DS200
5 posts
Sep 13, 2021
4:04 PM
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Here's a little demo I made showing that easttop Low F they sell for 20 bucks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwCfY_D59mE
What do you think?
To me that Low F sounds good considering the cheapest competitor from Hohner is the Rocket at 70$, but I'd go Hohner Classic/SP20 for regular keys.
The easttop harp is like x2 the weight of a Marine Band for some reason, and is bigger to bite. I think it's the reed plates, they appear much thicker than MB reedplates.
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Piro39
151 posts
Sep 14, 2021
10:38 AM
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I have about 8 of these Easttop harps, the ones with the black covers. I replaced the combs with Zajac combs and sanded the draw plates. These harps are very good IMHO, they are loud, play great and bend easily, sound very similar to Crossovers.
Last Edited by Piro39 on Sep 14, 2021 10:38 AM
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jbone
3378 posts
Sep 14, 2021
11:04 AM
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I have blown out a D 008 model and still have and use a C and regular pitch F. Both bone stock and both good harps.
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nacoran
10370 posts
Sep 15, 2021
8:43 AM
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They are pretty decent. I've got a low F. I nearly bought a full set as backup harps based on it, but ultimately I realized I was able to get enough of my beat up old harps working again so I didn't end up pulling the trigger.
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Nate
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DS200
6 posts
Sep 15, 2021
8:53 AM
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I agree they are OK but the paint on the covers, with the cheap printing of numbers and logo that wears off after a week is very cheap.
They need to make some chrome plated covers and end this childish color thing.
Nate what kind of harps are you playing nowadays for your regular set and Low stuff?
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jbone
3379 posts
Sep 15, 2021
11:19 AM
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I have not had cover wear like that but I don't play mine all the time, just kind of as needed in rehearsal or live. We have just begun getting back to playing at home.
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dougharps
2267 posts
Sep 15, 2021
10:19 PM
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I didn't care for the feel of the black covers as they seemed to drag on fast runs. I installed some old Big River covers I had saved. They fit pretty well after I bent the cover supports so they were on the reed plates. With the covers swapped they were great for the cost! Loud harps that respond well after reed gap adjustment to my preferences... a real bargain!
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Sep 15, 2021 10:21 PM
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jbone
3380 posts
Sep 16, 2021
4:26 AM
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Eastop may have other covers, unpainted, that would fit that model. Could be worth asking them.
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DS200
7 posts
Sep 16, 2021
5:34 AM
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Yea Jbone they have proper nickle covers BUT these aren't vented on the side so a totally different sound.
I like the side vents because the right vent is another pathway for mild wah/muting (lift your right thumb and you get a mild, gentle wah rather than the big wah on the back)
I never even noticed that I used it that way until I played non vented harps
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jbone
3381 posts
Sep 16, 2021
8:12 AM
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So maybe a hassle but I wonder if you could strip or sand the black finish off? Just thinking out loud.
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DS200
8 posts
Sep 16, 2021
11:50 AM
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I'll try that on a buffing wheel the second the paint itself starts to wear out, and it will...
Jbone what kind of equipment are you using these days?
Also, user "Killa Hertz" if you can see this message please respond, we talked a few years ago and I'm wondering how you're doing
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jbone
3382 posts
Sep 17, 2021
8:13 AM
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DS, while I do have a couple of Eastops I rely a lot on several MB Deluxe and a Crossover, a Lee Osker or two, a set of Manjis, even have a Hohner Rocket, seldom played in Eb but a great harp. I'm waiting on a DaBell Story, should arrive today. Chromatics I am in the Suzuki SCX camp, 2 48's in G and low D and a 64 in C.
Amp wise still using a Silvertone 1482. Mic. a modded military issue EV m43u, a Shaker Dynamic (very old school), and a relic Shure 585. All are hi z or adaptable. The Yamaha StagePas p.a. is a good one. Vocal mics are Shure Beta 58's.
A lot of years of accumulating stuff, I do have more harps, an old Bushman Delta Frost and several other harps in my sort of second string kit. I'm at my max pretty much.
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DS200
9 posts
Sep 17, 2021
9:56 AM
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Very cool jbone! Thanks!
Do you find that those Manji coverplates bend on you?
Been wanting to get BlueMoon combs for them, apparently Tom drills a hole for a brace rod for them.
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jbone
3383 posts
Sep 17, 2021
11:48 AM
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The Manj8i covers are a bit thin but I have only had any issue with one. It bent back and I treat it more gently. A support seems like a good idea.
Please though, don't take me wrong, I wonder if you hold your harp real tight and press into your lips hard? I am more gentle maybe after some years of having much more grip. I used to deform SP20 overs when I was playing live with a loud band. I guess it also could be that a batch of Eastop 008's with a quality issue made it out of the factory. No offense intended here, I'm a lover not a fighter!
EDIT I am thinking of the black covers, not the white! While I do have one with the white covers, it was kind of mangled by a guy who was trying out some customizing technique some years ago and I never play that one. Perhaps though my questions are worth considering?
I'd say Robert Temple has good counsel too. He's a member on my FB page for players listed below. I find him knowledgeable and an asset as a member there.
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Last Edited by jbone on Sep 17, 2021 11:57 AM
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DS200
10 posts
Sep 17, 2021
12:12 PM
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Yep I never have any crushing problems with Marine Bands and in years I have never crushed one like some of the pictures I have seen from others.
I apologize that I wrote my message incorrectly, it appears as if I already have Manjis and I want to get the combs for them.
I don't, but I was wondering if it was "recommended" to brace them, since they aren't cheap.
It's not the grip I fear, but the non-playing damage. Pockets, sitting on them, etc etc.
I'm not someone who plays "in sessions" only out of the briefcase. My harps are all over the place and often on the chair, in the car, etc etc and they will get sat or bang inside my pocket against the door of the car or whatever...
The only way for me to get the hours that I'd like is when I have single harps in my shirt/pants pocket all the time.
Last Edited by DS200 on Sep 17, 2021 12:15 PM
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jbone
3384 posts
Sep 17, 2021
5:59 PM
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Even so, most come with little cases, which keep lint out of them and other flotsam. As for sitting on them, well, not much to do there except keep them out of harm's way? I think a support may be a good option for the Manji depending on if it's needed. I don't crush much at all these days.
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