Hohner Melodica, classic versus new
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Not only is the Solist rare, not only is it next to impossible to find one, but I have been unable to find further information about it, so thanks for your insights. It’s also hard to find much about the Professional, but at least there are references out there. Hohner must have made very few of these. It’s a shame. I’m sure now that they were made during the 1960s, quietly while all the advertising emphasis was on the popular models.
I remember The Lovin’ Spoonful and John Sebastian very well. I saw him interviewed in a documentary recently.
Hi Melodica-Me,
I just wanted to mention it: there is a german shop that sells a Hohner Electra:
http://www.fastbyfred.de/hohnerelectramelodicavintage
700€ is not exactly a bargain, but if you really long for it… At least it seems to be cleaned and tested. Like I said: I just wanted to mention it.
Quetscher, I don’t read German, can you tell me what it says. does it say it has any defects. I am very interested
Melodica-Me
It says it has been cleaned and tested and it works, the cosmetic condition is also very good (no scratches in the surface), but as far as I understood it hasn’t been overviewed by a real specialist. I try to call Thema tomorrow and ask if they send to US, then I’ll report…
Hohner Electra Melodica (software)
EM2012 inspired by Hohner Melodica Electrabel : based on original digitally simulated circuit diagram of the structure and tone filter. To expand ADSR – module polyphony -mode and MIDI Breath – controller or expression pedal controllable amplifier envelope keyboard.
http://homepage.univie.ac.at/christoph.reuter/VSTs/bilder/Electra_melodica2012.gif
http://homepage.univie.ac.at/christoph.reuter/VSTs/index.htmIn this page appear Hohner Melodica, Suzuki Melodion and TOKAI/ Pianix in Electro Version:
http://skmt.cooktone.com/text_kenhamo/catalog_e.htmlQuetscher, I want to thank you for finding the Electra and letting me know, the Electra is going to be a fantastic addition to my Melodica collection, I am so very excited, I have been looking for an Electra for a very very long time. We should have started talking about these rare melodicas a long time ago 🙂
I love MelodicaWorld
Melodica-Me
Monsters of MelodicaHi Melodica-Me,
there’s a rumour going around that you have already bought the Electra. Could this be true? At least that’s what I’ve being told by the lady who runs the online shop. If yes: concratulations! As far as I can see from the photos this should be a fantastic deal.
Quetscher
That’s right Quetscher, I figure by the time the new Vibrandoneon from BB comes out I will have saved enough to make up for this purchase, plus I could not let this one get away, especially in the condition that this one is in.
I don’t know Alan, I think you own more Melodicas than I do.
Hi Bruno:
It is on my to do list.
Interest in the melodica is picking up it seems. If Hohner were to build the right types and right sounding professional melodicas for several genres of music, I think they would make lots of money.
People are spending 100 to 200+ dollars on single vintage melodica, not because they are vintage, because they sound good.
If Hohner built a professional melodica with all the right features to make it as expressive as a blues harp, keyboardists every where would be buying one. [Get ready, long sentence coming.] Keyboardists who want to bring a “real” (not synthesized) new sound to their bands, but who don’t want to spend several years developing the incredibly complex harp techniques required to play the harp well, would be buying keyboard harmonicas by the thousands if Hohner came out with a model with the sound holes on the back and the ability to easily bend notes.
Give me thin reeds or whatever it takes to bend notes. Let me bend reeds and break them every month. Then make million of dollars selling me reed plates. I would eat that up.
I find it hard to believe Hohner does not recognize this opportunity or is not taking action on it.
Regards,
Lowboy
Hohner tried this in the 1960s and obviously decided the money was in mass marketing the kinds of melodicas they sell today. Maybe they also decided that the next steps for professional musicians were in the direction of electric keyboards and synthesizers. They also obviously have found that they can put $100 price tag on a gimmicked up cheap Melodica. But times change, and maybe you can find a sympathetic ear over there. The Hohner Shop is still offering the HM-26 for $58, though, so they probably aren’t getting the impression that there’s big market for sound holes and bendability.
I would like to see more top name performers use the Melodica in thier recordings and videos, this would encourage manufactures to create a high end line with a product dedicated to the professional. The Hammond is the only one that is available. Granted I love my 44, Hyper, bass, and soprano, but I would love to have the tone of the Vibrandoneon (not manufactured anymore and who knows when Balone Burini will release thier version) in a compact version with a microphone pickup. The Pro 36 is as close as it gets to this without a pickup. A little heavier in comparison to the Hammond 44 with more keys and larger frame but it’s not a deal breaker at all when it comes to tone.
“It’s all about the tone”
Melodica-MeHi Alan,
I will have to show Hohner the error of their ways!
In all seriousness, your observation about Hohner is right on.
At the same time, I misspoke in my post about making “professional” melodicas. I confused the word “professional” with “features.” The Hohner Piano 26/27/32-series melodicas (two pictured below) is a mid-quality melodica primarily made of plastic. Yet, the Piano 26/27/32 series is my favorite because these melodicas are so much more expressive than even the most expensive melodicas due to having true sound holes on the back and a propensity to bend the lower notes. So this suggests that a melodica does not have to be expensive to be good (at least to me). A similar melodica, with a few additional design features such as note bending enhancements, could be manufactured for the about the same cost as the Hohner Airboard.
So Hohner does not have to risk trying to build a $500 Soloist- or Hammond-quality melodica. They need to build interesting and expressive melodicas. If they do this, I think they would find a huge market of professionals and beginners who want to play a melodica, but find expressiveness lacking.
Make a melodica that approaches the expressive capability of a harp, and they will come by the millions as they have for the harmonica for a century or two.
I believe this will happen some day when someone in the industry sees the light. Maybe Suzuki or Yamaha will beat Hohner to the punch.
Regards,
Lowboy
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