Manji M-20

I started playing with harmonicas again almost a year ago. I started with a Hohner Special 20 in C then picked up a couple Marine Bands in D and F. I very much preferred the MBs once I got use to them for several reasons that I've listed elsewhere.I went a long while before getting another harmonica, which was a Lee Oskar major diatonic in G a few weeks back. I was really looking forward to the LO because reviews that made it sound like that was the natural heir to the Marine Band. Honestly I found it to be much more like the special 20 and with things I didn't care for nearly as much as the special 20. It isn't that it was a bad harmonica (I gave it 4 stars) but I went in with such high expectations that I felt disappointed.When I ordered this harmonica I had lower expectations as a result. I've read many great reviews but I took them with a grain of salt. I just couldn't imagine liking a harmonica more than the Marine Bands. So when the package arrived I was excited to have something new, but not as anxious as I was for the LO.I opened it and noted that the case was more like the Hohner style. The Lee Oskar interlocking cases is one of the features I actually liked most about the LO harmonica so that is kinda "meh." but the inside of the case is a slight upgrade over the Hohner. There is a velvet like texture on the interior plastic. It sort of reminds me of the "fur" texture on Skeletor’s Panther toy I had back in the 80s. I imagine it will wear off similarly but it's still a nice touch.I hesitantly raised the harmonica to my lips and noticed the hole size and comb spacing looked more like the Marine Band. While the Lee Oskar advertised larger hole size for easier playing this has a wider comb, which I feel makes it easier for the style of play I learned (deep seated embouchure).I ran slowly up a standard blues pentatonic scale then down. I hit each note correctly so I ran more and more quickly till I was laying down the same tempo (120bpm) that I have been hitting on my Marine Bands. I found the feel of the comb and cover plates in my mouth and hand to be super smooth and comfortable.When I got my first Marine Band I felt like there were a log of hard edges that cut into my hands and lips so I did a slight modification with a sander to smooth the corners. The result was similar to how this harmonica feels out of the box. The difference is this somehow feels "softer." The metal of the cover seems to be similarly polished, but when I touch it there is a smooth, warm feel.The comb is not "Satin anodized, milled, billet aluminum alloy comb" as indicated in the listing when I bought it and while I'm writing this review. It didn't look like it in the images. The comb is a resin compound of some kind. According to Google it is "a solid poly comb that includes wood fiber." I believe that over the listing. In either case it feels good against my lips and I think the wood fiber allows some of the natural resonance found in the Marine Band pear wood combs. It isn't an identical sound but it is a very nice sound. It also looks to be very long lasting a durable.For kicks I looked up the cost of new reed plates (for the inevitable day when I kill a reed). They are roughly $10 less than the cost of a new harmonica. Considering the quality of the rest of the harmonica I figure I'll be getting new plates over a straight up replacement, but worth noting.That said, this isn't perfect. A few times while playing I had the 3 draw stick on me. It acted like something was blocking it, preventing the draw from working. I tapped it on my handed and blew back and forth to clear it and it seemed fine. Then it stuck again. I ended up pulling the cover plate (it's nice that I can unscrew just one side) and made a small adjustment on the reed. After that it has played correctly without any sticking.I had a similar experience with the 4 and 5 draw on the Lee Oskar but despite reviews about similar problems with various Hohner harps I never have had that happen on any of the ones I've owned. Guess I have been lucky with those instruments ... or maybe I am playing the new harps more fervently out of the box without slowly breaking them in like I did with the Hohners. In any case, it is a minor concern and something all harmonicas appear prone to based on what I've read. Learning to adjust a reed is a skill new harp players should learn.Final note: I am definitely excited to try some other Suzuki harmonicas. As of right now this is my new favorite and I could see building a full set with this series.

Great beginner harmonica. Playable out of the box, and the composite materials means it's more resistant to water damage than a standard wood combMy Background: I played trombone in high school so I have a decent ear for pitch. I also grew up in the South so I'm used to the sound of a good harmonica.Why the Suzuki rocks and wails: Modern composite construction means the comb will never swell due to humidity or cleaning. The plates are screwed on rather than nailed down, meaning you can easily service the harmonica. Open ("trumpet bell") construction means the Suzuki is easier to play loud. That open construction and composite material also means the Suzuki tends to sound cleaner than other harmonicas, which may or may not be the sound you want to go for. Personally, I love the Suzuki's sound and I know I'll be able to get most of the bluesy grit that I want once I learn better techniques rather than leaning on the harmonica's construction. Comes with a felt-lined case which doesn't fit the harmonica perfectly, but is fine for tossing in your pocket and taking it on the go. The cloth also helps absorb any excess moisture while it protect the harmonica's finish, so I'm sure this thing will play like new for a long time.Versus the Hohner Marine Band: There are a million competitors, but I think most people really only need to look at modern harmonicas like the Suzuki versus the Marine Band. The Marine Band hasn't changed much in the last century for a reason. Inexpensive with a wood comb, this harmonica is so cheap that if a beginner leaves it to rust they can just buy another one. Often requires a little tuning out of the box, doesn't produce nearly as much sound as the Suzuki thanks to a more closed construction, and is nailed down so it is not easy for a beginner to service. Still a great option for people who want that classic sound, but I think most people prefer the Suzuki due to all its modern advancements. Hohner also makes modern updates of the Marine Band if you'd rather stick with them.My only reservations: My Suzuki felt a little off out of the box. In particular, the very low and very high notes were hard to sound at low volume. Since I'm just practicing and not trying to blow away a concert hall this is more of an issue for me than it might be for others. A professional player might also know how to adjust around this, but I as a beginner had to open up the harmonica and bend the reed plates a little to make the harmonica play a little more easily. Ten minutes watching instructional videos online and I was on my way.Overall: With a light tuning to make the harmonica more playable at low volume, my Suzuki is just wonderful. The sound is amazing and accurately tuned. Every time I get confident in an improvement in my abilities I can really turn the sound up to 11 thanks to the open construction and belt out some music as a reward for my training. Highly recommended. Not only am I having a blast playing the Suzuki, but maintenance seems like it will be rare and easy. Totally happy with this purchase.

I just starting getting serious about the harmonica after a couple of years of playing around with it. am now taking lessons and am trying to settle on a brand and model of harmonica to stick with for the foreseeable future. I decided to try several different models the sixty dollar range and finds what works for me. My instructor likes the Hohner Special 20's but I just don't like the feel of them. I had heard so many good things about the Manji that I just had to get one.It works like a dream. It feels a little light and small in my hands. The flare on the front of the cover-plate took some getting used to but if I lay my left index finger into the grove it fits nicely.The Suzuki Manji bends so easily. It takes so little effort to get the kind of sound that I really have to work hard to get on some of my other harps (especially my Hohner Golden Melody.) The tone produced by the newly designed comb is mellow but at the same time a little bluesy (if that is possible.) My only hesitation is that, at my level of inexperience, it is harder to isolate notes than on some of my other harps. I have big features and the Manji seems made for a smaller mouth. However, I really like it and will keep working with it. If it gets easier to use I will update this review. Thank you!