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Pros:
- Very affordable
- Great playability
- Spot on tone
Cons:
- Loses air
- Not very responsive
I get it, the idea of spending over $20 on such a small and seemingly simple instrument such as harmonica might seem a bit much. This is especially the case when you are a beginner and don’t really know how long this interest of yours is going to last or even whether the more expensive models are worth it. The short answer for whether the expensive harps are better than the affordable ones is YES. 100% yes. The difference between a quality harmonica and a cheap one is obvious even for very beginners BUT that does not mean that all the affordable models are bad. It also does not mean that you should try out a more inexpensive model before committing to a pro-level one. Just on that occasion, I think the Johnson BK-520-C Blues King harp in the key of C is the best option.
Build
This is probably one of the few cheap harmonicas that are not cheap in quality. I am not saying it is the best quality one but for the price, you pay it sure as hell delivers on the build and sound. First, let’s talk about some details. This harp is a 10-hole diatonic model that features brass reeds, a plastic comb, and metal cover plates. While the overall quality is pretty decent I feel like the actual comb lacks in smoothness and quality. The major problem this harmonica has is that it does not have an airtight design. This leads to losing a lot of air. Once you lose a lot of air you have to overcompensate and blow more which tires a lot of beginners.
Extras
Okay, when I was looking at this model’s price I was very skeptical but then I realized that it’s not just the harp that comes at this price. It’s also a case and a cloth for cleaning. That is kind of astounding but a great thing, especially for beginners. No matter how cheap your harmonica is you still need to keep is safe and clean and Johnson has provided tools for both occasions.
Johnson Blues King Harmonica Sound
Now, whenever I am discussing instruments that are way below the average price range I have to mention that you have to take into account that a lower price means lower quality in build and sound. While this Blues King harmonica is an inexpensive model that somewhat suffers minor problems I would say, overall, this is a very solid instrument with nice performance.
First of all, you will notice that the tone is on point, and the playability is close to perfect which is especially important for beginners. As mentioned in the build section, some air gets lost which creates a problem with having to overcompensate on techniques to achieve the tone and volume you want.
Conclusion
If you are looking for the best harmonica under $10 mark than Johnson BK-520-C Blues King Harmonica in the key of C might be your best option. While it might not be the top choice for pro players, it definitely caters all the needs of beginners. As I have mentioned there are issues with loss of air but all in all the tone and playability of this model are good enough to turn a blind eye on that issue. It’s also an added bonus that this harp comes with a case and cloth which makes it even more dumbfounding that a $7-8 model can have two accessories.
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I’m not a beginner, but I stopped playing for many years. I stumbled across this harmonica a few short years ago. It was a gift from my wife. I got a set of twelve of them.The key of Bb had a great sound, I thought. So , that drew me to the other keys. These harmonicas are hard to play and I don’t like them when playing them alone. But, when they accompany the guitar, a special association is created, I believe. The sound from them can be inserted into a song and transform it into something unique. Things which are unique don’t appeal to everyone, but they have an uncanny way of hanging around. Music is subjective, to be sure, and so is my opinion of the Johnson Blues King harp. I feel like it is my friend.