Hohner Harmonica (M2009BX-B)

You know that saying, "you get what you pay for?" Truly a statement to heed. The only other harp model I've been successful with was the Special 20. I'm just a casual player, so it's really all I need. I had four defective Rockets in a row. After such disappointment trying to reward myself with that next-level instrument, I decided to go for the gusto and splurged on a Crossover. It's beautiful in every way and the slightest breath out or in creates gorgeous melodic chords! I do notice the holes are smaller and the slight ridge of the cover plates surrounding the comb (fools my lips into thinking the comb seems thinner), but I haven't had a problem playing it at all. It's very easy to play individual notes, and it's the first harp I've owned that I can actually bend notes with ease and quality, just a slightly different mouthfeel than the Special 20 (which I really like a lot!). After just an hour or so I'm already getting used to my new Crossover. The bamboo comb doesn't feel much different, if even really noticeable at all, than the ABS comb of the Special 20 and Rocket. If you can afford the extra $20 bucks or so, just get a Crossover. You get what you pay for!!

Im a beginner and have been playing the special 20 for a few months. I have learned how to bend notes and learned a few scales and simple blues licks. I have been practicing my single notes and trying to figure out tongue blocking. I bought the special 20 5 pack.I then bought the crossover hoping that it would be even easier to play and maybe i could learn even faster. The crossover is a really high quality harp and i am not sorry i bought it.That being said... for a player of my skill level, i think that the special 20 is actually easier to play in a lot of ways. Its true that the holes are a little closer on the crossover. It was actually harder for me at first because i was so used to the special 20. Theyre both easy to bend on, i think the special 20 is easier but that could be because its what i learned on.If you are a new player wondering if this would be a huge step up from the special 20, from my experience, its not. Theres a reason the special 20 is the most recommended harp for beginners.If you are like me and don't really care about the money, and are sure you are going to keep playing, then by all means buy this thing, its really nice.If you are an experienced player then you dont need my advice. But from what i can tell this thing seems very high quality. It looks and feels and plays very high end.

Sweet Tone with Better Dynamic Range... Great out of the box harp. Much more airtight than lower end Hohners, allowing for very sweet, warm tone at low volumes for acoustic blues, while allowing you to generate significantly more volume efficiently so you can keep up when the band gets rocking without wearing yourself out--important when you're singing lead while playing. This efficiency also allows for more expressiveness and diversity in tone, all those little things you do to impact tone (changing how you cup the instrument/mic, etc) seem to have a magnified effect. Only thing to be careful of is playing too enthusiastically, since they are more airtight, heavy playing can cause reeds to fail sooner than lower end, less efficient harps. But if you know how to stay in control and you're looking for an out of the box harp that has great wood tone and excellent dynamics, I would highly recommend these!

I’ve had harmonicas as a child but none as nice as this. This harmonica is very sensitive and loud. You barely blow in it and it makes a sound. I don’t know how durable it is but it looks to be well made. Good craftsmanship, smooth finish, materials look to be good. Some advice though...the metal covers on the outside will rust eventually if you don’t wipe it down when you are done. Having said that, you aren’t supposed to put spit in the thing nor should you play it after eating or drinking sugary drinks as the sugar will build up inside and cause the reeds to stick. At least drink water and or rinse out your mouth before playing. I can’t imagine rusting out the cover plates but I’ve seen pictures of that on ‘how to’ videos on YouTube.This is a ten hole harp in C scale. It is marked as C on the cover plates and can be taken apart for service. Unlike the Marine Band classic, this model has a bamboo lacquered comb and uses screws instead of nails on the cover plates. If you drop it or bang it you might detune it.Not sure I’d run it under water for cleaning. Just keep it clean and you’ll be fine. Comes with a nice carry case. Don’t put it in your pocket without the case, it’ll eventually get lint buildup inside and it won’t sound right.

There were a lot of great reviews of the Crossover, however there was a 1-star review that caught my attention, reporting that it was not much different then the other popular brands out there. I have to say, after playing gigs for 30 years with mostly Marine Band blues harps and a Lee Oskar or two, I agree. I purchased a C and an A key and the first thing I noticed was that some of the middle notes on both harps need a touch of blow bend to sound in tune with a perfectly 440 tuned guitar. (I am OK with it, as it will keep my skill honed!) On the plus side I would agree that bending appears to be a bit easier out of the box. I also really like the nice fabric zipper case with the key label on the zipper pull. I am writing this review however to counter expectations one may have from reading all the 5 star reviews. In my humble opinion: twice the price, but not twice the instrument.

I have been playing harmonica since age 4, when a Marine Band cost 75cents. I have enjoyed several of the newer versions of the old harp since then, including Blues Harp, Golden Melody and Special 20 among others, but never a Crossharp. It feels fine in my hands, the bamboo finish is smooth and does not seem to warp. The sound is strong and the reeds easy to bend. I like it and after 62 years of harmonica playing, can recommend it.

This harp is very good, much better than a Marine Band, but I should hope so for the money it costs (and we are told Marine Bands were this good 80 years ago when they cost 10 cents!). Also that money doesn't buy uniformity: - I have them in the keys of G, A, Bb and F. And, as with my original Marine Bands, the Bb is an inferior one (a coincidence, or is Bb a jinxed key?); and the A seems a little over-gapped too. So only 4 stars.

Superb instrument. I can hit the bends accurately and it produces a brilliant tone.

I do not believe that Hohner is responsible for sending me a damaged product. It was obviously used, came with no papers or box but the worst is that the second hole was blocked in and out. I decided to return the instrument instead of trying to fix myself. This feels very unfair to the absolute novice when treating self with the “top of the line” product and getting a non-operational one in such a way that it could have been discovered only on lesson 15. I hope Hohner will eventually take care of it.

Great Blues Harp. A little easier to bend the notes on than cheaper harmonicas because it's well made and properly assembled. Very airtight (great for bending), as it doesn't require a great deal of air to play.If you're looking for a terrific harmonica, then look no further as these Hohner harmonicas are as good a production harp as anything on the market. After all, they've been around since the 1880's, and are played by some of the best harmonica players in the world.

I am not a professional musician more of an enthusiast than anything else. I really like the look and sound of this harmonica. The sound is loud and clear without the 'tininess' of the special 20. Single notes are easy enough to hit, bend and even overblow. Although I do have some difficulty with the 3 hole draw. Chords sound warm. The feel is very different from both the special 20 and the marine band 1896. The comb which is supposed to be bamboo looks and feels like plastic. It certainly is well sealed. I have not taken it appart yet but it looks easy enough to do. I find it sounds great right out of the box and would not want to try any additional tuning.The construction is at least as sturdy as the other harmonicas in the marine band line.