Lyle
42 posts
Oct 27, 2018
11:59 AM
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It appears via Facebook posts, that Hohner has plans to ditch the Golden Melody and replace it with a new design. The post that appeared on the Modern Blues Harmonica page indicated that this information came from the Hohner rep a recent UK harmonica festival.
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Garlic Breath
102 posts
Oct 27, 2018
6:14 PM
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I love the Golden Melody, and have been playing them almost exclusively since the early eighties. Let's hope they are switching from mass producing toys, to building fine quality instruments. They should hire Tom Halchak to teach them how to do this. Flat combs, no leaks, and reeds shaped, gapped and tuned to play as smooth as butter.
Last Edited by Garlic Breath on Oct 27, 2018 6:15 PM
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florida-trader
1377 posts
Oct 28, 2018
8:53 AM
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Garlic - thanks for the kind words. I think Hohner has been doing just fine without me.
About the Golden Melody, I have my sources and although I have not heard anything definitive, I think the Golden Melody has been "upgraded" rather than being eliminated. The OP on the FB post is merely speculating that this would lead to the demise of the Golden Melody. In the past several years, Hohner has introduced the Rocket and Rocket Amp. These are both Special 20s on Steroids, but the Special 20 remains. They have introduced the Marine Band Deluxe, the Crossover and the Thunderbird - but the Marine Band 1896 remains in production. I know that several prominant players who use the Golden Melody have been advocating for an upgraded GM. If you think about the things that guys do to their harps then that might give you an indication of what Hohner might be adopting. Again, this is just an educated guess on my part. I would guess that they backs of the covers are more open and perhaps shaped a bit differently. And, I am guessing that they are coming out with a new and improved comb. The one complaint that I have heard about the GM comb is that they are brittle and prone to cracking. We never hear about a Special 20 comb cracking, so my guess is that the new comb will be made from the same material to make it more durable and possibly more colorful.
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Tom Halchak
Blue Moon Harmonicas
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nacoran
9986 posts
Oct 28, 2018
10:10 AM
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Tom, I mentioned it in the thread on FB, and I agree the plastic on the GM comb is a little brittle, but I think the bigger issue is the way the sharp edge of the crush support comes down onto plastic. I can see the beginning of a crack on mine and I almost never play it (F#). I also don't like how the cover plate meets the reed plate in front. It's like they took the worst part of recessed and the worst part of protruding and mixed them into a horrific lip ripper.
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Nate
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First Post- May 8, 2009
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florida-trader
1378 posts
Oct 28, 2018
10:45 AM
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So, what's your prediction Nate? Do you think that the new comb will be a recessed comb like the Special 20? The set-up you describe is pretty much the default set-up for all of Hohner's Tin Sandwich designed harps. My opinion is that it started with the Marine Band. I think Hohner deliberately set the tips of the tines back a bit from the front edge of the reed plates because they knew the unsealed pear wood combs would swell a bit with mositure and the tines would "grow" out of the harp. The bit of recess provides a little room for expansion. Even though all the Marine Band combs are now sealed, the default setting remains and is mimicked on the Golden Melody even though it has a plastic comb and, theretically, cannot swell.
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Tom Halchak
Blue Moon Harmonicas
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Raven
142 posts
Oct 28, 2018
12:53 PM
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I purchased one GM and decided right then and there that there wouldn't be a second. Too leaky and you can't flat sand a comb with a recessed plate.
Last Edited by Raven on Oct 28, 2018 12:53 PM
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nacoran
9987 posts
Oct 29, 2018
12:23 PM
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I'm not sure, but I'd like to see them try to improve it as a jellybean. Aside from the two fixable flaws the jellybean has a nice hand feel.
I'd still like to see someone with the resources try to make a 1 piece cover that wrapped over the front with the holes stamped in it from the front so the edges would seat into the holes, giving you a real nice smooth lip feel.
If material costs weren't an issue the easiest way to fix the crush support issue would be to just make a deeper plate so it came down on the reed plate, then just upgrade to a better plastic (or metal) comb.
But guessing what someone else would do? I wonder if maybe they could go about it in a way that made people feel less like their old friend was getting put down though, and more like a democratic process with community involvement. Even if they have a good idea which way they are heading they could get community feedback in a way to maybe get the diehards on board.
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Nate
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First Post- May 8, 2009
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Todd Parrott
1465 posts
Oct 29, 2018
3:12 PM
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I cannot discuss the details of this project, but I will just say that I will continue to hang onto and play my stock of old Golden Melodies.
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the_happy_honker
308 posts
Oct 30, 2018
1:34 AM
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A cx-12-like enclosure for the Golden Melody would be very cool.
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groyster1
3268 posts
Oct 30, 2018
8:13 AM
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todd you can keep playing them and they can be repaired by you or somebody in harp community
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The Iceman
3695 posts
Oct 30, 2018
10:31 AM
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+1 to Todd.
I also only play my Golden Melodies purchased in the late 80's/early 90's - some with nails instead of screws on the plates! In all this time, I've had maybe 3 reeds replaced/repaired.
I love the feel/sound.
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The Iceman
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Garlic Breath
103 posts
Oct 30, 2018
7:55 PM
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Let's hope Hohner intends to cater to the more serious players who will purchase them in eight or more keys to serve their desire to cover most of the songs they have been inspired by. Such devotees may also wish to have at least two of each key so as to always have a playable harp when one ends up needing service. Learning to service and repair harps is an attractive endeavor, but that is like having to fix the mower. When the grass is high, I need a mower that works. When inspiration hits, I need a harp to help me run with it. To those who love the Golden Melody, What changes would you make, or should I start a new thread entitled "How would you improve the Golden Melody"? Maybe Hohner would take heed, or has the die already been cast? Better harp/lips interface? Solid, flat comb? What do you think?
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sharpharp
50 posts
Nov 01, 2018
11:36 PM
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I once bought a golden
melody..... I was glad when it broke... Sorry Todd, Rachelle.
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Oldcatplayer
3 posts
Dec 29, 2018
7:16 PM
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I've played Golden Melody's since the mid 1970's for 44 years. They've always performed consistently better than any other out of the box Harmonica in that price range that I've tried during that time. I never had them crack or leak air. If anything they're were easier to play and more airtight than the others. If you're use to something harder to play you won't like them. If you beat them up and expect them to last you aren't treating your instrument right. I had a conversation with the product manager at Hohner. He told me they're not going to stop making them. They're considering making some improvements to them. That's it.
Last Edited by Oldcatplayer on Dec 29, 2018 7:17 PM
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SuperBee
5725 posts
Jan 01, 2019
11:44 PM
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ive just started to become interested in them. i have only one, Key E, on a nice wooden comb. not a key i use a lot but i like it. For a full-length cover its got a good profile, much nicer for me than other popular full-length covers
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