Its traditional design and tuning give it an unmistakable sound that has shaped the blues sound on countless reference recordings. The flagship of the Hohner diatonic harmonicas, the Marine Band Classic has not fundamentally changed since its creation and introduction in the 19th century by German immigrants in the United States, especially in Texas and the two Carolinas (North and South). Adopted by black musicians because of its (low) price, the Marine Band, millions of which were exported to the United States, gradually became the instrument of choice for bluesmen before conquering the world.