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Hohner Big River Harmonica

A quality, mid-priced model made in Germany. The Big River Harp is part of Hohner's automated Modular System (MS) production and features: -Improved reed design for long life and bright tone -Airtight body for increased volume -Contoured covers that project sound and are comfortable to hold -Attractive case

Specifications: 10 single holes, 20 reeds, length: 4 1/8"

    Hohner Marine Band Harmonica

    Internationally recognized by players for its simple beauty and resonant tone, this is the most famous harmonica in the world. The pearwood body, solid brass plates and patented cover design produce a musical quality that, when first heard in 1896, brought the Marine Band immediate popularity. This is the model that helped to create the sound of the Blues, Country, Folk and Rock.

      Hohner Blues Harp Harmonica

      The world's first harmonica designed especially for Blues, the Blues harp features a wood body for natural tone, powerful reeds for deep, gutsy note bending and sturdy covers that allow airtight hand control.

      Specifications: 10 single holes, 20 reeds, Length: 4"

        Hohner Cross Harp Harmonica

        A super-powered harp with a great look, the Cross Harp's thicker plates drive its reeds the extra distance that gives your sound a "No questions", in-your-face edge. The gold-anodized body reflects higher frequencies for a bright tone and is set off by sleek, black covers.

        Specifications: 10 single holes, 20 reeds, Length: 4 1/8"

          Hohner Auto-valve Harp Harmonica

          Tuned the same as Marine Band style diatonics, the Auto Valve is fitted with wind saving valves which, along with its double reed, octave tuning, produces a tremendous volume and projection. This, along with the wide range of available keys, makes it ideal as an ensemble instrument, be it with Cajun, Polka or String Bands, and gives it the power to stand as an impressive solo model as well.

          Specifications: 10 double holes, 40 reeds Length: 4 5/8"

            Hohner XB-40 Diatonic Harmonica

            The new XB-40 Harmonica was designed by Hohner USA's own Rick Epping and offers the player complete bending freedom with 10 holes and 40 reeds. Precision engineered and manufactured under the highest quality standards, the Hohner XB-40's revolutionary design permits a level of expression and note bending capability never before possible on any harmonica.

            On a regular 10-hole diatonic, or Marine Band type harmonica, the standard blues note bending technique involves an interaction between two reeds, one blow and one draw. On this style harmonica, only the higher pitched of the two notes from any given reed cell can be bent and then only to a point somewhat above that of the lower pitched reed.

            The XB-40 overcomes this limitation by incorporating an additional set of reeds, tuned so that all twenty of the harmonica's notes can be bent using the standard blues harp bending technique. Using a system of patented valve chambers, the auxiliary reeds come into play only during note bending. The XB-40 is tuned so that every note can be bent a whole tone, with an additional semitone bend on the 3-draw to complete the chromatic scale in the first octave.

              Hering 1923 Vintage Harp

              Apparently this model was introduced in 2003 to celebrate Herings alleged 80th anniversary.
                Honestly, it looks like a cheap marketing trick to me. The worn-out factory Hering bought from Hohner and renovated may date back to 1923, but neither the Hering brand name nor the company is nearly that old.

              Oh well, Hering is hardly the first instruments brand to stretch the truth a bit for the sake of marketing, so let's not hold it against it.
                The truth is that Hering Vintage Harp is an absolutely stunning little harmonica that shouldn't need such cheap tricks to sell. The block is a good old fashioned wooden one and everything else is made from a solid brass alloy and held together with solid brass screws - no tacky little nails here! The cover plates seems to be etched, brushed and laquered, but they're probably just painted that way. Even so, the finish does succeed in giving the harmonica a rough but stille exclusive - and definitely "vintage" - look.

              Hering uses quite heavy reeds for most of their blues harmonicas and although I can't say it for sure, they seems to have done so on the Vintage Harp too. At least it has a fat and powerful tone most blues players will love. Of course some might not like the stiffnes of the reeds as much. Bending is definitely trickier than on an average Blues Harp or Lee Oscar. It just takes a little bit of extra practicing though, and definitely worth the effort.

              The wooden block is definitely an advantage. Unlike on some wooden block harmonicas I could mention (but won't), you really hear the extra tonal complexity and richness compared to a plasic block here.
                The combination of a traditional wooden block and a modern modular design should increase the risk of air leakage of course, but although the one I tried already showed distinctive traces of wood shrinkage, it still seemed to be as tight as any plastic block harmonica I've seen. So the problem may not be nearly as serious as one may think, and besides it's quite easy to fix anyway.

              The setup was a minor disappointment.
                It wasn't too bad actually. About average for a new out-of-the-box harmonica I'd say, with the usual slightly out-of-tune tones at the top and bottom and the usual slight uneveness.
                It's just that I've come to expect a lot more from Hering than from other harmonica manufacturers in this respect.

              All in all, this should be an excellent harmonica for the professional. Maybe not quite as easy to handle as many other modern harmonicas, but with lots of reward for the extra effort.
                For the average player - well, how important is wood to you? If the answer is "very important" you should give it a try. It seems to have an even more "natural" sound than better known wood block harmonicas (like the Marine Band and the Blues Harp), and those minor setup problems I mentioned you'll have to expect on all wooden harmonicas (and most plastic ones). But if you're happy with a plastic bock, this isn't the instrument for you.



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                Also, please note that Musician's Friend only ships within the United States. The other stores included in this list generally ship internationally, but there may be some exceptions.


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                This particular page was created 07/12/2005 and last updated 07/12/2005
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