Fender Blues Deluxe

Features:

• One of Harmonica.com’s favorite top-rated harmonicas for the price!
• Chromed metal covers for comfortable performance
• Moisture-resistant ABS plastic combs for bright sound and tuning stability
• Protective vented plastic case allows harmonica to dry after playing
• Includes blister card package
• Seven-key sampler set: A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G
• Includes carrying case

Verdict – The Fender Blues Deluxe is the 2nd best budget harmonica in my opinion. Excellent responsiveness, on all 10 holes, easy to bend and control bends. Slightly louder, brighter tone compared to the Hohner Blues Band, which is my 3rd favorite budget harmonica, but not quite as good as my #1 budget pick – the East Top Too8K. Great beginner and intermediate harmonica.

Bendability – I can get all the bends  on this harmonica without too much effort. It’s ever so slightly easier to bend the -2 and -3 on an East Top Too8K or a Lee Oskar or a Hohner Special 20 compared to the Fender Blues Deluxe, but it’s a small enough difference that I only dock it one star.

Comfort – This harmonica is super comfy on the lips with a plastic comb, chromed cover plates, a countersunk reed plate that doesn’t jab into the lips. I doc it only one star for slightly sharp corners. No real problems with comfort.

Tone – Nice bright tone, good projection, in tune out of the box. I rate the tone 5/5 stars because in the budget category, I think this harp really shines. It is slightly brighter and louder than the Hohner Blues Band, and slightly quieter, duller and thinner than an East Top Too8K or Lee Oskar or Hohner Special 20.

Responsiveness – Again, the responsiveness is quite a bit better than the Hohner Blues Band in my opinion, especially in holes 1-3. In the top notes I can’t play this harmonica as quickly, with as little effort as I can an East Top Too8K or Hohner Special 20 or Lee Oskar. Still, for the budget price category, this is a decent responsive harmonica in my opinion.

Looks – Not much to look at. Your standard black plastic comb harmonica. It does have some attractive labels and drawings on the cover plates. There is a key label engraved on the top cover plate, and the front of the comb in gold. As per usual, I’d prefer more easy-to-read key labels for gigging in clubs with poor lighting.

Durability/Fixability – I haven’t played mine enough to have any meaningful insight in this category. The plastic comb will not be susceptible to any of the swelling, splintering, or cracking that a wood comb could be over time. The cover plates are attached with phillips head screws which should make this harmonica easy to fix/tune.

From the Manufacturer

Perfect for the seasoned harpist or those who are just starting out, the Fender Blues Deluxe Harmonica is versatile enough for any level of player. With solid construction, a traditional shape and bright, articulate tone, this diatonic 10-hole harmonica offers the classic sound and long-lasting reliability of any genuine Fender instrument.