SUZUKIHarmonica, Silver (MR-200-C)

.I prefer the Hohner Rockets these days.

I've played harp for years, although only as accompaniment to guitar. So my playing is limited, although in playing since I was a child, I would just goof with it then-not even knowing I was bending notes. I just learned by abusing them since my first harp that my grandmother gave me when I was about six. Later in life, playing guitar, I picked up a neck rack and goofed a bit with a couple harps(always Hohner Blues Harps-which I've owned since '73). Finally, just a couple years ago, I invested in a complete set of Hohner Blues Harps in each key. I was happy with what I had-but after blowing out a draw reed on my D harp, I decided to try a Suzuki Promaster. I got it at a good price, and was more than satisfied-I liked it much better than the Hohners I'd been using. It opened my eyes(and ears). Suddenly-I got the harp acquisition syndrome-and began picking up a variety of discounted harps(on Amazon and Ebay) in different keys. After trying Suzuki Promasters(valved and non-valved), Suzuki Promaster Hammonds, Suzuki Manji's, and a Suzuki Bluesmaster, as well as Hohner Golden Melody, Marine Band Deluxe, Special Twenty and Cross Harp(which was a major disappointment-very leaky)-I've come to find the Suzuki Harpmaster to be my favorite. A very airtight harp with great tone, and greater volume than the others. Don't get me wrong-all of the other harps are good(with the exception of the Cross Harp)and some have greater tone(particularly the Manji and the Marine Band Deluxe)-but for the value($24)-this harp is unbeatable-and it's the least expensive of the bunch. While I found the Lee Oscar to be a much more comfortable harp(comfort of the plastic comb without the exposed reed plates)-than most of the Hohners(excepting the Special 20)-I find the Harpmaster has the same comfort and is much more airtight than the Lee Oscar or the Special 20. And at 2/3 of the price-you can't go wrong.

Love, love, love it. Plays beautifully. Great mellow tone. Very responsive. It has now become my favorite harp, That and my Suzuki Firebreath, and at a reasonable price. I immediately ordered the Harpmaster in A, and it plays wonderfully just like the G. I think its the Bronze Phosphor reeds that Suzuki has been using. The Promaster also uses the BPRs but the aluminum comb makes it sound a bit shrill in the higher notes. I have limited myself to the G and A major keys, because they sound and resonate the best. I occasionally play a Lee Oskar and the Promaster in Low F One thing that concerns me is that there seems to be some question about some of the Harpmasters also are listed as having the brass reeds. Has anyone noticed the same thing. I would like to know because I would like the option of replacing my BPRs Harpmasters if I blow any reeds. (although I don't blow very hard so its rare for me to blow out a reed). I have only blown 2 or three from the thirty odd harps I have accumulated thru the years. I play about an hour a day. And even one or two of those I have teased back into position using a fine tweezer. Any feedback re: the BPRs will be appreciated. Freddy

I have been playing for about 4 years now and I must say the harmonica is , in my opinion, the king of instruments. I mostly play my Suzuki Harpmaster A major and am planning to buy a few more as backups, because...... all of a sudden I had an epiphany. I kind of intuitively changed my whole style of playing and now within the last four weeks I am playing wonderful wah, wahs, choo choos, and bends as if I had been doing so all my life. I also play the Suzuki Harpmaster in C and it is so sweet playing it almost brings tears of joy to my eyes. I'm 76 years old now and hope I will live many more years to achieve my life goal of mastering this marvelous instrument. I'm always learning new things and the harp is like a voice that lives in my soul. I highly recommend the Harpmaster and also the promaster ( I have a Promaster in C and low F). Harp on y'all. Freddy B

Yes Suzuki harpmaster and Lee Oskar are my favorite harmonicas. They are the best there is, and I've tried them all. But I recently changed my playing style, and have improved my playing significantly. So I needed the best kind ofharmonica. The Suzuki Promaster with aluminum comb was a wonderfully made instrument but was missing that extra little bit of sweetness and was a bit shrill in the higher notes. ENTER Suzuki Promaster Hammond, with a composite wood comb. I bought the key of A. Without doubt the Hammond is the best of them all. The perfect harp. Sweet, bendable, easy to play, every note perfect right out of the box. I will soon try the Gmajor and possibly the C. I will always play my Harpmaster's, though. The Harpmaster is close to perfect in every way and it is inexpensive, too. To really perform at my best I will always now go to my Promaster Hammond. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Freddy B

I wanted to get back into playing the harmonica several years ago I had owned Hohner harps years ago when I was a teenager and started playing the harmonica, and I did not want to spend a lot of money on a harp, only to find that I didn't like to play anymore. This harp is a pleasure to play especially if you are just starting to learn to play. This harp plays with very little effort, which makes it easy to learn scales and pick up playing songs quickly. It is not a bad "bender" once you get the hang of that technique. The only negative comment I have it that it does not sound as sweet as my Hohner special 20, but when I brought it in 2008 it did not cost what my special 20 did, so I can over look that one minus which is out shined by all of the positives of this harp.Bottom line if you want to learn to pay this instrument, but you don't want to put out a lot of money this is a great choice.

I was a bit disappointed that the harp came in a very basic case which had no soft insert to protect the harp. The harp itself is fine. The reeds give a clear sound; only light force of breath is needed to get them to vibrating. I prefer the cheaper and much better sounding Cascha harp, which also has a nice 'soft' case with a large elastic band on the back in order that the case can be carried on a waist belt.

It is quite well made the sound is not bad at all, very light to carry on and along and everywhere.I got it at a very decent price as well.So, a nice budget harmonica.

I generally play custom-built Marine Bands, Marine Band Croossovers, or at a pinch, Pro Harps, but l needed a C in a hurry and some recommended these. My previous experience of Suzukis was not all that favourable, but this harp was cheap enough to take a chance, so l did.I can't say l'm hugely impressed. It's OK, but the reeds are very "tight" and the instrument's acoustic volume pretty unimpressive. It'll stay in the case as a spare, but l won't be buying any more.

Very nice harp, some problems with #2 draw sounding honky but most cheaper harps have this issue. I prefer it to my old Hohners and will happily play it until it dies. I will likely replace it with a Seydel Session which is slightly cheaper from Eagle Music - the Seydel is possibly the best quality under £25 harp I've played.

Bought it, used it twice. I recommend it to everyone