Battle of the $30 Harmonicas

A long-winded and generally inconclusive comparison of $30 harmonicas including Kongsheng Bluebird, Suzuki Harpmaster, Hohner Special 20, Bushman Delta Frost and the Harmo Polar. Plus guest appearances by the Easttop T008, the Kongsheng Solist and the Fender Blues Deluxe.
Rockin' Rons: rockinronsmusicsd.com/harmoni...
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Stage 5 Amps: www.stage5amps.com/
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[@Duende402]

What a great dry sense of humor this guy has. I would watch these reviews even if I didn't play harmonica.

[@goldenteledy2002]

Now with the recent price markdowns, the Suzuki Bluesmaster is now in the $30 range. I absolutely love playing them as much as my signature harp, the original Hohner Golden Melody. Not only are they comfortable to hold, but they have a bluesy sounding rasp to their timbre. I especially love how I can control the hand-wah and make that little harmonica 'cry' in combination with its big tone and the Terry McMillan style licks that I play. I'm more of a country player, but these Suzuki Bluesmasters rock!

[@Tim48103]

I agree. The Bluesmaster is a wonderful harp!

[@garykuzminski7969]

Great visit and fun. Thx.

[@corky1548]

Brilliant 👏 video love it well explain top guy

[@raymondallanwing]

good honest review Tim this I hope will help out the newcomers to the harmonica

[@Tim48103]

Thank you. My hope is to dispel some of the "if it's cheap it can't be good" philosophy. ...

[@deecee9696]

Hi Tim, According to Ben Hewlett (Harmonica Mastery KZbin Channel) the Harmo Polar is made by Easttop. It's similar to the Easttop T002

[@Tim48103]

makes total sense.

[@alanbooker1955]

Great video Tim. Really like your reviews, especially when you show the lower priced harps like the Fender, being on a small income they are all I can really afford so it's good to see them compared to the pricier harps in a straight-talking manner and not being trashed because they are less expensive. keep up the good work.

[@Tim48103]

Thanks Alan - my aim is to find and discuss the best inexpensive harps available. If a $15 harp will do everything a $100 harp will do, why pay more? For me, I make between $30 and $70 per gig, and I categorically refuse to blow all of that on ONE harp. Of the harps in this video, I have gigging sets of the SP20s, the Harpmasters and the Easttops. Honestly, even if I start out with the SP20s or the Harpmasters, I always get frustrated in mid-gig and switch back to the Easttops, thinking, man, why didn't I start with those?

[@Jack-fs2im]

If you ever have a boot sale ,thousands of youtuber harp players will turn up.ha.I watch yr vids every day and Sony Boy playing “bye bye bird” over and over and dream of being able to play it one day.I never will but it will make me practice.Happy new year 2024

[@Tim48103]

Happy New Year to you, too! Harp on!

[@blitz99x]

another fine review , tim. i'm a little surprised you didn't mention the fender blues deville in the $30 range. those are my giging harps, they're probably easttops marketed by fender but for the extra 20bucks I get a year warrenty so I like that . I have used the warrenty on 1 harp and had no issue with fender. but, a good video as always .

[@Tim48103]

Yeah, you know I would have, but I don't own one! They look a lot like my T008s, and if they're similar, then they're great!

[@giusepperesponte8077]

This is the first video I’ve seen mentioning the solist where Brian Brazil isn’t in the comments leaving a paragraph about how good it is.

[@Tim48103]

LOL. Yeah, that dude takes his sponsorship seriously. He's a good egg tho.

[@eazyrider6122]

Ive gone with the Suzuki Bluesmaster for my set. Nice feeling and playing harps. Volume is just and amp knob away. But i find them fine for volume tone and playability.

[@stuffnuns]

Ive had a bushman delta frost for over 7 seven years, no problem. I have had a hohner and a seydel have reeds go out. I’d give the Delta Frost another chance. Sometimes you get a weak reed.

[@LuvBlues64]

Great review Tim,I've become a Kongsheng fan fan lately and have a Solist in A which is a great harp,so responsive,and a Bluebird in D,which blows my Promaster out of the water.Incidentally,parts are interchangeable with the Suzuki's,so Suzuki Promaster and Manji reedplates fit them,which is useful to know in the UK as Kongsheng ones are hard to get over here.

[@Tim48103]

Yeah, the Solist is the real deal. I tend to blow too hard on them and they choke on me, but that's definitely MY bad. They're pricey tho, so I only have two. Cheers!

[@user-jp6bm6nf9e]

So you mean that the Suzuki reed plates fit into the Bluebird ???

[@felixgaming3236]

I subbed to You!

[@charlessarles5447]

Bought a Harmo Polar Today, usually only play marine bands but the polar looked so damn cool. Hope it’s decent in the durability dept.

[@norfolknwhey4787]

How was is?

[@AREYESJORGE]

Hey Tim! Have you tried the Easttops PR020(A green one) or the brass comb T006? And what are your thoughts?

[@Tim48103]

NO! I haven't - I've really wanted to, but choked at the price a couple of times. One of these days I'll get one, and see what's what - they certainly look really cool, and based on the outstanding quality of the T008s, I betcha that PRO20 is likely to be a solid harp. Some day.... !

[@marinevet7273]

Hi Tim. Yes I am asking one of those questions, if you could have only one harmonica and “what key” would you have in your pocket for fun, jam along, etc. thanks, Ron in WA.

[@Tim48103]

Hi Vet - Two answers - if it were just for my own enjoyment, it would be in the key of Bb - to my ears, that's the most pleasing register for both chordal and single-note playing. BUT, it's hard to find casual jammers that play in F. So, if it's for both me AND some rando guitar player to play along with, I'd say A, since all of 'em can play in E. That said, right now, my pocket harp is in C 'cause I'm trying to refine my overblows, and for me, C harps work best for that. But I digress - go with A, great all-around key. I'm not gonna commit to a brand/model except to say that if I can only have ONE, it would be a compromise-tuned harp, so like a Marine Band Deluxe, a Special 20, a DaBell Contender or an Easttop Blues Standard 'cause they sound better when you're off on the park bench practicing your train rhythms, lol. Harp on!

[@TheSamuraiGoomba]

Have you used any of your Kongsheng harmonicas for gigging or more heavy use? Have they held up? Other than the Solist, how are the bluebird, mars etc? I hope you make more videos like this one when you can. Super useful and informative.

[@Tim48103]

I used my Kongsheng Mars harps for gigging for about 6 months, and they held up fine - I ended up moving to Hohner Golden Melodys tho after deciding that the Mars were just a bit too dark and quiet (very similar in tone to the Hohner Special 20). I haven't put the Bluebirds I have thru much stress, so can't say anything about them other than the really bright tone, and I have two Solists as "backups" to my gigging harps, so they only come out when I blow a reed on one of the GMs, i.e. not all that often (pricey harps, too). I still have some el-cheapo Kongsheng Amazing 20's here on my desk that I play a fair amount, and they appear to be indestructible. In general, I would say the Kongshengs are really durable.

[@TheSamuraiGoomba]

@@Tim48103 Nice! I won't lie, the amazing 20s seem like a pretty nice deal for the price. In that price range, they're competing directly with the easttops and they're not much more spendy than a blues deluxe.

[@pauljames9527]

Which model Easttop?

[@larzhillbot1443]

Tim you should do a 2022 update I was in sticker shock that Hohner Special 20s are now 60 us dollars ,Harmonicas prices have went way up

[@Tim48103]

I know. It's ridiculous. I'm putting a vid together now on my favorite

[@luisdesantis6035]

Tim, have you tried the Easttop T008S? It’s the slightly older brother of your T008K...I would like to hear your comments and comparison if you have tried it. Thanks!

[@Tim48103]

Hi Luis - I haven't tried those. My guess is they handle and play pretty much exactly like the T008K. The going theory is that welded reeds (008S) will last longer than riveted reeds (008K), but won't sound any different. And, at the price point of the 008K, the extra bit of durability is probably not all that economically significant. For more on the subject, check out this discussion: www.slidemeister.com/forums/index.php?topic=4345.0 Cheers!

[@luisdesantis6035]

Thanks Tim!

[@luisdesantis6035]

Also, for whatever reason I feel the profile of the cover plates on T008S is slightly less pronounced than in the T008K, making it more comfortable to my mouth. I have to measure both to prove that, it might be psychological :)

[@Tim48103]

@@luisdesantis6035 So, I thought, oky doke, let's get a T008S and see what's what, looked on Aliexpress and whoa - those are like $30+! Sooooo.... I'm suspicious that the welded reed/riveted reed difference does not twenty dollars make - sticking with the T008K's for now; I might get one of these once I've collected a little more gig cash (and not spent it on a new amp or something equally foolish....)

[@luisdesantis6035]

Lol! yeah! The price difference is significative. I got a couple of those for $25 at www.rockinronsmusicsd.com. I am enjoying the Bb over my Lee Oskar...

[@AREYESJORGE]

Since the Harmo harp are Easttops rebranded, I see the Polar look a like the T002 Easttop. Isn't?

[@1337wafflezz]

I thought they were produced in the USA

[@kevinappleman848]

@@1337wafflezz They are ASSEMBLED in usa - components are produced "elsewhere...."

[@Dave-Rough-Diamond-Dunn]

Yep. Looks exactly like a T002.

[@classicrhythmssounds7768]

The Howie Mandel of Harmonicas

[@Tim48103]

I prefer Telly Savalas, but yeah ... lol...

[@EatAPeach72]

@@Tim48103 Who loves ya baby ?

[@andrihidayat4879]

What do you think about Suzuki Bluesmaster?

[@Tim48103]

In terms of value and playability, same as the Promaster. The full-length covers are a matter of preference (I tend to overshoot positions on those, 'cause I'm used to tabbed covers). All the suzi's are very well built, so all in all a solid instrument.

[@AncientEL07]

You mind doing a review strictly on the harmo polar harmonica???

[@Tim48103]

Hi Joseph - well, at $39 retail, the Polar is at the veeery upper edge of my "harp on a budget" schtick. They're fine harps, and are comparable in build quality and playability to the others in that price range. Visually, they're definitely stand-outs with those white covers. But, in my opinion, besides their looks, there's nothing that makes them significantly better (or worse) than the SP20s, the various Suzuki's, etc. etc. The guy that puts them together (David Herzhaft) is one of the best players on the planet, so that's a plus, and I think their QA/QC process is better than the "big" names, but still, for me, they're too expensive if you're blowing blues on a budget.

[@AncientEL07]

You're right on the budget I'm with you on that. I'm thinking of trying the kong sheng amazing 20 deluxe, and the harpmaster next.

[@Tim48103]

@@AncientEL07 I haven't tried the Amazing 20, but I wasn't impressed with their Bender harp - both the Easttop T006 and the Fender Blues Deluxe were better than the Bender in my view. I should probably buy an Amazing 20, tho, since "the price is right". The Harpmaster is an excellent harp, but like the SP20 and Kongsheng's pricier harps, requires a soft touch. In gigs, I blow too hard for some of those and tend to choke them on the draw notes (my bad, I know, but I'm too old to learn new tricks). Let me know what you think about the Amazing 20!

[@EatAPeach72]

@@Tim48103 I bought a bender "D" and have played it the most in the last few months until i had a reed stuck and blew too hard yesterday causing it to break off and fly out glad I didnt swallow it ,I loved it up until this incident Bought an amazing 20 in F and really like it , Also own the bluebird,mars ,Suzuki bluesmaster and 'pro master , Love the kongshengs but the holes are all.slightly smaller then other harps ,only build difference i notice

[@Tim48103]

@@EatAPeach72 lol - yeah, a stuck reed for me usually means I blew too many pizza bits thru the harp. It's best to open them and clear debris with like a toothpick - trying to blow it out can lead to, well, you already know what. Of the Suzuki's, I haven't tried the promaster, but really like the harpmaster. Like the bluesmaster but with tabbed covers. And yeah, the Kongshengs tend to have different hole sizes and spacing, but I can't really tell the difference after a few minutes. Harp on!

[@markieproductions22]

A near Catastrophe!😂

[@grandmebel7829]

Спасибо большое за обзор, короче говоря хонер.

[@donalderdman2828]

Where’s Hohner Big River?

[@Tim48103]

Yep - hole in the matrix, that one. Never played one!

[@JC-fj7oo]

I wish East-top was still 15 bucks. Now they want 25+ and for 35ish you can score marine bands.

[@Tim48103]

Hm. Last time I checked Aliexpress, they were still in the $12-15 range... ?

[@TheSamuraiGoomba]

@@Tim48103 On ebay and amazon, they're all $25ish. I've noticed all the harmonica brands are creeping up in price to around $40. The Kongshengs are $20-35 depending what you get, might be less if you get some of the really basic models that have bad reviews. The Harmo is up to $45 or so. Bluebird is at $35. Special 20 is about the same. The cheap Delta Frosts have been replaced by the new models, which are around $45. Suzuki Harp and Bluesmasters are around $25 on a good day, or $30 on a normal one (Suzuki prices seem to have stayed mostly stable). The Blues Deluxe is one of the few cheap harps in this list that hasn't dramatically increased in price. They're still $11, even on amazon. I realize Amazon harps will cost more because Amazon takes a bigger cut, but Ebay should be pretty close to whatever the market is at.

[@Tim48103]

@@TheSamuraiGoomba Yeah, aliexpress still has em cheaper, but they're not quite as cheap as they used to be. Now the lowest price I could find was about $14, but they range up to $20 now.... and yes, it takes about a month to get them if you order on Aliexpress.... so not a quick fix in any event.

[@bwanadave76]

If you consider yourself an "average harp player" whom do you consider a really good one?😎

[@Tim48103]

lol. Okay - first, lemme add a clarification - I'll upgrade myself to "average pub player". Second, there are TONs of really good ones out there, but in some cases, for me, their insistence on virtuosity gets in the way of the music. Soooo.... in terms of both technique and listenability, in the realm of MODERN harp players, I'd go with Dave Morris (see kzbin.info/www/bejne/jH2YlaV6aLljn5I) as the top of the heap. Nic Clarke also impresses me (kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5mQk2OMhK1pra8). Dennis Gruenling has a excellent technique and great tone, and never leaves the groove, plus is an outstanding harp ambassador (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpDGq2Snh8dqa80). Of the guys that technically are from a different planet but play stuff I don't always want to listen to (even if I do wish I could play like them) are Jason Ricci, Will Wilde, Adam Gussow, and of course Howard Levy. Of the old dead masters, gotta go with Big Walter Horton for the win. Cheers, mate!

[@bwanadave76]

@@Tim48103 - I'm sure nearly all who watch your vids wish they could play half as well as you do. I know I do. :-) All the best

[@zignimus5334]

Bluebirds seem expensive not 30$ from what I've found they are 100$ CAD

[@Tim48103]

$35 from Rocking Ron's...

[@zignimus5334]

@@Tim48103 I ended up buying a suzuki bluesmaster and I love it its my first harmonica I caught on and played 5 songs in my first day. I now plan to buy many more harmonicas

[@Tim48103]

@@zignimus5334 Bluesmaster is a great harp! Rock it!

[@zignimus5334]

@@Tim48103 I'm having real trouble getting my mouth small enough for one note. I've watched multiple videos they arnt helping much

[@Tim48103]

@@zignimus5334 patience! That takes some time. But the key is not to make a small hole with the FRONT of your lips, but rather with the BACK of your lips, if that makes sense. Your mouth does go around the top and bottom of the harp - relaxed - and the back of your lips "aim" or "shape" the airflow. It takes some time to figure it out....