Hohner DIATONIC 560/20 SPECIAL 20 10 HOLES A LA

An Iconic Model from Hohner, at the Heart of the "Richter" Spirit

Hohner is one of the historic harmonica brands, and the Special 20 has become an essential reference in the world of "Richter" diatonics. Within the Hohner range, it stands out for its very "practical" approach: a airtight, stable instrument designed to offer great ease of play while maintaining the character and effectiveness of traditional Hohner tuning. It is precisely this blend of modern comfort and tradition that explains its lasting popularity among harmonica players.
Hohner also offers models with more distinctive personalities according to styles and techniques (notably within performance-oriented series), but the Special 20 remains a key choice for those seeking a reliable, immediately inspiring instrument.

For Which Musician? Recommended Styles

The Hohner Special 20 in A is suitable both for the serious beginner who wants a reliable instrument from the start and for the intermediate or advanced player looking for an expressive diatonic. Thanks to its good airtightness and easy response, it helps work on intonation, articulation, and breath control without struggling against the instrument.
In terms of repertoire, it is particularly comfortable in blues (rich chords, expressive playing), but also in rock, country, folk, and pop. In the key of A, it is ideal for certain common keys and to vary colors in a collection of diatonic harmonicas.

Sound and Design

The Special 20 is renowned for its full sound and projection : the "blow/draw" chords stand out with beautiful density, and single notes maintain good presence. Its design promotes easy response (the instrument "speaks" quickly), which aids both soft attacks and stronger accents.
The black plastic comb provides a consistent feel and limits sensitivity to humidity changes. The 0.9-millimeter brass reeds contribute to stability and tonal character, while the stainless steel screwed covers enhance durability and overall sturdiness. The result is a comfortable harmonica designed for real playing, and reactive enough to handle nuances, chords, and expressive effects.

Diatonic or Chromatic

A diatonic harmonica is designed around one key (here A ) and naturally facilitates chords when blowing and drawing. It is also the preferred type of harmonica for achieving characteristic expressive effects (notably through bending certain notes), highly appreciated in blues, folk, and country. Conversely, a chromatic harmonica provides access to all notes via a dedicated system and is often chosen for jazz and classical music. The Hohner Special 20 is indeed a diatonic : direct, expressive, and oriented towards "roots" and modern playing.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To preserve your harmonica daily, a microfiber cloth (for the exterior) and a protective storage solution suitable for a 10-hole harmonica about 10 cm long (pouch or case) are simple and useful choices. Regular maintenance (drying after playing, storing in a dry place) greatly contributes to the lifespan and response stability.

Technical specifications

Tone	A	Color	Black
Number of holes	10.0000

Type	Diatonic	Hole 2	Blow Db4 ; Draw E4
Number of reeds	20	Hole 3	Blow E4 ; Draw Ab4
Tuning	Traditional Hohner tuning	Hole 4	Blow A4 ; Draw B(H)4 (H \= B)
Key	A / A	Hole 5	Blow Db5 ; Draw D5
Mouthpiece finish	Plastic	Hole 6	Blow E5 ; Draw F#5
Reed plates	brass, 0.9 mm thick	Hole 7	Blow A5 ; Draw Ab5
Replacement reed plates	available	Hole 8	Blow Db6 ; Draw B(H)5 (H \= B)
Cover plates	screwed on, stainless steel	Hole 9	Blow E6 ; Draw D6
Length	10 cm	Hole 10	Blow A6 ; Draw F#6
Hole 1	Blow A3 ; Draw B(H)3 (H \= B)