Hohner 56-CG Echo Harp 2x48 C and G Keys Tuned Tremolo Harmonica with Double Lacquered Maple Comb and Detuned Reed Pairs (Stainless Steel)

Excellent harp

This two-key Echo tremolo harmonica sounds absolutely beautiful. The double reed sound is somewhat reminiscent (to me anyway) of an accordion. Hohner's web site describes the tremolo harmonica this way; "Their unique sound is created by using two reeds for each note, tuned very slightly apart to create an uplifting, gently pulsating tremolo effect which is perfect for folk music." And I have to agree that the Hohner C/G Echo sounds great playing the melody of your favorite folk song. I have played some blues-type songs and it sounds good as long as I don't get too vigorous with it. The reeds are light and have a beautiful sound that does not need a lot of breath. Even the lowest notes are easy to play. In fact, I find that blowing too hard can make the notes sound wrong, this is especially true at the upper end of the scale. (Blowing too hard can make any harmonica sound wrong, but this one seems to be a bit more sensitive than, say, the Marine Band or Blues Harp.) The Echo Harp can be played louder or softer, as with any harmonica, it just doesn't take as much difference in breath. Also, I have found that you can, in fact, bend notes as you play, but again, I find that a gentle difference will produce the note I want and too strong a blow or draw can make it sound wrong. As noted in the description, this harmonica has two diatonic scales, one side tuned to C, the other to G. This is what gives this harmonica it's unique appearance. The holes you see in the side plates of the harmonica are where the sound comes out, since there is no open back (that being the other key) - because of this it is difficult to add a vibrato sound using your hands, but the tremolo sound makes up for that, especially on sustained notes. This is a very beautiful harmonica and has a unique look because of the C/G keys, meaning (as I said above) there is no open back. The cover plates have a scroll-work pattern around the edges and the name (Echo) on the C side, and the M. Honer trademark on the G side. The comb is a lovely white maple wood which Honer's website says is double-lacquered, so it should last a very long time without swelling, drying or cracking (admittedly, I've only ever had one harmonica comb crack - my dad's old 64 Chromonica which was purchased around 1940). I am totally thrilled with this harmonica. It's unique sound lends itself very well to folk songs as well as cowboy classics (such as "Cool Water") and many other types. If you love playing harmonica and want to branch out from your old standard 10-hole diatonic, this could be just what you're looking for.

This is a beautiful instrument in so many ways! It is more than a simple harmonica. It is an instrument that, when played, echoes the music so loved by so many folks throughout the world! Lovely, just lovely. A classic!!

My dogs hate it when I play harmonica... unless I am playing this one. The tone is so mellow and musical even my dogs (which don't let me play trumpet, by the way either!) mellow out when I play my heart out on this perfect harmonica instrument. Fantastic, warm vibrato (without any technique necessary, just blow). Predictable and logical patterns for learning how to play any song in a major key, and having the choice of C and G puts a lot more songs in range. I play it while strumming my guitar with a neck brace , or sometimes with the piano. Just perfect.

This was a replacement for an identical harmonica that was aging. And I just love the sound of these things, so I had to replace the worn out one. Yet I was alarmed--to say the least!--to find that the sturdy cardboard Hohner case/box it arrived in had busted-out corners, and was scuffed up like it had spent six months in the rear cargo bin of a Jeep in the Korean War, rattling around with ammo boxes and duffel bags and loose wrenches. But the instrument itself seems new; no signs of prior use that I can detect, and it plays like new. How the case for it wound up in that condition is a mystery; it now lives in the perfectly sound case that came with the one it's replacing. The case for this one was too ruined, on arrival, to bother saving. So ... make of it what you will. Hohner hit a homer with the harp, of course, which is what matters. The vendor, however, I would think twice about. This was sold as a new item--and it does seem to be that--but the condition of the case raises unhappy thoughts about how the vendor treats their merchandise. I'm glad I didn't buy a guitar!

This Echo Harp exceeded my expectations, and at this price, believe me they were very high. The harp is as sizable and hefty as I'd hoped. Physically, a beautiful musical instrument that has a quality feel. Intonation across both scales seems spot on. Tremolo is superb, and the Echo is a magnificent addition to my other 17 hohner marine band and blues harps, and my hohner Chromanica. The quality is on a par with the Chromanica, but the coolness factor and octive range of the Echo is off the scale ( no pun intended 😅). For jigs and folk songs this thing is on another level. As others say, it sounds like an accordion, but even better. Not a harp for blues wailing, but for anything folkish, the Echo will be my harp of choice. I do wish the substantial cardboard box it came in was plastic, especially with the neat alpine image printed on the lid. All in all a great harp experience.

Echo harmonicas by Hohner are the bomb. We are on #10. My cats come running.

The best sounding tremolo I’ve ever had

Parfaite, merci 😊

tutto

My dad has played one of these since I was a kid and this was a replacement for his lost old one. He loves it and, at 98 yrs old, is entertaining the others in his senior living center!

Ich besitze einige Mundharmonikas, doch diese ist die Beste davon. Wunderbarer gut gestimmter Klang. Man möchte andauernd darauf spielen. Hält, was der Name Hohner verspricht.

The best harmonica ever i love it the sound is beautiful reminiscent to an accordion and easy to play love love love it thank you