My son convinced me to try playing harmonica. I started with Hohner Marine Band Harmonica, Key of C, but not all the holes played (mostly #2). Next, I tried this model. It is better, but the draw on the 2 hole doesn't work either. I know they are not a lot of money, but the quality control on these instruments seems non-existent.
As a true beginner, I have these observations about the two (alas, neither of which I can recommend since neither plays all notes it's supposed to). The Lee Oskar is easier on the lips (and tongue, although I'm mostly still puckering and not really tongue blocking yet). I seem to have better luck hitting the single notes on the Hohner, although since more notes on the LO work, I practice with it more, so I am having almost the same success.
"Fantastic"
2009-10-05
- Reviewed By User: A2O8LY6K1JUKI3
My Lee Oskar Harmonica came quick and easy! I really like it a lot, thought i don't have much skills w/ it yet, it's a beautiful piece of work, thought i don't have much experience with many other types of harmonica i do like this one, thought the case for it seem a bit bulky, and rather difficult to pop open when you hands are cold, so store it elsewhere
"Sounds great!"
2009-06-06
- Reviewed By User: A1AVUZ9GM8GPM9
I am new to playing harmonica. This thing sounds great. I was surprised when I played it the first time.
I bought this and a Hohner Special 20 key of C harp to test them both out. This harp is a great harp, pretty much the exact same as the Hohner Special 20 in overall quality. "Feels" a little more airtight, brighter and louder than the hohner, but in side-by-side testing the effect is diminished.
The Hohner Special 20 just seems to have this little extra...expression to it. More life or something.
Both harps very bendable, etc. Real high quality.
As for the replaceable reed plates...Amazon has this harp marked down to about the $25 level. Reed plate replacements are about $19. Now I realize that at retail that's half the price of a RETAIL harp, but only $6 less than a "whole new harp" otherwise.
With this in mind, I would generally recommend beginners start with the Hohner Special 20. Just a slightly better or at least more fun-sounding and fun to play harp with a little more animation and expression available "free", in my opinion.
This is a great sounding harmonica and is very comfortable to play. I am a beginner harmonica player and have not tried other harmonicas in this price range, such as the Hohner Special 20, but this one is clearly superior to the low-end harmonica I have.
If you have a mustache, some harmonicas may occasionally catch and tug your mustache hairs, but this one won't.
"jfr02"
2009-03-26
- Reviewed By User: AUELW0D18M08Y
Really like this Lee Oskar harmonica. I like the sound better than the Hohner that I purchased.
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Expedited Available
"not quite right"
"Fantastic"
"Excellent - but not quite a Hohner"