Hohner Reedplates

Advantages: plastic comb, easy to play, good for beginners and intermediates
Disadvantages: range of sound

...The Hohner Special 20 - in key C because that's the key most playing is done in, on diatonic harmonicas - is a great harmonica for both beginners and intermediates. It's easy to play because of the plastic comb (the bit in between the harmonica's two metal plates), and the holes are well-spaced and large, so it's hard to go too wrong if you're not used to playing - this is unlike other harmonicas such as the Pro Harp which have more closely spaced holes from which it is harder to achieve single notes. On to the more technical details....well, Hohner is arguably the number 1 in harmonicas and provides the best quality models around. The Special 20 in C comes with good-looking metal plates, and since the reeds are within the comb and within the harmonica, there is no reed-plate edge to annoy the lips when playing. This harmonica... Read review

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Advantages: Well made, low priced
Disadvantages: None apart from age.

...I'm often asked where a good cheap set of drums can be acquired, usually with the same response, Dunno! Just kidding. What I normally tell people is to look out for a Hohner lite set, as in general they are pretty good and quite easy to pick up cheaply as they are now relatively old, but the age is of no consequence. Unlike most cheap kits the Lite LE ain't half bad, I've actually go a set myself. The standard set consists of 5 drums. Bass - Floor Tom - Twin Toms - Snare. Any cymbals or other add-ons are just that, Separate add-ons. But that don't kill the kit as most second hand sets come with hi-hats and a splash or two, often with no extra cost so the kit becomes an even better bargain. As said it's a basic 5 piece, and these are of a good solid design that look the part with a laminated coating and nice bright chrome... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap and Brilliant Investment
Disadvantages: Just a 1-piece

...♫♫♫ Take a one-foot length of plastic with a few holes drilled down the front, give it to your kids and sit back while they amuse themselves for about 5 years. Sound too good to be true? Sounds like a Recorder! ♫♫♫ This Ciao category encompasses a wide range of recorders on offer from Hohner, who actually produce a model to suit every pocket. But being a normalish kind of person I own only one kind myself, so that’s the one I’ll be reviewing. My little model is a plastic Descant with Baroque fingering (i.e. standard) and comes in one piece in a lovely shade of lemon. I’ve had it a very, very long time indeed, (about 30 years in fact), so I checked up on the Hohner website before launching into this review to see whether they still make the same model, and they do! It’s exactly the same; same... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful