What is equal temperament on a harmonica?

Every half step is the same size, like a piano. Melodies sound in tune with other instruments; chords sound a little less smooth than on a harmonica tuned for chords.

Do our tabs work on both?

Yes. Both are 10-hole Richter-layout diatonics, so the hole numbers in our tabs are the same.

Hohner Golden Melody vs Hohner Special 20

Both are plastic-comb Hohners with brass reeds. The real difference is the tuning: equal temperament on the Golden Melody, Richter (or Country) on the Special 20.

Side by side

Type: Hohner Golden Melody: 10-hole diatonic; Hohner Special 20: 10-hole diatonic
Reeds: Hohner Golden Melody: 20, brass; Hohner Special 20: 20, brass
Comb: Hohner Golden Melody: ABS plastic; Hohner Special 20: ABS plastic
Reed plates: Hohner Golden Melody: Brass, 0.9 mm; Hohner Special 20: Brass, 0.9 mm, recessed into the comb
Covers: Hohner Golden Melody: Stainless steel, held by two Torx screws; Hohner Special 20: Stainless steel
Tuning: Hohner Golden Melody: Richter, equal temperament; Hohner Special 20: Richter; Country tuning in every key except high G
Keys: Hohner Golden Melody: C, Db, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, Ab, A, Bb, B; Hohner Special 20: High G, F#, F, E, Eb, D, Db, C, B, Bb, A, Ab, G
Price tier: Hohner Golden Melody: $$ Mid-range (about $40 to $70); Hohner Special 20: $$ Mid-range (about $40 to $70)

Fact	Hohner Golden Melody	Hohner Special 20
Type	10-hole diatonic	10-hole diatonic
Reeds	20, brass	20, brass
Comb	ABS plastic	ABS plastic
Reed plates	Brass, 0.9 mm	Brass, 0.9 mm, recessed into the comb
Covers	Stainless steel, held by two Torx screws	Stainless steel
Tuning	Richter, equal temperament	Richter; Country tuning in every key except high G
Keys	C, Db, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, Ab, A, Bb, B	High G, F#, F, E, Eb, D, Db, C, B, Bb, A, Ab, G
Price tier	$$ Mid-range (about $40 to $70)	$$ Mid-range (about $40 to $70)

Which one for you?

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Choose the Hohner Golden Melody if

you mostly play single-note melodies
you play with piano or keyboard
you want melodies to sound in tune in every position

Specs, pros and cons Check price on Amazon

Choose the Hohner Special 20 if

you play chords and blues
you want Country tuning or high G
you want a smooth, recessed mouthpiece

Specs, pros and cons Check price on Amazon

Questions

What is equal temperament on a harmonica?: Every half step is the same size, like a piano. Melodies sound in tune with other instruments; chords sound a little less smooth than on a harmonica tuned for chords.
Do our tabs work on both?: Yes. Both are 10-hole Richter-layout diatonics, so the hole numbers in our tabs are the same.

Sources

Price tiers are approximate US street prices, checked October 2026.