Hohner Golden Melody Harmonica

Feature:
The most useful features of this model are it's smooth even airflow on every note. The cover plates are curved with no sharp corners and are sealed to the comb with no cracks or openings. The back of the harmonica cover plates have larger openings for more air flow and more volume for the harmonica.

Quality:
As far as I'm concerned I have yet to find another model that plays as well, lasts as long, and costs as little.

Value:
Well it's still a better deal than other harmonica models that are more expensive and not as good all around.

Desirability:
I think that a harmonica is pretty invisible to any one but the musician who is playing it at the time. Most of them look the same because they are constructed the same. There is not much difference in how they look as there is in how they play or sound. Another thing that adds to the sound of the harmonica is the type of microphone and amplifier you use with it.

Sound:
I've used the Golden Melody model for 34 years. I used to play the marine band for four or five years, but once I tried the Golden Melody I knew there was no comparison. The Golden Melody's were airtight and the comb was one solid piece. The Marine Band's leaked air in the reed chambers and the combs of the Marine Band were not sealed. The chamber divider walls would warp and even move. The Golden Melody's took the same amount of air pressure on every note. The Marine Bands were inconsistent. The covers on the Golden Melody's have no gaps on them the Marine Bands do. The Golden Melody's have bigger openings in the back of the harmonica for more airflow. The air chamber dividers are wider and the chambers are narrower just the opposite from most other Marine Band types harmonicas. Your playing will become more refined and accurate when you learn how to use it. You won't have to fight the instrument while you are trying to learn how to play. In playing it, there is less margin for error,in the product and the player.

Ease of Use:
Like any instrument you have to practice. The more you practice the more you learn and the better you get. No one becomes a master over night at anything.

Support:
I asked the company if they could make this model in minor keys and they stated that they already made other models in minor keys. I said I wasn't interested in other models. They said they have not had enough request to make Golden Melody's in minor keys. So my solution was to have a person I know who makes custom harmonicas make a set of Golden Melody's in minor keys for me.

Overall:
I am very satisfied with this model. The only thing that would make me have to change brands or models is if the price gets much more out of hand. In which case I will then have them custom made. At the current price it might not be very long before I have to do it. After all there aren't that many harmonica players I know of personally who are making an annual six figure income.

Feature:
I prefer plastic combs, but there are plenty of harmonicas avaailable which feature plastic combs. One unique feature, which places the Golden Melody high on my list, is the unusual pear shape, which is more comfortable to hold.

Quality:
I would be a lot more impressed if the Hohner replacement reeds could be used for the Golden Melody.

Value:
Hohner recently decided to raise the prices of the harmonicas. I'm very displeased and for that reason, will probably look into other brands.

Desirability:
Let's be realistic and honest about this. A harmonica is a small instrument, easily concealed when held while played. If played on a harmonica holder, it looks enough like any other harmonica that nobody would notice whether it was a model that is top-line model or one that is toy-priced. Could you rate the "sex appeal" of guitar picks?

Sound:
So far, I'm impressed with the sound. My Golden Melody harmonicas are currently used mainly for melodic playing style (1st position) at church. That doesn't mean that the Golden Melody is not suited for playing accompanyment styles (2nd position). I sometimes use my Goldent Melody harmonicas club gigs.

Ease of Use:
There was no manual or even the little instruction sheet, with the music of songs such as "On Top of Old Smokey." Fortunately, I already know how to play, so I can overlook this minor shortcoming.

Overall:
I hope that my Golden Melody won't wear out like one of my Special 20 harmonicas. Generally, I like the sound. I also like the shape, which is more comfortable to hold than the standard-shaped models. So-far, the Golden Melody is my favorite, but when I bought most of mine, the price was far more reasonable. As a serious player, I have harmonicas that are in different keys. What I like least about the Golden Melody is that the reeds are not replaceable, like the Pro-Harp and the other MS series harmonicas. I also think that the list price is ridiculous and that the current sale price is not much better.