Irish Soul
45 posts
Jul 25, 2017
5:10 AM
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Internet rumors are probably one of the ugliest parts of trying to glean any knowledge at all from open forums or Facebook groups. It seems that some are keepers of secret knowledge that no one else has access to. But....I'll ask anyway.
Is there a problem with currently manufactured 1896 Classic nailed harps that anyone here is aware of? I know there are a lot of very skilled MB players here....I figure someone here would know. Thanks.
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groyster1
2970 posts
Jul 25, 2017
5:41 AM
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no IMHO they are great harps....there was a point in time where they were terrible but great harps now.....I have many vintage marine bands,some pre war,some that have been customized along with new ones....marine bands are by far my best playing harps
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Tommy the Hat
626 posts
Jul 25, 2017
5:55 AM
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That's good to hear groyster since all I own are Hohners. But I haven't purchased a harp in the last 5 or 6 years. As indicated in my last post I just ordered a new Marine Band but had no idea what to expect other than past experiences (which were pretty good). I'll know in a couple of days.
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Tommy
My YouTube vocal covers
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Facebook
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SuperBee
4831 posts
Jul 25, 2017
6:20 AM
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The main problem is that they sell really well just on the strength of the brand.
This makes it quite hard for other businesses to get market share and for people of influence to benefit much from endorsing them.
On the other hand if you run them down, who knows?
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Irish Soul
46 posts
Jul 25, 2017
6:29 AM
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If you run them down....maybe it's not the harp? Sometimes pride is a bitter pill...somebody bought a sour or bought one and didn't wake up sounding like Adam and has a bellyache.
I was figuring this was a rumor because I know too many of you guys play them for it not to come out here if there were new issues.
I can say the majority of people who post here I either know who you are and you are reputable or I read between the lines and see you have personal knowledge.....which is what makes this forum, imho, superior to many.
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florida-trader
1170 posts
Jul 25, 2017
7:42 AM
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With all due respect - many of the people who post their opinions about harmonicas don't have a clue what they are talking about. Frequently, they have read someone else's misinformation and without verifying the accuracy of those statements, simply repeated them as fact.
I think that the Harmonica IQ on this forum is much higher than what you generally find on Facebook, and this is a more polite crowd. I don't know why people think they have to pass themselves off as experts when they clearly aren't. There's nothing wrong with saying, "I don't know, but I can find out."
That said, the quality of Marine Bands is near an all time high. I think you can attribute that to better tooling, technology and healthy competition from Suzuki, Seydel, Lee Oskar and now some of the new Chinese manufacturers. I think people get worried about Hohner moving the manufactuing over to China. Clearly there are some cheap pseudo-harmonicas/mostly toys that are made in China. But Hohner's professional grade harps are still made in Germany.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
Last Edited by florida-trader on Jul 25, 2017 10:56 AM
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Irish Soul
47 posts
Jul 25, 2017
8:45 AM
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I agree completely perhaps I worded what I said poorly....what I meant was I'll take your opinion or Adams or Jason's, etc. The bee and many others here because I KNOW you guys speak the truth from experience...when I don't know someone or who they are, their opinion is simply that...an opinion that may or may not be informed.
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groyster1
2971 posts
Jul 25, 2017
6:14 PM
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again......marine band 1896 are my very best harps......especially those JI tuned
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nowmon
134 posts
Jul 26, 2017
2:37 AM
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I have been buying marine band harps since 1968[$3.50} and they have been great.I buy ,to check out ,others,but I always get MB`s.The most I have ever done is adjust the reeds if they were too tight.And if most of the recorded harp blues in the 1940,50,60`s was marine bands you can`t go wrong.....
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Whitelight
16 posts
Jul 26, 2017
2:39 PM
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I would totally agree with Tom, "florida-trader", on the all time high quality, of the Marine Band 1896. I just got a new Bb and a Db from Rockin'Ron, and they play beautifully... I have SP20's, Golden Melodies, MB Deluxe's but I always grab my MB 1896 Classic's. I like their sound, size and feel.
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groyster1
2973 posts
Jul 26, 2017
4:07 PM
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@whitelight......they have stood the test of time.....I defy anybody to question that ;however;a point in time they sucked.....changed to sp20 and golden melody......but classic marine bands,especially tweaked and of course customized,ROCK!
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Whitelight
17 posts
Jul 26, 2017
6:27 PM
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Hey groyster,
Since I haven't been playing that long, what time period was it, that the Marine Band's sucked... Just curious, since that's all I play.
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SuperBee
4834 posts
Jul 26, 2017
9:22 PM
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It was late 90s that they retooled and dramatically improved due to tightening up tolerance of slots and reeds.
Not sure when they dramatically declined, early 80s I think, maybe around the end of the Hicksville era.
I believe there was another major change in 2005, coinciding with the creation of the marine band 2005 (the Deluxe). Certainly marine bands from 2000 on are pretty good, but from 2005 on they're probably better, and since the introduction of sealed combs in late 2011 they're the best they've been in my time.
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JInx
1326 posts
Jul 26, 2017
10:05 PM
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Yes the current production is off. They are further pushing the Illuminati agenda of anti Christ high frequency chaos indoctrination. Tuned up as high as they are, only satan himself would play one.
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Last Edited by JInx on Jul 26, 2017 10:05 PM
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groyster1
2975 posts
Jul 27, 2017
7:07 AM
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@whitelight....I started playing about 35 years ago....tony glover recommended marine bands in his book....tried them and hohner blues harps....the combs were terrible and tines moved thus ruining the harp....changed to sp20 and quickly changed thought they were very playable with the plastic comb....but went to marine bands when quality improved..I have bought many marine bands on ebay....purchased some from hicksville era,I have pre wars and a few customized....nothing can touch them
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Tommy the Hat
641 posts
Jul 27, 2017
7:14 AM
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I have a Marine Band being delivered today (according to tracking) from Rockin' Ron's. Key of D. First Marine Band in at least 5 or 6 years possibly longer. Can't wait and I'll let you know.
UPDATE:
It just arrived as I was headed out the door to the supermarket. I don't have time to play it yet but a quick assessment and run through was pretty good. No complaints it played easy and clean as well as comfortably. The bends worked well also. It was tight and needed very little breath. Sounds great.
Oh, and I have to give a shout out to Rockin' Ron's. From West Coast to East, 2 days. I see nothing has changed in the last 5 years! Great service.
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Tommy
My YouTube vocal covers
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Facebook
Last Edited by Tommy the Hat on Jul 27, 2017 8:05 AM
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groyster1
2976 posts
Jul 27, 2017
9:40 AM
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yepper.....rockin ron rocks
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groyster1
2977 posts
Jul 27, 2017
9:42 AM
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BTW....check out ebay......they have tons of vintage marine bands,some pre war.......
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Whitelight
18 posts
Jul 27, 2017
10:25 AM
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Thank you SuperBee, groyster and Tommy, for the info... I purchase all my harmonicas from Rockin Ron as well. Since I'm only 80 or so miles north of him in Long Beach, half the time, I get them the next day.
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Tommy the Hat
645 posts
Jul 27, 2017
11:02 AM
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I'm messin' around with the new Marine Band, kind of gently easing into it but I'm happy with it. Let's see, it's in key of D so I may have to break it in with Gussow's Crossroads Blues!
So as for the current state of the New Marine Band? Well this one is Pennsylvania!
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Tommy
My YouTube vocal covers
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Facebook
Last Edited by Tommy the Hat on Jul 27, 2017 11:16 AM
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Irish Soul
49 posts
Jul 27, 2017
4:35 PM
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Thanks everyone like always....I know I ask a lot of questions but someday I promise I'll answer one. I love this forum, for sure.
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Whitelight
19 posts
Jul 27, 2017
6:30 PM
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^^^
Same here Irish.
I got a D last week as well Tommy.
Yes... Fine forum and fine people.
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