The original Hohner Marine Band is the quintessential harmonica. It was used by most of the big names in blues, rock, and country over the past century. That classic model (STILL sold today as Marine Band 1896), however, is not the most playable. It suffers from having a nailed construction, tends to be leaky, has sharp edges, comb that swells, and covers that easily bend and flatten.
The Marine Band DELUXE addresses all the problems of the original Marine Band. It retains the classic pearwood comb, which is smoothly shaped with beveled edges, and is given a nice coat of varnish to resist swelling. The assembly is done with high quality screws, making it airtight and easy to disassemble for cleaning. The covers are re-designed with a wide-open back for better sound projection. The covers are stronger to resist bending and have a nice curved shape that fits well in the hand. All the sharp edges and corners have been removed.
In summary: the Marine Band Deluxe retains the classic sound and style of the Marine Band, but with modern playability and reliability. It is a high-quality instrument, that plays well and sounds fantastic. Suitable for both beginners and professionals. Highly recommended.