De naam ”Marine Band” staat al een tijdje borg voor hoogwaardige mondharmonica’s. De kam van perelaar en het gewelfde deksel van roestvrij staal met zijdelingse klankopeningen liggen aan de basis van zijn legendarische sound, die op tal van “klassieke” bluesnummers te horen is. Met de Marine Band Deluxe zijn we erin geslaagd dit succesverhaal nog verder uit te breiden door het instrument te voorzien van een snellere respons, een hoger volume e.v.a.
• Dekseldesign voor een hoog volume en een betere stevigheid
• Constructie met drie stemplaat- en vier dekselschroeven voor een minimaal luchtverlies en een eenvoudiger onderhoud
• Kam van perelaar voor een hoger volume en een snelle respons
• Afgeronde kanaalopeningen en buitenkanten voor een optimaal spelcomfort
• Met klankspleten in het deksel
• Optimaal stemtongprofiel voor een degelijke respons en langere levensduur
• Stemming: C-Majeur, G, E, Bb of A
The Hohner Marine Band Deluxe is a premium diatonic harmonica offering the classic Marine Band tone with modern upgrades for enhanced volume, playability, and durability.
Overview
The Marine Band Deluxe is an improved version of Hohner’s iconic 1896 Marine Band harmonica, designed to bring the signature blues sound into the 21st century with optimized handling, a richer tone, and smoother response
It retains the musical character of the original while incorporating modern design enhancements to meet the needs of contemporary players
Key Features
Reeds and Reed Plates: 20 brass reeds mounted on 0.9mm brass plates
The reed configuration supports a 10-hole diatonic layout with a Richter tuning, providing a tonal range of approximately 3 octaves
Comb: Crafted from triple-lacquered pearwood for durability and tonal warmth. The comb is sealed to improve airtightness
Cover Plates: Stainless steel covers with side vents and an open back design, enhancing sound projection and comfort while playing
Mouthpiece: Pearwood surface, rounded for better ergonomics
Assembly: Uses Torx screws for both cover plates and reed plates, allowing easier maintenance, cleaning, and tuning compared with the traditional Marine Band, which uses nails
Keys Available: Multiple keys including F, E, Eb, D, Db, C, B (H), Bb, A, Ab, and G
Accessories: Comes with a snapcase or new plastic case depending on the version
Playability and Sound
The Marine Band Deluxe is praised for its enhanced volume, faster response, and ease of bending notes, making it suitable for blues, folk, country, and other acoustic genres
Musicians report a smooth feel and improved overblow capability due to the upgraded comb and cover design
Its classic warm, powerful tone is combined with better projection, making it versatile in both studio and live performance settings
Maintenance
The screw assembly system allows players to disassemble the harmonica for cleaning and tuning, offering a significant advantage over the original Marine Band for long-term maintenance
Some users note that the pearwood comb can swell if exposed to moisture, but this can often be remedied by careful drying and sealing
Notable Endorsements
The Marine Band Deluxe continues Hohner's legacy as a favorite among professional blues harmonica players, akin to the original Marine Band, which has been used historically by artists like Little Walter and Paul Butterfield
Summary
The Hohner Marine Band Deluxe successfully merges the timeless sound and feel of the original Marine Band with ergonomic and tonal improvements. Its triple-lacquered pearwood comb, responsive brass reeds, stainless steel covers, improved mouthpiece, and easier maintenance make it an excellent choice for both beginner and professional players seeking a high-quality diatonic harmonica
