Hohner Still The BEST Harmonica For Beginners in 2024?

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ย. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 67

  • @JeremyParksHarmonica
    @JeremyParksHarmonica 6 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Special 20 Country Tuned for life! Great Video!

  • @SandyPeterson-k1s
    @SandyPeterson-k1s 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I’ve been playing the harmonica for the last 77 years. My first harmonica was a blue plastic harmonica. Its brand name was Magnus. My Mom paid .50 for that harmonica. It was on that harmonica that I learned to play some very simple songs. Later a friend gave me a Hohner Echo Harp. I have been playing the Echo Harp for about 75 years and I’ve had several along the way. The Echo Harp has such a beautiful sound which is very soothing.

  • @theferrouslife
    @theferrouslife 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

    I'm no pro, but I love my Special 20. I carry it around everywhere I go and practice all the time

    • @bloodshotgaming7
      @bloodshotgaming7 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Same pinch bro ❤

    • @theferrouslife
      @theferrouslife 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @bloodshotgaming7 just this week, I finally was able to consistently execute the 1 and 4 draw bends and the 2 draw whole step bend inconsistently. So, I guess you could say; it's getting pretty serious. 🤣

    • @bloodshotgaming7
      @bloodshotgaming7 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@theferrouslife in one week i think you are talented, after 6 months i still bend all 1,2,3,4,6 draw now ok ok , now learning blow bend,... You are doing good 😊

  • @markmeador
    @markmeador 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    My first harp was the Marine Band which was 60 years ago but I bought my first Special20 about 15 years ago and I love it, mainly because it is easier on your lips. I’m not a pro but just play for the fun of it. Through all of the years I have a tremalo and a Chromatic but I go back to my Marine Band and my Special 20. Love your channel.

  • @BrianKretschmer
    @BrianKretschmer 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I've been playing for 50 years playing Special 20's for 45 years started with Marine Band . I've played 100's of gigs and the Special 20 has never let me down

  • @dwelltonedrip8727
    @dwelltonedrip8727 13 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Just bought one today after playing the marine band so far. The special 20 is mich more comfortable on the lips and bending is much easier. Here in Germany they are 33 euros so sale as the marine band. Thank you for your review!

  • @StevenSmith-7t391
    @StevenSmith-7t391 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    And I still think Tomlin is one of the best teachers for beginners. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge!

  • @berightsittight1276
    @berightsittight1276 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Hello Tomlin, thanks for the information. Make it a Best Day ❤

  • @paulmolkenbur5546
    @paulmolkenbur5546 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I've played.
    Harmonica blues harmonica all my life, considered one of the best in saint, Louis Missouri And everything from marine band to the metal a Maker. The special 20. I suggest trying the rocket. The rocket is my favorite plays really easy and really well. of all of them.All of them that i've played

  • @bloodshotgaming7
    @bloodshotgaming7 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Yes east top 008k also okay but special 20 sound much good 😍

  • @markwalters9754
    @markwalters9754 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I only have 1.. a special 20. Still learning and still does me fine 😊

  • @MkuluClive-ls5qj
    @MkuluClive-ls5qj 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    For me I found the Suzuki Blues Harp the best, great bender.

  • @gregoryvincentdepaul2544
    @gregoryvincentdepaul2544 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I totally agree! I've been playing for years, have gigged and played only Marine Bands & Lee Oskars. Then, recently I tried Special 20's and some other types/brands. Now I've got lots of Special 20's because they show up in tune, they aren't wood (Yuck!), they have a fun, folsky tone (better than Oskars), and they have structural support in the middle so you can't accidentally bend the cover plate (problem for MB's & Crossovers). Also, they're not super expensive like Arkias or Seydels. Thanks for all the videos! Learning a lot from you!

  • @vexicon
    @vexicon 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I've tried the Fender Blues Deluxe, Easttop 008, Hohner SP 20, and the Hohner Golden Melody. I'm a beginning harp player, but I've played all sorts of instruments. The Fender worked. Mostly. The Easttop was good, much better than the Fender. The SP20 just *worked* The(original GM) sounds and works great, but I'm still iffy on it's playability for me at this point. I need to learn more to really test its potential.

  • @cincinnatipedalsteel4347
    @cincinnatipedalsteel4347 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    My first harps were sp20s and. I love them.

  • @Zacharias810
    @Zacharias810 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I am a beginner intermediate player and I have tried: special 20, marine band (regular), Seydel 1847 silver, fenders blues deluxe, eastop 008k, Harmo, and Suzuki manji sky. Every single one except for fenders blues deluxe and eastop 008k are great. But I’ve had to make adjustments to every harmonica aside from the hohners. Hohner special 20 is the best overall harmonica that I’ve played. That being said, the other ones have their perks too. The 1847 is louder and the manji sky is easier to play but sounds lighter.

  • @Bloozguy
    @Bloozguy 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The quality control might be better, but so is the price. Cost me $185 CAD for a set of 3, amazon delivery. Thought my Suzuki Bluesmaster might not be up to snuff and why I got the set. Compared to the Bluesmaster, the only thing 'special' I can see is the price. Not sure yet they are worth $30 CAD or so more. Nothing at all 'wrong' with the Bluesmaster, but I give the edge to the 20.
    Got a cheap Ninja G harp and is perfectly functional. A different feel for sure. Got hung up on Will Wilde, got 2 Wilde Tuned Sessions A & C. High notes tough to bend, the first 5 like butter.
    I love the Wilde Tuned, but they are not beginner friendly.(there's no numbers on them, lol).
    I know my way around blues guitar somewhat, and so for me, I couldn't resist being able to wind out some guitar riffs on a harmonica, lol.
    All that said, I usually pull out my Special 20s when trying to learn anything, which for now, is almost everything I watch, lol
    Easttop C was ok as well, but the the 20 feels better...it's just the price now....geesh!

  • @righteyeartistry156
    @righteyeartistry156 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I switched to the Golden Melody’s when they came out back around 73ish I believe. I think they were around $20 . Loved the big fat sound I got out of them, unlike the Marine Bands. Glad I retired back in ‘94. The prices are just out of sight now. Its crazy!

  • @RobKlomp-w1q
    @RobKlomp-w1q 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Hallo Tom ik heb van de LL F gekocht het geluid is helemaal tegek pracht geluid top ,maar jij speelt zeer goed je praat open en eerlijk maar , seydel is wel een verschil van kwaliteit top afgewerkt klinkt echt super mooi als ik speel dan trilt het helemaal zo mooi ❤😊

  • @allenhawker3911
    @allenhawker3911 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    As far as a budget harp goes I just bought an Amazing 20 and I really like it. I
    Think it’s much better than the 008K. Reeds stick too much with the Easttop at least in my experience. SP 20 is a great harmonica though.

  • @goldenteledy2002
    @goldenteledy2002 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The first harmonica I've ever bought was a Hohner Special 20 as I wanted to play country music. I bought four keys within my first year as a harmonica player (C, Bb, Ab, and D) and that was my main set for a long time before I switched to the Hohner Golden Melody. The main reason why I switched was because when compared to the stuff that I was listening to and that wanted to play (a lot of modern country/gospel harmonica licks from Terry McMillan), the Special 20 just didn't sound right to me, especially with the more raw sounding "cries" of the double stops and chords that Terry was playing. His signature harmonica was the Hohner Golden Melody. So I wanted to get one due to me liking his playing style and my desire to sound like him.
    Everybody was telling me on MBH how drastically different the tuning was gonna sound, but I never noticed a difference in the tuning. The differences were only in the timbres of the harps, with the GM sounding more raspy and sweeter than the more solid toned Special 20. I still have a couple Special 20s in my case for underused keys and they are great harps, but the Golden Melody is something I've always reached for.

    • @davidwilliama.7296
      @davidwilliama.7296 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I just got my first harmonica (the first one that isn't like a $5 toy). I got the Special 20 in C. I'm just wondering why you picked Bb and Ab. I don't hear a ton of songs in those keys. Maybe some genres do. Personally, If I get better at harmonica, I would probably want them in D, A, and G since I play quite a bit in those keys. I mainly wanted it to play with my guitar.

    • @goldenteledy2002
      @goldenteledy2002 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@davidwilliama.7296 I didn't have any guidance on which harmonicas to buy next before I discovered Facebook groups. Especially when people said I don't have a lot of the major keys, I wanted to get the odd keys out of the way first before I could get the main 7 keys (which includes Bb and D). I also liked singing in Eb so I got the Ab because of that. I also got the strange keys because of the songs I wanted to play having them.

  • @bilbowaggins3036
    @bilbowaggins3036 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Suzuki bluesmaster and suzuki harpmaster and are just as good as the sp 20 in my opinion. I have three hohners: sp20, rocket, and holden 20, and I always see myself reaching for my suzukis.
    It's a personal choice, but once you get into that 40 ish dollar range, they're pretty much all good beginner harps.

  • @HUBMONSTER
    @HUBMONSTER 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Love the Special 20. In 35 years never got a bad one. But they haven't lasted as long as I think they should for the money. I have gotten a bunch of Marine Bands that needed to have reeds unstuck out of the box. Been buying Conjurers lately. Love them. FWIW, I bought two Seydels and a Dabell last week that all had draw and blow notes that wouldn't work without tweeking. The Dabell, in fact went into my junk box. Just saying that all harps might not come out of the box ready to play.

  • @StarQueenEstrella
    @StarQueenEstrella 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    If the Special 20 isn’t good for blues, someone oughta tell John Popper. I’m pretty sure that’s all he plays in Blues Traveler! Btw Tomlin, per your indirect suggestion, I bought myself a Hohner Crossover in the key of A. And wow! do I love it or what? It’s expensive, as you know, but it’s worth every penny in my opinion!

  • @e.castlerock8454
    @e.castlerock8454 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I don't play harmonica yet, but I aim to. I've been watching your videos and intend to rewatch when the time comes for me to buy my first harmonica. How will I know I'm not getting older stock with the bad quality? Is there a date of manufacture on the box? I don't want prior to 2015, maybe?

    • @TomlinHarmonica
      @TomlinHarmonica  4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I doubt you'll find something that old. They've been great for a while now :-)

  • @petervandenheuvel1417
    @petervandenheuvel1417 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    As the years go by 1st East Top 008K, 2nd Hohner Special 20, & Lee Oskar's for the minor keys

    • @jimmynich4791
      @jimmynich4791 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I've got all 3, all very good, I think the special 20 is the best but not twice as good as the easttop but it costs twice as much.

    • @petervandenheuvel1417
      @petervandenheuvel1417 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@jimmynich4791 Hi Jimmy I used to teach Blue Harp at night school many years ago & bought about 50 (E, A, & D keys mainly) east tops for the students paid $17 each, I stopped teaching & had a heap left over I never had a bad one (blow a reed once in a while if I'm playing hard for a few months) maybe had to file the sharp corners a bit but from what I see on TH-cam the quality may have dropped in recent years. Special 20s cost about $75 now so a $58 saving on each Harp, pretty happy I bought so many now

  • @francesf527
    @francesf527 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Never played a special 20
    Love my Marine bands and Crossovers

  • @claydobbins9342
    @claydobbins9342 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Easttop 008K is good momentarily. It doesn't stand up after awhile. I was critical of it, the 008S, and the Easttop Blues Player. BUT, I purchased an Easttop Blues Standard Professional which is an excellent, superb harp of high quality and standard. WHY? I compared it to the Hohner Marine Band 1896 and it appears to be identical. Easttop Blues Standard is hard to find. They were once selling in a variety of keys. I think Hohner contacted them for patent infringement.

  • @saeedamalnick6133
    @saeedamalnick6133 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    In Iran, this harmonica model is known as the best harmonica for all levels

  • @asmxdeo
    @asmxdeo 23 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Im from Italy and for 38 euros a get a special 20 but for a few more euros you can get a rocket, it makes sense to still get the 20 or i should just go for the rocket?

    • @TomlinHarmonica
      @TomlinHarmonica  20 วันที่ผ่านมา

      I think they are both great - they are very very similar instruments.

  • @wlvvv3702
    @wlvvv3702 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I had problems playing blues on the special 20, as it says on the box, it's not for blues! Holes are big and its hard to hit single note! But it's a good harmonica for playing country music and melodies. For blues, it's definitely a marine band.

  • @MP-tf7cc
    @MP-tf7cc 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Easttop has a number of other models beside from the T008K, including an "upgraded" model and the pro series. There are several good harps from other companies too. If you're going to proclaim one as 'the best', you should try a lot more than 2 harmonicas.

    • @GustavoFil350
      @GustavoFil350 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      What's the upgraded version of the T008K? I got one in C and one Frisson in A.

  • @lionsjourney29
    @lionsjourney29 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I may be too new to this community to have a masters POV, however owning both a Sp20 and East Top i will always say start with the Sp20. It has more balanced sound than East top. I struggle to get good wah wah and expression out of the east top with cupping and such. For some reason that harp has exceedingly bright tone that goes past the cup. So its bright but flat and expressionless. And in that ground barring absolute budget issues i dont think East top model is a good intro/learner tool. At least not as much as the Sp20.
    And although im still working on bends i find it more difficult in the Easttop

    • @lionsjourney29
      @lionsjourney29 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      As a learner you want something that allows you to learn and each basic skills in a manner that does not require special or different methodology. You want to learn it right the first time so you can be more fluid and understand the modification in your playing that you need with different harmonica. The special20 HAS that workhorse build methodology. So you can focus on learning right.
      I've played marine band, Suzuki promoters, LO's, Fenders budget harps, Sp20, Blues Band budget, and Blues Harp specially while learning I can tell you this though. Learning with many instruments is a hassle as each has a method or kink that makes it different and hampers progress as you have to adjust and mess with your muscle memory.

  • @mrmaticuluos
    @mrmaticuluos 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Better yet, Lee Oskar. I've bought many Honers. Lee Oskar's (by Tombo) is superior...can even replace reed plates if needed. I've never blown a reed. Blew a bunch of Honers. About $50 on Amazon...but go to his videos. Amazing!

  • @crezznic4013
    @crezznic4013 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    i love this instrument

  • @Amper-o-mat
    @Amper-o-mat 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The problem with sp20 is that when playing on daily basis, one or two reeds go out of tune in 2 months or even sooner...It seems like even the new one is only one step away from trashing...But yes, it is good for beginners and for people who play once a week...

    • @TomlinHarmonica
      @TomlinHarmonica  4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Oh no! That's a shame - I would recommend getting your reeds re-tuned or replaced if they are worn out. I play Hohners almost all the time and get them tuned every couple of years.

    • @Amper-o-mat
      @Amper-o-mat 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@TomlinHarmonica Thanx for reply...I also play mostly Hohners, since i have their shop around the corner, my choices are The Blues Harp on the wooden side and/or Rockets on plastic side...I'm a full time busker and playing almost daily for 2 hours straight sure means the huge pressure on reeds. It is normal that they wear out faster. But sp20 seem to be "the king" of wearing out fast, so i don't use them, too costly...Other Hohner harps work at least for 3 to 5 months...However, it is interesting that i always have problems mainly with 5 draw reed going flat...

  • @buddymc
    @buddymc 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    What about a Lee Osker? It's cheaper than a Special 20 and plays great out of the box.

    • @GrilloTheFlightless
      @GrilloTheFlightless 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      They are super durable as well. I have LO that I’ve been playing since 1997 and I haven’t had to replace any reeds. I’ve heard that Special 20s don’t last very long. I know that EastTops don’t. Plus that awful paint on EastTops tastes awful in the mouth!

    • @buddymc
      @buddymc 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@GrilloTheFlightless I like Suzuki Manji and HarpMasters. Recently I've been playing a few Dabell Story harps also.

    • @StarQueenEstrella
      @StarQueenEstrella 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Lee Oskar was what I started on and it’s comparable to a Special 20. Honestly, there’s not too much difference except for maybe the temperament that they’re tuned to. Lee Oskar’s tuned to 441+ (no idea what the plus is for but that’s what they call it), and the Special 20 is tuned to, I think, 443Hz

    • @TomlinHarmonica
      @TomlinHarmonica  4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I've got a video coming out soon about this question :-)

    • @gregoryvincentdepaul2544
      @gregoryvincentdepaul2544 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@TomlinHarmonica From what I've seen, the Lee Orkars are generally a little more expensive than the Sp20. If you search around, you can get some Sp20's for 43 or 45 bucks.

  • @janikpaulus2539
    @janikpaulus2539 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    In which key is this harmonica?

  • @chrishammonds72
    @chrishammonds72 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I’ve had mine since 2016 and its the one I learnt on and it’s still playable and haven’t blown out the reeds. I just got a new one and along with the marine band deluxe and rocket it’s a favourite. They retail anywhere from $60-$80 AUD now

  • @harpo9279
    @harpo9279 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    i think that the Suzuki Bluesmaster is easier to play.

  • @31416
    @31416 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I am no gambler. I'd rather pay 60$ and have great QC. I prefer to spend my time playing over fixing an harmonica with problems otb.

  • @blindbrad4719
    @blindbrad4719 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    LOL! two things Tomlin, You can't claim it's great for beginners then proceed to smash it professionally, and you should've released this video before I went out and bought my Lee Oscar 😂

  • @harpo9279
    @harpo9279 8 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Are you sponsored by Hohner?

  • @SuperdogRW713
    @SuperdogRW713 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I just bought one on ebay for $32.99.

  • @ralgor100
    @ralgor100 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Easttop 008 is better for beginners

  • @mindscaper1898
    @mindscaper1898 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Eastflop is shit
    Don’t give that to newbies

  • @anpo6063
    @anpo6063 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Seydel, East Top , Manjy, Manjy Sky. These are my brands.I don't like Hohner. I have a Crossover and I will NEVER buy a Hohner again. To me it sounds like a empty bucket.... Sry😂