Olive C-20

Oooooh yeah baby, you got it...lol. I just received one of these by post today, and I LOVE it! I'm an amateur of about a year now; I've taken some lessons and have learned to belt out some simple songs and riffs, and thought that, "it's time to find my harp of choice so I can lock it within it and get used to it's feel." After trying a few in the Hohner, Lee Oskar, and Seydel line, my search has led me here. Harp choice is a VERY subjective thing (much like a shaving razor for example) but here's my take, based on my preferences (yours may vary, and that's totally cool.) If your tastes run to full-length coverplates that feel smooth in the hand, tightly machined harps with no "plastic" parts per se (more on that in a moment), exposed reedplates that feel perfectly smooth due to quality manufacturing standards, pleasant aesthetics from a visual perspective (including a distinctive metallic green look), a warm and resonant tone with a well tuned "compromised tuning" setup that works well for both single notes AND chords, good bends (not quite as good as a Crossover but this one IS good as well), enjoy a harp that can reasonably loud (this one has guts but not to the level of say, the Rocket) and like the idea of a distinctive comb made from a resin that contains over 50% wood fiber (which gives it the warmth and raspiness of wood but the durability/waterproof/airtight qualities of plastic!) then I have good news...I think you're going to like this! The price point is also very good for a harp of this quality to boot! CAVEAT: the hole spacing is compact (but works fine with a little adjustment), and it has a slim profile in the hand which while appealing aesthetically will require adjustment if you use a lot of hand techniques. I have average size hands and I'm fine with this harp after getting to know this instrument today, but if a big guy with big "bear-paw" hands tried playing this, it might feel like a slippery piece of soap in his hands!

The Product is as Described; Not exactly the Best of all Harmonicas, but: Best in Class of Harmonicas; The Reed is a Wood Composite and so It is designed to withstand Climate Changes, while still sounding mostly Natural. It has a ‘Gooey’ Timbre that is really quite fulfilling, because of the Composite Glue; It is literally Wood and Glue, but: It really manages to achieve a Quality Glue Sound that is quite Clear and so It figuratively Gels as well as being literally Gelled. Essentially: It sounds a bit more ‘Greasy’ and ‘Slicked’ in Performance and so It feels like more of a Different Ideal than a Compromise. I definitely recommend this Harp for a C, because: It is Best for Traveling and Reliability, but: I would still go for a Hohner “Crossover Marine Band” that has Bamboo Reeds if You don’t need It to be such a Brutal Instrument for carrying in your Pocket and or just keeping It in the Glovebox. Also: Consider the Rosewood Suzuki “Pure Harp”s if You can afford the Best Overall Quality, but: You will want a Climate Sealed “Pelican” Case to protect Them as You would, with any High Quality Wooden Instrument.

Suzuki harps are VERY well made. The Suzuki Fabulous($$), Manji, and Olive have long reed-slots, like German harps, for a "bigger, fatter sound with more aggressive punch" (as one review said), and more stable overblowing. The silver-plated Fabulous came first, has a brass comb, and costs hundreds. Then came the signature model, Manji, named after the president, Manji Suzuki, with a new wood/polymer comb (wood sound without warping and leakage from moisture wicking), plus beautiful, though more traditional (not full length) well-vented stainless steel covers. Then came the Olive, named after Manji's wife, with less-vented full-length covers like the Fabulous/Promasters, but in Stainless Steel heat-treated "green" with a black wood/polymer comb. The Manji is compromised tuning, the Olive is Equal Tuned - though it's close. The tuning and covers mean that the Manji is bright and bluesy (blues and rock, chord-focused) and the Olive is clear and warmer (Jazz, Folk, Pop, melody-focused) - though the biggest difference is in the player - who can use either harp for any of these styles. Unlike the Fabulous/Promaster brass covers, the Manji/Olive steel covers work well with magnetic harp stands. The Manji comes with a nice hard case, but the Olive comes with a classy velour pull-string pouch and artsy-box. I recommend the Hohner 3PHC Holster if you need a protective case, https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0063KSTJ0 (or the zippered single-harp case https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H8AOKO2) - both have belt clip/loop. All around great harps!

My Suzuki Olive C-20 came to me tucked inside a soft, drawstring bag, in turn tucked inside a box, in turn wrapped in cellophane. Inside the box, aside from the harp, were a few notices, including a heartfelt message about the Olive C-20. I ordered mine in the key of C. While I intend to break it in slowly, and I'm already aware from playing my Suzuki Chromatix SCX-48 and Promaster Hammonds that less breath is often more, out of the box my C-20 plays well. The Olive C-20 is a gorgeous little thing, airtight, and tuned equal temperament, making it great for song playing. This is not the best harp for folks who wish to learn or play blues songs or licks.

- Very good construction quality. - Confortable to play - The sound is good but not so easy to bend the notes as my Marine Band. If bending was a litle bit more easy I would give 5 stars to this beautiful harmonica.

This is the first time I've touched a harmonica in 50 years so I have a lot to learn. But the notes sound pure - this one sounds much better than many of the 'starter' harps I've listened to in training videos.

Item product dimensions said 6x3x1 inches in size. Not even close, bad product description!

La armónica es hermosa pero lamentablemente si requiere meterle mano para que los hoyos 2 y 3 suenen bien, fuera de ahí todo bien.

Pongo dos estrellas porque yo pedí una en Si Bemol (Bb) como está en la publicación y recibí una en La (A), no me quedaré con el producto porque no me mandaron lo que pedí. Adjunto fotos. Llego martes 4 de febrero 2020.

Tolle Optik und Klang. Es ist einfach zu spielen. Es ist ziemlich laut. Ideal zum Spielen von Melodien. Zum Spielen von Akkorden sind andere besser. Ich kann es auf jeden Fall empfehlen.

I am not 10 holes mouth organ and found this one in damaged condition ,very upset. Request to return this item and sellect some other one. Request for a refund, thanks

Mes vieux harmonicas étaient hs. Acheté pour m y remettre apres 20 ans sans jouer. Look sympa. Etui doux mais qui ne protège pas beaucoup (je l ai placé dans une boite a lunettes rigide pour compenser l absence de vrai protection). Le son sort assez bien mais je sens une vibration du capot en jouant (normal ?) et le son est un peu dur. Je pense qu il ne me fera pas oublier mes vieux hohner (marine band et blues harp en diatoniques...)