Blue Moon Custom Harmonica Review
This Blue Moon custom harmonica review is all about a seriously souped-up Hohner Crossover—and I’ll be answering a big question: is this the loudest harmonica out there? I’ll also be comparing it directly with a standard Hohner Crossover. Just so you know, this isn’t a sponsored post—I bought the harmonica myself so I could give you my honest, unbiased opinion.
Let’s take a closer look.
Click here to download the lesson materials
Specs: What Makes This a Blue Moon Custom
This isn’t just a Crossover with a fancy paint job—Blue Moon Harmonicas do quite a bit of work under the hood to take things to the next level.
Here’s what you get:
Double reed plates on both the blow and draw sides—this increases the chamber size, boosts airflow, and gives you more volume
A custom Blue Moon comb
Flat-sanded draw plate for a tighter seal
Full slot embossing
Reed gapping and profiling for better response
Opened-up covers for less resistance
Tuned to modern compromise tuning
This one isn’t specifically set up for overblows, but even so—it plays five and six overblows nice and easy straight out of the box. That’s all I really need for most of my playing.
What Does It Sound Like?
The one I’m playing is in the key of B♭. You can hear the full example earlier in the video, but the short version is—it sounds great.
It’s got that tight, focused tone you want in a blues harp—but with a bit more projection. The volume and clarity are definitely noticeable, especially when you push it dynamically.
If you want to really dig in and hear the difference, you can download the audio clips and tab using the link below.
How It Feels to Play
Now here’s where it gets a bit more subjective—but also more important, in my opinion.
I’ve played a lot of modern harmonicas, and the truth is—they’re generally very good out of the box. The Hohner Crossover is no exception. So, a custom harp really needs to feel special to justify the price.
And this one does.
It’s subtle, but everything comes together to make it feel more alive—more responsive. I find myself picking it up more than my other harps just to have a little noodle. It’s not just about volume—it’s about that connection. It makes me want to play, and that’s a big deal.
Blue Moon vs Standard Crossover: Real Comparison
To be fair, I wanted to do a proper A/B comparison. So I took a standard Hohner Crossover, replaced the comb with the same Blue Moon acrylic comb, and sanded the draw plate. That way, the only difference would be the extra customisations.
We tested both in a proper studio setup so we could really hear what was going on.
When it comes to dynamic range—that’s the difference between how quietly and how loudly the harmonica can play—the Blue Moon edges ahead. It’s just a bit louder, and that’s noticeable.
But again, the real win is in the feel. The Blue Moon custom is just more responsive, more inspiring to play.
Conclusion: Is It Worth It?
If you’ve got the budget—over $200 USD—then yeah, I’d say go for it. The Blue Moon custom harmonica feels brilliant and plays beautifully. I’m genuinely tempted to get a few more.
But—if that price point is out of reach, don’t stress. The standard Hohner Crossover is still a fantastic instrument, especially with a couple of DIY upgrades like a better comb and some reed adjustment.
Where to Go Next
You can download the tab and audio clips for the playing example using the link below. That way, you can really listen for yourself and make your own call.
And if you’re curious how the Crossover stacks up against other big-name brands, check out my Hohner vs Suzuki vs Seydel harmonica shootout. I break down the differences and give you my honest take on each.
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this review and want to see more harmonica gear content like this—let me know in the comments below. And if you’re ready to level up your playing no matter what harp you’re using, come join me inside Tomlin Harmonica School. You’ll get the lessons, structure, and feedback you need to become a confident blues player.
