The first harmonica that I bought was a Hohner 270 Chromatic in the key of G in 1978 at a local Oasis Record store that had the big Hohner display case... anyone remember these--chock full of all kinds of harmonicas !?).
A day or two before, I had watched Norton Buffalo on Austin City Limits, and he blew me away ! Never ever knew harmonicas could sound like that !
So I had to run out and buy a harmonica !
The record store sales clerk was as clueless as me.
Fortunately, a short time later, I met up with a local harmonica player in Youngstown Ohio who was playing in a band. He clued me in, and we became best friends after that and to this day.
I then went out and bought several Special 20's, and haven't stopped buying harps since... they have vastly improved (and so has my playing) since then !
First harp was a Hohner Echo octave harmonica in the key of C. I didn't know anything about harmonicas, I picked that model because I thought it looked cool.
First diatonic harp was a Golden Melody, tried many models and brands, settled on Special 20's for the most part.
My first harp was a Blessing Tremolo in C. Still sounds sweet (although it's murder on the lips). First diatonic was a Blues Harp. It was so rough on my lips that I gave up trying to learn harmonica and didn't try to pick one up again for 10 years. :(
I started with a MB in C. I tried and abandoned a Lee Oskar and a Seydel Solist Pro. Now I have mostly MBs. I have a couple of MBDs and a couple of GMs which I don't play and a couple of Herings in E and F#, but it wasn't worth the saving in cost - I'd rather have MBs in those keys. I've got a 14-hole MB in C and a SBS in C.
If I had to start all over again, I'd get a MBD in G because I can sing with it. ---------- Andrew, gentleman of leisure, noodler extraordinaire.
Last Edited by on Dec 14, 2010 8:41 AM
My first harp was a Marine Band 1896. My father bought it for me in 1954 when I was Seven Years old. He must have known something as I still play Marine Bands now.
My first harp was a hohner MB in C. My wife bought it for me about 3 xmas's ago.
I then went on the "buy cheap harps" kick until I learned better. I bought the Hohner Piedmont pack. I still use the case but not the harps. I also purchased a 3 pack of "Jambone" harmonica's. They were pretty poor as well.
I then found the Suzuki Harpmaster. A good price for a good (not great) harp. I ended up buying one in A,Bb,D,Eb and F.
Next I wanted a key of E harp so I tried the Suzuki Folkmaster. Some folks here like them but I find it very leaky and rarely use it (well, the fact that it is the key of E is another reason I rarely use it).
My final purchase was a Budha harp in the key of D. It's my favorite harp to play.
By the way, I still have my MB in C and use it all the time.
---------- "Take out your false teeth, momma, I want to suck on your gums."-P. Wolf
First harp in 1990 was a Lee Oskar. I was already in a band then, and have been in bands almost constantly since, so I hit the ground running. Along the way, I have owned many of them, plus several SP20s, Blues Harps, Marine Bands(including an SBS), a Meisterklasse, a Suzuki Promaster valved, a few odballs like American Ace and I think even a Pocket Pal at some point, a couple Huang Star Performers, several different chromatics and now I still have and play a mixture of custom and stock(or almost stock)LO's, custom MBs and custom SP20s and even a custom Big River...and recently I added two Manjis. All my customs are HarveyHarps-I'm very happy with them. ----------
Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
Last Edited by on Dec 14, 2010 2:28 PM
MB. Long time ago. Can't remember what key. Now own a couple of LOs. Durable but harsh sounding to my ears. SP20s (old reliable), MBs (like the tone but not the comb), a Meisterklasse (love it, but blew out one reed which I will have to fix); MB Deluxe (overpriced in MHO); Blues Harps (OK), a GM (liking it) and Suzuki Bluesmaster (pretty good except the 4D fpals liek a cat door when you suck on it hard).
Haven't splashed the cash for a really expensive one yet. Maybe one day...
Forgot to mention a Seydel 'Boomerang' (not boomerang shaped, unfortunately) that was gathering dust in the local music shop. PLayed OK at first but now, the 2 and 3 blows aren't generating much sound. Guess I'll have to keep tweaking the reeds....
Last Edited by on Dec 15, 2010 1:08 PM
My first harp was a "Mojo Deluxe" blister packed with a book and a CD. Gave that to my grandson (his mom made sure it got lost pretty quickly). Now I've got mostly Bushman Delta Frost's (I like 'em a lot, just hard to get from some sources), and some SP20's (like them ,too). Last few I've bought have been Suzuki's. Someday soon I'd like to be able to play well enough to justify a couple of Chris's customs. ---------- I used to be young and foolish. Now I'm not so young.
Last Edited by on Dec 15, 2010 5:42 AM
