This is really not the best harmonica for blues. It is way too much and pretty much the same as the hohner pro harp. Sure the comb is thicker and reeds a little bigger than the pro harp. But that just causes a strain to have to tamper with it. You have to change the spacing a little and mess with it to get it air tight. So many MS hohner harmonicas just don't compare to the classic line (golden melody, special 20, marine band). The MS has replaceable reeds but its better off just to buy a hohner classic line harp listed above and replace it when the reeds go bad. I like spending more time playing my harmonicas than fixing them or replacing the reeds again and again. The 3 classic line harps are hohners top selling and still the best. They have better sound and quality than the MS line. The marine band is awsome for tone and sound due to its tradition feel and wooden comb. It has the classic tone many swear by. The Golden Melody has a shape and feel with reeds closer to the sound hole that is perfect for overblowing/overdrawing. The Special 20 (my favorite) is made the same way as a marine band with plastic combs and special tuned reeds for a sound that fits well with other instruments which works great in blues/rock.

On the box there is a dot sticker with the harp key lift that sticker and stick it right in the middle of the top chamber cover, this also makes easier to find the right key quickly on stage.

If you simply re-stick the Key Sticker that comes with this harp (on the box) on the harp you got no problem ID the key...

These harps are great - but DO need to be gapped to reduce leakage.

Thicker reed plates give a louder tone.

Other simple mods can be done to these - as they are the best in the MS series - anything you do is only an improvement.

Beginners - go buy a Big River.

This harp sounds way better than my lee oskar especially on the higher notes. It is also the nicest looking harmonica on the market today.

MS reed plates are quickly changeable, but are hard to find. Plays a bit harsher than a special 20, but has a nice raspy blues tone. Especially good for playing the high end blow- bent notes. Also sounds good with tongue blocking, for those players who are into it. Despite Hohner's advertising, this is no more durable than a special 20, and I don't feel it is worth the extra money. The Lee Oskar is a better value, by far.