Middlefield

Introducing the New Bushman Middlefield

When we launched the Knittlinger in April 2025, we set out to solve a problem that double reed harmonica players had accepted for generations:  All double reed harmonicas took too much air, and responded sluggishly.  They had uncomfortable combs, and playing them felt like kissing a corn cobb.  Instead of having a single row of holes like a standard 10-hole diatonic, 10-hole double reed harmonicas had 40  holes divided into 10 4-hole quadrants.  It was difficult to play with precision and hit exactly the notes you wanted, and again, the quadrant-style combs were uncomfortable.

The Knittlinger solved ALL of that!

Now we’re following up with our second double reed octave harmonica design—the all-new Bushman Middlefield.

Like the Knittlinger, the Middlefield is exceptionally responsive and easy playing. It features the same fast, comfortable, single-row mouthpiece design and delivers the rich, full accordion-like tone that makes octave harmonicas so enjoyable to play.

But the Middlefield introduces 2 important refinements: silent windsavers and laser tuning.

Windsavers are essential in double reed harmonicas because they prevent air from escaping through inactive reed slots. The downside is that traditional windsavers can create buzzing or flapping noises during play.  To solve that, we searched extensively for a better material and developed a quieter windsaver system that dramatically reduces unwanted noise while maintaining excellent airtightness and response.  The result is an octave harmonica that delivers big, rich sound with less windsaver noise.

Laser tuning is the most accurate tuning method in the world, and it’s how the Middlefield is tuned.  The factory uses a computer-aided laser to cut, shape, and tune the Middlefield’s phosphor bronze reeds. This laser technology delivers precise pitch accuracy that other double reed octave harmonicas on the market simply don’t have.

The Middlefield offers the speed and responsiveness players loved in the Knittlinger, but with a more traditional shape, our new, quieter windsaver technology, and laser tuning.  Now is the time to order a Middlefield.  They will go up from $99.95 now to $125.00 on October 1, 2026.

As innovation in octave harmonicas continues to move forward, we’re proud to remain at the forefront of that progress.

Available Keys (low to high):
Low A, Low Bb, Low C, Low D, Low E, Low F, and G.

Dimensions of Middlefield:  4.9″ x 1.4″ x 3/4″  Dimensions of Middlefield box:  6.3″ x 3.2″ x 1.8″