Hohner Special 20 Harmonica in A – Diatonic Harmonica

Quick Product Summary

The Hohner Special 20 Harmonica in A is a responsive and comfortable 10-hole diatonic harmonica designed for expressive playing across blues, folk, country, rock and pop. Its distinctive recessed reed plate construction creates a smooth ABS mouthpiece without exposed reed plate edges, helping the instrument feel comfortable during both practice and longer playing sessions.

Tuned to A major, this version delivers a warm, full-bodied voice that sits lower than common C and D harmonicas. With 20 brass reeds, Richter tuning and a durable black ABS comb, the Special 20 combines excellent playability with the expressive response needed for bends, vibrato, melodic playing and blues phrasing.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Hohner
Model	Special 20
Series	Progressive
Type	Diatonic Harmonica
Key	A Major
Tuning	Richter
Holes	10
Reeds	20 Brass Reeds
Comb	Black ABS
Condition	New
Best For	Blues, Folk, Country, Rock & Pop
Main Appeal	Comfortable mouthpiece, warm A tuning and responsive reeds

What Makes the Hohner Special 20 Special?

The Hohner Special 20 is particularly well known for its recessed reed plate design. The brass reed plates sit inside the ABS comb rather than extending to the edges of the mouthpiece, creating a smooth projecting surface that feels comfortable against the lips and makes moving quickly between holes easier.

Its combination of 20 brass reeds, 0.9 mm brass reed plates and stainless-steel cover plates provides a responsive and expressive playing experience. Whether you are playing clean melodies, rhythmic chords or bending notes for blues, the Special 20 offers a versatile balance of comfort, durability and traditional diatonic harmonica character.

Who Is It For?

The Special 20 in A is an excellent choice for developing, intermediate and experienced harmonica players who want a warm-sounding instrument with comfortable modern construction.

It is particularly useful for blues musicians because an A harmonica is commonly used for second-position playing in E, one of the most popular keys in blues and rock guitar music.

The Special 20 is also well suited to folk, country, rock and pop players who want a reliable diatonic harmonica with a lower, fuller voice than higher-keyed models.

Why Choose a Diatonic Harmonica in A?

An A major harmonica has a warmer and deeper tonal character than a C or D harmonica. Its lower register gives chords and melodies a fuller quality that can sound particularly smooth when used for blues, folk and country music.

The key of A is also especially useful for guitar-based music. When playing in second position, or cross-harp, an A harmonica is commonly used for songs in the key of E.

Because E is widely used by guitarists, an A harmonica is a valuable addition to any working blues or rock player's collection.

Comfortable Recessed Reed Plates

One of the defining features of the Special 20 is its recessed reed plate construction.

The brass reed plates sit within the ABS comb rather than forming part of the exposed mouthpiece edge. This gives the player a smooth plastic surface against the lips and can make fast movement between holes feel more comfortable.

Durable ABS Comb

The Special 20 features a black ABS comb, providing excellent resistance to moisture and changes in environmental conditions.

Unlike traditional wooden comb materials, ABS does not swell through normal exposure to playing moisture, making the Special 20 particularly practical for regular rehearsals, practice sessions, travelling and live performance.

Warm, Responsive Reed System

Inside the Special 20 are 20 brass reeds mounted on 0.9 mm brass reed plates, providing the responsive feel required for controlled articulation and expressive playing.

The instrument responds naturally to changes in breath pressure, giving players the dynamic control needed for gentle melodic passages, stronger rhythmic playing, bends and expressive blues phrasing.

What's Included?

• Hohner Special 20 Harmonica

• Key of A

• Hohner protective case

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Manufacturer	Hohner
Model	Special 20
Series	Progressive
Instrument Type	Diatonic Harmonica
Key	A Major
Tuning	Richter
Number of Holes	10
Number of Reeds	20
Reed Material	Brass
Reed Plate Material	Brass
Reed Plate Thickness	0.9 mm
Comb Material	ABS
Comb Colour	Black
Mouthpiece Surface	ABS
Cover Plate Material	Stainless Steel
Reed Plate Design	Recessed
Length	Approx. 10 cm

FAQs

What key is this Hohner Special 20?

This version of the Hohner Special 20 is tuned to A major.

Is the Hohner Special 20 in A suitable for blues?

Yes. The Special 20 is particularly well suited to blues thanks to its responsive brass reeds, Richter tuning and excellent suitability for bending and expressive phrasing.

What key can I play in using an A harmonica in second position?

An A harmonica is commonly used for playing blues in E when using second-position, also known as cross-harp playing.

Why is an A harmonica useful for guitar-based music?

The key of E is extremely common in blues and rock guitar music. Because an A harmonica is commonly used for second-position playing in E, it is particularly useful when playing alongside guitarists.

How does an A harmonica sound compared with a C harmonica?

An A harmonica is pitched lower than a C harmonica, giving it a warmer, deeper and fuller tonal character.

How many holes does the Special 20 have?

It features the traditional 10-hole diatonic layout.

How many reeds does it have?

The Hohner Special 20 features 20 brass reeds, providing blow and draw notes across its 10 holes.

Can notes be bent on the Special 20?

Yes. The Special 20 responds well to note bending, vibrato and other expressive harmonica techniques, making it particularly popular with blues players.

What is different about the Special 20 mouthpiece?

Its brass reed plates are recessed within the ABS comb, creating a smooth projecting plastic mouthpiece without exposed metal reed plate edges.

Does the Special 20 have a wooden comb?

No. The Special 20 features a durable black ABS comb, offering excellent resistance to moisture.

Is this a chromatic harmonica?

No. The Special 20 is a diatonic harmonica using Richter tuning rather than the slide mechanism found on chromatic harmonicas.

What styles of music is it suitable for?

The Special 20 works particularly well for blues, folk, country, rock and pop, as well as general melodic and accompaniment playing.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A Hohner protective case is included for convenient storage and transport.

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