MZ2010 FlexRack Harmonica Holder

I needed a rack that would hold non magnetic harps. This works and changing harmonicas isn't too difficult once you get the hang of it. Adjustments are not difficult. I would buy this one again but cheaper options are available.

This is my favorite neck rack. It is rock solid. It is the most professional unit out there. For some people it might be a bit much but it is very solid like the BMW of neck racks. The locking gear side knobs are just amazing. There is no give with these things. You set it once and lock it in. There is no slippage. As always, I feel like I could make some improvements to it but it would only be some simple things. The springs that hold the harmonica in place are like valve springs, they are really taut. You gotta wrestle a big harmonica like a comet or a fanfare in there. I get the feeling there is something that could be incorporated into the design that would make the switching process easier. I have some ideas. The people that manufacture these musical aids could raise the price and come up with an even more deluxe unit. This is like a classical guitar knee booster. When you need high quality to get the right result nothing less than the best will do. Nobody wants a guitar support that is too heavy, damages the guitar finish and slips off your leg while you are playing. As such, it is nice to make smooth harmonica changes that look effortless on stage. This unit was fifty bucks. I'd pay a hundred to get the right unit. I think anybody, that really plays, would. I might add, this is a unit I can turn on to one shoulder when the next tune has no harmonica in it. In that respect, it stays where you put it. It also looks super cool to anyone that sees it there. I might add, there is a special insert that can be added to this unit, separate manufacturer. It slips into the rack and a magnetic plate can hold two harmonicas, one on top and one on the bottom. With this rack the insert can sit magnetized to the side spar until needed, (I never need it). Can't do that with the lighter racks. Can't really imagine being without it now.

This thing is great, the best ever. I wish that they were availble decades ago.

I'm a guitar-playing singer who plays harp in a rack and I've been playing for over 40 years. I've owned several different types and designs of these and they all seem to have their shortcomings. I decided to spring for the high-priced product so I bought the Hohner MZ 2010 and have been playing it on live gigs for a few months now so I have a feel for the positives and the things that need improvement. Positives: Very sturdy design. Once the harp is in the rack and you get it in the correct position it stays firmly in place. Other units I've owned slip at the hinge joint or the harp slips around in the spring clamp or both. The rubber padded neck part of the bracket is comfortable. The extra harp angle and height adjustment allow you to set just the right angle and height so you don't have to put a kink in your neck to play it. Once you have that setting locked down you don't need to change it as you swap out harps. It's rugged design means you can toss it in a gig back or box along with other gear and it won't get messed up. Recommended improvements Once the harp is in the rack you have to position it by tightening the threaded knobs on each side that lock it into place with groves that are machined into friction plates. This is awesome except when its time to move the harp away from your mouth. The knobs need to be loosened so you can rotate the harp away from your face. This takes a bit of time and you have to be careful not to loosen the knobs too much becaue they will fall off if you do. (this has happend to me twice on two different gigs. Fortunatly I was able to find the runaway knobs and reattach them between tunes). In order to remedy this MY RECOMMENDATION would be to add a release button. After finely adjusting and locking in the playing position with the knobs, all you would need to do is squeeze a release that allows the harp to swing out of the way when you aren't playing it. The way it is now you have to keep the harp right in front of your mouth even when you are not playing it. I've learned to kind of sing over the top of it but it sure would be handy to be able to click a realease and swing the harp down and then do a reverse move to click it back into place when you need it again. This would allow players to set up the rack without having to readjust each time you switch harps. I've learned a few workarounds to deal with the limitations of this rack. 1) Leave one main adjustment knob loose and lightly finger tighten the other one so it only takes a quarter turn to release it. 2) tighten the pitch and heigth adjustment with plyers so the harp position can't change no matter what harp you use (I play all marine band style harps) it will always be adjusted correctly. Overall this is a great product and a step in the right direction and with a few tweaks, it will be fantastic. Peace/Love/Music

Bought this as an upgrade from my standard Hohner rack and couldn't be happier. This rack can be adjusted in several ways and you'll be able to find your perfect playing position without a doubt. You can change the harmonica height, angle and depth all with simple twists of knobs. Seems to be well made and is comfortable on your neck. Definitely worth the extra dough. Getting the harp in the perfect position makes playing much more comfortable and the notes clearer, also much easier to bend notes with the harp in optimal position. The price on this product fluctuates quite a bit so I'd recommend saving it in you 'wish list' and ordering when the price is low---Got mine when it was $29, started at over $50 Update*** I've now owned this rack for going on two years. It still performs as it did right out of the box. I haven't had any problems and I've grown to appreciate this rack more and more as I've learned how to make quick adjustments. I'm very pleased with the durability of this product. I know some reviewers have complained about lost knobs, however, I've never had one fall off it all the time I've had it. If the day comes that I break this rack I will not hesitate to replace it.

BEST harp holder on the market! Others not so versatile!

This rack absolutely does everything it says it will do. I liked the way the angle feature allows one to adjust the mouth rotation. That was a nice improvement over the usual fare. Unfortunately other problems with the design caused me to return it. The first was that it was so wide it constantly fought my guitar strap. I couldn't keep it in position, and my strap causes it to sit at an angle. The next problem was with the locking mechanism. It uses notches to hold the forward and backwards motion in place. The way the notches were set, the holder was either too close or too far away. Once it was set, you couldn't scoot it at all. I know it's only a matter of a fraction of an inch, but it make a big difference in use. Then, in order to move it, you have to unscrew both sides way too much. During a gig when you need to move it quickly and often, this becomes extremely cumbersome. The last thing is that all of the adjustments to the mouth angle and tension screws came loose as the gig went on. Unlike the notches section which I wished were looser. So I was constantly having to adjust the tension on them. My over all impression was, this unit is a tank. It is heavy and rugged. However in a real gig situation it requires so much maintenance it becomes untenable. I guess if you are using it in a situation where there is no strap involved such as a keyboard player, and you can get it to adjust properly with very little vibration, this unit may be the ticket. However, for a working guitar player where you are dealing with a strap, trying to play the guitar, sing, and use a harmonica all at the same time, look elsewhere. This one is not made for us.

My Son loves this. Very satisfied.