At some points in the video I forget to turn off the reverb, I apologize for that guys! I’m still getting used to adding the echo when I play and then turning it off when I talk. Thankfully it’s only for some of the video
Thank you...Rocket is my favourite harp, be it grey or green(amp)...Grey Rockets sound louder and clearer than amp's when played acousticaly, while there's no much difference between them when play amplified. At least in my experience. And I play everyday, cause i'm a fulltime busker for the last 6 years...However, I like your natural approach to this instrument. You have a good sound and good feeling...Keep bendin'!
Reed adjustment/replacement is just part of being a harp player. I mean when you speak with players of other reed instruments (oboe, sax, clarinet…) the struggle for tone and playability is way harder, and obsessional for good reasons. And let's not forget the immense efforts some instruments require both financially or physically, like contrabass or trumpet.
I have a Rocket in Bb. I really like it. I have several Special 20's, which I like also. The prices of the Special 20 has gone up quite a bit in recent years. But what hasn't.
I was excited to hear your opinion when i saw this on my feed. I love the Rocket, they’re my favourite Hohner harp. I have a few of them in my set. Glad you like them! If im not mistaken they have the same reed plates as the special 20, but I think the extra price for the nicer finished comb and open cover plates is worth it, for me at least.
You are my favorite TH-cam harmonica player. I want to play harmonica with the same technical ability that you have. Please make some beginner harmonica lessons for us. Please!!! I know in my Soul that you possess the ability🎉
Thanks again for another insightful video. I am actually trying to decide which low tuned harps to get to expand gig bag with. I really wish you would do a video on the Hohner 364 model. That would be extremely helpful, as I value your opinions. Thanks again. ~ Greg G. 🎵
I agree with you. I have one Hohner Rocket and it’s a good harp. But somehow definitely not my favorite (but in this case, I assume I am just not used to it). In my case, it's super responsive, and bending is there without problems, so maybe I just need to play it more often. The only reason I would buy more of them is because they are loud (classic version with side vents) and it makes them great for acoustic unamplified jams.
Rockets play great. I'm just not a fan of the protruding comb, and I find the comb on the rocket protrudes out more than it does on the special 20. I just don't like how that feels in my mouth -- it fedls like i can'tget a good bite on it if that makes sense. I prefer when the comb is more leveled off with the cover plates. Many people find the rocket extremely comfy though, so all the power to them!
@@elpusegato it’s been maybe 4-5 years? Maybe a bit less. I’m not really sure to tell you the truth. I first bought a harmonica when I started playing guitar but I left it in a drawer a long time. Then one day I picked it up and tried to get serious. I also go back and forth between guitar and harmonica, in many cases leaving the other instrument untouched for months.
@@littledre ehhh, I think I would rather play marine band deluxe or crossover personally. I might just learn to convert normal marine bands to use screws
Harmonicaland in Washington state often has a discounted price over rockinron’s prices. As of today hohner 364 $6- less at Harmonicaland, special 20 $11- less, hohner rocket low $ 5.50 less. My apologies for any errors in advance.
That’s cool man! Thanks for sharing. Good info to have. Personally I live right near rockin ron so always order there for online orders. My favorite way to shop though is in a real store 🏬
I haven't watched that many of your harp vids but so far you sound pretty good no matter which harp/brand you're playing. You say you're an "amateur" yet you've been playing for several years already haven't you?
Don't like them very much. Like the low F but not the rest of the line. Had a Bb and a reed broke after just a few months. I've got Special 20's that i've played hard for 8 years with not one reed failure. Might have been a dodgy reed and i got unlucky.
@@JohnVieto I believe it man, I myself have had terrible luck with all the high end hohners. And yeah I agree a special 20 is the way to go. It’s cheaper and more reliable and plays basically just as good.
@formansbasement2311 Yeah man couldn't believe it when that reed broke! As I said I play SP20's mostly and never had a reed break then the rocket is a more expensive harp and a reed busts! LOL!
I'm going to address a couple of responses you made to my comments here. You said you can't overblow and overbend "like a real blues man" hahha is that a joke? The progenitors of blues harp playing didn't overblow or overbend either. Even Paul Butterfield who is arguably the greatest harp player of all time didn't use those techniques which are fairly modern and were popularized by Howard Levy who is primarily a jazz not a blues player. You don't need to use any of those trchniques to play blues, not even tongue blocking (although some of the older blues men did tongue block, but certainly not all). Secondly if you don't have a regular Hohner Rocket you shouldn't have made a video about the Rocket "Series" until you had one. Sure it may be similar to the Rockets you do have but ultimately they're not the same so point being it's somewhat dishonest and you're misleading your viewers with your video title. At least you are honest about how dissatisfied you are with every harp you've tried though. I appreciate that! Gives me confidence you're not being paid to advertise! 😂
Dude I don't know why you don't just stick with the original marine bands since they're the only harps you say you really like. I'm honestly surprised to hear you say you want to try a Thunderbird since you can't stand the Crossover and claim to be so poor you can hardly afford to buy a $50 harp. Thunderbirds are not only the most expensive low tuned diatonic in the industry - far more than even the Seydel Noble Low (which is an excellent harp btw) but Thunderbirds are basically just Hohner Crossovers with a factory bent cover plate and lower reeds. Other than that they're identical. If you don't like the Crossover you won't like Thunderbirds either. Personally I love Crossovers but have avoided buying Thunderbirds due to their excessively and frankly unjustifiably high price tag. Why not just stick with what you like the OG Marine Band?
Yeah you’re not wrong man! But I have dozens of harps I’ve wasted money on over the last 4 years that I need to review 😂 it feels like less of a waste of money if I can review them. Get ready for several more upcoming reviews from various brands that were not to my liking. The reason I keep wanting to try new ones is because I’m always hoping to find the “perfect” harmonica. But yeah, ultimately it ends up being a huge waste of money. The reason I can’t stick to the marine band 1896 is because I’m learning to tongue block and the unpolished wood comb is very rough on the comb. In addition, if there’s ever serious issues with the blow reeds, the entire harp needs to be taken apart for maintenance which is impossible without converting the marine band to screws, which is an entire other headache. This ultimately limits the life of each marine band I buy because if something goes wrong I can’t work on it and also these harmonicas have to be completely taken apart and sanitized once in a while. One time I opened up an old 1896 to see what was up and it was BLACK in there man! Because I never once took it apart in the harp’s life.
I wanted to like this video but you claim in the headline/video title that its about the Rocket series yet you didn't even include the main Rocket model with the grey comb. I've been wanting to try one of those for the longest time now. I'm really not interested in the Rocket Low or the Rocket Amp and while I wouldn't judge the harps by the color of the combs I find those colors totally unappealing much like the orange color of the Seydel Session Steel. I was literally sitting through this whole video waiting for you to bust out the flagship Hohner Rocket only to be let down. Oh well just my luck I guess. You know how it goes... If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldnt have no luck at all
The rocket is the same as the amp but with vents. If I had it I would have included it, but you can draw your own conclusions! They’re not different from the rocket amp in any other way besides the vents, so if you’ve ever played a vented and unvented harp that will give you a general idea of what they are like. A bit more volume, good for an acoustic setting and the vents let you hear yourself a little better. I don’t even own one and I can come to that conclusion based on having played and noticed the differences between vented and unvented harps.
At some points in the video I forget to turn off the reverb, I apologize for that guys! I’m still getting used to adding the echo when I play and then turning it off when I talk. Thankfully it’s only for some of the video
@@formansbasement2311 The sound was excellent I was gonna say. Just like nice room acoustics.
Thank you...Rocket is my favourite harp, be it grey or green(amp)...Grey Rockets sound louder and clearer than amp's when played acousticaly, while there's no much difference between them when play amplified. At least in my experience. And I play everyday, cause i'm a fulltime busker for the last 6 years...However, I like your natural approach to this instrument. You have a good sound and good feeling...Keep bendin'!
Reed adjustment/replacement is just part of being a harp player. I mean when you speak with players of other reed instruments (oboe, sax, clarinet…) the struggle for tone and playability is way harder, and obsessional for good reasons. And let's not forget the immense efforts some instruments require both financially or physically, like contrabass or trumpet.
I have a Rocket in Bb. I really like it. I have several Special 20's, which I like also. The prices of the Special 20 has gone up quite a bit in recent years. But what hasn't.
I was excited to hear your opinion when i saw this on my feed. I love the Rocket, they’re my favourite Hohner harp. I have a few of them in my set. Glad you like them! If im not mistaken they have the same reed plates as the special 20, but I think the extra price for the nicer finished comb and open cover plates is worth it, for me at least.
@@kierantheflah they’re not bad at all! Thanks for watching
You are my favorite TH-cam harmonica player. I want to play harmonica with the same technical ability that you have. Please make some beginner harmonica lessons for us. Please!!! I know in my Soul that you possess the ability🎉
@@runjogwalk what are you struggling with? I could try to make a beginner video, no promises though 🤣
Those sound great.
I orderd a few Gentle monsters in low keys hoping for decent harps. Enjoying the channel.
Never heard of those! Let me know how they are! Thanks for watching
I've had good experience with JDR harps, but I haven't tried their gentle monster yet. Let us know if you like it
thanks for review! love low harps too
Thanks for watching!
Thanks again for another insightful video. I am actually trying to decide which low tuned harps to get to expand gig bag with. I really wish you would do a video on the Hohner 364 model. That would be extremely helpful, as I value your opinions. Thanks again.
~ Greg G. 🎵
@@notes7799 I might get around to it at some point but I’m just not sure when! They’re great harps it’s just the coverplates are a little thick!
I agree with you. I have one Hohner Rocket and it’s a good harp. But somehow definitely not my favorite (but in this case, I assume I am just not used to it). In my case, it's super responsive, and bending is there without problems, so maybe I just need to play it more often.
The only reason I would buy more of them is because they are loud (classic version with side vents) and it makes them great for acoustic unamplified jams.
I might have to try the original rocket if I ever get around to it! But yeah I’ll stick to my special 20s
Rockets play great. I'm just not a fan of the protruding comb, and I find the comb on the rocket protrudes out more than it does on the special 20. I just don't like how that feels in my mouth -- it fedls like i can'tget a good bite on it if that makes sense. I prefer when the comb is more leveled off with the cover plates. Many people find the rocket extremely comfy though, so all the power to them!
Awesome. My Hohner Special 20s are old. Mine was made in 1974ish I think the first year they were made. I’m 70 years old.
Thanks for watching!
I'm curious how long you've been playing harmonica. You're really good. I really enjoy your channel
@@elpusegato it’s been maybe 4-5 years? Maybe a bit less. I’m not really sure to tell you the truth. I first bought a harmonica when I started playing guitar but I left it in a drawer a long time. Then one day I picked it up and tried to get serious. I also go back and forth between guitar and harmonica, in many cases leaving the other instrument untouched for months.
I was starting on old golden melody C but special 20 type is cool, have tried one in A. I think rocket or sp 20 is perfect harps for you 😇
@@littledre ehhh, I think I would rather play marine band deluxe or crossover personally. I might just learn to convert normal marine bands to use screws
@@formansbasement2311 🤝🏻
Harmonicaland in Washington state often has a discounted price over rockinron’s prices. As of today hohner 364 $6- less at Harmonicaland, special 20 $11- less, hohner rocket low $ 5.50 less. My apologies for any errors in advance.
That’s cool man! Thanks for sharing. Good info to have. Personally I live right near rockin ron so always order there for online orders. My favorite way to shop though is in a real store 🏬
I haven't watched that many of your harp vids but so far you sound pretty good no matter which harp/brand you're playing. You say you're an "amateur" yet you've been playing for several years already haven't you?
Yeah but I’m nothing compared to a real blues man. I can’t tongue block, can’t overblow, can’t overbend, etc
Don't like them very much. Like the low F but not the rest of the line. Had a Bb and a reed broke after just a few months. I've got Special 20's that i've played hard for 8 years with not one reed failure. Might have been a dodgy reed and i got unlucky.
@@JohnVieto I believe it man, I myself have had terrible luck with all the high end hohners. And yeah I agree a special 20 is the way to go. It’s cheaper and more reliable and plays basically just as good.
@formansbasement2311 Yeah man couldn't believe it when that reed broke! As I said I play SP20's mostly and never had a reed break then the rocket is a more expensive harp and a reed busts! LOL!
🎻 🤠
@@jefferyboyle7276 what’s up Jeffery!
go try golden melody now les bends sont very easy XD
I'm going to address a couple of responses you made to my comments here. You said you can't overblow and overbend "like a real blues man" hahha is that a joke? The progenitors of blues harp playing didn't overblow or overbend either. Even Paul Butterfield who is arguably the greatest harp player of all time didn't use those techniques which are fairly modern and were popularized by Howard Levy who is primarily a jazz not a blues player. You don't need to use any of those trchniques to play blues, not even tongue blocking (although some of the older blues men did tongue block, but certainly not all). Secondly if you don't have a regular Hohner Rocket you shouldn't have made a video about the Rocket "Series" until you had one. Sure it may be similar to the Rockets you do have but ultimately they're not the same so point being it's somewhat dishonest and you're misleading your viewers with your video title. At least you are honest about how dissatisfied you are with every harp you've tried though. I appreciate that! Gives me confidence you're not being paid to advertise! 😂
Dude I don't know why you don't just stick with the original marine bands since they're the only harps you say you really like. I'm honestly surprised to hear you say you want to try a Thunderbird since you can't stand the Crossover and claim to be so poor you can hardly afford to buy a $50 harp. Thunderbirds are not only the most expensive low tuned diatonic in the industry - far more than even the Seydel Noble Low (which is an excellent harp btw) but Thunderbirds are basically just Hohner Crossovers with a factory bent cover plate and lower reeds. Other than that they're identical. If you don't like the Crossover you won't like Thunderbirds either. Personally I love Crossovers but have avoided buying Thunderbirds due to their excessively and frankly unjustifiably high price tag. Why not just stick with what you like the OG Marine Band?
Yeah you’re not wrong man! But I have dozens of harps I’ve wasted money on over the last 4 years that I need to review 😂 it feels like less of a waste of money if I can review them. Get ready for several more upcoming reviews from various brands that were not to my liking. The reason I keep wanting to try new ones is because I’m always hoping to find the “perfect” harmonica. But yeah, ultimately it ends up being a huge waste of money. The reason I can’t stick to the marine band 1896 is because I’m learning to tongue block and the unpolished wood comb is very rough on the comb. In addition, if there’s ever serious issues with the blow reeds, the entire harp needs to be taken apart for maintenance which is impossible without converting the marine band to screws, which is an entire other headache. This ultimately limits the life of each marine band I buy because if something goes wrong I can’t work on it and also these harmonicas have to be completely taken apart and sanitized once in a while. One time I opened up an old 1896 to see what was up and it was BLACK in there man! Because I never once took it apart in the harp’s life.
I wanted to like this video but you claim in the headline/video title that its about the Rocket series yet you didn't even include the main Rocket model with the grey comb. I've been wanting to try one of those for the longest time now. I'm really not interested in the Rocket Low or the Rocket Amp and while I wouldn't judge the harps by the color of the combs I find those colors totally unappealing much like the orange color of the Seydel Session Steel. I was literally sitting through this whole video waiting for you to bust out the flagship Hohner Rocket only to be let down. Oh well just my luck I guess. You know how it goes... If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldnt have no luck at all
The rocket is the same as the amp but with vents. If I had it I would have included it, but you can draw your own conclusions! They’re not different from the rocket amp in any other way besides the vents, so if you’ve ever played a vented and unvented harp that will give you a general idea of what they are like. A bit more volume, good for an acoustic setting and the vents let you hear yourself a little better. I don’t even own one and I can come to that conclusion based on having played and noticed the differences between vented and unvented harps.