jimr
99 posts
Jul 30, 2017
1:56 PM
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I now have six T008K harmonicas from two orders. First was a key G with blue painted covers. I was impressed- thick chromed reed plates, stout ABS comb, lots of reed plate screws, useful compact zip case, well fitting cover plates and excellent playability with just some re-gapping. This harmonica was added to my gig set of Manjis.
I prefer chrome cover plates and bought five more (A, D, F, Ab, Eb) when I noticed they were available with chrome covers. These appear the same as the first purchase but with chrome covers that look great and fit well. As shipped, this group played fairly well, but not as well as the first I bought. The tips of many of the reeds were slightly tilted in the slots. Re-gapping and some slot burnishing improved them a lot and they now play well. I did not attempt to straighten the tilted reeds. I opened the back of the cover plates using a soft small brass hammer and this came out well. The modified cover opening was surprisingly flexible- more flexible than an opened S20 cover plate. The tuning effort was about the same as I would do with a S20.
It is too soon to tell about durability.
I think these are an excellent value. Some reed work may be needed for them to play really well.
Jim
Last Edited by jimr on Jul 30, 2017 1:57 PM
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jbone
2339 posts
Jul 31, 2017
8:31 AM
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I have a couple 008's, one with black and one with chrome covers. Both are pretty decent harps and sound good. The D is a bit chokey in 2nd but nice for 3rd. The C is tight but works well in whatever position. These are in my gig case along with my go to Manjis and other harps. Worth the $ for sure.
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Littoral
1509 posts
Jul 31, 2017
9:37 AM
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Me too. They're back ups so far. Manjis seem to be moving closer to the front row -although a little "raspy" -not quite pleasant like MB's.
The Easttop cover plates seem tall/steep for my embouchure preference.
Last Edited by Littoral on Jul 31, 2017 9:37 AM
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groyster1
2987 posts
Aug 01, 2017
4:11 PM
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for $13 free shipping I bought 3.....what a bargain....Im guessing they are suzuki copycats....made in china for lower price.....might be wrong but these harps rock.....and they came from china.....a bit of a long way
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Sarge
629 posts
Aug 01, 2017
6:50 PM
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I have 9 of the 008s, 12 of the 008K and 1 black and gold 12 hole chromatic. All of them are great harps.
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Tommy the Hat
671 posts
Aug 02, 2017
7:07 AM
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Any particular seller for these? (trustworthy?)) I notice they all ship from China and any sellers I've seen are unknowns. I have seen them on ebay but for some reason ebay gives me the creeps.
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Tommy
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Littoral
1511 posts
Aug 02, 2017
7:09 AM
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Ron's. Of course.
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Tommy the Hat
672 posts
Aug 02, 2017
7:17 AM
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He is usually my first choice but this time he is about $4 or $5 more expensive. I'm not really in the market for a harp right now but at $12 or $13 and free shipping I figured why not grab one to throw in the car? Amazon has them for $11 and change but it's $4 shipping so that's the deal breaker. Like I said...I don't really need a harp....it's a price thing.
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Tommy
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FBInsMan
65 posts
Aug 02, 2017
9:48 AM
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I bought C a T008S I needed in a pinch from RockinRons. I bought is because I heard the reviews were favorable and for $27 you can't really go wrong. I got it and it seems the build is good. It's a pretty heavy harp comparably speaking although I haven't weighted it against my Manjis or Golden Melodies . Mine has the black cover plates. They feel nice in your hand however, I'm not a fan of the mouthfeel of these plates. To my tastes they aren't as "slick". It overblows the 4,5,and 6 otb and the tone is decent while not as bright as a Manji. The 1,2 and 3 draw are a little airy. I think this can be corrected with some embossing, flat sanding and reed gapping. I have not cracked it open yet as I haven't had time. Overall impression is it's an ok harp and I'd use it as a backup in a pinch. The price is nice. I'd still say Manji is my first choice as I do some moderate customizing and Honestly I don't think there is a harp I've worked on that is easier to get an absolutely great harp with less work.
Just my 2 cents.
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"The only way to get better is to play a little outside your comfort zone every time you play!"
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Tommy the Hat
674 posts
Aug 02, 2017
10:01 AM
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Whats the difference between the t008s and the t008k ?
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Tommy
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shakeylee
685 posts
Aug 02, 2017
10:23 AM
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S is spot welded like a Suzuki
K is riveted like a MB
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Tommy the Hat
675 posts
Aug 02, 2017
10:42 AM
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Thanks. Like I said, I'm not looking to buy anything. BUT! I had a Hohner Blues Band in my car that I bought at Cracker Barrel when they were about $6. They went up to over $8 now and those things are junk. Basically toys and mostly they are good just for playing chords. So I never bought another. If these Easttop t008k's are decent for just 5 bucks more then what the hell. I'll toss one in the car. So...riveted...welded....I can go with cheap. I wouldn't pay even $1 more. Thanks for the review jimr
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Tommy
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groyster1
2990 posts
Aug 03, 2017
3:59 PM
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@tommy the hat.....I got my 3 easttops for $39.....too good to be true....but it is
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Tommy the Hat
681 posts
Aug 03, 2017
4:15 PM
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I hear ya groyster. Actually I broke down and ordered one from Rockin' Ron's. I know I said I wouldn't but I was sort of backed into a corner. This damn thing peaked my interest and for $13 and free shipping, like I said, it beats the Hohner Blues Band. I have an old Marine Band in C I keep in the car (with the Blues Band) so figured I'd get an Easttop in D to keep it company. Like I said, I didn't want to do ebay but was having a hard time as other sellers only seemed to have keys of B and E in stock. They must be selling fast!
I was all set to order from
banggood.com ($14 free shipping) and they didn't have D in stock.
I really was being cheap and ...the allure of this harp was the price... for what I understood to be a decent harmonica. So I broke down and ordered one from Ron even though it was more expensive at $17.50 plus free shipping; which amounts pretty much to ordering the $13 harp "with" $4 shipping. See how I justified that!
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Tommy
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Johnnie 9-Toes
4 posts
Aug 19, 2017
9:44 AM
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HI all.
I just my Easttop T008K that was on sale.. Has 7 harps with kesy of A,B,C,D,E,F,G and I am shocked at how well the perform.. Awesome they are for the money..
I bought the Piedmont set Hohner sells and they are garbage.. I use them now to practise tuning etc. ;-) Good for total beginner some would say, I am a believe that one should start on a higher end instrument . No matter what it is..
Backt to Easttops.
I am lucky to have run across these harps.. Main reason I post here is to give my recommendation to anyone to check them out. I found out about them on Jake's youtube hangout.
Have a guddun all !!
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AppalachiaBlues
41 posts
Aug 20, 2017
11:04 AM
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It looks like the Fender DeVille is the same harp, just re-branded. Can anyone confirm that?
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