A review of the history of the Hohner Golden Melody harmonica in advance of the new version in February 2023, together with some of my personal experience with it/
Very Cool, I did not realize the Golden Melody came out that far back. I started harmonica in 1974 and met Sonny Terry (and it was Sonny Jr. /Gary Onofrio's first gig with them as valet too!) in 1976 and was surprised to see Sonny Terry playing the Golden Melody harp. I of course picked some up and then in 1977 (by then I was playing harp full-time in Southern California) and Norton Buffalo was ll on the radio with his famous solo on Bonnie Raitt's hit version of "Runaway". Also, Norton's first album just came out too and I met him at a show in LA at the Roxy 1978. Norton gave me a "rig rundown" on stage of his harps and amplifier rig and he was using all Golden Melody harps too. I played them quite a bit for recording sessions or gigs that were pop, gospel, rock, etc. and stayed with my Marine Bands for Bluegrass, Country and Blues. Anyway, some harp trivia to add to this cool video on the Golden Melody!
I've played for pleasure off and on since I was ten in 1962. I own over a hundred harmonicas today simply because I love them and wanted to try them out. Golden Melodies feel sweet in the hand, like a little bird. I really enjoyed your review and dive into the technology. It would be nice to know how to get in touch with the fellow who produces the combs for upgrading. PS I've seen the new GMs. (It's March). I don't know if they're cuter than the old one, but the one review I've found says it's an improvement.
Astounded by your Knowledge !!!! Your have an exceptional insight to the Harmonica, no wonder your book is still out there and serving newcomers very well indeed ,. I'm NOT a Hohner fan - i went for the Lee Oskars simply because of how the marketing of special keys and playability helped me to understand how to play, and in addition found there out the box quality very, very good. I have progressed to being more comfortable with Hohner with the introduction of the Pentaharp but still find most of the Hohner range less playable or comfortable in my mouth, so whilst the "New Hohner Melody" bmay capture attention i am going to focus on getting the best out of what I know 👍😎 that is until I can afford some of Tom Halchek's custom builds. 😎
Hi Winslow. I'm a Golden Melody player as well as my teacher, Todd Parrott. We both started playing GMs because a Nashville session musician named Terry McMillan, who we both consider our biggest influence on the instrument, used them virtually exclusively. I personally enjoy the harp because of the unique, ergonomic design and its versatile tone. I like to use them for any genre of music I could put my hands on, but mostly country, southern gospel, and blues. There has been a common debate in the Facebook harmonica community about if the GM is a suitable harp for blues or not. I can't believe how many times I have been told that they aren't good for blues and that I should use a Marine Band instead. The only debates I've seen more of on Facebook is the tongue blocking vs lip pursing and Terry McMillan vs Charlie McCoy debates.
Been playing Sp20’s and GM’s for the last decade, mostly blues and rock and roll. I find, that the folks that debate pointless topics like the ones you mentioned, usually aren’t very skilled at what they’re critiquing. The GM is 100% viable for blues!
People say to use a marine band because most blues players tongue block and the marine band has a better comb for tongue blocking, a raspier tone, and a different 4 to 5 draw tone due to the tuning.
@@stephenkatko3236 the unsealed pear wood comb gives it a very distinctive raspiness and grit that folks love for the blues… but the GM can also be used, and is used by many very talented blues artists.
@@stephenkatko3236 The reason people were telling me to not use Golden Melodies for blues is because of the Equal Temperment tuning itself. Supposedly the chords sound out of tune, but I was looking for a jangly chord sound like what Terry McMillan had. Terry happened to play Golden Melodies, so I had to try them out. I even had one guy tell me that if I use the Golden Melody at all, I would be completely out of tune with the band I'm playing with and I should just switch to a different harp model entirely. He sounded like he was completely ignorant about the Golden Melody and how it functions and was trying to be an asshole.
What a delightful history review and playing, Winslow! I keep a warm place for the GM classic, I have one Golden Melody in C, re-tuned to Melody Maker, and another in G, which I've re-tuned to Harmonic Minor and put on a China-made aluminum comb - WHAT A SOUND! The new model is... well... Hohner makes lots of nice stuff, and some toys. I've watched some unboxing videos of hardcore players, and some of the Hohner official event video with so many great players, but my ears do not believe the marketing - it sounds bright and annoying - seems logical that Rachelle Plas holds the mic 12-15cm away from the harp... Players need to relax their tension, and that new model seem to suffer harder from hard playing, judging from latest reviews and demos - I think it will shine more when played softly, more deeply, and with some high-cut filter?!? :) Anyway, its completely subjective, but perhaps one day I will get one for my collection, I'm waiting to watch your Part 2 video when you get it reviewed! Cheers and bless you, master Winslow!
Golden Melody.... Deep subject. I have played the new model. I don't think that anyone will be disappointed with it. Has a smaller form factor. Nice and bendy, not leaky (Yes it overblows). Im not a huge Hohner fan, but I will buy one for the collection.... I think they abandoned the equal temperament (not sure), I didn't ask...
Hi Winslow, firstly thank you for your Harmonica for Dummies Books. They are absolutely tremendous and have helped improve my playing enormously over the last year. You, David Barrett and Joe Filisko are the holy trinity of harping and your knowledge, wisdom and teaching is unparalleled. Secondly, it's so great to see you doing a video channel. I've subscribed and am looking forward to future videos and content. Finally, thanks for this video specifically. I was devastated to hear that the GM is being revamped so dramatically, as it's my favorite harp of all. I will give the new one a go, but the design makes me want to cry. Do you know if they are planning on phasing out the old GM completely? And if so, what's the best way to find replacement combs and reeds? Is that even possible to do? (Tom Halcheck? I'm UK based) Oh Lord, I hope so, or I'm going to cry forever... Thanks in advance and best wishes. 👍
The 1957 100 year anniversary version had gold-plated covers. Perhaps this was the first one. Hohner has offered gold-plated versions of various models over the decades.
Open the back of the plates more, change the type of plastic used, introduce more colors of combs. If history repeats, the “upgrade” won’t be anything really new.
The new GM, unfortunately, has reeds that are different in tone from the original. The reeds are easily bent, as on the original, but the tone of the new reeds is thinner, and I find them a bit harsh. As for the original GM, the Blue Moon Acrylic and Corian solid combs are truly air tight, with beautifully beveled holes. They make big difference for me. I makes the Gold Melody a pleasure to play, especially if you are a tongue player. …um, what is that you’re doing to make a trill? How can you cup when you’re warbling that way?
Lovely video! Golden melody was the harmonica I played many hours every day as a teenager. 🎶🎶🎶
Thank You for this lesson.
Liked it very much!
I’ll be waiting for the second part.
Very interesting and informative, thanks for sharing.
Fascinating to know about the history. Well done. Thanks
Great video! Thanks.
Thank you!
Nice video Winslow!
Nice one, professor! All the best from Brazil! 🎶 🎵 🎼 😊
Very Cool, I did not realize the Golden Melody came out that far back. I started harmonica in 1974 and met Sonny Terry (and it was Sonny Jr. /Gary Onofrio's first gig with them as valet too!) in 1976 and was surprised to see Sonny Terry playing the Golden Melody harp. I of course picked some up and then in 1977 (by then I was playing harp full-time in Southern California) and Norton Buffalo was ll on the radio with his famous solo on Bonnie Raitt's hit version of "Runaway". Also, Norton's first album just came out too and I met him at a show in LA at the Roxy 1978. Norton gave me a "rig rundown" on stage of his harps and amplifier rig and he was using all Golden Melody harps too. I played them quite a bit for recording sessions or gigs that were pop, gospel, rock, etc. and stayed with my Marine Bands for Bluegrass, Country and Blues. Anyway, some harp trivia to add to this cool video on the Golden Melody!
looking forward to part 2
Informative as always!
Aramis! How are you? Email me.
@@winslowyerxa8505 Will do Winslow!
I've played for pleasure off and on since I was ten in 1962. I own over a hundred harmonicas today simply because I love them and wanted to try them out. Golden Melodies feel sweet in the hand, like a little bird. I really enjoyed your review and dive into the technology. It would be nice to know how to get in touch with the fellow who produces the combs for upgrading. PS I've seen the new GMs. (It's March). I don't know if they're cuter than the old one, but the one review I've found says it's an improvement.
Hi can't wait to hear what you think of the new one.😎
Where is part 2 ???
Got your books & man are they good !!!
Astounded by your Knowledge !!!! Your have an exceptional insight to the Harmonica, no wonder your book is still out there and serving newcomers very well indeed ,. I'm NOT a Hohner fan - i went for the Lee Oskars simply because of how the marketing of special keys and playability helped me to understand how to play, and in addition found there out the box quality very, very good. I have progressed to being more comfortable with Hohner with the introduction of the Pentaharp but still find most of the Hohner range less playable or comfortable in my mouth, so whilst the "New Hohner Melody" bmay capture attention i am going to focus on getting the best out of what I know 👍😎 that is until I can afford some of Tom Halchek's custom builds. 😎
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I never played gm but these days I don’t use chords much so I’m considering getting the new one
Hi Winslow. I'm a Golden Melody player as well as my teacher, Todd Parrott. We both started playing GMs because a Nashville session musician named Terry McMillan, who we both consider our biggest influence on the instrument, used them virtually exclusively. I personally enjoy the harp because of the unique, ergonomic design and its versatile tone. I like to use them for any genre of music I could put my hands on, but mostly country, southern gospel, and blues. There has been a common debate in the Facebook harmonica community about if the GM is a suitable harp for blues or not. I can't believe how many times I have been told that they aren't good for blues and that I should use a Marine Band instead. The only debates I've seen more of on Facebook is the tongue blocking vs lip pursing and Terry McMillan vs Charlie McCoy debates.
Been playing Sp20’s and GM’s for the last decade, mostly blues and rock and roll. I find, that the folks that debate pointless topics like the ones you mentioned, usually aren’t very skilled at what they’re critiquing. The GM is 100% viable for blues!
People say to use a marine band because most blues players tongue block and the marine band has a better comb for tongue blocking, a raspier tone, and a different 4 to 5 draw tone due to the tuning.
@@norfolknwhey4787 Totally agree
@@stephenkatko3236 the unsealed pear wood comb gives it a very distinctive raspiness and grit that folks love for the blues… but the GM can also be used, and is used by many very talented blues artists.
@@stephenkatko3236 The reason people were telling me to not use Golden Melodies for blues is because of the Equal Temperment tuning itself. Supposedly the chords sound out of tune, but I was looking for a jangly chord sound like what Terry McMillan had. Terry happened to play Golden Melodies, so I had to try them out. I even had one guy tell me that if I use the Golden Melody at all, I would be completely out of tune with the band I'm playing with and I should just switch to a different harp model entirely. He sounded like he was completely ignorant about the Golden Melody and how it functions and was trying to be an asshole.
What a delightful history review and playing, Winslow!
I keep a warm place for the GM classic, I have one Golden Melody in C, re-tuned to Melody Maker, and another in G, which I've re-tuned to Harmonic Minor and put on a China-made aluminum comb - WHAT A SOUND!
The new model is... well...
Hohner makes lots of nice stuff, and some toys.
I've watched some unboxing videos of hardcore players, and some of the Hohner official event video with so many great players, but my ears do not believe the marketing - it sounds bright and annoying - seems logical that Rachelle Plas holds the mic 12-15cm away from the harp...
Players need to relax their tension, and that new model seem to suffer harder from hard playing, judging from latest reviews and demos - I think it will shine more when played softly, more deeply, and with some high-cut filter?!? :)
Anyway, its completely subjective, but perhaps one day I will get one for my collection, I'm waiting to watch your Part 2 video when you get it reviewed!
Cheers and bless you, master Winslow!
Golden Melody.... Deep subject. I have played the new model. I don't think that anyone will be disappointed with it. Has a smaller form factor. Nice and bendy, not leaky (Yes it overblows). Im not a huge Hohner fan, but I will buy one for the collection.... I think they abandoned the equal temperament (not sure), I didn't ask...
Hi Winslow, firstly thank you for your Harmonica for Dummies Books. They are absolutely tremendous and have helped improve my playing enormously over the last year. You, David Barrett and Joe Filisko are the holy trinity of harping and your knowledge, wisdom and teaching is unparalleled.
Secondly, it's so great to see you doing a video channel. I've subscribed and am looking forward to future videos and content.
Finally, thanks for this video specifically. I was devastated to hear that the GM is being revamped so dramatically, as it's my favorite harp of all. I will give the new one a go, but the design makes me want to cry. Do you know if they are planning on phasing out the old GM completely? And if so, what's the best way to find replacement combs and reeds? Is that even possible to do? (Tom Halcheck? I'm UK based) Oh Lord, I hope so, or I'm going to cry forever...
Thanks in advance and best wishes. 👍
Does anyone know when and where the golden melody was made with gold cover plates? And not the 24 holed Tremolo
The 1957 100 year anniversary version had gold-plated covers. Perhaps this was the first one. Hohner has offered gold-plated versions of various models over the decades.
Open the back of the plates more, change the type of plastic used, introduce more colors of combs. If history repeats, the “upgrade” won’t be anything really new.
The new GM, unfortunately, has reeds that are different in tone from the original.
The reeds are easily bent, as on the original, but the tone of the new reeds is thinner, and I find them a bit harsh.
As for the original GM, the Blue Moon Acrylic and Corian solid combs are truly air tight, with beautifully beveled holes. They make big difference for me. I makes the Gold Melody a pleasure to play, especially if you are a tongue player.
…um, what is that you’re doing to make a trill? How can you cup when you’re warbling that way?