Hohner 560PBX Special 20 Harmonica, Key of B Flat

Hohner Special 20... What needs to be said? These are great.

I am forever meeting people who rave about this harp, but had not tried one for myself until today. It is a wonderful harp, with perfect tuning, easy bend-ability, does not buzz or squeak, and belies it's reasonable sale price. I went for the Key of Bb, and love the tone, the playability and the just right feel of the instrument. For anyone not yet having a Special 20, I heartily recommend it - beginner, intermediate or advanced students, or the performer on stage - this harp is simply great. I am not often surprised by anything but this harp surprised me - it is not expensive at all, and sounds as good as others I have that are four times the price. I am a Hohner Marine Band Special Twenty convert - I will get a couple more to add to my ever growing box of harps.

I am not a accomplished harp player, but I derive great joy in playing. Horner has been my mainstay in harmonicas and this model confirmed my expectations with great sound and good feel right out of the box. I bend a lot so some breaking in is unavoidable, but this harp allows such a good connection to one's mouth that changing flow and using one's tongue were effortless. Its clean, elegant, and sports a tonality both familiar and satisfying. The special 20 is SPECIAL. It was delivered promptly also, good form!

Been playing harp since 1967 or so. This brand and style is used extensively by pros, and I like it. Very responsive. I've had Lee Oskars as well...durable, but the reeds are a bit harder to bend. ("Bending" is a technique used in playing harmonica that allows you to get several different notes out of one reed, making it more adaptable to various styles of play, blues, country, etc.) I'll be getting more of these, as at the moment, I'm missing a few of the "flatted" keys. There are 12 keys in an octave, and if you play regularly, either just along with a recording, or live, with a band, it always helps to have every key, just in case. You really don't want to step on stage with the WRONG KEY!!! It'll spoil your night, and result in immediate expulsion from the stage. You don't want to do this to yourself or to the band. That means getting 12 "harps", at around 50 bucks a pop. Not something everyone can afford. Just add one at a time, and eventually, you'll have them all. (These used to be around 3-5 bucks, back in the 60's, when I started playing. Those were the days...)

This is my third Special 20. One of the best harmonica’s IMO. Great sound, playability A+. Comfortable, responsive. Great for beginners, easy to bend. After being frustrated with other harmonica brands I switched to Hohner and the Special 20 and learned to bend notes in about 2 weeks, learning vibrato was easier also. I also like the Hohner Blues harp. I live in an apartment and I like the mellow tone verse the Hohner Rocket.

This is a great sounding harp. I am completely confused as to why they leave the edges of the plastic comb sharp. It takes 10 minutes with some sandpaper and a buffer to break those edges and make them smooth. It is jarring to the hand when you first start playing it, danged uncomfortable as well. The plastic case that comes with it is just a little oversized, so the harmonica rattles around in it. My eye doctor hooks me up with microfiber cloths to clean my glasses for free, and that cloth is sized PERFECTLY to wrap around the harmonica, as it doesn't scratch the finish and fits perfectly. When I am done practicing, I give it a wipe down with the cloth and wrap it around(when it has dried out overnight, and there is no more rattle in the box. Very short break in time, and I would purchase again(this is my fifth Hohner, also have a Special 20 in C, a Thunderbird in low C, a Chromonica 270 in D, and a 64 Chromonica(what an absolute BEAST of a harp!))

If you cannot tell the difference between the two harmonicas in my video; buy the Hohner. I don't really go over the mechanics of why the harp is quiet and sucking air; but, face it you really don't care about that, you just want to know if this cherry price on a special 20 is legit... it is If you're short on money; or, the kind of beginner that likes to learn with a handicap so you can be better on the pro equipment, buy a 10 dollar harmonica (AKA "Harp"), practice a whole bunch and then buy the Hohner and you will find out that you are a lot better than you were on the cheap harp. I am a professional musician and the Hohner 'Special 20" is my favorite of all of Hohner's Harmonicas for playing blues and Jazz I keep a "Bb Major Diatonic" with me at all times. It has a thinner vertical profile than the "Hohner Blues Harp" or the "Lee Oscar" and therefore goes deeper into my mouth for better bending ability and tone. I sounds better to me than the standard "Marine Band" or "Golden Melody." I cannot stand playing harps with painted surfaces like the "Pro Harp" because they stick to my lips and make my riffs drag. The Special 20 is chrome the way a good harmonica should be, in my opinion. Some people prefer a wood comb but these babies have gotten really expensive in the last 20 years and plastic comb is more durable for someone who is playing it all of the time and occasionally dipping it in liquid at a show; or, if your girlfriend, kids or dogs get a hold of it, drool all over it and throw it in the pool. The Bb is used for playing second position (also known as "cross-harp" or "blues harp") when the band is playing in the key of "F major" or in "D minor." I have been using these harps for 30 years on stage. If you are into doing reed modifications, this is not the best harp for that; you can do it of course; but, that is a really specialized thing and I never knew Little Walter to do it so I don't mess with it, I'd spend my time practicing and listening to some old harmonica masters if I were you.

As always, this Hohner Special 20 did not disappoint! This was the last harp for my full set, mostly Oskars but a couple of Special 20's and a Marine Band. I love em all!

Bon produit

Was in 'as new' condition as advertised. Good value.

Doesn't sound as deep as Marine Band, but still - so lovely to play this instrument!

Ampliar mi colección en distintas tonalidades

excelente producto de la fabricación alemana típica, con gran atención al detalle, muy satisfecho con mi compra.