10 AMAZING Harmonicas Every Player Needs to Own 

Hohner blues harp, wooden comb for me . 55 years now 😊 be well all !

If the Easttop 008k bothers you because of rough edges on the lips and you still like to save the money, just get some cheap metal files of different grit and work out the rough edges and you're good...! You could also polish those edges moore with some sandpapers. Pay attention to the grit numbers and work the surface down in increments until you're happy with it and save a lot.

I used to have some doubts about the eattops , but two years ago bought one and was the best decision i've ever made.

Thanks man , you don't know how this video helped me.

My first time listening to your excellent harmonica video... I'll definitely be listening more often. I love the harmonica ❤😀👍🙏🇺🇸!!!

I like the Kongsheng Mars harmonica a lot. I like this video, it is full of great information. Your description of each harp is very good. Thank you for the video and your playing in great.

I have all Lee Oskar harps and love them. When I bought them, they were a cheaper option, with easily replaceable reed plates.

Thanks again sir.

I liked Hohner Special 20's sound

Been playing Hohners for 35 years now. Back in the day you weren't spoiled for choice like you are today. When you stopped at a music store here in the U.S. where I grew up at least, Hohner was gonna be the only harmonica they had for sale other than maybe some junk 50c kids toy. There'd be Special 20's and maybe a Marine Band. If they just got stock in there might be a Blues Band. Now with the internet, you could spend days comparing products before you made a choice.

I am a beginner and i discover your channel which is very interesting for harmonica tips, and it's also a good thing to improve my english 🙂 Long life tonyour channel. Thanks a lot, from France.

My first harmonica was Hohner Blues Harp MS in G -wood. My second is Hohner Special 20 in C - plastic. I love them both. Looking to get my third, Im thinking an A key is next, may stay with Hohner. Nickel issue too, so thank you for this video.

Very informative as usual well done. I bought the origins after seeing your first arkia video. I also have special 20s which I'm learning on and is easier as the holes are slightly bigger. The arkia beats it on sound in my opinion

Terrific breakdown of the instruments. My only two cents is that I like Kongsheng Bluebird

Lee Oskar and Seydel are my favorites because they are the sounds of Brooke, Haley, S1-S4 Peyton, and 1967-68 Judy Robinson and also the sounds of 70s -80s

Man! Great video, as always. You don't like Session Steels and I love it 😅

Easttops are my go-tos. Responsive, bendable, warm tone. Too bad more people don't endorse them.

I’ll be getting that master class next paycheck!!

I am still playing my cheap harmonica, Hohner Silverstar key of A. I hv just got Hohner chromonica but not in playable condition. Still working on it to bring it back to life.

Informative, concise reviews. Thanks. On question about the Rocket. I believe they use the same reed plates as the SP20 so any Improvement over the SP20 comes down to the comb and/or cover plates. Can you determine more precisely what that improvement is? Does the redesigned direct the air flow more efficiently, or does it just make you play better because of the round holes for example?

Hi Jonah Fox. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with harmonicas. Your demo playing is very nice to listen to. When you first started playing harmonica, did you play along to some albums or cds of musicians you admired such as the blues harmonica players.

Thanks for your top ten tour! What do you think of the Hohner Meisterklasse? I have a pre-MS version. Still struggling with bending though. Draw one responds best but sounds a bit like a Db-fart.

I like the Hohner Rocket.

I like what he said about sometimes that extra bit of cash being necessary. I don’t know much about harmonicas yet but I know a lil somethin bout guns and horses and you can buy a cheap gun and it’ll do the job, but if it’s uncomfortable you won’t carry it often or shoot it well. When it comes to horses you can spend $5,000 and get a decent ranch horse that sometimes acts up and can’t always be trusted, but for another $5,000 you can get a very good rope horse that you can ranch on effortlessly and don’t have to worry about ever😂. Sometimes it’s best to splurge a little (as long as you’re in a situation where you can) because it will encourage you to do better and be better.

I just bought a Special 20 in A key today n I like it. The sound is sexy n price wise its cheaper.

I just got me some sydel blues steel sessions so far my favorite

Seydel Wilde tuned harps are fun! They’re expensive but worth it

I love Tombo aero reed harmonica!

Great video! You got me turned on to the rocket amp and I’ll be looking for a crossover next. I had a question about where you source your backing tracks and if they are free?

Hey Jonah, thanks for the video. I have no idea about harmonica playing, but really want to start. I can play a few songs, but not well. I like the Kongshen Mars, looks really cool 👍🏼 Anyway, I was hoping to find some links in the video description, but I don't see anything. No big deal, but I thought I'd let you know since you mentioned it in your video. Cheers mate!

I love the Kongsheng! 😎

Good video. I've been playing about 6 years, tried several different harps and found the special 20 my favourite although i haven't tried a crossover. Interestingly, last year i bought 2 session steels, thinking they would be excellent. I don't like them either.

Still like the Hohner Big Rivers - slightly larger for bigger hands!

Jonah: Another great video! One harmonica that you did not mention here, but you did in your "Blues Harp Success" course, was the Kongsheng Baby Fats ($25US). The Baby Fats only have 7 holes (missing the higher octave) but they are amazing; super light/super sound that can fill a room/fits in your pocket. I love those little suckers and they come in Standard Richter, Paddy Richter, Country, or Natural Minor tunings. Your choice of tuning, but only offered in G, A, Bb, C, D, F keys. On the higher end of the price spectrum is another one you did not mention: Yonberg (made in France, like the Arkia). For those of us with full beards, Yonbergs are designed so that you will never get your beard hairs yanked out by the root (like on the 1847 Seydel), the sound rivals the Seydels (which I consider to be the best sounding harps), the design easily fits in your hand, and there are only three screws, so you can take them apart in less than 30 seconds. Best designed harp of any of them, but really expensive, especially for the Titanium version, which is incredibly light (2 ounces), but costs $175US. For bending and doing overblows, NOTHING compares to the Arkia Signature. Nothing. I am just a beginning player, but had never been able to do an overblow until I got an Arkia. I was able to do overblows right out of the box. Overall, I highly recommend those Kongsheng Baby Fats for anyone who wants to have a harp they can just put in their pocket. You will have so much fun with those little suckers that you will find yourself playing them all the time. Cheers.

Very well explained. Thank you. Do you also take classes ?

Where would I buy the ARKIA Origin diatonic harmonica in USA?

Very informative vid. I personally would rate the Manji a lot higher especially the lower key harp Try the Low F for a great instrument. Also dont experience the turning issues you mention. Other than than agree.

My favourites are MB deluxe #1, #2 crossover, #3 special 20 & #4 rocket

I picked up Lee Oskar just because I wanted my F# to be one octave down and it was the easiest to find (cheapest too, nowhere else are you getting a Low Harp under $60). But, after having 2 Special 20s that went flat in 6 weeks (I'm blaming the defect on Guitar Center's clearance rack where I bought them from), I replaced the G key that went bad with a Lee Oskar. I really prefer wood combs but Lee Oskar Harps are slightly cheaper and I'm finding them to be very reliable.

Lee Oscar pulls my mustache hair out lol

Kind of surprised not seeing the marine band on this list.

Hey what harmonicas would you recommend for a 6 year old music prodigy that can play all key signatures keys on the piano and has perfect pitch hearing? he is 3ft and 1/2 in height, thank you! Please recommend a separate harmonica for classical music as well.

Curious if you've tried the Suzuki Hammond at all. My beard and mustache don't get caught in the plates like others and the sound is great (my opinion).

Hey Jonah! You ever try one of those Yonberg Titanium harps from France?

I’ve heard negative things about Lee Oskars. Also when I first got my manjis I hated them. Not very responsive and the holes are bigger than on hohners. They are also not forgiving if your embouchure isn’t perfect. That said I love the tone and how it feels in your hand. I’m thinking of grabbing a couple rockets or crossovers and I may splurge for a yonberg or ARKIA. Out of the 2 last harps which would you get Jonah?

As far as the suzuki I like the olive and blues master best because thee is no beard catchers corners

There are a number of Easttop models, most with smoother edges and recessed plates.

I've been playing Oscars for over 30 years... they've never let me down... but thanks... I've others to check out... great vid.

When I was in about 3rd or 4th grade (maybe 50 years ago), I really wanted a harmonica. My dad gave me a cheap one and said if I could learn to play "mary had a little lamb" on it, he'd buy me a good one. I did and he bought me a Hohner Marine Band 12 hole. It's always been special to me, I even made a little case for it. I've pulled it out recently, thinking it'd be nice to record some simple songs for my granddaughter. The top notes don't sound great, is that because its old? Hasn't been played in a long, long time! Are you supposed to clean old harmonicas? Is it possible? Btw, you play really good, it didn't seem real at first, when you did the demos!

Is the Suzuki Promaster not highly recommended?

East Top.. don't look further! (or: Conjurer, which might come from the same factory?)

Besides your number 1, do the other harps overblow out of the box?

But no reason starter Harpsters to own any more harps than a C, and A Marine Band Diatonic, or mid level East Top. Harp players these days are lucky to have the opportunities to learn, but in the past there were very few harp teachers around so you REALLY had to do it all yourself. Playing along with Blues records. But, it worked because eventually you would meet other harp players that were better, and learn from. Most everyone was playing Marine Bands. There were a few other harps around, but things were pretty simple back then. And, hey if Marine Bandd were good enough for the Sonny Boys, Charley McCoy, and Paul Butterfield they sure as hell worked for the rest of us. I love different harps. I'm just saying you only need a couple when you're starting out until the time you begin playing with other people. Then you need to get more keys of Harps. In my opinion it's up to people like professional players like us to help these starting out players understand they just need to keep it simple: Buy a C, and A harp, start playing, find a teacher saving time. Forget about any other harps, and equipment. I know people out there that are trying to "buy" to get good. It ain't gonna happen. We as teachers need to stress that Jonah. There is no substitute for hard work in learning how not only too play it, but sound good on it. Because most players don't that think they are. Not to say you can still have fun with it at any level. it's just such a hard instrument to really get that fat blue sound if that's what you're chasing. Much less everything else you can do on a harp. Or, can't do. As you've said the Harp is not like any other instrument. It's almost like an extension of ourselves, or our voice. It's that personall. Dirty Pat Walsh says about the Harp 'It's the people's instrument." In the way a beginner can pick up a harp, and play relatively easy folk folk songs, or others in a major key. Hohner used to include in the instructions, when you bought a harp, using arrows several easy to play songs like "Oh, Susana," "Shenandoah,' songs like that. Too bad they stopped. But, no matter what it's still the "People's Instrument." 50 years ago when I could play nothing I still loved my 5 dollar Marine Band sticking it in my pocket, then taking it out when I was waiting around for someone, play it 10 minutes. put it back into my pocket. Didnt need all the "extras" Still keep it simple today.

How hard can it be to have the key of each harp printed in the largest possible font and contrasting colour on the top cover plate? How many harp players mark their own in this way?

Lee Oscar's have the beard catcher I don't like otherwise spot on

I love a hARP with circular holes

I hear you talk about sharp corners various on harmonicas. Is it really a problem to file/sand the corners yourself? This type of finishing (or lack thereof) is what contributes a lot to the final price of any instrument. If you can get a good instrument and save a fair amount of money and then do the hand finishing yourself, is it really a problem?

There is a French brand of harmonicas "Yonberg", which launched a harmonica with titanium reeds on the market, you can hear it well in the videos. Any comments from you?

I'll stick with my marine bands . Just love the classic sounds.

East Top! Or: Conjurer.. from the same factory?

What are the odds of this video randomly popping up the day I wrote on my list - Buy Harmonica.. Thanks brother

The hohner golden melody has a star shaped screw that takes a special tool to open. It's quite small and I think unnecessary. Why not use the more common flat head or Philips? And once inside takes a different screwdriver size😮

Anybody here try those harmo polar harmonicas? If so are they any good

What key is they sexual 1847 that he’s playing?

Are all of the Harmonicas you are playing all in the Key of C ?

Wow, the Easttops are up to $25 now?

Suzuki Promaster. End of discussion lol. Infreakingcredible harp.

Are all Kongshengs,, made of nickel?

I think Arkia might sound good, but it sounds like a valved harmonica. There is less clarity in volume. I like the opposite.

Special 20?

Curiously, why would you say you only need "one harp"? Really, Jonah? Just one?

You sound a little off on all your demo;s. Any reason for this?

Bamboo IS wood.

We have 200 harmonicas and we can't play any of them.

He doesn't experience the beard pulling because he has a neckbeard.

You only need 1 harmonica? That is rather limiting.

Bro stop lookin when u play

Lee Oscars should not be on this list .they are crap!

The easttop sounds terrible...

Easttop harps are crap