Hohner Marine Band Thunderbird Harmonica in the Key of Low Bb Major

Tuned one octave lower than standard harps, the Marine Band Thunderbird opens up previously unknown creative possibilities for the player to discover new worlds of tone with the meanest, fattest low-pitched sound around.

The Thunderbird‘s unique cover design is based on an innovation pioneered by renowned customizer Joe Filisko. The front of the bottom cover is raised at the lower end and tapers off towards the high end. This gives the draw reeds sufficient space to vibrate freely at even the lowest pitches without striking the cover, thus eliminating reed rattle. The Thunderbird boasts a full, powerful sound unparalleled among low-pitched harmonicas. Its revolutionary construction also incorporates the patented laminated bamboo comb first used in the Crossover.

Features:
Available in 9 keys (LF, LE, LD, LC, Lbb, LA, LG, LLF).
Special new reed profiles ensure fast response and high volume even at extremely low pitch.
Full, powerful sound through patented laminated bamboo comb and revolutionary cover design.
Fully sealed bamboo comb prevents swelling.
Reed plate edges and channel openings with Ultraglide coating are rounded off for greater playing comfort.
Sturdy zipper case allows moisture to evaporate while keeping dust out.

HOHNER Marine Band
When Jacob HOHNER filed the patent application for his new harmonica design on January 30th 1896 in New York, nobody could have dreamed of the extent to which he would affect the future of music. Originally conceived as a folk instrument, the Marine Band has had a considerable influence on the development of blues, folk, rock and pop music. In the early 20th century, huge numbers of Marine Band harmonicas were already being exported to the USA. Here they were eagerly adopted by African Americans, who discovered hitherto unknown playing techniques which enabled them to find their own new forms of musical expression on the instrument.

The music which today we call the blues evolved out of their work songs. The Marine Band can be heard on virtually every recording by blues legends such as Little Walter Jacobs, Sonny Boy Williamson I & II, Big Walter Horton, Sonny Terry, Jimmy Reed or Big Mama Thornton. The blues would not be what it is today without the Marine Band harmonica, but it was not exclusively a blues instrument. This model was also the first choice of artists such as Johnny Cash, John Lennon or Bob Dylan.

The Marine Band became a true people‘s instrument and was played in every conceivable situation, from the back porch to the street corner to the concert hall. It contributed to the success of countless hit records, TV and film themes and has even been immortalized in literature. This astonishingly compact little instrument defines how the majority of people perceive the harmonica to this day.
All Marine Bands are made in Germany