Important Announcement

September 9, 2024

Effective immediately, I will not be accepting orders for Built-to-Order Custom Harmonicas until further notice.   As of this moment, I have enough orders on my bench to keep me busy for at least the next 5-6 months.  Given how busy my personal life and schedule will be for the rest of the year, it makes little sense to continue taking orders which will only push me further behind schedule. 

This will not affect orders for Custom Combs, Custom Covers, Tools, Logo Wear or Sonny Terry Estate items.  All that will be business as usual.  Orders for those products will be shipped immediately.  In addition, as we speak, I am in the process of adding some new products to my offerings.  New comb materials.  Exciting new colors.  A line of tools for doing harmonica repair and customization.

After I am caught up, I to offer more Ready-to-Go Custom Harmonicas.  I am not opposed to doing Built-to-Order Harps in the future, but I do think it will be on a much more limited basis than what I have done in the past.

My apologies if this catches you by surprise.  I am at a point in my life when it is time for me to make some adjustments in the way I do business.  It is time for me to draw a line in the sand and move forward.

Thank you for your understanding and your support.

Tom

Hohner Rocket – Low Tuned Keys
with Anodized Aluminum Comb

The Hohner Rocket is an upgraded version of the Special 20 which was introduced in 2014.  It features the same reed plates as the Special 20 with covers that are opened in the back and vented.  In 2016 Hohner started offering The Rocket in the low keys.  This was very much welcomed by the harmonica community due to the fact that when Hohner launched the Marine Band Thunderbird, they discontinued the low keys in all other models (the Marine Band 1896, Special 20, MS-Series and Golden Melody). 

This harmonica is available in the keys of low F, low, E, low Eb, Low D and low C.  It is available with your choice of Corian, Anodized Aluminum, Fancy Acrylic or Brass Combs.  And the set-up and tuning can be customized according to your preferences.

The Standard Set-up for our harmonicas is a "Blues Set-up".  These harmonicas are designed for playing Traditional Blues, Rock, Country, Gospel and Folk music.  They feature the following upgrades:

• Installation of a Custom Blue Moon Comb
• Draw Plate flat sanded
• Gaps adjusted for optimum response
• Reed profiles checked and shaped if necessary
• Tuned to Modern Compromise Temperament @ A=442Hz (alternate tunings available upon request)

Our Standard Blues Set-up is the harmonica of choice for most players.  These harps are airtight, responsive, in tune, very comfortable in your hands and on your lips and tongue.  Although we don't promote them as "Overblow Harps", it very easy to Overblow the 4, 5 and 6 on these harps (assuming you know how to overblow).  If you want a full blown custom harp that can be played chromatically by use of Overblows and Overdraws, this will require an extensive amount of additional reed work and customization. Consequently, there is an additional charge to produce such a harmonica.  In addition, we offer a number of alternate tunings, some which do not carry an additional charge and some of which do.

Custom Set-up and Tuning Options:

• Equal Temperament (No Additional Charge)
• 19-Limit Just Intonation (No Additional Charge)
• 7-Limit Just Intonation Tuning (No Additional Charge)
• Country Tuning ($5.00 Additional Charge)
• Paddy Richter Tuning ($5.00 Additional Charge)
• Natural Minor Tuning ($20.00 Additional Charge)
• Harmonic Minor Tuning ($20.00 Additional Charge)
• Overblow/Overdraw Full Chromatic Set-up ($50.00 Additional Charge) (Extensive Reed Work to facilitation Overblows on holes 4, 5 and 6 and Overdraws on holes 7, 8, 9 and 10 which enable the harmonica to be played Chromatically)

Please note that the turnaround time on Custom Harmonicas is currently running 6 to 8 weeks. Unless a harmonica is listed as a “Ready-to-Go” harp, all custom harps are built to order, per the customer’s specifications. We keep an inventory of over 1,500 combs and about 400 new Hohner and/or Suzuki harmonicas on hand at all times. If it is listed on the website, we have it in stock. The wait time is not due to us making the combs or ordering the stock harp. It is simply that we are very, very busy and custom harps take time to build. Thank you in advance for your patience.