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Hohner’s collaboration with Bob Dylan naturally led to the development of a next-generation harmonica. “This new harmonica has an enhanced sonic versatility and produces both uncharacteristically warm tones while also achieving a brilliance or ‘brightness’ that allows musicians to more freely express themselves,” stated Scott Emmerman, Director of Marketing and Sales for Hohner, Inc., “It was not easy to achieve the standard that Bob Dylan represents. Among other things, we gold-plated the reed plate in order to achieve the specific sonic requirements.” The new harmonica is appropriately named the Bob Dylan Signature Series. It features custom cover-plates bearing Dylan’s signature, a carrying case embossed with Dylan’s “Eye” logo, and an outer gift box featuring an exclusive picture of Dylan in the inside cover.
BOB DYLAN SIGNATURE SERIES
10 holes/20 reeds, gold plated 0.9 mm brass reed plates.
Key: C
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Click here to see other Bob Dylan Signature and Hand Signed series instruments.
Hohner John Lennon Signature Series harmonica.
Cover plate design of the John Lennon Signature series harmonica.
Hohner has had a long relationship with John Lennon and The Beatles, dating right back to the early days of Beatlemania. Now, by special arrangement with the John Lennon estate, Hohner presents a limited edition John Lennon Signature Series harmonica. The instrument features reproductions of John's signature and 5-colour self-portrait on a specially engraved white cover plate. It also features a transparent acrylic comb, screwed construction throughout and MS style reed-plates. Available in the key of C only.
HOHNER JOHN LENNON SIGNATURE SERIES HARMONICA |
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| 15-M2012xxx | Hohner John Lennon signature series harmonica, perspex comb, custom cover plates, limited edition released in co-operation with the John Lennon estate | C |
$TBA |
For the first time in Hohner's 157-year history this harmonica will feature white cover-plates and the Hohner name written in a rainbow of colours instead of the traditional red or black fonts. It continues the tradition of specially constructed Signature series instruments, and is ideal for players, collectors, hobbyists and fans alike.
See below for the full story of the development of the John Lennon model...
Historical photos of early Hohner Beatles harmonicas (NB NO LONGER AVAILABLE). Two versions were apparently made, one with a colour photo on the coverplates as above right, and another with the same photo on the cardboard box as above left and below. The keen observer will notice that George's autograph has been put with Paul's photo and vice versa. Must have been the moptop hair cuts and collar-less suits that confused someone in Hohner's art department. They all look the same to me....
Once this error was picked up in the USA, the harmonicas were withdrawn from sale and the packaging and artwork were destroyed. This was not before a few escaped into the market, and mint condition examples of these are going for rather more than the original $2.98 price tag (we saw one in the blister pack advertised for $2,900.00 USD) - don't worry, we are hoping that the John Lennon model will retail for under $99 once stock arrives (dependant on exchange rates, etc).
Did I already mention that these Beatles harmonicas are no longer available? Just checking...
Hohner's sales pitch to the American music retailers of the time...
Skip forward 46 years to 2010: Scott Emmerman from Hohner USA finds the original contracts and paperwork for the 1964 Beatles model in a file and decides that the time is right for another try at honouring John Lennon's contributions to the on-going popularity of the harmonica. After many calls to Apple Records and not much progress, the John Lennon Estate and Yoko Ono, who had heard about Emmerman's idea, contacted him through the LiveNation merchandising company (which handles the Beatles' merchandising in the USA).
Yoko Ono, an internationally celebrated visual artist in her own right, was very keen to get the project going, and over the next two years was involved in every aspect of the design and production of this model. The result is a harmonica that players will love and a truly beautiful object that combines the spirit of John and Yoko's artistic endeavours with the expertise of Hohner's production and manufacturing techniques.
"Our goal is to celebrate the icons of the music industry who loved and played our instruments in their most important music" says Emmerman. "Our company is 157 years old and we're very fortunate to have a long legacy of associations with artists of this calibre."
Larry Adler (1914 - 2001) was widely regarded as the greatest classical harmonica virtuoso of his time, and had many major works including several concerti written for him. He left numerous recordings of these and other works. His association with the Hohner company was long-standing, and he helped to develop many improvements to the chromatic harmonica. For more info, click here.
15-62650 Larry Adler 12, Pearwood comb, embossed stainless steel cover plates, length 15.5 cm, stainless steel slide and button, stainless steel mouthpiece with square holes, 12 holes/48 reeds, 1.05 mm brass reed plates.
15-62660 Larry Adler 16, Plastic comb, embossed stainless steel cover plates, length 18.4 cm, stainless steel slide and button, stainless steel mouthpiece with square holes, 16 holes/64 reeds, 1.05 mm brass reed plates.
HOHNER LARRY ADLER SERIES |
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| 15-62650 | 7534/48/C LARRY ADLER PROFESSIONAL 12-HOLE HARMONICA | C |
$259.00 |
| 15-62660 | 7574/64/C LARRY ADLER PROFESSIONAL 16-HOLE HARMONICA | C |
$368.00 |
Larry Adler in a rare film appearance, proving that girls love men with harps (not to mention uniforms).
Steven Tyler Signature Series
“Aerosmith” front-man Steven Tyler cooperated closely with Hohner in designing this special harp to satisfy his exacting requirements. It features premium reed plates (otherwise used only in the Meisterklasse model), a specially inscribed MS wooden comb and black laser printed covers. The Steven Tyler Signatrue Series harp is delivered in a attractive high-quality case.
A “must” for every Aerosmith fan!
Doussie wood comb, black Greblon coated cover plates with laser engraving, length 10 cm, 10 holes/20 reeds,
nickel-plated 1.05 mm brass reed plates, with leopard skin pattern box and silver enscribed case. Richter Tuning
Key: A
STEVEN TYLER SIGNATURE SERIES HARMONICA |
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| 15-M91881 | STEVEN TYLER SIGNATURE SERIES | A |
$199.95 |
This series was developed in cooperation with Jean "Toots" Thielemans, the grand old man of jazz harmonica. Toots recommends the Mellow Tone with standard-thickness reed plates for ballads or classical pieces, and the Hard Bopper with thicker reed plates for more up tempo or brighter contemporary material. For more info on Toots, click here.
15-62710 Toots Mellow Tone, Pearwood comb, length 15.5 cm, specially embossed stainless steel cover plates,
stainless steel slide, button and mouthpiece, 12 holes/48 reeds, 1.05 mm brass reed plates
15-62710 Toots Hard Bopper, Pearwood comb, length 15.5 cm, specially embossed stainless steel cover plates,
stainless steel slide, button and mouthpiece, 12 holes/48 reeds, 1.2 mm brass reed plates
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