Ian
86 posts
Sep 14, 2015
10:46 AM
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Hi guys,
I got this hohner echo at a local charity shop yesterday. It cost £6.
I'm sure its nothing special but I was wondering if anyone could date it for me?
As far as I know the Ireland factory was open from the 2nd world war until 1980... But thats as far as I got.
I don't think it's ever been used looking at the comb and plates.
  
Last Edited by Ian on Sep 14, 2015 10:52 AM
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marine1896
388 posts
Sep 14, 2015
10:53 AM
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I have no idea but I can confidently say pre 1980!lol
Actually that's pretty clean looking harmonica. The coverplates are thick looking as well.
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"Those British boys want to play the blues real bad, and they do"
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barbequebob
3021 posts
Sep 14, 2015
12:22 PM
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My guess is that because of the "feet" where the cover plates are nailed to the comb, it looks more like one made around the late 1800's-early 1900's, and I have a key of C Marine Band from that time period with a similar set up.
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Boston, MA
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nacoran
8685 posts
Sep 14, 2015
12:42 PM
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No Star of David would suggest after WWII era, but the Mouse Ear tabs aside. I think the best dating tool on it though is probably the Made in Rep. of Ireland. Off the top of my head I don't know what years they were made in Ireland, but I think that could get it narrowed down.
edit- looks like maybe WWII to 1960s?
http://harmonicasireland.com/history/
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Nate
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Last Edited by nacoran on Sep 14, 2015 12:45 PM
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Ian
87 posts
Sep 14, 2015
3:57 PM
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That's kinda what I was thinking, based on the operating dates at the Irish factory. Its just in such good condition it's hard to believe it could be 1940-50s...
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KingoBad
1660 posts
Sep 14, 2015
4:27 PM
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I can't, I'm married.... But you should go for it...
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Danny
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nacoran
8687 posts
Sep 14, 2015
6:53 PM
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Kingo, lol. I had to reread all the way back to the title before I realized what you had done there.
Ian, you're right. It looks like it's in pretty good shape. Probably sat around in a drawer.
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Nate
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shakeylee
382 posts
Sep 14, 2015
9:48 PM
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OMG! that kingo's joke made me snort.
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Harpaholic
781 posts
Sep 14, 2015
10:21 PM
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Star of David would suggest before WWIi.
I agree with Bob.
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Ian
89 posts
Sep 15, 2015
2:27 AM
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@kingo.... Well I asked it but it would only come out if it could take a friend. Apparently its got a great sense of humour..........
So the jury is still out on a more exact time frame, other than sometime during the time when the Irish factory was open.
I'm going to guess it as being just after ww2
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Ian
90 posts
Sep 15, 2015
5:44 AM
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One last thing. Its pretty musty. I think it's clean but it certainly has hint of ancientness....
How can I go about removing the smell of 60 years of dust, drawer and perhaps a touch of cigar smoke?
I was thinking of sitting it in a bowl of dry bicarbonate of soda?
I'd rather not take it apart...
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arzajac
1672 posts
Sep 15, 2015
9:29 AM
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" Its just in such good condition it's hard to believe it could be 1940-50s..."
How does it play? Most vintage harps I have seen in that good cosmetic condition were never played because they were terrible harps out-of-the-box. Probably tooted on one and then thrown in a drawer.
The best vintage harps usually look well-played.
"I was thinking of sitting it in a bowl of dry bicarbonate of soda?
I'd rather not take it apart..."
I'm not sure the baking soda will treat the underlying cause which is mould. If you are expecting to play this harp, I think you would need to take it apart and seal the comb.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica Combs and Tools.
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Ian
91 posts
Sep 15, 2015
9:52 AM
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@arzajac. It plays well actually . No duff reeds, airtight. I'm just guessing it has been left in an attic for 50 years.
The smell isn't like mildew, it's more of a dusty taste. Its only when playing it does it get noticed.
The comb looks perfect, like the day it left the factory.
You are probably right though and would need sealing to be made tasteless, I just don't want to interfere with a harp that is in such good condition .
I may just leave it to air for a while, may be all it needs.
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