Hohner Special 20 Diatonic Harmonica, C-major - Professional, Responsive Reeds, Injection Molded Plastic Comb with Projecting Mouthpiece

A couple months ago I decided out of the blue that I wanted to learn to play harmonica. I love blues and blues rock, but also a fan of the sounds of Irish and Celtic tunes and civil war era music. I don't know how to read music, but I do play acoustic guitar (well) and keyboard (mostly chords and arpeggios) by ear. I consider myself to be an casual player with basic skills and intermediate knowledge, but I am still serious about instrument quality, versatility (what can I do with it) and sound. Since I'm not a band member and just play for fun and for me (or anyone in earshot), I don't need a high-end instrument, but I do desire anything reliable and economical. After much research, I decided I'd start with the Horner Special 20 in key of C. I really like it! In just the short month's time I've had my harmonica I've picked it up quickly and have taught myself everything I know so far (well, besides playing by ear and feel I did also pick up some tricks and riffs from YouTube). But this review isn't about me (though I give myself 4 stars). Regarding the harmonica, from what I can in my research, it's basically the same thing as a Marine Band except that it has a black ABS comb rather than a pear wood comb (the comb of the Hohner 560 Special 20 is also ABS, but made to resemble the pear wood). My mouth glides quite easily across the ABS comb without the need to slobber on it to keep from sticking (I'm led to believe wood is better, but I get the feeling it's more of a purists' preference). It is easy to get air across the reeds, producing both very nice sound and volume, and the hardware is solid and doesn't feel like a toy at all. Seems when I ad lib with songs on the blues satellite radio it is very well in tune with the music (perhaps not in the right key, but the notes are still spot on). Recently after playing it hard and long the 6 blow seemed to be causing the 5 or 7 read to buzz, though they seemed fine by themselves. The harmonica still played in tune, though. I rinsed it, shook out excess moisture, and let it air dry and "cool off" for a while before playing it again and it seems to be just fine. I have difficulty bending any of the lower notes with consistency, but I'm certain it's more of a problem with my technique, not the harmonica (I really should take some lessons). I always have it in my pocket or readily available nearby and play it frequently. I will be fond of this -- my first -- harmonica and hope it lasts longer than I do! If you're looking for something with reliable quality and performance yet economical, whether your new or experienced, definitely consider this harmonica. Since I have no complaints about this harmonica, and although I have nothing to compare the performance and quality of this harmonica to, particularly since it's the only harmonica in my life I've ever played and thus I have zero experience as a harmonica player, I can't give it less than a 5-star review.

Very comfortable to play and sounds great

I briefly tried playing diatonic harmonica around 1953, without much success, although I still retain my Marine Band in its original box (cost then: $3.59). Instructional materials back then were sparse and I was impatient, so I quit when I did not have instant success. I flirted with chromatics in the 1970s (and still have my four Hohners to show), again with little success and less persistence. Now, in my 70s, I returned for one last fling with this instrument which just sounds, well, so cool. Virtually all the web-based diatonic instructional sites include Lee Oscars and Hohner Special 20s in their lists of great harmonicas for beginners--I bought both. Then several Suzukis, a couple Seydels, three Herings, and two Bushmans followed. But, despite wanting to be clever and say I discovered some unknown model from the brands just-listed that knocked my musical socks off, guess what? I have returned to the lowly Special 20 again and again, after flirtations with other (usually significantly more expensive) brands and models--including the Hohner Crossover. Love the sound. Love the ease of blowing/drawing. Love the plastic comb that is easy on lips and tongue. The Special 20 is not the heaviest, most substantial, harp in the hand(try a Hering Blues or Suzuki Promaster) or the sexiest-looking (like most Suzukis), but it makes music for me with an ease I have yet to find from the others. So, I can't give it up. The Special 20 is the one I pick up when I just want to play. I'll continue to try the others, but this harmonica will have a special place in my collection. P.S. I think the closest siblings to the Special 20 in other brands are the Lee Oscars, also light weight, plastic combs, fine sound. A Lee Oscar would be my second choice for a go-to harp. The Lee Oscars are slightly bigger, if that makes any kind of difference (it doesn't to me). The Special 20 is a great value. I don't see how you can go wrong with this purchase.

It sounds great! I have other harmonica. I thought I was doing something wrong, and I was ready to give up because I couldn't get the sound that I wanted. I'm glad I got this harmonica! Hohner really is the best!

I've only been playing the harmonica for 2 months now after starting with a Hohner Golden Melody G that my mom gave me after my Dad passed away. Since then I have bought 4 harmonicas in C and this was one of them; so, my rating is a comparison with the other 3 (Lee Oskar major diatonic, Suzuki Bluesmaster, and Seydel Blues Session). As of now, I can play single notes cleanly and quickly, and bend the mid-range draw notes reliability and hit the low draw bends and high blow bends fairly well (just so you know). I bought it because of recommendations posted by harmonica players and teachers on the internet as being a good beginner harmonica. It is not as strong nor of as solid construction as the others. It takes a little more air to play than all but the Seydel, so it is not as responsive for me. The sound is a little more twangy or raspy than the others except the Lee Oskar. Note bending is harder than the Suzuki and Lee Oskar for me. It is more comfortable in the mouth than the Lee Oskar having very smooth cover plates, but the corners of the cover plates are a little sharp, but not enough to cut (I prefer cover plates that extend the entire length of the reed plates like the Seydel and Suzuki). All of these are easier that the Golden Melody in general.

I almost gave up on learning harmonica after I bought a Hohner Bluesband set of 7 on impulse. The sound was off key and the effort to make a decent sound in any key was tough to stay motivated...Being a Blues Traveler/John Popper fan, I did a little research and stumbled on the Hohner Special 20 Key of C, and I have to say, the difference in quality was obvious out of the box. The instrument was in tune, and the draw notes were so much easier to hit. The overall sound is worlds above the the lesser quality Made in China Bluesband Harp Set, and as a beginner the Special 20 was so much more motivating to play. When you know you have a quality harp, it allows you to focus more on your progress, rather than question your instrument. Once more, I can't say enough about the quality of these harps, the Special 20 is made in Germany, has an air tight plastic comb which makes it less susceptible to moisture than wooden combs, and in my mind easier to clean. Since switching to the Special 20, I have ordered this 5 harp kit and have been very happy with the collection. It comes in the Keys of A, C, E, D, & G, with 2 additional slots for expanding your collection. Recently I have added the Keys of F, Bb, and Eb to my collection, as well as 2 Special 20 Country Tuned Classic reed Harmonicas in the Keys of C & E. I do have one negative aspect that I have noticed with the Special 20...sometimes my facial hair gets caught in the sides. But given my lack of playing experience, I attribute this to my incorrect form, and assume I would have similar problems with other brands in this price point. Bottom Line: If you are interested in playing harmonica I suggest skip the bargain Made in China blues harps, and start off with a Hohner Special 20 in the Key of C...the price is worth it and you won't regret it. When you decide to add to your collection, the Case of 5 Special 20 Harmonicas is a great deal, and will give you plenty of Keys to be able to jam in.

i love my harmonica its so cute and useful and fun and stable and carrying case is good and volume and tone its all good dont think twice

I unenthusiastically played the harp as a younger person but had the opportunity to spend time around real players who had various harps. After not playing for a while, one of these guys gave me a Special 20 about a year ago which I promptly lost. Got another one today and I rue the ignorance of youth, yet remember how much better this little harp was than all the ones I got to try back in the day. Hohner is incredible and makes the best harps for players who want to wail. If you want to be "upscale", spend a little or a LOT more on an LO. And furthermore, after I got the Special 20, I was inspired to get a chromatic. Got one. By Hohner. And, admittedly had a problem. The 5 hole went out of tune after about 2 weeks. I call Hohner, tell them what happened, and they said...literally..."We are sorry if the quality of our instrument disappointed you. We'll sed you out a new one(chromatic) immediately if you provide your address." I said, "How much?" They said... "No charge to you, sir." BEST customer service EVER. Been BEATING on my replacement and the Special 20 for a bit now and I will NEVER go away from Hohner. Oh, by the way, they just SOUND better than anything I have ever played or heard. Sort of important. Especially if you are a beginner....Get a Special 20 if you think you might want to really play. Easy to bend. (Not saying EASIEST as that is up to the individual.) GREAT tone and volume..... If you have any reservations about which harp to get to start, get this one.

This is a great little instrument. I love it's feel and tone as started to learn.

📦 CONFEZIONE La Hohner Special 20 si presenta come un'armonica di qualità, con una combinazione di comfort e facilità d'uso. Anche il packaging è ottimo contenendo una confezione dedicata. ✅ PRO 1. Facilità: La Special 20 è rinomata per la sua facilità nel bending delle note 2. Comfort Duraturo: Grazie al suo design ergonomico, offre un comfort superiore durante lunghe sessioni. La piastra di risonanza incassata nel corpo plastico protegge le labbra dagli spigoli taglienti. 3. Tonalità Calde e Profonde: La combinazione di legno e metallo produce un tono caldo e avvolgente, perfetto per tutti i generi musicali. ❌ CONTRO 1. Aspetto Estetico: Esteticamente, la Special 20 potrebbe non impressionare, con una combinazione di materiali che non si distingue per eleganza. 2. Etichette delle Note: La mancanza di etichette chiare sul corpo dell'armonica può rendere difficile l'identificazione delle note, soprattutto in ambienti poco illuminati. CONSIDERAZIONI Complessivamente, la Hohner Special 20 si conferma come un'armonica di alta qualità, ideale per musicisti di tutti i livelli. La sua facilità d'uso, il tono caldo e la risposta rapida la rendono una scelta affidabile sia per chi è alle prime armi che per chi ha conoscenza dello strumento.

I’ve been playing this for well over a year now. It really is a joy to use. It sounds wonderful and sits in the hand perfectly. Although I have only owned a couple of harmonicas, the quality of build seems 2nd to none. I have found it very easy to bend notes. I’m very happy with my harmonica and would highly recommend to others.

Es una harmónica muy bonita y está hecha de excelente material. Perfecta para tocar, muy buena pieza musical.

Ich bin mit diesem Produkt rundum zufrieden. Die Verarbeitung wirkt hochwertig und durchdacht. Der Klang ist klar und ausgewogen, was für diesen Preisbereich besonders positiv auffällt. Sehr praktisch finde ich auch das mitgelieferte Etui. Es ist stabil, gut verarbeitet und schützt das Produkt zuverlässig beim Transport oder bei der Aufbewahrung. Ich konnte keine negativen Punkte feststellen. Alles wirkt stimmig und funktional. Klare Kaufempfehlung.