Hola everybody! Today I will share a review about what grew to become one of my favorite harmonicas of all time, and at some points it was the harmonica that I used the most. The Hohner Blues Harp is one of Hohner’s top models at the category that 90% of the harmonicas in the world belong to – the price range of 5-40$, and specifically at the upper part of this price range with an average price tag of 35$.

It is handmade in Germany, and you can pretty much say that it’s a jacked up version of the beloved, #1 best-selling Hohner model – the Marine Band. As far as my researches showed me, the Blues Harp is basically the same harmonica as the Marine Band but in a more robust metal package. It does feel like it, but the bigger and more robust case does give it a more solid feel in your hands – which I believe just makes the harmonica more satisfying and fun to play.

I have the Blues Harp in the keys of E, F, G, and I also played Blues Harps in the key of C before. Let’s begin:

Very similar to the Marine Band but with a different look and feel. How does it play? See the video at the bottom.

Hohner Blues Harp – Pros:

• Feels great in your hands: The Blues Harp belongs to the category of harmonicas that I like to call “satisfyingly heavy”. It’s made strictly from metal and brass and feels like a premium product and not like a lightweight, cheapo toy.
• Sound: The Blues Harps have a BIG sound that projects beautifully across a room with a powerful volume, and it feels very controllable both with multi notes and single notes. Here is a live example of me playing the song Knockin’ on Heaven’s Doors with the Blues Harp both on single and multi notes.
• Durability: As a result of how it’s built, the Blues Harp can take a lot of beating while still lasting like new. It does not have the thin upper and lower cover plates that the Marine Band has – which make them prone to dents when traveling and not being very careful about storing them in the case. I traveled a lot with Blues Harps and all of them still play and feel almost like new which is a huge plus.
• Bending: If you are into blues and bending – this one is the easiest harmonica to bend that I played. Both out-of-the-box but especially after you do some basic modding like tightening the space between the reeds and the comb. The bends also feel very precise and controllable.
• Looks: I think that as simple as it is, it’s one of the best looking Hohner models. There’s nothing fancy about it, but it just looks muscular and expensive with the big, square-edged and decorated metal casings.
• Hard shell case: It comes with a hard shell case, and while it’s not on the fancy side like Suzuki harmonicas at this price range usually have, it defiantly does the job. This case is better and stronger than the case that comes with the Marine Band. (some would argue that it’s less attractive, but that’s not the real point of a case anyway…)

The supplied hard shell case

Hohner Blues Harp – Cons:

Honestly, it’s hard for me to find any cons here, because I think that’s how a harmonica should be like. If you never played diatonics that cost 100$ and north of that, then you would not know harmonicas can get any better. one con I do have though:

• The G Blues Harp came a little bit slow to respond out of the box. I am not sure if it’s mine that was a lemon, because usually G harmonicas, as the lowest tuned harmonicas, tend to not be as fast to respond and feel “heavier” to play. However, my G harp did benefit a lot from tightening the airspace – and I recommend you do the same if yours does not feel a breeze to play. It takes less than 20 minutes and you’ll get a “turbo harmonica” in return.

Final Verdict: 9

A look from the back on the tough casings. Unlike the Marine Band, here we have 2 “support” plugs in the thirds of the body. That makes it more durable. It’s great if you plan on giving your harmonica some hard times on the travels.

That’s it. I highly recommend either the Marine Band or the Blues Harp as a first harmonica. In the key of C they both feel very responsive and fun to play, they are the best bang for the buck, and they will last a very long time.

Enjoy your harmonica journeys.

Note: I am not endorsed by any specific harmonica company. These reviews are strictly based on my own experience and opinions.

Click to get the best deal on the Blues Harp through Amazon. If it’s your first harp – get it in the key of C.

Watch the video review with some video examples on my YouTube channel:

See me playing a full Knockin’ on Heaven’s Doors cover on the Blues Harp:

Alon Cooper

Hey! My name's Cooper, I'm 28 and I'm a musician based in Tel Aviv, working with other artists as a harmonica player, guitarist and pianist. In the last few years, I traveled through four continents while performing and teaching music, and I also run the blog GuitarSongsMasters.com - one of the world's top five most-read guitar blogs. I hope to be helpful to you on your harmonica journeys. Cheers! Join 4700+ Successful Harmonica Jamz students - Play any Song and Jam with Other Musicians