Hohner PBH7 Piedmont Blues Harmonica Set - 7-Pack

This is a really good starter pack of harmonicas. I learned to play these over 15 years ago and they were enough to get me going and playing in bands and performing. Eventually, I slowly replaced each harp I used with upgraded ones and still use the case. This set will get you playing! Tips: organize your harps by 5ths: C-G-A-D-E-Bb. Also, replace them but keep the case. The case itself is worth the money.

Unbelievable bargain, I waited 18 months to be sure, I was super satisfied!If you are a beginner like me and enjoy the sound of a moth harp, this is it.Disregard all the unknown 'expert' reviewers, they sound lonely! :)

I bought this set because I wanted to practice playing in other keys but couldn't afford to buy a set of more expensive harmonicas. I was pleasantly surprised when I received it.The harmonicas are decent, but nothing spectacular (well, what do you expect for $20)? These are basically the same as the Clearly Colorful harmonicas that Hohner makes for children (i.e. really on the low end), just in a wider range of keys. They are extremely light, which may take some getting used to if (like me) you like your harmonicas to have some weight to them. The comb and covers are plastic, and some weren't finished as well as they could have been (burrs on the plastic, etc), but nothing that wasn't easily cleaned up. The reed plates are made of either aluminum or a much lighter brass than the other inexpensive Hohner harmonicas. The reeds are brass. I will admit, the black-and-gold motif is an attractive one, but I wonder how long the gold print is going to last.The sound isn't too bad, either. As other reviewers have mentioned, a few of the reeds didn't work so well right out of the box. Some basic harmonica tweaking took care of that, and now all of them work just fine. Like all harmonicas, they needed to be broken in a little bit, and the sound and responsiveness improved with playing. They're not perfect, but have a nice, warm tone (especially the lower keys) that won't make you cringe when you play them. And yes, I'm able to bend notes on them without difficulty.The case is nice, with a hard inner frame covered by tough stitched nylon. It's padded on the inside to protect your instruments as well, and has a double-zipper closure with an additional Velcro flap. The slots are sized for standard diatonic harps, so if/when you decide to upgrade a particular key, the new harp should fit without difficulty.Overall this is a good set for the price. If you'd like to gain experience playing in different keys but can't afford to break the bank, this set is a good choice to get you started.

This is either a great product or a terrible rip-off. Why you buy the set will determine which side of the fence you fall on.Right Reasons to buy this Set:1. You want a case for 2-7 harmonicas. A case that's reasonably attractive, secure, and not enormous (about the size of a very thick hardcover book). Try to buy just a similar case and you'll pay anywhere from $17-$40--so $20 isn't bad. If this is your reason, then the harmonicas are nothing more than props, like the cardboard TVs at furniture stores.2. You need a case (see above) and you're a little curious what harmonicas in different keys sound like. You're not really going to play them, but you want a loose idea of the difference between them. This means you'll keep the case and throw out the harmonicas within a few minutes of trying them.Wrong Reasons to buy this Set:1. You or someone you love wants a harmonica(s) to play. NOPE. These are something less than children's toys. The plastic covers aren't airtight against the comb so you have blow three times as hard to get any tone. The covers are a really cheap plastic and your mouth will not slide against it. And the plastic has an awful chemical smell/taste. Discounting the case, these are less than $3/harmonica--including the case it's probably more like $1.25--and you get what you pay for. Instead, find someplace local (a music store, or Cracker Barrel) and buy a Hohner Blues Band for about $5. Or go to a music store and buy a beginner's harmonica for between $10-$20. Whoever wants to learn to play will get much further with these choices.