Fw: [Harp-L] Re: Hohner MS series harmonicas; Hohner CX-12

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

The MS Series was already well established in 1993. I visited Trossingen that year and, and my (now) former wife went through the factory tour and observed the MS harp production line. I remember discussing her observations with Steve Baker at the time.



In 1995 the heavily-criticized reed design of the MS harps was revamped, going with longer slot reeds and a much-trumpeted return to the ZA5 brass used in former times. I still have several of these harps and they have a sound that, compared with the Marine Band-Special 20-Golden Melody harps (formerly called "handmade", now marketed as "classic"), is more robust but less susceptible to delicately nuanced playing.

Winslow
 
Winslow Yerxa
President-elect, SPAH, the Society or the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica
Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
Resident Harmonica Expert, bluesharmonica.com


________________________________
 From: John Broecker <helmuth2849@xxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2012 7:53 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Hohner MS series harmonicas; Hohner CX-12 
 
Hello, bad-hat (fjm).

This is in regards to your questions about the MS series and CX-12 harps , made by Hohner.

I also collect harmonica media, such as product catalogs. I don't have every catalog, so the following information's value is limited.

I don't have the catalog or pamphlet announcing the starting year of the MS Series, but in my 1996 pamphlet (Hohner tri-fold), there were no MS series harps listed.
In the same pamphlet, the CX-12 (introduced 1992) was listed, in 5 cover colors (my terminology): black, gold-plated over plastic, maroon sparkle, white sparkle, smoky silver.