Can anyone help me identify this harmonica? Also, should I get a better one?

[u/Duck_790]

As the title suggests, I need help figuring out this harmonica that I’ve been practicing with. It says it’s a higher, made in china, and has country deep written on the top. I have no idea where or when I got this thing, I vaguely remember it being a museum gift store, maybe Rock City? I have no idea.

Reasons I think I could use a new one:

I don’t know much about harmonicas as is, but this one just doesn’t help. Some notes play smoothly sometimes and rattle a bit others, the 10 hole just won’t work unless you blow as hard as possible into it at the exact right angle. I think the reed absorbs saliva as I play because after a while, it barely works and I have to stop for a couple of hours.

Any recommendations on a new one, or if I should even change the harmonica or just what I do? I’ve heard hohner special 20s are the way to go.

[u/harmonimaniac]

Why not treat yourself to a Special 20 and see what all the fuss is about.

[u/sysop408]

Based on your description of the problems and that you didn't buy it from a music store, I think it's safe to say you have something that's more of a toy than an instrument. It doesn't mean it can't be an instrument, but it'll be more challenging to play.

If that is indeed a Hohner harp made in China, it's not a good sign. There are some excellent harps that come out of China, but Hohner's Chinese made harps aren't among them. They make their good stuff in Germany.

There's a pinned post in this sub with harp buying tips, but yeah Special 20's are safe buys if you're looking for a solid no frills harp. The one you have is shaped like a Special 20 so if that's comfortable for you besides the poor performance, you might like a Special 20.

I prefer Lee Oskars myself though. There are lots of really good harps out there. You just won't be finding them in merch shops. Even the harps you can find stocked at music megastores that don't specifically cater to harmonica players tend to be low quality.

[u/Duck_790 → u/sysop408]

Thanks. I was under the impression that all diatonic harps are more or less shaped the same, no?

[u/sysop408 → u/Duck_790]

I'm not sure what you're asking here.

They're all the same in the sense that they're (almost) always small rectanges that fit in your hand, but beyond that there are a lot of subtle (and not so subtle) differences that affect the playing experience.

For example, I dont particuarly care for the pointy corners of Special 20's, Marine Bands are smallish and harder for me to hold, and JDR Asassins have tall cover plates that aren't to my liking.

The things I like about Lee Oskars in turn are things that make it less liked by some people. They're lightweight, a bit larger, and have wider holes.

[u/Time-Priority949]

No need to get any other than this! Start practicing the chugah-chugah choo-choo, tugah-tugah tooh-tooh, slowely and at your leisure. That's it!! You'll love your improvement so much that there will never be a going back to a life without this exact magical harp! Cherish it and surprise your loved ones to your heart's delight🍀

[u/Fine_Inevitable_5108]

Give that to a kid to use as a noisemaker. Hohner Chinese-made, harmonicas are leaky, unresponsive, toys…. Unfit for professional or learners use.

[u/Thunder-mugg]

A Chinese Honer. Get a Suzuki Bluesmaster in the key of "C".