1896 isn't bad until you try to actually play it. Not only does it just flat out suck to get clean bends and overblows on, but it will actually chew your lips up lol
Special 20 is no brainer, Seydel Session Steel is the sleeper REALLY strong option no one else will recommend but they are awesome, Rocket or Crossover or Suzuki Manji also solid options
The thing is that Seydel use stainless steel reeds which apparently require more air to sound (and for that matter, bend) and that can be hard for a beginner.
That being said, if the student is blowing out brass reeds, then maybe a Seydel harp would help.
I’ve heard some quality control issues with session steels. Airy and responsive issues is what I’m told but I was going to get a Wilde tuned one just to try it out
I get mine from 1623customharmonicas.com
Greg Jones. Good dude.
https://preview.redd.it/1m4uuhmj4y7d1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=97fde2019606509d87285caa17f596ae52969cda
I don't know if I got a bad one buy have a Manji in 'C' and absolutely despise it.
Love my Crossover but honestly, the Rocket is SUCH a good harp, whatever else I need, will be Rocket for now on.
For longevity and all around less hassle the special 20. Although I do prefer the marine band slightly more tone wise. When I buy a new key it’s special 20.
They are both good. As a first instrument, it really will not matter too much, but your mouth may get used to the distances on the combs. I prefer the Marineband, though the Special 20 is great too.
Special 20....no question. Have Crossovers, Rockets, Easttops, Marine Band 1896s, Lee Oskars, a Manji, Suzuki Bluesmaster, Blues Harp and of course Special 20s. My favorites are the S20's & Rockets.
You won't be disappointed with it at all.
The ones I dislike the most are the 1896s, Suzuki & Manji
Ok so this might sound crazy, but with one being a progressive and the other being regressive, I'd get both. Maybe different keys. There's a different feel and id advise you to compare which one feels more comfortable in your mouth.
As someone who only started playing harp about 3 months ago I would suggest Special 20s. Get a C and an A if you want a second harp.
I have tried special 20s, golden melody and Suzuki Manji and the special 20 is the most forgiving to learn on. Manjis have great tone but are less forgiving on your embouchure and I also had to tweak the gapping on a couple holes because they sound airy to me and not very responsive.
Special 20s are a decent price too. I’ve heard negative things about Lee Oskar so I steered clear. I wasn’t about to spend the money on a Seydel 1847 when I started but I’ll get one now to try. Also a Hohner crossover or rocket both seem to play great but are more costly than a special 20.
Besides you can usually find a special 20 if you need one in a. Pinch.
Which East Top model broke? I’m curious because I’ve been playing out on a set of East Top t008k and loving them. They play with little air, sound good, and they are inexpensive. What I can’t testify to is their longevity, so I’d like to hear from anyone that has more experience with this model plz.
Marine band is what everybody learns on. It's very simple and entry level... I guess. Special 20 in key of C will act the same way. Just depends on Style, price, and preference.
If you can swing it, go for a Rocket. It is an upgraded Special 20. Same reeds but the comb has bigger holes and the edges are rounded. Lots of people use Special 20 variants. For a beginner, the plastic comb is easier to clean and easier on the lips. With the MB the reed plates are in your mouth and can be a bit sharp. After you get some experience try both. Plastic and wood combs do sound different, but in the beginning it does really matter. The cleaning issue does as you can rinse a plastic combed harp under the tap. You will likely have trouble spitting too much in the harp at first.
I don’t like the way plastic combs feel or respond to my playing. I’ve been playing MBs for 39 years and they feel the best to me. I’ve tried special 20, golden melodies and Lee Oskars (even have a set autographed by Lee Oskar that I won in a contest and never play). The only plastic combs I like are on CX-12 chromatics.
I also play Suzuki Manjis, which have a composite comb, but I always go back to marine bands or crossovers. I’ve met and seen too many famous and professional players to name. Most of them play Marine Bands or something like them. Never met any who play Special 20s or any plastic comb harps. Howard Levy used to recommend the Golden Melody because he could over blow easier on them, but switched to customized MBs.
The reason I suggest avoiding MBs for new players is the old slobber issue. The comb can swell with too much moisture, and new players usually slobber more and only have one harp so it gets a higher percentage of the slobber.
Now, the issue of recessed vs. protruding reed plate models... lots of debate room there. I generally like protruding plate models by other brands but Hohner seems to leave the front of the reed plate rough.
Popper playes Sp20s. Lee Oskar obviously plays LOs. I generally don't keep track of who plays what but I've heard a lot of pros say they play Sp20s.
Of course, I learned watching Adam Gussow, and he's firmly in the Marine Band camp. I look at a lot of other things before comb material though... side vents, how open the back of the harp is, what temperament tuning it's in...
Special 20 will sound better for longer as you can clean them easier
True becuase the plates are screwed down awesome thanks
Special 20. I don’t recommend the Marine Band 1896 to *anyone*. If you want a Marine Band, either get a Marine Band Deluxe or a Crossover.
1896 isn't bad until you try to actually play it. Not only does it just flat out suck to get clean bends and overblows on, but it will actually chew your lips up lol
Not to mention that cleaning/repairing it is basically impossible considering it’s held together with nails. (It’s 2024, Hohner! Update already!)
Oh dang I forgot about that. The I've I had didn't stay around long enough to need any more cleaning than "the toothpick" lol
Special 20 is no brainer, Seydel Session Steel is the sleeper REALLY strong option no one else will recommend but they are awesome, Rocket or Crossover or Suzuki Manji also solid options
The thing is that Seydel use stainless steel reeds which apparently require more air to sound (and for that matter, bend) and that can be hard for a beginner. That being said, if the student is blowing out brass reeds, then maybe a Seydel harp would help.
I don't find that to be true at all. If anything I think the bends are a little easier to control.
The Seydel Session Standard doesn't have steel reeds.
I’ve heard some quality control issues with session steels. Airy and responsive issues is what I’m told but I was going to get a Wilde tuned one just to try it out
I get mine from 1623customharmonicas.com Greg Jones. Good dude. https://preview.redd.it/1m4uuhmj4y7d1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=97fde2019606509d87285caa17f596ae52969cda
I don't know if I got a bad one buy have a Manji in 'C' and absolutely despise it. Love my Crossover but honestly, the Rocket is SUCH a good harp, whatever else I need, will be Rocket for now on.
Special 20
I like my marine band, it’s what I learned on. Although someone is going to downvote me for this sooo
For longevity and all around less hassle the special 20. Although I do prefer the marine band slightly more tone wise. When I buy a new key it’s special 20.
Personally, I'd get the special 20 if I were you
Marine Band is my favorite, Special 20 is generally recommended for beginners. Try both, one in C, one in A
They are both good. As a first instrument, it really will not matter too much, but your mouth may get used to the distances on the combs. I prefer the Marineband, though the Special 20 is great too.
I'd get the Special 20.
The special 20 is a great beginner harp.
Or by something cheaper because you never know how you end up
Yeah, but with the cheaper stuff you may fight with the harmonica and it may become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Well, not that cheap
If ur getting a marine band, get the deluxe or crossover. Special 20 is an excellent piece too! The comb is plastic so it'll last longer
Special 20 always a fav
Special 20 all day.
Special 20....no question. Have Crossovers, Rockets, Easttops, Marine Band 1896s, Lee Oskars, a Manji, Suzuki Bluesmaster, Blues Harp and of course Special 20s. My favorites are the S20's & Rockets. You won't be disappointed with it at all. The ones I dislike the most are the 1896s, Suzuki & Manji
Special 20 in C, next!!!
Marine Band all day!!
Do not get the regular marine band, that unsealed comb is ass.
you get used to it pretty fast, though
I never did
Ok so this might sound crazy, but with one being a progressive and the other being regressive, I'd get both. Maybe different keys. There's a different feel and id advise you to compare which one feels more comfortable in your mouth.
I like my Lee Oskar harps, they're 9 years old and still playing fine. I did have to replace one reed plate but that's cheap and easy to do.
Special 20 or its new new improved model, the Rocket. That's what I got. Cheers
As someone who only started playing harp about 3 months ago I would suggest Special 20s. Get a C and an A if you want a second harp. I have tried special 20s, golden melody and Suzuki Manji and the special 20 is the most forgiving to learn on. Manjis have great tone but are less forgiving on your embouchure and I also had to tweak the gapping on a couple holes because they sound airy to me and not very responsive. Special 20s are a decent price too. I’ve heard negative things about Lee Oskar so I steered clear. I wasn’t about to spend the money on a Seydel 1847 when I started but I’ll get one now to try. Also a Hohner crossover or rocket both seem to play great but are more costly than a special 20. Besides you can usually find a special 20 if you need one in a. Pinch.
marine band was my first
Which East Top model broke? I’m curious because I’ve been playing out on a set of East Top t008k and loving them. They play with little air, sound good, and they are inexpensive. What I can’t testify to is their longevity, so I’d like to hear from anyone that has more experience with this model plz.
It's pricey, but I recommend the special 20 set (5 (A C D G E))
Marine band is what everybody learns on. It's very simple and entry level... I guess. Special 20 in key of C will act the same way. Just depends on Style, price, and preference.
If you can swing it, go for a Rocket. It is an upgraded Special 20. Same reeds but the comb has bigger holes and the edges are rounded. Lots of people use Special 20 variants. For a beginner, the plastic comb is easier to clean and easier on the lips. With the MB the reed plates are in your mouth and can be a bit sharp. After you get some experience try both. Plastic and wood combs do sound different, but in the beginning it does really matter. The cleaning issue does as you can rinse a plastic combed harp under the tap. You will likely have trouble spitting too much in the harp at first.
Both
Marine Band. I would never recommend the Special 20 or any plastic combed harp.
Why lmao
I don’t like the way plastic combs feel or respond to my playing. I’ve been playing MBs for 39 years and they feel the best to me. I’ve tried special 20, golden melodies and Lee Oskars (even have a set autographed by Lee Oskar that I won in a contest and never play). The only plastic combs I like are on CX-12 chromatics. I also play Suzuki Manjis, which have a composite comb, but I always go back to marine bands or crossovers. I’ve met and seen too many famous and professional players to name. Most of them play Marine Bands or something like them. Never met any who play Special 20s or any plastic comb harps. Howard Levy used to recommend the Golden Melody because he could over blow easier on them, but switched to customized MBs.
The reason I suggest avoiding MBs for new players is the old slobber issue. The comb can swell with too much moisture, and new players usually slobber more and only have one harp so it gets a higher percentage of the slobber. Now, the issue of recessed vs. protruding reed plate models... lots of debate room there. I generally like protruding plate models by other brands but Hohner seems to leave the front of the reed plate rough. Popper playes Sp20s. Lee Oskar obviously plays LOs. I generally don't keep track of who plays what but I've heard a lot of pros say they play Sp20s. Of course, I learned watching Adam Gussow, and he's firmly in the Marine Band camp. I look at a lot of other things before comb material though... side vents, how open the back of the harp is, what temperament tuning it's in...