine Band reedplates I've got laying around.
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dougharps
1276 posts
Jul 25, 2016
7:25 PM
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Manjis are increasing in appeal to me, particularly considering price point. I have learned how to adjust my playing to them after some initial issues with my attack for bending accuracy. Reedplates are reasonable, too.
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Doug S.
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MN
415 posts
Jul 26, 2016
3:53 AM
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To barbequebob's point, here is the link where y'all can contact Hohner directly:
http://www.playhohner.com/contact-us/
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florida-trader
965 posts
Jul 26, 2016
8:36 AM
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Generally speaking, although they are slow to move, Hohner does seem to recognize what harp players want and give it to them. The biggest issues guys had with their beloved Marine Band 1896s was that the unsealed comb swelled and warped, it has sharp corners on the comb and the nailed construction made it a pain to disassemble and reassemble. The MB Deluxe was the answer to those problems. It has a sealed comb with rounded corners and is constructed with screws instead of nails. After the Deluxe came out guys started installing custom combs in them so it wasn’t long before Hohner came out with the Crossover, which is essentially a Deluxe with a custom bamboo comb. Ever since it was introduced, the Crossover has been touted as the best out of the box harmonica on the market – not just by Hohner, but by a lot of highly regarded players. I am not surprised that the Crossover is outselling the Deluxe 11:1. It is cheaper to buy a Crossover than it is to buy a Deluxe and then add a custom comb to it.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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barbequebob
3261 posts
Jul 26, 2016
10:45 AM
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@hot4blues -- Actually Seydels are sold in the US in Guitar Center stores. Personally, I wouldn't bother buying harmonicas in 99% of the brick and mortar retail stores at all because, for one thing, NONE of the sales people there know a goddamned thing about ANYTHING related to the harmonica at all, plus often times their stock sucks or they have badly out of date stock, like the MB's that don't have their combs sealed (ALL the new ones are fully sealed and so NOT have the black paint on their combs at all) and I would buy them online from a good, reputable harmonica specialist store like Rockin' Ron's and they have a far better reputation than 98% of the brick and mortar retail stores do when it comes to the harmonica.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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1847
3588 posts
Jul 26, 2016
1:42 PM
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sorry you had such a bad experience at the guitar center. how much knowledge does a salesman need to sell a harp?
i had the most unbelievably positive experience at not only guitar center but at sam ash as well. the person at sam ash actually
played harmonica. they have a price match guarantee. which usually means you will not get the best deal.
it is more of a price fixing scam that gets all dealers to collude on the highest price. i thought there were laws against this?
well sometimes it can work in your favor. he is a link from awhile back price match everyone at both music stores went out of their way to help. all they asked was, if i needed something would i come to the store instead of shopping online.
i broke a tuning peg on my guitar, i need a new set of sperzels, i almost bought them online, so thanks for reminding of my agreement. i will be headed to guitar center maybe i will stop at sam ash and pick up some strings.
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barbequebob
3264 posts
Jul 27, 2016
11:02 AM
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@1847 -- Finding someone in a brick and mortar retail music store that actually plays harmonica, unfortunately, is EXTREMELY rare and believe, with every sales person in those stores trying to sell harmonicas and the minute they start to try to talk like they're really knowledgeable about the instrument and I can smell a mile away that they're acting more like a crooked used car salesman and the classic statement from many of them over the years has been, "What's the difference? A harmonica is a harmonica," often times it's hard for me NOT to put the damned screws to them and expose them as a total fraud and finding, like I said, a salesmen who actually plays the instrument is a rarity, especially when you know the fact that they're basically being paid minimum wage and maybe a small commission, you really can't honestly expect that for a nanosecond. Hell, I've gone online and filled out employment applications for the hell of it just to check on what you're required to know and lo and behold, there's plenty of questions regarding sound systems, guitars, basses, drums, keyboards, DJ equipment and horns, but absolutely NOTHING AT ALL when it comes to harmonica or anything remotely related to it and that's the truth!!!!!!
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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MP
3371 posts
Jul 27, 2016
7:07 PM
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What Kingley said.
@ BBQ-Bob I used to have of those Super 64s. As far as I could tell the only difference from the 64 was the cover plates. I've seen TV and pictures of James Cotton and Junior Wells both playing those Super 64s.
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Have good day. M.A.P.
.
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barbequebob
3266 posts
Jul 28, 2016
10:52 AM
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When the Super 64's were first introduced in 1973, the difference at the time weren't just the cover plates (on a 64, they're nickel plated brass and on a Super 64, they're stainless steel since day one), the other big difference was that those 64's, which at that time, the reed plates were held together first with aluminum nails, then later brass escutcheon pins, while the Super 64's reed plates, still to this day, were held together with odd-80 machine screws. Since the late 90's, now the only difference are the cover plates.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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hvyj
3083 posts
Jul 28, 2016
11:52 AM
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While it didn't generate as much fuss around here, Suzuki recently discontinued the Firebreath. Why? I dunno, but I suspect it was because it had introduced the Olive not long ago, which is essentially the same type of harp (in that a player would likley use both for the same purposes). Although each model has different features, customers would probably be interested in one or the other and presumably the Olive was more popular.
So it is with the MBD and the Crossover. VERY similar harps and the MBD's market share is smaller than the XO's. And presumably the same customer would buy one or the other for more-or -less the same purpose. So why spend the $ to keep both in production (from purely a business perspective)?
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slaphappy
205 posts
Jul 28, 2016
1:43 PM
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it's not clear the MBD is discontinued.
The info we have is that it's just being discontinued in the US market.
Last Edited by slaphappy on Jul 28, 2016 2:12 PM
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Goldbrick
1559 posts
Jul 28, 2016
1:56 PM
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I dont know anyone who uses a firebreath or olive
Lots of guys like the mb deluxe.
I know I prefer it to the crossover which is significantly more $$ than the MB deluxe and , at least to me isnt any better
Obviously they can simplify the line and make more money as it cant be much of a cost difference to produce an XO
At XO price I would buy suzuki hammonds
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Cotton
73 posts
Jul 28, 2016
2:06 PM
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I use a Suzuki Olive. Same type of composite comb as a Manji. I like a full cover.
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hvyj
3085 posts
Jul 28, 2016
2:38 PM
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@Goldbrick: Before I switched to customs, I would gig with Hammonds and Firebreaths. I don't like the combs on the Olives (or the Manjis) but if you put decent combs on them and sand the plates I think Olives are definitely gig worthy harps. Not a fan of MBDs but that's because it's not the type of harp (vented, non full length covers, compromise tuning) I like to use for how I play. The biggest problem with both MBDs and XOs (and most other OOB harps for that matter) is inconsistent flatness of their combs. XOs are also tuned too bright for my taste (A443 or higher). I have a hard time intonating the three 3 hole draw bends on an MBD. I do better with an XO, But both are very decent quality harps. Just not the type of harp I would gig with.
As far as Hohners go, I think the Thunderbirds are pretty impressive instruments and I'm not even all that into tenor tuned harps. FWIW
Last Edited by hvyj on Jul 28, 2016 2:40 PM
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slaphappy
206 posts
Jul 28, 2016
2:53 PM
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from Rockin Rons:
http://rockinronsmusicsd.com/hohner-marine-band-deluxe-m2005.html
The info below is a reality. Hohner USA no longer offers the Marine Band Deluxe to USA dealers. Hohner Germany is still producing them, but they are no longer offered to the USA market place. Hohner USA does not have any stock and has stopped selling them to US Dealers. They have taken them off our Dealer Price List.
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4' 4+ 3' 2~~~
-Mike Ziemba
Harmonica is Life!
Last Edited by slaphappy on Jul 28, 2016 3:12 PM
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slaphappy
207 posts
Jul 28, 2016
2:55 PM
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I wrote them some respectful feedback at
http://www.playhohner.com/contact-us/
if you feel the same, please drop them a line.
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4' 4+ 3' 2~~~
-Mike Ziemba
Harmonica is Life!
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MP
3372 posts
Jul 28, 2016
7:24 PM
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Thanks for the info Bob,
I recorded a CD in 94 and used my new Super 64 for a tune I wrote in Cm. Lotta button work. Man that was one very smooth chromatic harp
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Have good day. M.A.P.
.
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dougharps
1280 posts
Jul 29, 2016
11:11 AM
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The price jump for Crossovers takes them off my list. If Manjis stay reasonable Suzuki will get my business.
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Doug S.
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MP
3373 posts
Jul 29, 2016
3:50 PM
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In my opinion, The MBD and the Crossover are the finest harps of the MB series. They even called the SP/20 a Marine Band till just lately. The SP/20 has assumed the designation of being 'Progressive'. It rates high w/ me too. I would say the MBD is superior to the 1896 unless one comes across a good pre-war single tab or mouse ear MB. I replaced the nails w/screws on my pre-war harps because I like to play them and keep them clean and in tune w/out dealing with 23 nails. Modern MB 1896s have 22 nails and some from Hohners bad period- BBQ-Bob will tell you all about it- had 21 or even 20 nails.
Luckily, I have all the MBDs I need with the original combs I'd flat -sanded and sealed. I have early ones that weren't completely sealed-
PS. some time ago I spoke w/ Ron Hobdy of RockinRons. He told me that the replacement plates for MBDs and Crossovers were the same tuning. In other words 'Compromise Tuning' The implications are obvious.
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Have good day. M.A.P.
.
Last Edited by MP on Jul 29, 2016 3:56 PM
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SuperBee
3957 posts
Jul 29, 2016
4:37 PM
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Yeah I believe that's been the case ever since 2011, that replacement plates only come in crossover flavour. How hard it can be to stock a few MBDs I clearly don't understand. Obviously they have stats of how many they sell.
You fellas that want them need a friend in Europe.
And learn to replace reeds. Oh, but you have trouble getting reeds from Hohner USA too, hey?
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Thievin' Heathen
798 posts
Jul 30, 2016
10:46 AM
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I have a MBD and a Crossover(or 2) and many, many 1896's. They are all very similar and I think the bamboo comb would be my preference if I was going to make a total conversion to Hohner. My condolences to all of you who lament losing the best harp "you" ever found but, I think Suzuki's discontinuation of the FireBreath leaves a bigger gap in harp variety.
If you/I can't afford to stock up, and who can?, I guess we are going to have to roll with the punches.
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MP
3375 posts
Jul 31, 2016
5:30 PM
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According to an e-mail I just received from Ron Hobdy of RockinRonsMusic4Less-
The Crossover and Marine Band Deluxe re-placement reed plates he receives are NOW marked indicating for which (X-Over or MBD) harp they are intended.
I would assume that the MBDs are Hohner Compromise Tuning and the Crossovers are Crossover Tuning.
Sorry for mis-information even if it was the case 3? years ago. MY BAD.
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Have good day. M.A.P.
.
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barbequebob
3267 posts
Aug 01, 2016
10:26 AM
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They're both compromise tunings, but the one for the MBD is the same as what's used on the MB/Sp20/Rocket models and the Crossover uses an entirely different one that's much closer to ET, that's somewhat like the way the Suzuki Manji is tuned.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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