Hohner Marine Band 1896 Harmonica in the Key of C Natural Minor

Patented in 1896 and barely altered since, this diatonic harmonica in C Natural Minor remains the reference point for blues tone and traditional construction. The Marine Band 1896 employs a double–lacquered pearwood comb sealed with two layers of clear lacquer to minimise swelling from moisture, while reed plates and covers are affixed with nails rather than screws. This assembly method, combined with curved covers featuring side vents, delivers the characteristic sound that defined early 20th–century American blues and continues to shape the instrument's voice today.

The comb construction uses pearwood treated with dual lacquer coats for humidity resistance without sacrificing the warm acoustic properties of the timber. Twenty brass reeds are mounted on 0.9mm brass reed plates with a brass surface finish, tuned to C Natural Minor across ten holes. Traditional nail fastening secures both the reed plates and the curved cover plates, maintaining the original design's mechanical approach. A modern snapcase replaces vintage packaging while protecting the instrument between sessions.

Originally designed for European folk music, the Marine Band became the defining voice of Depression–era blues and remains the choice for players seeking authentic traditional tone. The C Natural Minor tuning provides immediate access to minor–key melodies and blues scales without bending techniques, making certain musical phrases fall naturally under the breath. Side vents in the covers contribute to projection and timbre, characteristics embedded in countless recordings from juke joints to modern blues revival acts.

Features

• Diatonic harmonica tuned to C Natural Minor for blues and folk
• Double–lacquered pearwood comb with two clear protective coats
• Twenty brass reeds on 0.9mm thick brass reed plates
• Traditional nail assembly for reed plates and cover attachment
• Curved cover plates with side vents for classic projection
• Ten–hole configuration with brass surface finish on plates
• Design unchanged since 1896 patent for authentic historical tone
• Includes modern plastic snapcase for transport and storage