Posted by Patrick J. McKenna on November 13, 2002 at 22:38:36:
In Reply to: Any othe brands besides hohner posted by larry berkley on November 12, 2002 at 11:00:59:
: Please tell me if there are any other quality harmonica brands besides Hohner that i can purchase other harmonica. I enjoy Hohner but i would like to know if there are other brands out there besides Hohner. Also do they sell other keys besides C in a chromatic 16 hole
Hey Larry,
Hohner manufactures various diatonic harmonicas in various price ranges. Although the Special 20 is my favorite, I've managed to get some decent sounds out of the HotMetal, Bluesband, American Ace and the Great Little Harp.
My Great Little Harp actually fared better than the box which is packaged in. Sadly, after about four years, some of the reeds finally started to give me some problems, but not after incredibly giving me my moneys worth!
What about the other harmonica brands...?
Kay also makes harmonicas. The Chicago Blues is cheap, but capable of making music.
I don't know if it's still available, but the Nashville, in my honest opinion, is comparable to the Hohner Marine Band harmonica.
Johnson also makes a somewhat reliable harmonica: the Blues King, which is available in an assortment of keys.
Jambone, by AXL (available through Musician's Friend), are quite cheap (and available in different keys), but in my opinion a good value, for the money.
My wife bought me a set of five no-name harmonicas (in the keys of C, D, F, G, A) which sound decent. All I can tell you is that the set was packaged in a box which says "MADE IN CHINA" and "ITEM NO.: 79680".
Some of the cheap, bottom line brand harmonicas are available only in the key of C.
If you are serious about music and want the highest quality sound, it's fine to play with and experiment with cheap harmonicas, but...In my opinion, Hohner is to harmonicas what the Cadillac is to automobiles.
Wishing you success in your endeavors,
Patrick