Hohner 560 Special 20 Harmonica Bb
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The go-to harp for professionals and the first choice for those learning to play.
The Special 20 is the go-to harp for harmonica players of any style, including blues, country, folk, or rock. The Special 20 delivers the coveted Marine Band sound and offers the benefits of its plastic comb: it doesn't absorb moisture so it won't swell, shrink, or crack; it lasts longer and is more airtight than wood combs that can become swollen, twisted, and warped; airtight construction provides increased responsiveness; plastic provides comfort and it's smoother on the lips, preventing chafing.
Another plus of the Hohner 560 Special 20 is that the harmonica's reed plates are recessed into the comb. This keeps the sharp edges of the brass reed plates (found on most harps) from harming your lips. The Special 20 is the harp-of-choice of harmonica virtuoso John Popper of the band Blues Traveler and was played by Bob Dylan on his 2007-2008 tour. Chances are your favorite player has several of these harmonicas in his case.
Choose your desired key!
About Hohner:
Hohner is a family company founded in 1857 in Trossingen, Germany by Matthias Hohner. Hand-made quality and close attention to detail has set Hohner apart from the beginning. A top leading brand in harmonicas, Hohner harps are distributed worldwide. Hohner harmonicas are played on the street by buskers, in intimate nightclubs, on festival stages, and even in Carnegie Hall. Despite a diverse harmonica line used in music from country to classical genres, the most famous Hohner harmonicas are their simple, 10-hole diatonics used frequently by blues, rock, country, and folk musicians.
Features
- 10-hole diatonic
- Professional quality
- Standard (Richter) tuning
- Genuine brass plates
- Plastic comb
- Bolted-on covers
- Reeds: 20
- Reedplates: brass; 0.9 mm
- Plastic comb
- Length: 10 cm
- Hohner harmonicas feature:
- Improved reed profiles to increase reed life by over 200%
- Precision die punches to ensure reed plates with unparalleled air tightness
- Improved tuning accuracy (through investment in innovative new tools)
- Extremely stable stainless steel covers that won't tarnish and are easy to clean
- Dynamic range and highest volume of most any commercially made harmonica
- Super-fast response at all volume levels
- Easily adjustability for overblows
order the 560 Special 20 today and get an awesome response, superior bendability, and the sweetest tone.
Review Snapshot®
by PowerReviews(based on 43 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to play (13)
- Consistent (12)
- Good audio (11)
- Warm tone (11)
- Quality craftsmanship (10)
Cons
Best Uses
- Accompaniment (9)
- Small venues (4)
- Soundtracks (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Novice (9), Professional musician (5), Experienced (3)
Most Liked Positive Review
A great harmonica well worth the money
If you've read this far, then that means I've hopefully held your interest. This is one of the best harps I have played, and you owe it to yourself to pick one up and...Read complete review
If you've read this far, then that means I've hopefully held your interest. This is one of the best harps I have played, and you owe it to yourself to pick one up and give it a shot. The construction is fantastic, tone quality is superb, and the playability is the best I've ever had.
There isn't a whole lot to say about the features of this harmonica. Few have anything special beyond the standard build, but I will say Hohner's move to push home-repairs is a great boon, and this harmonica suits it. Keep in mind harmonicas, even those with plastic combs, DO need to be repaired/replaced. The reeds can and will go out at some point, so they will need to be replaced. Thankfully, it's a simple affair made even simpler by Hohner by offering replacement parts and tools (sold separately).
It does come with a case (assuming you just order an individual harp), but I wouldn't rely on it too much. It's a hard plastic case, and the harp does jiggle around in it. Odds are, if you're going to be running around with a harmonica, you've probably invested in a set of these and have a nice case to carry them in.
I've played a few different harps over the years, and I finally decided to drop a little extra scratch and pick up the Special 20 (a buddy of mine swears by them).
I'm primarily a hill country style blues harp player, so I needed something that had a strong, even sound, and allowed me to bend easily. This is it. I've played Chicago Blues harps, and the Piedmont Blues set, and those are absolute tripe compared to this beauty of a harmonica. It plays so well, I barely have to make any effort.. And it's LOUD!
Solid construction, with some nice weight to it makes me feel very comfortable playing it. Plastic combs mean you don't have to worry as much about moisture, which is a good thing. Wood would probably sound better, but if you're like me, you hate it when facial hair gets ripped out by the harp (which WILL happen with a wood comb - it'll expand and catch your hair like nobody's business).
If you're looking for a harp worthy of doing some raw blues, I'd say look no further. This baby can bend and wail with ease.
I bought a Piedmont Blues 7 piece set with case about a year ago for the same price as this one harmonica.
I wasted my money then. Sure, $30-something for a harmonica may seem like a lot (especially if you're buying multiple keys), but you simply can't beat the quality of it. You may be surprised to learn that you can spend upwards of $100-150 bucks on a hand-machined harp, and while you're getting a really nice harp for that value, you are getting diminishing returns. This is the sweet spot right here.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
quality control?
I give these harps a 9 if they are working. A "0" if they fall apart.
I've been playing Special 20's essentially ever since they first appeared on t...Read complete review
I give these harps a 9 if they are working. A "0" if they fall apart.
I've been playing Special 20's essentially ever since they first appeared on the market. As a weekend musican who gigs once/twice per week and plays each of the 6 harps I use in 2-3 songs each per night, these are just what I need. Tone, quality, play-ability. A worthy improvement over the Hohner Blues Harps I used before these came out.
They used to be first-rate. The reeds lasted much longer than those of their predecessors. Over the last year, they inexplicably started just coming apart. I mean literally, the little screws that hold the things together just come loose and fall out. Try finding one of those little bastards on the the floor of a stage in a bar sometime. You basically throw the harp away and buy another for. This has happened to me four times in the last year.
Great if they stay together. They are worthless if they fall apart.
Reviews
Reviewed by 43 customers
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Pros
- Easy To Play
Cons
Best Uses
- Accompaniment
- Small Venues
- Soundtracks
- Symphonies
Comments about Hohner 560 Special 20 Harmonica:
Special 20s are a great instrument for many applications...unfortunately less than 10 years ago they were half the price..however they are reasonably durable and can be used in a multitude of venues..from coffee shops to festivals..to Church worship groups to choral group large or small..
I ordered the replacements on a thursday and they were delivered the following wednesday...I'm very pleased with the responsiveness and turnaround...for purchase to delivery..
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Play
- Quality Craftsmanship
- Rich Sound
- Warm Tone
Cons
- Classic Rock
- None
Best Uses
- Accompaniment
- Blues
- Classic Rock
- Country
- Recording
Comments about Hohner 560 Special 20 Harmonica:
I've played expensive and inexpensive harmonicas the special 20 is by far the finest harp I have played
Pros
- I Wanted The Best
Cons
- Nothing
Best Uses
Comments about Hohner 560 Special 20 Harmonica:
I'm about to begin my blues class with the harmonica and can't wait to get started. I've always wanted to play the blues, and the harmonica as an instrument is quite portable to carry and practice anywhere.
Pros
- Easy To Play
- Quality Craftsmanship
- Rich Sound
- Warm Tone
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Hohner 560 Special 20 Harmonica:
I'm brand new to harmonica. I play guitar & want to learn to accompany myself. I purchased a multi-pack of harps on ebay for about the same amount I paid for this one & they all sounded terrible to the point that I was going to bag the whole idea of learning to play. But then I decided to give these Hohners a chance. Wow, what a difference! I guess you really get what you pay for when it comes to a harmonica. & MF beat everyone else's price, which made the purchase painless & they gave me free shipping to boot. Now I just have to learn how to play this darn thing. Not as easy as it looks, but I have time. As for the quality, it seems really good to me, but I'm new to this so I'll have to let you know about quality down the road. As for sound, they sound top quality to me. And compared to the junk harps I bought on ebay, they sound like priceless instruments. If you're learning to play, might as well start with a quality instrument that will keep you motivated & inspired. :)
Pros
- Best Of The Hohners
- Consistent
- Easy To Play
- Quality Craftsmanship
- Rich Sound
- Warm Tone
Cons
Best Uses
- Accompaniment
Comments about Hohner 560 Special 20 Harmonica:
the special 20 is an excellent instrument.reeds are really responsive.the harp goes where you want it to easy.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Hohner 560 Special 20 Harmonica:
Good Harmonica. Cheapest price of all stores too.
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Play
- Quality Craftsmanship
- Rich Sound
- Warm Tone
Cons
Best Uses
- Accompaniment
- Jazz Clubs
- Small Venues
- Soundtracks
Comments about Hohner 560 Special 20 Harmonica:
I'm a novice when it comes to playing but these Special 20 Harmonicas are easy to play and sound great. I just purchased the Bb & F keys to round out my recent purchase of the Hohner 5-pack. Inexpensive (especially when on sale) but these are made with the same great quality Hohner is known for. Get em, you won't be sorry.
I only wish that Hohner offered a Special 20s 7-pack instead of (or added to) their current 5-pack offer. The case included with the 5-pack will hold (7) harmonicas and, in my opinion, harmonicas in the key of Bb & F are needed to complete this basic set.
Pros
- Consistent
- Professional Sound
- Quality Craftsmanship
- Rich Sound
- Warm Tone
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Hohner 560 Special 20 Harmonica:
This is my standard harp, none of the others I have played can replace this one as my fall back harp I always have a set of all the keys. The A C D harps I spend more and get the Crossover now, they are better but most listeners won't notice the difference only the the players will know and that is why these are my standard.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Play
- Quality Craftsmanship
- Rich Sound
- Warm Tone
Cons
Best Uses
- Accompaniment
Comments about Hohner 560 Special 20 Harmonica:
this is the first special twenty i bought.Its excellent.Top of the line.The reeds are very responsive.it flows easiley with what you want to play as you want to play it.Some harps are very stiff and unresponsive.Very pleased with this model.
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Play
Cons
Best Uses
- Accompaniment
- Small Venues
- Soundtracks
Comments about Hohner 560 Special 20 Harmonica:
From the living room to the stage this hyrbid between the "Pro Harp" and the "Blues Harp" will do it for you.
