Hohner 560 20 Special 20 Harmonica (Assorted Keys)
A smooth "comfortable" feeling harmonica with genuine brass plates recessed in a plastic body. The Special 20 is an exceptionally warm-sounding airtight instrument with bolted on covers that comes in a hinged plastic case.
Due to health regulations this item may not be returned.
Comments about Hohner 560 20 Special 20 Harmonica (Assorted Keys):
the best
2/19/2010
4.0
A Gold Standard
By Mike T
from Garden Grove, CA
About Me Experienced
Pros
Easy Bends
Rich Sound
Warm Tone
Cons
Flat Sound
Inconsistent
Sharp Comb Edges
Best Uses
Blues
Rock
Comments about Hohner 560 20 Special 20 Harmonica (Assorted Keys):
The SP20 is one of the gold standards in diatonic harmonicas, but they tend to have quality check issues coming out of the factory. Often you'll buy one out of the box that has flat notes, or gets flat very quickly. The latest one I bought was like this, and when I took it apart to tune and gap it, the draw reed plate was discolored! And the cover plates were put on slightly crooked too. Jeesh.
But hey, I still love the sound and tone, so I come back for more. Also note that the SP20 isn't as durable as the Lee Oskar (another gold standard), so you might find yourself replacing your SP20 more often.
A big issue many have with the SP20 is the sharp comb edges. This becomes a pain when you're playing the 1 and 10 holes. Handy players will usually round out those edges with their tools.
Lastly, something to consider is the tuning. The SP20 is JI/compromised tuned, while the Lee Oskar and Golden Melody are ET tuned. This does make a difference, so try out both. People generally say that JI strikes a good balance between single note lines and chords, while ET is mainly good for single note lines.
7/27/2008
(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
5.0
Nothing else like the special 20
By Mickey D
from Glassboro,NJ
About Me Professional Musician
Pros
Best harp I ever owned
Consistent
Easy To Play
Quality Craftsmanship
Rich Sound
They last forever
Warm Tone
Cons
None
Best Uses
Blues rock
Comments about Hohner 560 20 Special 20 Harmonica (Assorted Keys):
This harp has never let me down. I have tried so many different brands and models. None play as easy and sound so consistentley good all the time. They play smooth so breathing through them is no effort. I've been playing for about 40 years now so they are all I buy anymore.
4/6/2007
(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
5.0
Great Blues Harp
By Island Jammer
from Kane, PA
Pros
Good Feel
Good Tone
Cons
Best Uses
Advanced Players
Beginners
Jamming
Performance
Comments about Hohner 560 20 Special 20 Harmonica (Assorted Keys):
Perfect Blues Harp. Suprisingly many professional blues musicians use this harmonica (John Popper from Blues Traveler, although not the best blues harp player, certainly one of the more famous). I learned on this harmonica, have tried others, and you just can't get the same tone or easy bending capabilities from other harmonicas. If you are looking for other styles of harmonica playing, wood might be the way to go, but for blues harp, this is the gold standard.
12/27/2006
(1 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
5.0
Got the 560 C Special 20 Harmonica AND..
By SSSUPERMAN[...]
from NEW YORK
Pros
Fun To Play
Good Feel
Good Pick Up
Good Tone
I PLAY KNOWING NOTHING
Cons
None
Best Uses
Advanced Players
Beginners
Jamming
Performance
Comments about Hohner 560 20 Special 20 Harmonica (Assorted Keys):
i know nothing about music and wanted something to play different notes without having to know anything. this did it. i just played alone along with christmas songs, salsa,kenny g sax songs, etc. BUT U BETTER AT LEAST KNOW HOW THE SONG GOES IN YOUR HEAD.
Hohner 560 20 Special 20 Harmonica (Assorted Keys)
Hohner harmonicas are warranted to be free from manufacturing defects and properly tuned at the time of purchase. Any instrument found to contain manufacturing defects or other noticeable imperfections will be, at Hohner's option, repaired or replaced at no charge providing the harmonica is shipped prepaid to the Hohner Service Center.