Harmonica Manufacturers and Builders

[ Major Manufacturers | Specialty Manufacturers | Custom Builders ]
 

Specialty Manufacturers

Specialty manufacturers usually concentrate on one or two products, either harmonica parts or harmonicas which are unusual in some specific way. Like the larger general manufacturers, they offer their products stock, without individual customization.
 

Hardwood Harmonica Company

Hardwood Harps have wooden coverplates, available in various woods and finishes, and a specially designed black plastic comb with a round-hole mouthpiece shaped somewhat like a chromatic mouthpiece. Reedplates are standard Lee Oskar repleaceable plates, available in four standard tunings. Reedplates are attached to the comb individually, via screw receptors sunk into the comb.

Harmonica Information Press

The Discrete Comb is not a complete harmonica, but rather a special type of comb for diatonic harmonicas, with versions available for the Hohner MS group of models, and for Lee Oskar harmonicas. By separating each hole into a top and bottom half, it allows the full range of bending behaviors to be addressed for each individual reed.

For more information, check out the Discrete Comb section elsewhere at this site.

haRmonic Solutions

Richard Smith's haRmonic Solutions (not to be confused with Harmonic Solutions which makes power-filtering equipment) is centered around amplifying the diatonic harmonica. They make a pair of miniature microphones (one each for separate bass and treble response) which fit in the hand (the Sound Bi systems), as well as a complete 10-hole diatonic harmonica with built-in microphone (the Integrated System).

The intention seems to be to create a clean sound, with full availability of hand cupping effects, without a heavy full-sized microphone. Elimination of feedback and breath noise are also cited in company literature.

The 10-hole diatonic uses a specially made plastic comb with embedded microphone and output jack. It has round holes and comes in several unusual colors. Reedplates are replaceable. Manufacturer claims all parts are unique; replacement parts are evidently not compatible with any major brands.

Both the Sound Bi and the Integrated System plug into a belt-mounted preamplifier unit.

LaVoie Harmonicas

Mark LaVoie manufactures solid milled combs for Hohner MS series harmonicas from titanium and Vermont maple. He sells the combs, complete assembled harmonicas in any MS model, and complete harmonicas with tuning and reed setup performed. he specifically states that he does not set up reeds for overblows.

LaVoie claims superior tone and response for the titanium metal used in his combs, and he counts such traditional blues musicians as Kim Wilson and Jerry Portnoy among users of his harmonicas.