Play what you like brother! What I've found in my brief time in the harmonica world is that everyone swears by different brands and models of harps. We just gotta find what suits us personally I guess.

Harmonica reeds do not break-in… the player gets used to the nuances of each harp, as they are all different.

I agree,,,,at 1st didn't like em but once it's broke in plays great

@@norfolknwhey4787 maybe, but I have to disagree with your statement, at least regarding steel reeds. Steel reeds do have a break-in period, and they also need to be warm (room temp-ish)to play well. the Session’s problem, imo, is the way too delicate comb. Replace it with a Blue Moon solid cordian comb, and you got a really nice harp.

Session steel , immediately blew out a reed,also didnt like the feel, marine bands seem to sound the best but not terribly durable also, as expensive as they are I would like them to last much longer. Lee Oskar last the longer but are not the most responsive, Golden Melodys are fun , responsive but also don't have a very long lifespan. It's been my experience that once a reed flattens you can retune it but it won't last for long. If Horner would make individual screw in reed replacements then I would be happy with them. It's hard for me to justify $100 dollars for a harp when that is about what a gig pays when they used to be $6 and you would get $100. Especially when even when trying to take it easy you still blow them out. Suzuki seem to last but that might be that I tend not to play them on account of their shrill tone.I still have not found an affordable, long lasting option that is really responsive and you can get good fat tone without blowing them out, please help.

The Special 20 and Rockets are awesome. I think some people think the combs are cheap plastic. The ABS plastic is high quality plastic with a bit of high grade rubber mixed in I believe? I researched what ABS plastic was! The SP20 is a great instrument for sure!

@@allenhawker3911ABS despite its appearance is no doubt a great and sturdy type of plastic! Even legos use them, so they're pretty much some of the best in the industry afaik

What does 'da' mean?

I bought a Marine Band earlier this month to start learning and see if I'd be interested in it. I find the lower two reeds to be really poor, I thought it was my technique at first but it's just the harmonica. I'm about to oder two East tops; they seem like the best value for an intermediate or beginner-level harmonica. I'm really enjoying playing though. I've played guitar, bass, piano/keys, drums, and violin for 20 years so I'm thankfully learning fairly quickly. My biggest issue right now is with trills, I practice them slowly but I can't seem to get them fast and clean like I want to.

I want to try one, but they look like a taller harmonica and harps like that usually hurt me, so I haven’t been able to justify dropping $200 on a harmonica that might not work. I’m sure I will try at some point. I don’t have a review. One of my students in the past had them and really loved them.

the rocket is great, very smooth and large holes make it easier for me to play

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nJ5_o6SeyJywqWQ.htmlsi=hsyfUaC0O5RSoRbL

I am self taught, have played harp offand on for years, your advice I find so helpful, thank you. !!

MB classic is better because the comb on the Deluxe and Crossover is too round and smooth and blunt.

I really wanted one of those GM’s. Now they redesigned them and I’m not seeing much positive about the redesign. I kind of wish they had just stuck with the original. I’m assuming yours are? Guess I’ll have no choice. I’m sure I’ll still like it. It’ll work!

@@allenhawker3911 Yeah. I own a couple of the original GMs. I've been playing them since 2020.

@@goldenteledy2002Thats good you have the originals.

Every harmonica recording from the 50s and 60s sounds like a dying duck?

I just got a special 20 a few weeks ago. I always thought they were a beginners harp. It's a great harp! Great sound. Responsive.

All brands will eventually have a reed go out of tune. That's just the nature of metal vibrating over long periods of time. Even Boeing 747's wings become weaker over time due to the flexing over 1000's of hours. Same holds true with reeds that flex micrometers over time. That's just the nature of the beast.

@@MrSpanky2001 agreed, but not within 6 months and I play straight harp.

First, I have an updated top 10 video where I don't include it. After time and trying a few, I just don't like them. They are reliable enough to perform with but they function poorly in comparison to other harps at their price.

Ive played harp for over 50 years. Ive played most major brands. For someone to say the Session Steel is not a good harp If you don't like the shape its one thing. It happens to be my favorite shape . To say they are unresponsive is just total bs. I currently have 6 of them and working on ger a full set. They are the best sounding and most responsive f all I have tried. Definitely better than any of the junk hohner has ever put out.

Silver Stars and Bluesbands should be illegal, what a waste of time, how many people would have tried that and quit the instrument? Hohner shouldn't go that low.

Definitely. It’s really hard to compare harmonicas for this reason.

I hear ya. I gave up on Lee Oskars over a decade ago. imo, leaky. I’m a Seydel fellah, but I like the Rocket Amp.

Bought one in a key I wanted loved it so much I had to buy a new C MB to replace my Lee oskar C

do you even play harmonica?

built like a tank and seem to last forever@@richardpierce7168

Made in Chinese factory’s and just slap their name in that way they can get buyers on every budget, they are straight trash I bought some for my kids and they were awful, but the fender blues deville’s are not terrible for the money

@terrohood24 Do you have some better suggestions?

What ?