Look what I picked up from our local Bazaar. Although not in my wheelhouse, I thought why not. A harmonica made in Japan by Nippon Gakki (later Yamaha). It’s probably about as old as me - pretty old then, vintage, but not antique! They obviously made their way across the Pacific Ocean to our sunny … Continue reading Made In Japan
Yeah! I know! After finding the Holy Grail (Boomerang DeLuxe) that was meant to be my final purchase. As with any addiction it ain’t easy to give up. This temptation was too much. A fair lump of a harmonica for a price less than a new diatonic was offered with this Hohner Bass Chromatica No. … Continue reading Bassballs
“An extensive tie-up has been arranged with J. Albert and Son on a mutual exploitation idea to boost Boomerang mouth organs and Paramount pictures. These novelties can be obtained from the exchange.” (Everyones Vol.10 No.473 (13 March 1929) These novelties don’t appear to be carved from wood, but more likely a cardboard cut out. Neil … Continue reading Paramount Boomerang
From my collection In 1907 Koch of Germany manufactured the Aussie branded The Kangaroo, however somewhere in time this model hopped over to Switzerland to be manufactured - perhaps during or just after the Great War when Germany was a bit on the nose. This wasn’t the first Kangaroo down under. The Kangaroo Chalmer (1s … Continue reading The Harmonica Hop
The Boomerang Chromatic pictured above was recently up for auction. Going by the hex head cover fasteners and the S.E.Y.D.E.L reverse cover plate, this had to be from the late 90s. Seydel had a few different Boomerangs available late in the twentieth century. I fired off an email to Mark Weber an authority on all … Continue reading Boomatic Chromerang
Shep’s 1938 (?) Hohner Piccolo Following on from last month’s look at the Hohner trademark variations, I had mentioned I might take a look at my Hohner Piccolo harmonica (High G) with the star in the trademark. I have. Piccolo translates to small and this diatonic measures in at a fraction longer than three inches. … Continue reading Pocketless Piccolo
Giddy Up I revisited my 1950’s Hohner Lone Star Rider and noticed two anomalies. Firstly, the six sided star is present (usually an indicator of pre WWII) and secondly, the label in the box suggests it was made in the 1930’s (4,500 men & 25,000,000 harmonicas per annum). One thing I’ve learnt on my harmonica … Continue reading Cowboy Reins
Started out seeking fortune and glory It's a short song, but it's a hell of a story, when you spend your lifetime trying to get Your hands on the Holy Grail Mark Seymour Eureka! Lucky strike! Location: Tamworth the heart of Country music and former venue of the now defunct Hohner Golden Harmonica Championship. The … Continue reading Barran (The Holy Grail)
Pretty pleased to have stumbled over this beauty - a pretty slick Suisse Boomerang Chromorgan. This model and the Grand Chromorgan (there was no De Luxe model) were briefly produced in Switzerland after WWII. Albert’s Boomerang mouth organs were manufactured by Seydel, who were under occupation by communist Russia after WWII - so briefly Albert’s … Continue reading Suisse Piece
Many harmonica collectors around the globe have the Australian Boomerang De Luxe front and centre in their displays. All De Luxe models were boomerang shaped. This twelve double aperture mouth organ and its single aperture partner (The Miniature) were uniquely designed in the shape of the indigenous Australian's returning boomerang. There was another boomerang designed … Continue reading My Boomerang Did Come Back
Harmonica Riff Raff 