You did well with choosing those two. The Special 20 has been a mainstay for pros for ages. But the Easttop came outta nowhere a few years ago and rivals the midlevel German harps at 1/3 the price. Chinese manufacturers are GOOD at making harmonicas. If you ever want your mind blown, spend just $10 more than that the special 20 ($50) and get a Kongsheng Solist. It rivals the $100 German harps and you'll just be awed at the quality. They're so responsive you can just hold them up in front of a fan 20 feet away and they'll start to play. The Kongsheng Mars ($30) might be the most comfortable harp to play that exists.
I just bought an EastTop bass harmonica. They're huge, cool sounding and very easy to play, the holes are arranged just like a piano. You can hear these alot on Green Acres, especially Arnold Ziffel episodes. These normally cost quite alot but they sell on ebeigh for about a hundred, the listing I bought from has a $20 coupon til September 16 so I paid $79 + free shipping. If you check a video featuring one of these you might like it enough to buy one.
I'd like to have one, but I just spent $104 to pay for a ukulele that USPS destroyed somewhere between Alabama and Washington State. Lady bought my beautiful Hricane ziricote concert and it arrived crushed.
Thank you so much for this review - I was about to buy another Special 20 but now I'm not so sure. Your closing comment 'this is just a little better' pales in comparison to the price difference. Is 'just a little better' worth it at twice the price...? hmmmm... thank you once again.
Thanks for sharing..Why I choose eastop T 008K to learn diatonic harmonica is because the quality and the sound of the item is quite excellent for a beginner like me at a fairly cheap price..
Thanks for making this video. I own alot of special 20s, and I always wondered about the eastop brand. You explained it really well. So I think I'm gonna buy myself a eastop and give it a try. I don't think it's a bad choice..
I grew up playing a special 20 period about 5 years ago I made a switch to a Fender Blues DeVille. About a month ago I picked up a couple East tops and I'm more than impressed. My modern opinion Hohner is far overpriced and typically a very basic instrument. What type of music do you play?
I have a Hohner harmonica I have had for almost 40 years. I never really learned how to play it but I remember I could do a couple of tunes. I'm afraid I haven't played around with it for years. Maybe I should pick it up again!
You have how many Ukulele's Rich? Did you say 40? Wow! Good for you!!! I love that!!! Please tell me more about all the Uke's you have :) I love the sound of the Easttop Harmonica :) Each note seems to come through more to me.
Was wonderin' if you had any harps! I have alot of harmonicas; my favorite for sound and playability is Hohner Blues Harp, throaty sound and they bend notes easily. I have a Hohner low C Rocket, loud and airtight, expensive (see video). Also some Lucky 13 Bass Blues harmonicas, these are designed by a British guy who has them made in China by EastTop; they have 3 more holes than normal, all one octave lower. Of the ones you have, I would greatly prefer the Special 20, if you play more often you'll probably notice better sound and playability than the others. PS maybe we can hear a song?
I have a Hohner Special 20, Blues Harp, Hot Metal, Marine Band, American Ace, and just ordered an East Top in key of A. Trying to figure out which I like best. I might even post my first comparison video.
The Hohner Special 20 is a recognized clear winner for a long-lasting, wonderful-playing harmonica. After a few years of continual playing, the Hohner will still be true to you. Rick
@@lakkakkaThere are lots of great harps out there. I play Easttop Blues because I could afford a complete set of 12 of them while I'm learning. Mine still sound and play great 2 years later - I still love 'em, and I can add other (more premium) brands slowly.
@@Panicagq2 That's cool Terry! I play marin bands. I've always wanted to try eastop, I've always loved the looks of them too. My next harp will be the eastop for sure.
@@paulcook68 They're also nice and hefty in the hand. The Easttops I have are a little raspy and 'swampy' sounding but loud and the tone suits my taste really well. Have fun!
You did well with choosing those two. The Special 20 has been a mainstay for pros for ages. But the Easttop came outta nowhere a few years ago and rivals the midlevel German harps at 1/3 the price. Chinese manufacturers are GOOD at making harmonicas.
If you ever want your mind blown, spend just $10 more than that the special 20 ($50) and get a Kongsheng Solist. It rivals the $100 German harps and you'll just be awed at the quality. They're so responsive you can just hold them up in front of a fan 20 feet away and they'll start to play. The Kongsheng Mars ($30) might be the most comfortable harp to play that exists.
Thanks for very good information about harmonicas. This will be very helpful to me and others. Rich😊
@Jagger Romeo Super!
I just bought an EastTop bass harmonica. They're huge, cool sounding and very easy to play, the holes are arranged just like a piano. You can hear these alot on Green Acres, especially Arnold Ziffel episodes. These normally cost quite alot but they sell on ebeigh for about a hundred, the listing I bought from has a $20 coupon til September 16 so I paid $79 + free shipping. If you check a video featuring one of these you might like it enough to buy one.
You're right. That deep sound goes right along with baritone ukulele. The size of it is surprising! Great price you found!!
@@richdavis4007they now have one for $72 after coupon and free shipping from California. Make your move, Rich!
@@richdavis4007$72 + free shipping after coupon now
I'd like to have one, but I just spent $104 to pay for a ukulele that USPS destroyed somewhere between Alabama and Washington State. Lady bought my beautiful Hricane ziricote concert and it arrived crushed.
This is by far the best comparison/review that i ha e seen
Thanks, friend. Best wishes to you. Rich
Perhaps this video is the best featuring the Easttop 008K. Thank you, i'll be buying the EastTop, since now i'm sure that it is a great performer.
😊😊😊😊😊😊
Thank you so much for this review - I was about to buy another Special 20 but now I'm not so sure. Your closing comment 'this is just a little better' pales in comparison to the price difference. Is 'just a little better' worth it at twice the price...? hmmmm...
thank you once again.
Glad it was helpful!😊😊
I agree Special 20’s are the best very responsive and easy to bend. Best beginner harmonica IMO
Totally agree!
Thanks for sharing..Why I choose eastop T 008K to learn diatonic harmonica is because the quality and the sound of the item is quite excellent for a beginner like me at a fairly cheap price..
I like Easttop too8k, too. Very nice! Thanks. Rich
Budda bless you, ole man! Continue to make more videos...
Thank you. I will! 😊
Hi Rich, very good review, thank you. I have already choosen one -Easttop gonna be my choice.
Good choice!
Thanks for making this video. I own alot of special 20s, and I always wondered about the eastop brand. You explained it really well. So I think I'm gonna buy myself a eastop and give it a try. I don't think it's a bad choice..
Glad it was helpful!
I grew up playing a special 20 period about 5 years ago I made a switch to a Fender Blues DeVille. About a month ago I picked up a couple East tops and I'm more than impressed. My modern opinion Hohner is far overpriced and typically a very basic instrument. What type of music do you play?
@@Isaacgates7 I agree. Since this video I've bought a few eastops now. I love them! Great harps and a great price! I play blues and some rock..
Great review 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you!😊😊
I have a Hohner harmonica I have had for almost 40 years. I never really learned how to play it but I remember I could do a couple of tunes. I'm afraid I haven't played around with it for years. Maybe I should pick it up again!
After you begin playing one instrument, easier to play others. Each note has a hole to blow or draw so should be easy to play simple songs.
"I think the looks (of the Easttop).. makes up for any shortcomings." 😅
Sharp looking harmonica! 😊😊😊😊
Very helpful! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
@@richdavis4007 Yes, I was hesitant about purchasing an Easttop harmonica, but now I feel confident I should give it a shot.
@@raiders345 Great. I'm glad if my video helped! Rich
I luv this man....im an east top man but happy to branch out 😁
Thanks so much! Rich
You have how many Ukulele's Rich? Did you say 40? Wow! Good for you!!! I love that!!! Please tell me more about all the Uke's you have :) I love the sound of the Easttop Harmonica :) Each note seems to come through more to me.
The last few ukes have been sent to me for review ... but I love them all. I'll try to talk about my ukes soon! Rich
Hi, how old is the Chicago Blues Harmonica? i mean when did you buy it?
I likely purchased on eBay so I don't know how old it is.
Its good to see this video gramps
Thank you, Rose. At this point in my career I prefer the Easttop. Rich
@@richdavis4007 I allready recieve my harmonica its nice and heavy. Thank you for your review gramps.
Was wonderin' if you had any harps! I have alot of harmonicas; my favorite for sound and playability is Hohner Blues Harp, throaty sound and they bend notes easily. I have a Hohner low C Rocket, loud and airtight, expensive (see video). Also some Lucky 13 Bass Blues harmonicas, these are designed by a British guy who has them made in China by EastTop; they have 3 more holes than normal, all one octave lower. Of the ones you have, I would greatly prefer the Special 20, if you play more often you'll probably notice better sound and playability than the others. PS maybe we can hear a song?
You're right about me noticing more about the differences in sound if I played more. I'll see if I can work up a song on harmonica.
I have a Hohner Special 20, Blues Harp, Hot Metal, Marine Band, American Ace, and just ordered an East Top in key of A. Trying to figure out which I like best. I might even post my first comparison video.
The Hohner Special 20 is a recognized clear winner for a long-lasting, wonderful-playing harmonica. After a few years of continual playing, the Hohner will still be true to you. Rick
Time tested, for sure. Mine is probably 25 years old but still like new.
not the easttop?
@@lakkakkaThere are lots of great harps out there. I play Easttop Blues because I could afford a complete set of 12 of them while I'm learning. Mine still sound and play great 2 years later - I still love 'em, and I can add other (more premium) brands slowly.
@@Panicagq2 That's cool Terry! I play marin bands. I've always wanted to try eastop, I've always loved the looks of them too. My next harp will be the eastop for sure.
@@paulcook68 They're also nice and hefty in the hand. The Easttops I have are a little raspy and 'swampy' sounding but loud and the tone suits my taste really well. Have fun!
Hi grandpa 😊
😊😊😊
Great video 👍👍👍👍
Thank you. Best wishes to you, Kevin. Rich
age