The Hohner Highlander is a special version of the venerable model number 55/80 Echo Harp. This is a double-sided tremolo instrument with 20 notes and 40 reeds on each side, tuned in keys a perfect fifth apart. The Highlander is based on the model in the keys of A and D which has been altered to the specifications of Scottish harmonica maestro Donald Black. The D side of the instrument is left untouched, but the A side has had two pairs of reeds retuned,changing the G# notes to G natural. This means that instead of an A major scale, this side now plays the mixolydian mode rooted on A, making it the perfect instrument for playing Highland pipe tunes that require the flatted seventh note of the scale.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Some of you are perhaps asking why one would need such a tuning, as it is a simple matter to play the A mixolydian mode on a standard D harmonica - after all, blues harp players do this sort of thing all the time. Well, this approach certainly can be as useful on the tremolo harmonica as it is on the Richter harp. However, this tuning does has certain advantages for chordal work. If you play this mode on a D harmonica, you get the tonic and subdominant chords for the key of A (ie A major and D major). This works fine for blues-based tunes, but playing this mode in first position on the A side of the Highland gives you the tonic and subtonic chords (ie A major and G major), which are widely used in many Highland pieces, allowing the player to use tongue vamping to give strong harmonic support to the performance. Having the standard tuned D side available gives the opportunity for playing medleys of tunes in A mixolydian and D major.

The only other differences between the Highlander and the standard A/D Echo Harp are cosmetic. With a nice green finish, the comb is maple wood with nailed-on reedplates with the covers the usual wrap-around design. The tuning is very good, with the rate of the tremolo progressing smoothly from about 3Hz on the lowest note to about 10Hz on the highest note.

This Highlander harmonica would make a nice addition to the collection of any harmonica player interested in Scottish music and it would be cool to learn of Highland pipe players carrying one around as a somewhat more portable substitute for their main instrument.   This harmonica was a gift to my father who was a Scottish piper, and recently passed away.  He never had a chance to play this harmonica much himself if at all. 

Thanks for looking, and please check out my other harmonica listings here on eBay for more custom and high end refurbished harmonicas. 

Open Door Auctions.