Hohner Special 20 Marine Band and Progressive Series Reed Plate Compatibility
As I mentioned in a previous post, there exist two versions of the Hohner Special 20 – the older Marine Band series harp and the Progressive series model. This can make things slightly confusing when purchasing replacement reed plates, as there are differences that hinder compatibility.
How do I Know Which Special 20 I Own?
This question is pretty easy to answer – if it has ‘Marine Band’ embossed on the top cover plate, as in the picture below, it’s the older style Marine Band Special 20.
If it has “Progressive’ embossed on the top cover plates then it’s the newer – you guessed it! – Progressive Series model.
What’s the Big Difference?
The Special 20 was moved to the Progressive Series in 2015, and this did make sense; other Marine Band models featured wooden combs, whilst the Special 20 was always an outlier with its recessed reed plates and ABS comb. The only major revision to the harp that wasn’t purely cosmetic was the addition of extra holes to accommodate the Rocket with which it shares a reed plate design. Tone wise, you’d be hard pressed to tell the older and newer harmonicas apart.
Replacing Reed Plates
If you have the older model you can still use the new reed plates (in fact Hohner no longer manufactures Marine Band Special 20 reed plates) you just need the TM99200 screws, which you can order by dropping us an email.
Installation should be no harder than with any other reed plates and you’ll soon have your Marine Band Special 20 back to playing at its best!
JP
