Hohner 34BBX-D Old Standby Harmonica Key of D

OK, I've been playing harmonica for about 10 years, and have a bunch of harps, but thought I'd give a couple old standbys a try. I'd say most pro harp players have played them, so this review is just for beginners. First, if you really want to learn how to play harmonica, just buy a decent harmonica in the $25 to $35 range. Just one, probably in the key of C. I'd suggest a Honer special 20, Lee Oscar, Herring Blues, or Suzuki blues. The cheapest harmonica from Honer I'd recommend is a Big River. They used to be $12 but I think they are a bit higher now.Of the two "Old Standby's" I received (C and A), the A harp was out of tune out of the box on the draw (on the first blow) and also "rattled" on the 4 draw. The C harp was in tune, bent notes easily, didn't leak too much air, and generally is easy to play, and actually is a good beginner harmonica, though not as smooth and nice as a decent Suzuki or Honer. As a beginner, you probably won't be able to tell if it is the harmonica or your technic that is the problem. Both harmonicas bent easily. I opened them both up, and also opened a Honer Bluesband (the cheapest harmonica $5) and the old standby reed plates are exactly the same as the Bluesband. As a mater of fact, the old standby looks in every way the same as a Bluesband except the name on the coverplates. So, you could save a couple bucks and just buy a Bluesband (which is the standard beginner harmonica), but they only come in the key of C (though when I started I had one in the key of A, and it actually played real good). If you are the kind of person that just likes to mess around and try different things and quickly quit (harmonica is actually a difficulty instrument to play well), or if you like to drink a lot of whiskey and blow the harmonica real hard, I'd recommend a bluesband, or one of these old stand by's as a 1st harp, as they are so cheap you can just loose it or throw it away, or blow it out by blowing too hard and then throw it in the trash without loosing much sleep. If you are serious, and dedicated, and feel like you really want to put a couple years, or the rest of your life into learning how to play harmonica, I'd say just spend the money on a decent harp (probably special 20 to start in the key of C) and you can figure it out on your own from there.One last thing ... looking at the reed plates, they have all been hand tuned (probably with a Dremel/Foredom type tool with a grinding wheel), including the A harmonica that was out of tune on the draw. I guess the made in China ones don't have the same quality control, or ear training as the German made ones. Also note that all of them can be tuned (though very delicate) if you know what you are doing, and made to play just fine. Lastly, I'll add that one nice thing about the cheaper harps (old standby/bluesband) is that your lips touch plastic, which is soft. On some of the pro harps, your lips touch brass, and you actually need to take the harp apart, and using very fine sand paper (1000 grit) dull the sharp metal edges or you will waste your lips pretty quick. Good luck, and have fun with the harmonica ... they are quite addictive Hohner Special Twenty Harmonica, Key of CHohner Old Standby Harmonica, Key of CHohner Blues Band Harmonica 1501, CSuzuki BLUESMASTER HARMONICA C !

As a new harmonica player I decided to start off with a real cheap harp. The harmonica itself is of decent build and seems durable. It comes with a small case (the artwork is pretty cool) and a sheet of paper that instructs you how to hold, blow and play a simple song on your harmonica. In a couple of days I found myself being able to play the music included and have begun to play some tunes by ear. My tuner is showing that most of the notes are in tune right out of the box, although some notes could be better in tune. I'm interested in playing the blues on this harp but I cannot seem to be able to bend the notes. This is likely because of my own unfamiliarity with playing but in other reviews I have seen more experienced players complain of this issue as well.I've been playing for over a month now and I feel like it was a good purchase. Its an inexpensive harmonica that is easy to learn on but I can defnetly see myself buying a better one in the future.

It's been a couple months since I have owned this harp. At first it wasn't bad for a cheapie, mind you, I have no previous experience in these things.I did notice with my tuner app that it is a bit out of tune in most of the keys, and this is compared to an electronic keyboard that did maintain pitch, in case you question the legitimacy of the app. I did read that this is manufactured outside of Germany, instead being from China, so that may be the reason why. Then again, it is a cheapie.The next issue is that the 3 hole gets stuck now and then. I don't think it's spit - after slapping it on my leg to get all the gushy stuff out, and even running it through water, the only thing that would unblock the thing is blowing really hard - which I hear is not good to the reed itself.After that I cannot complain. For those of you who are unsure if you are going to make this instrument a partner for a long time, you can drop a little on this guy for a test trial, then upgrade to any of the others that more experienced players have recommended. Comparing the price to other instruments, it's still cheap to get a good harp.

I play the piano and since I cannot take my Steinway to work, I need something for my own "personal score" --why not? I am playing it by ear because I find that reading music and playing the harmonica is way too complicated! My friends all suggested that I buy the holder so I can play it while I play the piano. I think that will be a comedy act but YES, I love this little cutie. It came with "music lesson" and I have been playing it since I got it, yes even on my way to the Metro, I might someday get a quarter or two thrown in my direction if I keep this up. Love it!

I like this product becase it is reasonable and good stuff.I was longing for starting to play instrument. But it was very hard to find to start because I knew nothing about playing music even though I like to listen to. So I picked this product up because I thought If I would dislike it, I would not mind because It is cheap.Hoever, I am very satisfied with Hohber Old Standly Harmonica, Key of C because I still play harmonica!Aloso, I met a very wonderful woman the other day and I told her I play harmonica a bit. and then she liked it a lot. That made my day!

I bought this about a week ago. I thought it was for Blues music, but it is Country & Western. No big deal, just thought you should know before you buy it. Altogether, it is a great buy. I love it. Sounds great and plays well. I'm a beginner but I am having fun with it. My only problem with it thus far is that you need to clean it before you use it. I know I should have known, but I didn't. I played the first time and it left this metallic taste in my mouth for hours, ha ha. It's in tune and it comes with a little instruction paper for a little beginners lesson. It also cam with a little booklet about some harmonica history, greatest players and stuff. Overall, I love the purchase and I would make it again without a second thought.

My grandson loves it.

Overall, it's not a high end harmonica so be prepared to make concessions. It is great to get acquainted with the harmonica, if you decide to pursue you'll get a better one. And with all musical instruments there is maintenance as time goes by so don't be looking for something that's going to last forever without any maintenance, doesn't exist. otherwise, enjoy and have fun.

Es mi primer armónica con ella estoy aprendiendo y he de decir que los acabados de esta son muy bonitos y el sonido es muy claro, por el precio sin duda valen la pena ademas del estuche plástico que ayuda a conservarla en buenas condiciones por muchos años.

Très difficile d'en jouer, je recommande la spécial 20, un peu plus cher mais beaucoup plus facile!

La compré y en menos de dos días ha se había desafinado. Me di cuenta de que son ya instrumentos usados porque al destaparla note limaduras . Cosas que se hace para arreglar la afinación . Lastima dinero mal gastado .

El producto me llegó al otro día que puse mi pedido y lo recibí en perfectas condiciones.