Hohner Marine Band Classic A

The original Marine Band is a legendary harmonica in many aspects. Many beginners, intermediates and pros favor it as well, since its sound has a lot of punch and bright raspiness. However, it comes with one fatal flaw, which is the swelling of the comb. Over time the comb has a tendency to swell up, which makes playing it both rather awkward and uncomfortable (to the lips). The swelling might come after less than a year (sometimes much sooner). The sound will be the same, but the decreased playability might put you in the market for a new harmonica at that point.
And yet I grade it with 5 big stars. The reason is very simple: the sound is unsurpassed!