Mahcks
79 posts
Oct 03, 2016
11:44 AM
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And I can't play them because my mouth is numb from so dental work. I'm trying, but I can't purse my lips! Dangit!
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Sarge
574 posts
Oct 03, 2016
1:02 PM
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Send them to me. I'll play them for you and then let you know how they play.
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Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives alone.
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Mahcks
80 posts
Oct 04, 2016
10:19 AM
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Alright I can feel my face again! I bought the five pack, and I've spent about 30 minutes embossing and gapping the C. I've got clean overblows on 3 4 & 5. Pretty fun harp!
The only weird thing is the Easttop logo on the comb looks upside-down.
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isaacullah
3223 posts
Oct 04, 2016
7:17 PM
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Can't wait to get mine! I've never been so excited for a new hap!
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WoozleEffect
4 posts
Oct 05, 2016
12:27 PM
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I'm really enjoying the set of 5 own-brand PowerDraw harps I ordered from Brendan several months back. They are the cats ass!
My poor embouchure and technique resulted in me blowing out a few reeds on the G, so I ordered a replacement form Seydel in stainless steel.
I'd LOVE to get my hands on some Lucky 13's, but my customizing and re-tuning skills are practically non-existent beyond installing my own valves.
If I could get a set of Lucky 13's in stainless steel with PowerDraw up top... that would make my day!
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Rob Laferrière
Russell, MB, Canada
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ME.HarpDoc
197 posts
Oct 06, 2016
11:25 AM
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Woozie, I just got a Lucky 13 in F. Gapping will improve but right OOTB was pretty close for all notes according to the Panotuner app on my iPhone. Acceptable to my ear anyway. I bet if you can get a set set up in Power Draw, they'll be pretty accurate.
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WoozleEffect
6 posts
Oct 06, 2016
12:31 PM
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Good to hear!
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Rob Laferrière
Russell, MB, Canada
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ME.HarpDoc
202 posts
Oct 23, 2016
10:18 AM
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Ok, I've had my Lucky 13 in F a few weeks now. It didn't take long to adjust to the hole location.
Last night I got invited to sit in for a set with a classic rock cover band. Mostly it was back up and fills but a lot of fun. It turns out 75% of the tunes were in the key of C, perfect for 2nd position harp in F. The riffs went high and low and the Lucky 13 couldn't have been more versatile. In the past, I'd have to decide whether to play F or Low F harp as a tune started and/or keep both harps handy to swap for a solo. With the Lucky 13, it pretty much covers my needs in one harp.
BTW, one of the recent forum posts reviewed a Lucky 13 OOTB and found the 3 hole draw unbendable. Not so on mine. It bend's like butter!
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1847
3764 posts
Oct 23, 2016
10:54 AM
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i haven't got one yet, but my thoughts are.... these would be great on the higher harps
E....F.. ..F# but i am wondering how useful the lower key haps would be G..Ab A.
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mlefree
782 posts
Oct 24, 2016
7:42 AM
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The excitement over Lucky 13s is great. I'm glad to see that people like them.
I wonder if there is any Lucky 13 owner who also owns similar harps like Hohner's SBS (Steve Baker Special) or Seydel's Solist Pro 12.
I have both of these harps and prefer the Solosit Pro 12 as it is more ergonomic and smaller so it's easier for me to cup.
But Hohner has announced that it is discontinuing the SBS and the steel reed Solist Pro 12 now costs $110 (mine are the older, less expensive brass reed model and work just great).
So on a practical basis the cost of a Lucky 13 right now with the Pound/Dollar exchange rate at a low is ~$55. I can get excited if the Lucky 13 compares favorably to, say, the Solist Pro 12. It's half the cost!
Thanks,
Michelle
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Mahcks
82 posts
Oct 24, 2016
8:50 AM
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I have an SBS and Solist Pro 12. Honestly, thing I was most excited about for the Lucky 13 was the hole spacing similar to a hohner or suzuki. I don't like seydel's wide tines and my SBS was pretty disappointing when I found out it was like the Seydel.
I still don't think this is the perfect extended range harmonica for me, but all the things that sort of bug me are pretty low on my priorities.
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cyclodan
150 posts
Oct 24, 2016
2:36 PM
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I wonder if these harps would make sense for 3rd position play in the higher keys? I don't ever play anything higher than the Bb (except my C 365 or Lo C Seydel Orchestra Session Steel). I was thinking a Lucky 13 in D would be nice to open up options for 3rd position in E or Em.
Last Edited by cyclodan on Oct 24, 2016 2:59 PM
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Roverharp
54 posts
Oct 29, 2016
1:08 PM
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@ME.HarpDoc - I think you're referring to a post I made about an un-bendable 3 Hole Draw. To be accurate my review was about the 008K model; a ten holer.
My general impressions about East Top are positive. The Ab harp I fixed up is pretty rockin'.
I've had a busy week and still haven't had time to open up the F harp with the bad 3 Draw. I'm hoping it will similarly improve with some tender love and care.
My overall point being that if you just want to play 'em you might not be impressed with East Top. If you don't mind the basics of set up they may improve a good deal.
P.S. My Lucky 13's just arrived. Outside of five minutes play my only experience with them is to drop one on my concrete basement floor. Oh no!
Inspection revealed no damage so that's already +1 for the Lucky's.
P.P.S. The Lucky's may receive more attention at the factory than the 008K model anyway.
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Brendan Power
533 posts
Oct 30, 2016
2:53 AM
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The 008K model is Easttop's budget entry level diatonic. It currently costs $9.80 on Amazon including shipping from China:
https://www.amazon.com/Easttop-holes-professional-blues-harmonica/dp/B01GHHM6RE/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1477820265&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=easttop+008k+harmonica
For a sub-$10 harp it's pretty decent, but not as good as Easttop's other 10 hole harps. Unlike them the 008K has riveted reeds and plain brass reedplates.
I'm at the UK Bristol Harmonica Festival, where Easttop donated 250 of their higher-spec Blues Player model to the attendees, with the NHL logo on the covers:
https://www.amazon.com/Easttop-diatonic-double-musical-instrument/dp/B01LAXAGFY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1477820561&sr=8-3&keywords=easttop+10+hole+harmonica
This one has chromed reedplates with welded phosphor bronze reeds, and is considerably better. If you're interested in trying an Easttop 10-hole for the first time I'd pay a bit more and go for this model - about the same price as a Hohner Marine Band/Special 20.
Tone-wise I'd still prefer Hohner, but the Easttops are loud and their reeds very durable - great workhorses. With embossing etc they stack up well with similarly customised harps from the big name brands.
Last Edited by Brendan Power on Oct 30, 2016 3:00 AM
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Roverharp
55 posts
Oct 30, 2016
7:11 AM
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@Brendan Power - Mmm, I'm not convinced that the 008K is meant to be Easttop's entry level model. I do see the 008S model with chromed plates and welded reeds. I also see the cheapies that are their budget harps.
I thought the 008K was a sister model to the 008S but without the chrome and the welds. Online shop New Harmonica has the 008K for $30 and the 008S for $45.
In any case, I like the first 008K I've worked on so if things only get better with other models I have no complaints.
Last Edited by Roverharp on Oct 30, 2016 8:47 AM
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