Hohner Special 20 vs Lee Oskar Major Diatonic
Compare features and trade-offs. Catalog scores are editorial assessments, not customer review averages or proof of hands-on testing.
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Facts and prices checked
Special 20 for feel, Lee Oskar for easy upkeep
These are the two diatonics players recommend most, and either is a sound first harp. We rank the Hohner Special 20 slightly higher. Its brass reed plates are recessed into a plastic comb, giving a smooth, projecting mouthpiece that owners describe as airtight and comfortable, and it is made in Germany. The Lee Oskar Major Diatonic is the better pick if you plan to play hard and keep one harp going for years. Lee Oskar sells replacement reed plates for every key, mounted with three screws, so a worn harp can be refreshed instead of replaced. It is also tuned to 441 Hz or higher for a slightly brighter sound. Prices overlap, so choose on feel and maintenance rather than cost.
Key differences
| Hohner Special 20 | Lee Oskar Major Diatonic | |
|---|---|---|
| Comb | Moisture-resistant ABS plastic | Smooth plastic comb that does not swell |
| Reed plates | 0.9 mm brass plates recessed into the comb | Plates sit in a precision-molded recessed bed to reduce leakage |
| Replacement parts | Retailers list it as a complete harmonica; no reed-plate kits listed | Replacement reed plates and covers sold for every model |
| Tuning | Richter tuning, with Country tuning in some keys | Tuned to 441 Hz or higher for a brighter sound |
| Covers | Stainless steel | Corrosion-proof stainless steel |
| Typical US price | About $40 to $59 depending on retailer | About $44 to $57 depending on key |
Choose Hohner Special 20 if…
- you want the smooth, projecting mouthpiece that its recessed reed plates create.
- you want a Country-tuned harp, which Hohner offers in certain keys.
- you can find it at the lower end of its street price, where it often undercuts the Lee Oskar.
Choose Lee Oskar Major Diatonic if…
- you want to replace worn reed plates instead of buying a new harmonica.
- you prefer a slightly brighter sound from its 441 Hz or higher tuning.
- you plan to collect several keys and want interchangeable parts across them.