Designed by a master of the harp.

Well-suited for blues, rock, country, folk, and jazz. They're more airtight, easier to bend, and better sounding than many harps. Modular design.

Built in Japan to his exacting standards and incorporating new techniques and materials, it was in 1983 that Lee Oskar introduced his new harmonica. The radically different harp design grew out of Lee's frustration with the lack of quality and consistency in the mouth harps of the day. The design also benefited from Oskar's insights as a seasoned recording and touring pro.

The Dane's Design
Central to Oskar's design is a smooth plastic comb that doesn't swell like traditional wood combs. Aside from being easier to keep clean, the plastic comb is impervious to the swelling of conventional harmonica wood combs that can tear up the player's lips. By making affordable replacement reed plates available, Oskar's harps can be easily refurbished. You no longer need to toss out a harmonica because a reed or two has gone south. Replacement reed plates are available for every model in the Lee Oskar harmonica lineup and installation is easy since they mount to the comb with just three self-tapping screws. The reed plates have wide chambers and narrow dividers for faster, easier playing. A precision-molded, recessed bed holds the reed plate securely to prevent air leakage and project a bigger sound. The corrosion-proof, stainless steel cover plates are also engineered for excellent projection and tone. (Replacement cover plates are also available.) Lee Oskar harmonicas are tuned to 441-plus hertz for a brighter sound. With equal tuning by octaves, Lee Oskar harps have excellent intonation for blowing highly articulate, single-note leads.

More Keys and Modes
Lee's innovation didn't stop with a better-designed harp. Recognizing the need for harmonicas tuned in other than the major and natural minor diatonic scales, he introduced the Melody Maker and Harmonic Minor series that make it easier to play melodies difficult if not impossible to play with a standard diatonic harmonica. Another indication of Oskar's hard-won knowledge as a touring pro: Each harp is clearly marked in bright white on both ends with its first- and second-position (straight and cross-harp) keys. Each harmonica box is color-coded according to its series and also displays its key prominently. If you've ever struggled to find the right harp on a darkened stage, you will appreciate this simple yet essential touch.

About Lee Oskar
Even if you don't recognize Lee Oskar by name, if you've listened to pop radio much, you've probably heard his highly personal mouth harp style on War hits like "The Cisco Kid," "Low Rider," and "Why Can't We Be Friends." Oskar's staccato phrasing and uncanny tone—put to great use blowing horn-like unison riffs with saxman Charles Miller—gave War's funky stew of Latino, Caribbean, African, jazz, rock, and R&B elements a distinctive lead voice. This was especially true after the departure of vocalist Eric Burdon. The former Animals singer had been a focal point for War on early hits like "Spill The Wine." The band's eclectic and fluent mix of genres proved a rich fount leading to a string of '70s and '80s hits, usually with Oskar's distinctive harp riffs providing the signature sound.

Lee Oskar Major Diatonic Harmonica Features:

• Airtight
• Easier second-position bending
• All key components are replaceable
• Durable and longer-lasting than other harps

Order all the keys you need today!

Lee Oskar Major Diatonic Harmonica

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Average of 92 User Ratings

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So far...

Posted by Patrick James McKenna from St.Marys, GA on Nov 12, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Contemporary Christian, Gospel, C&W, Oldies, Etc.

I think that the Lee Oskar harmonicas have got the German and the Chinese harmonicas beat.

As nice as the Hohner MS series harmonicas, which feature the easily replaceable reed plates are, I have noticed that the Lee Oskar harmonicas also have easily replaceable reed plates.

Better yet, the Lee Oskar replacement plates are lower-priced!

It's probably too soon to give any 5.0 Product Ratings but I'm honestly that impressed with the Lee Oskar Diatonic Harmonica (which I have in the keys of LF, G, A, C, and E).

When I'm playing in front of an audience and want to use my best harmonica, I now reach for a Lee Oskar instead of a Hohner.

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Wow!!!

Posted by BluesMan06 from Fayetteville, NC on Sep 3, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: novice

Reviewer's Play Style: blues

All I really have to say is I'm very impressed with these harmonicas. I've been playing for about a year and the harps that I was using before were on the lower end. It was very hard to bend notes and learn how to play blues on them. But Lee Oskar I have to say was amazing right out of the box.

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Great quality, poor performance

Posted by Slim Harper from Louisiana on May 23, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Highly active musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Blues, rock, swing, country

I have played all models of major diatonic on stage and in the studio. Although the construction and value are truly awesome, but when you go to bat they just don't swing. If you play offstage or a beginner, get Lee Oskar harps and accessories because they are very high quality. If you perform regularly, spend the money to have harps that wont let you down. The hohner special 20 is still my favorite, but still let me down. If you need to tongue block and overblow onstage, try the hohner crossharp for durability.

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The better buy for a bunch of reasons

Posted by Larry from Ayer, MA on Apr 5, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: active musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Blues, Country, Rock

To start off, the harp "feels" better, playing it than my Marine Bands. It's tuned to 441 hZ, making the tone a bit brighter. The plastic comb, which I didn't like at first, adds to playing comfort. The real reasons I have started buying nothing but Lee Oskars is better overall quality and the replaceabe components. I've blown out Marine Bands, to where the only use for them is to throw at the birds. The reed plates are replaceable, so instead of buying a whole new harp, I simply replace the bad components and I'm good as new. Obviously, the Lee Oskars were designed by someone who makes a living playing harp. The only Hohner product I find as impressive to use is the Marine Band Deluxe, but it cost 40% more money. It also lacks replaceable components.

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The Germans got beat

Posted by Anonymous Musician on Jan 20, 2009

Experience w/product: I have heard about it

Reviewer's Background: N/A

Reviewer's Play Style: N/A

I have player harp since college and had always bought the standard Honers and while they did the job and I learned to play. However as I started getting better and playing more often I found myself onstage with a bad note. Normally one that I really needed and had bent beyond repair.

Not sure how I stumbled upon Lee Oscar but I am happy I did. I still break them but no as often and I like the fell and tone of these. They bend to the max right out of the box. These are the Best that I have found

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Lee Oskar Major Diatonic Harmonica

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