RE: [Harp-L] Original Hohner Pro Harp

["Tom Klingl" <tom.klingl@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Eugene,

The Pro Harp was like the old Special 20, only
with black cover lids.  Having one lying on my table
in front of me right now I couldn't tell you what the
exact process for blacking the cover lids (burnishing,
powder coating etc.) might have been. The surface 
is matte and in comparison with the Special 20 (which I
favoured then) not that slick which always bothered me.

In fact I didn't like it at all which was the reason 
why I gave my last and only Pro Harp away in 1981,
during a vacation in Crete (but I still own some of
my old Nickel plated Special 20 from this time plus
we have this afforementioned Pro Harp in 'C' which
actually belongs to my wife).

I think Hohner started with the Pro Harp in the late
1970s and discontinued building them when they
introduced the MS System in the early 1990s
(Hohner officials on this list might be able to
give us the exact years).

I think Hohner quality control was quite good in the 
mid 1980s so if you like it, buy it if the price
is decent. I paid about 12-14 Deutschmarks then.

My 2 Cents, I am sure there are plenty people
on this list who can contribute more details.

Regards, 
Tom (Berne, CH)


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Eugene Ryan [mailto:ryan.eugene@xxxxxxxxx] 
> Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2009 1:33 PM
> To: harp-l
> Subject: [Harp-L] Original Hohner Pro Harp
> 
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> I was in a local shop yesterday and came across a "new" 
> original Hohner Pro Harp (not the MS version) in D for sale.  
> I say "new" as they have been out of production for some 
> time, possibly close to 15 years - but the harp is new in the 
> sense that it was being sold for the first time and hadn't 
> been used previously.  I used to really like these harps so I 
> bought it.
> 
> The shop owner couldn't tell me much about the harp.  I guess 
> he just ordered a blues harp in D and the harp had probably 
> been previously in a store room for quite some time. The box 
> was dust free  - meaning no dust mites or other gunk.
> 
> There are no serial numbers on the outside of the reedplates. 
>  I'm wondering what people know about this harp, in terms of 
> how old it could be, etc?
> 
> All the best,
> Eugene
> 
>