Sound differences between cheap and expensive harmonicas
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 27 сен 2024
- Interested in learning Irish music? / irishharmonica
www.jaharmonicas.com
This is a small description of what sound you get for you're money when buying a harmonica.
That 3 euro thing was probably the most objectionable sound I've heard since my tibia snapped in half.
oneill, I upvoted you for the funny remark, and NOT for having had your tibia snap in half ! I got hit by a car when I was 7 and broke my femur. That was not fun at all....
oneill hahaha 😄
Having also wrecked my tib/fib over music, I'm gonna have to steal this in real life!
😂😂😂😂
you all probably dont care at all but does someone know of a trick to get back into an Instagram account??
I stupidly forgot the account password. I appreciate any tricks you can give me.
Man...each one makes the previous sound like the cheapest one.
That was the most clear and scientific comparison I've ever heard. Really helped me hear the clear quality of sound characteristics of each harp. Can't imagine spending 320 euro for a harp, but it certainly sounded good.
I started with a EUR10 (AUD$16) Hohner Silver Star just to see if I wanted to play. Luckily, I upgraded fairly quickly and could not believe how much better a more expensive harp was. Everything seemed easy...including the impact on my ears. What I'd like to see is a video explaining the differences in manufacturing between a cheap piece of junk and a "good" harmonica.
Thank you so much I am just getting into harmonicas and that demonstration helped me so much!!
Best harp comparison ever. Thanks!
Brad Ferguson thank you 😊
The 32 ero is amazing
i have a really old one and a newer schilling one but my favorite is an all plastic 4 hole 2 note harmonica that i got from an arcade
Wow, that is comparing a kazoo to a bagpipe... I watched this vid because I am interested in getting an harmonica. Thank you so much for this.
Nice to see you put out a tune on the super cheap harp's (so often people make these video's, and try to make the low cost harp's sound even worse than they are).
That's because most of the really cheap ones ARE out of tune right from the factory, and poorly gapped etc...
WOW Amazing differences! I could here the differences in every one. Thanks man! Great video.
Thanks mate really great illustration of what you get at the different price points.
Amazing. With the amp you can make sound almost like a trumpet.
What a cool demo. Thanks!
It is called chicago blues sound and it is mostly obtained from the mic called bullet mic 😉
Great demo! The 3 Euro model is the best torture device invented. I have to put on ear plugs and play that thing for obnoxious neighbors when they play music too loud. Imagine that sound amplified 10 times! It will drive out cockroaches.
very informative
thanks
That was great, that is one beautiful reel to reel, mint condition. nice.
I have had some good times composing tunes around poor harps 🙃 Sometimes you have to take what life throws your way ... thankfully I wasnt hit with a Tuba. Nice comparison video Joel .. Thanks!
well done, thanks for clarified the difference in sound and mechanics.
Well, Please, SHOW US the NAMES/Brands, and Models of each of these instruments, Thank you!! Amazing just to hear the side by side comparisons! WOW!!!
Marine band is a name brand
Last three are all hohner marine bands but the last two are custom marine bands which means someone modified the classic ones to sound richer in sound and have better responsiveness as well and also be louder. They are used for live performances and studio recordings. If you want to start learning, classic marine band for 32$ is an excellent choice
@@projectx5154 while I love a marine band, after years of playing, I’d say an ABS comb harp is best for a beginner. The natural combs can be harsh on the mouth/lips when learning embouchure and new players always have an abundance of saliva lol
wow! It is the first time i think, someone take time to well explain it! I think you answered well to all my fans better than i! Bye! Guy Bélanger
RÉPONDRE
Guy Bélanger I’m glad you like it 😊
Was wondering why bending notes on my £3 harmonica was such a pain. I need an upgrade 😩
I'm glad that R7 is still rocking ;) Sounds great!
Thank you very much. Nice clean demo.
I’ve been playing for quite a while, and have several custom harps, but I have never even heard of a $320 harp. Zero chance it’s that much better than a standard custom for $120-$200
And next we explain the difference between a cheap and an advanced YT video.
The 3 euro one sounds like Darth Vader playing the harmonica. There's a reasonable harmonica sound in there somewhere but it's buried under a ton of breathiness.
Great demo !!!
Another thing that should deter you from buying a crap harmonica, that they break quickly.
Hohner Pro Harp
Shure Green Bullet
have you played a bulletini mic ? what amp you using ?
Ok, how are you getting that chord at the end of your riff? Sounds great....
3/4 draw double stop light breath control and vibrato "chokeing the air" ... :) ofc hes got good tone ....
thanks a lot for this!!
Honestly, my Suzuki Bluesmaster sounds better in my beginner's opinion... But very good video and big thank you!
really ... lol this is bate ofc ...
I was just thinkin the same about my suzuki bluesmasters! They play awsomely
i love the 6 euro ones coz i cant afford to buy the expensive marine bands
Cleveland Cavaliers same 😂
Then save up. You won't be able to learn essential techniques If you don't buy an at least decent harmonica
It would be worth your time and money to save up and buy a quality harmonica because nothing could be more frustrating than to try to learn to play a cheap one because the tone, responsiveness are just not there and they are more difficult to play. You quit in disappointment thinking who can learn to play such a difficult instrument. The quality harmonica almost encourages you to continue and they are much more enjoyable. A quality harmonica is are tight and takes little effort to get a good sound. The cheap harmonica is so leaky they leave you gasping for breath.
That makes no sense. Like saying you cannot afford a car so you buy a rickshaw. The 3 Euro one is not a Harmonica. It is a torture device! Work harder and buy THE BEST only.
The amp manages to make the best instrument sound cheap. Excellent comparison. What I’ve found in any instrument is that a better one will make playing easier, more enjoyable & you spend more time on it. Then you get better, and can make a bad one sound good. If you get good enough, you will have bigger rooms, and your amp will make you sound like crap.
This video is great. My only complaint is there are a lot of harmonicas between 6euro and 30 euro, it would of been cool to review one of these. For example, an eastar harmonica
most of the 20 and up models will play out the box .... if you want something that will play loud and soft so you dont got to give it the beans ... the custom harps are worth every penny ... all holes play smooth from 1 to 10 all bends come with ease ( im not paid to say this or nothing but i know his work is good) ....
I can't hear the difference between last three harmonicas. Maybe I am stupid..?
The sound is so close that only a professional should bother spending the extra $$ (imo). The difference might be more apparent when playing something more intricate. (I'll stick with the Suzuki Bluesmaster and Hohner Special 20 [for I am a noob])
The difference is more notorious in the lower notes and the overall volume aswell.
420Kyle1620 anyone who takes the harmonica seriously should buy a custom harmonica, the sound from the harp is of course one difference but the biggest one is the response in bends, overblows and regular notes.
the difference is crystal clear to me. Not only are they louder as the price goes up but the sound is more clear.
@@irishharmonicaHoward Levy say he 'play[s] Hohner Harmonicas, some customized, some out of the box. My favorite models (in no particular order) are: Crossover, Marine Band Deluxe, Rocket, Golden Melody, Thunderbird, and Special 20.' Do you think maybe he's being influenced by a sponsorship deal?
Great video, well done on the consistency of the playing. I have some Lee Oscars, how are these considered in the Harmonica world?
They’re great harps for the money. Sometimes they need a bit of work adjusting the reed gapping to play perfectly, but they’re true workhorse harps. I love using them for gigs.
The hohner comet is a fun one
Excellent video, thanks!
What's a yuro compared to American dollars?
Seydel 1847 are the best in my opinion and cost around £65
Kevin Hughes then you haven't tried a custom harmonica from J.A. Harmonicas. That will change your mind 😊
jaharmonicas have you a website that I can look at and maybe order 1👍🏼
Kevin Hughes of course, www.jaharmonicas.com
jaharmonicas cheers Joel I've messages you on the website 👍🏼
Kevin, I don’t know jack about JA harps, but I switched from Hohners to Seydels last year. I use the Session Steels and the steel Noble 1847. The Seydels have a superior tone, build quality and air tightness over the Hohners. And, they last much longer. ...topping out at about 100 euro for the 1847 steel. ...325 euro?? That’s in the Chromatic price range. What does that harp do? Cook your breakfast?
I know that there's no point to customize a cheap harmonica (your work costs 300 eur and harmonica that you customize 30, no point to try and save 20 Euros here) but I wonder what could you make of an easttop 008k harmonica. Is it possible to customize it at all, will it get to a level of somewhat good harmonica etc. And how much could a beginning customizer realistically achieve. For me it would be great if was able to use $10 harmonicas as my first projects i suppose I'm gonna screw up a few times...
Nothing past the Marine Band justifies the cost. One man’s opinion.
3 euro one is excellent if you don't want to annoy your neighbours 😂
Hi,, nice video and it gives a useful informastion. Thanks for sharing. Just a big question comes in my mind. Is there any possibility that a cheaper harp could be adjusted , (By reed gapping or other mechanical works) so the sound would be morealike a higher quality (more expensive) harp.
Ps : sorry for my bad English.
😊😊😊
Could you please tell me about the little amp you are using? It sounds good!!
John Carroll it’s an old tape recorder from Norway called Tandberg
I liike how he doesnt say it sucks
How much do I have to pay for a harmonica that doesn't just play those same notes over and over?
Manji!!
Friend I have recently ordered Hohner 280 C. Your expert comments on that would be of immense value to me for it is yet to arrive
What brand is the 3 euro? Asthmatic in C? 😊
haha almost 🤪
nice comparison. Can the 300 euro be fixed if the reeds go and the 100 as well?
GrumpyMonk of course 😊
thx for the reply/ do you replace them or fix them yourself?
GrumpyMonk replace if they break and tune if they go out of tuning 😊 www.jaharmonicas.com
Great information, but to me every harmonica (except the 3 euro, which is real thrash) sounds horrible trough that microphone and Norvegian "amp".
I bought a 3 dollar one as a beginner maybe just me but I can't lip purse which sucks since when i try the only one that actually works is hole 1 and i need to blow really hard for a single note to sound and when I do lip purse the other holes produce sounds while drawing is easy I wish i have a decent one so I can start my harmonica journey hopefully I get to save up for a decent one (probably a fender or a hohner) lesson is don't waste your money on the cheap option welp ima practice with my 3 dollar one
Edit: is there a way to tell if a harmonica is functioning correctly?
So it means that Walter Horton used to play those 320€ harmonicas only?
He played hohner marine bands (the 32 euro one).
That €6 one doesn't sound to bad I'm only a beginner so I guess I can't speak from alota experience but I didn't mind the sound until it was compared to the Honer you can easily tell the difference in sound quality
well done! 325 euro does Sound Great.
It would help if you told us which harp names. Which brands.
he did...listen as he picks it up to play it, he tells you the brand.
I use Lee Oskars, since I'm a broke kid who only can get harps with birthday and Christmas money lol
Jake 3752 go for Suzuki's bluesmaster it's a big jump up for same price range
jlarrymore It's not the same price range though. I could almost get two Oskars for one of those
Jake 3752 suziki bluesmasters are in the $30 price range
Jake 3752
Nothin wrong with Lee Oskar harmonicas, Jake 3752. I had a few that lasted years and years blowin’ the blues. Real workhorses that sound great when played well. :)
@@jlarrymore I prefer the Suzuki Harp Masters for blues and they're slightly cheaper. I really don't like my Lee Oskar.
Thank you!
Sweet amp
Which harp is the 320 euro?
Hi there - what kind of amp is this? Name / Model etc Tx
Cool, could you tell me what you played to compare?
I know there's a difference but it seems as if is purposefully using bad technique
My basic Hohner ms blues harp sounds like your 125 euro. If not cleaner. Just saying.
Well youngins, most blues classics were played on a 3 euro, same with the guitar.....😉 (especially when they all started amping)
All those classical players have been customizing their harmonicas to make them playable, some where buying in bulk and choosing the right ones. True enough, they were customizing $3 harmonica, but look at aj works- harmonica before his work was worth 32 eur and after he was done with it- 300 eur.
They were 3€ but they sure weren't plastic toys
Good idea - but I’d have liked to hear how they work on melodies..... as opposed to a ‘blues type’ growl with too much gain; that was actually a painful experience..... but I managed to get to the end....
Baby toy you forgot :)
Sonny Boy Williams II preferred cheap harmonicas. Just sayin'
Hell no he didn't! Marine Bands all the way. Look up Junior Wells story about what happened when he showed up for a lesson with an American Ace.
wildeman 1 I could be wrong. I got that from a library book while doing research back in 1997.
The diff is minimal compared to the extra cost. Anyway the dude is amped up so what the heck! Tack i alla fall
luv2jive The difference is huge especially compared to the cost, compare the sound of a cheap Fiddle and an expensive one and then compare the price...
you really get what you pay for, huh
Man went from 6 euro to 32 euro...
few important notes
1. the 300 euros harmonica has ugly sound - no warmth rounded sound like in Chicago blues - it sounded very treble and edgy sound - not pleasant to the ears.
2. the 100$ sounds real good
3. with some little gaping work- approx 15 min i can make the 6$ harp sound & espond like the 30$ one ...
4. and IN 1 HOUR ILL MAKE the 30$ sound like the $100
5 . THE 300 EURO ONE ITS A JOKE - MUST HAVE GOLD COMB - FUNNY BUT THIS A TOTAL RIP OFF
you obviously are full of BS ! "with some little' gapping work- approx 15 min " I'm sure you'd make that 6 'euros' harp 'unplayable
🗨️😽
No your playing is bad on all of them I cannot hear a difference
if you don't hear the difference than you better spend €320 on an ear doctor. lol
I don’t know much about them just wanted to do a little looking around. Maybe get into a new hobby I’ve always love the souls that goes into them. I’m not gonna lie the 3 euro harmonica sounds good when you play it. It has a lot of character, the sounds just get cleaner and less raspy as the price increases. I honestly like the sounds of the less expensive ones than the more expensive ones, it gives the music more character/personality/soul
Damn, those expensive custom ones make classic marine band sound like a toy. And don't get me wrong, classic marine band is a pretty good harp
I will say especially through the amp ther is something about that classic marine band that the customs just don’t have .
Please stop torture us with the 3 euros one! Please !!!
I got pissed off same time as u did.
I have Suzuki Fabulous harmonica about 250 US Dollars and I hate the sound . Back to Special 20 :)
You can play one of those cheap ones for maybe an hour or two, but after that, the constant bending wears them out and they just become insufferable to listen to and play.
sounds like you did not tune the cheap ones. Now a days cheap china is surprisingly good, mind the tuning.
i think the whole point is to show a out the box harp how it sounds and plays next to his custom work ....
Listen……this guy even makes cheap harps sound good……thanks….very interesting
The 6 euro sounds nice for beginners
Yeah. Though you will still get a massive improvement if you buy 10-12 Euros easttop harmonica which is actually easily capable of doing bends.
Sonny Boy Williamson II preferred cheap harmonicas and he could play with no hands. Just sayin.'
Yeah i've heard that the marine band were cheap in the old days
and the Marine Band MS was nasty @@ilhamakbar5482
8 liked the 125€ best. The last one's sound is too piercing to me. Thank you!
Yes, you get what you pay for. There is a huge difference in sound quality and playability as you go up the price range. They are still ridiculously overpriced. Who makes these things? Nike?
Samn Dammett They are not overpriced, it’s quality. www.jaharmonicas.com
I totally want one. What does it cost to produce one of the highest end models?
I totally want one. What does it cost to produce one of the highest end models?
Go to www.jaharmonicas.com
The good ones are hand assembled and hand tuned in Germany.
You're doing Gods work! MVP
Would be nice if you tweeked the 3 uro then blew it.next question endurance before going out of tune. Hoho
Thank you Joel for putting together this video as it puts clarity into the differences of sound and breath necessary to get the sound that is trying to be achieved at what price point. I am finding that learning to bend on an inexpensive harp is literally sucking the life out of me.... I will tune it up, work on it and then when enough $$$ saved get a newer more efficient harp. Thanks again!
wow i lost two arms and broke my tibia and lost 3 fingers.
This guy is so good he makes the crappy harmonica sound good.
@DunnyDiver - I can do the opposite...
great video
Lots of choices between 6 & 32 euros; any good ones?
Just took an interest in harmonicas for strange reasons. Either way, great video, but for future. Please have a good set up of camera and microphone. I don't know if ur using mic from camera or not. But the quality of the sound could be much better. And even adjust it in software. There is no point in making a video for comparison when you can't experience the full quality. But either way im still new so I would have probably not heard a big difference either way.
The 3 euro sounds smokey and out of breath, it can be nice for effects
@Dan Didnot ..... really no amp surely you would want to be louder with softer play then blow like fuck and get out of breath ? ... thats no good for noone ... besides did you hear how airy that harp was ... its a toy you couldent do to much with it lol ....
The 32€ is not bad 🤔
A lot of the legendary blues players - including Little Walter and Paul Butterfield - played marine band harmonicas.
This one explains pretty well the differences. I understood much when I saw this one. And maybe bought my first customized harmonica
This is the best music equipment comparison ever...
Was the 320 euro ($352 US) a customized harp? I can't imagine paying that much for an off-the-shelf harp. I pay Suzuki Manji's. They have great response, but I do have to work harder than I'd like on the draw notes. I should mention that I'm mainly a trumpet player. I have good air on the "blow" notes but playing the horn doesn't help me at all on the draw notes. I'd like to get around the harp more easily. I know: practice, practice, practice, but still I'd like a few easier blowing harps. Thanks for the vid.
bixntram yes sir that is a custom harmonica: www.jaharmonicas.com
Practice yes, but if you practice on an instrument that does not respond as it should, then you could practice forever..
Marine one is awesome awesome classic for beginners