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Forums :: Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

The cheapest but still tone bending

4 replies [Last post]
Thu, 01/12/2023 - 18:19
Vanja11
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I bought a Honer Golden Melody in the key of C, but David's program is followed on an A harmonica. Since this is not my only hobby, now I have the budget for the cheapest one, but it can bend the tone... which you recommend. These are available in my city.

chord blues ten harmonicahohner sx a hn1020hohner a silver star

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Thu, 01/12/2023 - 18:40
#1
Expert Winslow Yerxa
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Don't go cheap

Low price generally equals poor performance.

If you don't want to spend $54 for a Hohner Special 20 then you could go for an Easttop T008K at $23.00 from Rockin Ron:

https://rockinronsmusic.com/collections/easttop-harmonicas

Are there cheaper harmonicas out there? Sure, but don't waste your money.

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Fri, 01/13/2023 - 03:04
#2
Vanja11
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thanks for the advice

can i buy on aliexpres

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33035310389.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.s...

i gess yes bcs eastop is china brand

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Fri, 01/13/2023 - 10:21
#3
Expert Winslow Yerxa
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Yes

I haven't played the T008L model and cannot comment on its quality. I have played the T008K and the Pro20, and I can attest that they are suitable for blues.

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Mon, 01/16/2023 - 15:07
#4
UkuleleRob65
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Joined: 06/06/2014
Vanja11: Where are you?

Vanja11:

In what country are you? One thing to be careful about if you buy harmonicas from on-line sellers is that if that seller is not one of the manufacturer's authorized dealers or importers for the country you live in, you may not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty policies. Something to check, and it's always safer to buy from a regular retail store seller or an on-line seller based in your own country. Easttop has good quality control, so it would be rare and unusual if you got one that had to be returned, but still something to think about. (And my dentist, a fellow blues harp player, swears by the Easttop harps he owns, and given that he does his own service and repairs to them, that speaks volumes for their quality.)

Of course, if you are in the United States, Rockin' Ron's Music in San Diego CA is THE dealer to buy from. Great customer service, fair prices, and he's an authorized seller for all brands he sells.

Finally, based on some postings from folks here over the years, be especially careful when an on-line-only seller is offering a harmonica model at a price that's way below what retail stores and known on-line sellers are selling for. There are some badguys out there who re-package and sell used harmonicas as new, and even some that sell counterfeit harmonicas. In the case of the AliExpress listing you posted, its price looks comparable to retail in most countries, so most likely you'll get the real deal.

And re starting with a C, then initial lessons on an A, as you progress playing blues harmonica, check out postings here and other information from David on most-commonly-used harp keys. E.g., he has excellent advice (as does Winslow, of course) on what keys to have if you have only three, four or five harps, as opposed to all 12 keys.

 

 

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