Hohner Marine Band Crossover C

The Marine Band Crossover is a modified version of the Marine Band Deluxe. Other than the graphics on the covers and the type of bolts on the cover, there are two main differences:

1. The Crossover has a bamboo comb instead of a pearwood comb. The bamboo is lighter in weight, has a slightly smoother feel, and has a different color/appearance. I cannot say with any certainty if it is more or less airtight – they seem about the same to me, regarding airtightness. Contrary to popular myth, the comb material does not influence the sound. You could swap the combs between a Deluxe and a Crossover and you would hear zero difference in the sound. All in all, I like the bamboo comb, and the harp feels lighter. I guess using bamboo is also better for the environment.

2. The temperament, or “fine-tuning” is different. The Deluxe is set to 19-Limit Just Intonation, while the Crossover is set to Compromise Tuning. The main differences are in the reeds of 2-blow, 3-draw, 5-draw, 5-blow, 7-draw, and 8-blow: these six reeds are slightly (about 5 to 10 cents) flatter in the Deluxe, whereas in the Crossover they are nearly Equal Temperament. (The 5-draw reed has the biggest difference). What this means in practice, is that the Deluxe sounds slightly warmer and more bluesy/flat, with slightly richer chords. The Crossover has a slightly brighter sound, and the chords sound a little less bluesy. The difference is very subtle, and most people cannot hear it. However, if you are playing in a band with other instruments, the Crossover can sound more “in tune” with the band. Whereas the Deluxe can sometimes sound just a tiny bit flat compared with the other instruments (particularly when you hit that 5-draw note). The difference is extremely subtle. But sometimes I can notice it, especially when playing together with horns.

Otherwise, the Crossover is a high-quality instrument and a joy to play. It projects loudly, with a rich and expressive tone. Having brass reeds, its lifespan is similar to most other Hohner harmonicas (in my experience, they start to drift out of tune after a couple years of intensive use). Also, the bamboo comb tends to accumulate greenish stains from the brass more easily than pearwood. This is easily removed using extra-fine sandpaper.

I prefer the Compromise Tuning of the Crossover and I also prefer the bamboo comb. However, the price difference between the Deluxe and Crossover is hard to justify. The Crossover seems a little bit over-priced, for what it is. (especially If you are building a full set of 12 keys).

Que dire d'autre que WoW !
Le must de l'harmonica diatonique enfin réalisé et à la portée de tous !
Je suis harmoniciste professionnel, j'ai joué sur bien des modèles jusqu'à ce que je m'arrête sur le Blues harp MS, décu de ne pouvoir être bien sur le Marine Band traditionnel, qui, à l'époque, avait une finition trop bâclé à mon goût (au niveau des lames je précise).
j'ai besoin d'un instrument qui réponde parfaitement à mon jeu : à la fois très acoustique mais capable de générer une saturation naturelle, ce qui caractérise mon style. De plus, n'étant pas un "gros souffleur" comme on dit dan le jargon de la profession, il me fallait un instrument souple mais, joueur de blues, il me fallait le son incisif du Marine Band sans sa rigidité ! Pari réussi, merci Hohner !
Un détail très important aussi à mes yeux, c'est le matériau utilisé : le bambou !
Deux raisons à cela :
Je n'aime jouer que sur du bois (même si parfois j'utilise des sommiers plastiques comme le "spécial 20" qui est lui aussi une petite merveille).
Vu le nombre d'harmonicas que je transporte dans ma valise, (au minimum 30) ça fait vite du poids ! Hors, grâce au bambou, le poids est réduit au 2/3 !!!
La prise en bouche est un régal, ça glisse tout seul !
Et question prix, grâce à Thomann, il est vraiment abordable ! Merci !!!