Easttop Blues Harmonica T008K review by Ben Hewlett

training.harmo... .harmonicamastery.com/5-steps?el=YT ✅Want to learn harmonica? Got a few minutes a day? 👀
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I am part of the global harmonica community. I guess being interested and involved in the harmonica community over many years has lead me to be elected as Vice-President of HarmonicaUK, and that's quite an honour - the President is Paul Jones from the Manfreds/The Blues Band
If you love harmonica lessons but don’t love me try Joe Filisko, David Barrett, Tomlin Leckie, Liam Ward, Adam Gussow, Ronnie Shellist and there are others!
When I heard Elwood Blues playing blues harp in the Blues Brothers film from the 80s, I couldn't get over the crazy sound of the harmonica. I watched the film over and over - even watched it last night! Had to get me a harmonica...
Seeing Paul Lamb playing the Station Tavern in London was the final straw - I started having lessons from him and became a Sonny Terry nut. From there Little Walter, Big Walter and gradually found out about all the greats.
Brendan Power introduced me to other players such as Charlie McCoy, JJ Milteau, Howard Levy and then I was hooked - a dead duck!
I started teaching professionally in 1995 while studying how to teach and began running workshops in London inherited from Brendan Power as he was joining Riverdance. The first lesson in school I taught in was Dulwich College in London and then in Bristol.
I've had the luck to study personally with Howard Levy (one week residential), Paul Lamb, Brendan Power, Joe Filisko, Richard Sleigh, Carlos del Junco, Sonny Terry (recorded lesson) and in workshops with Charlie McCoy, Lee Oskar, Steve Baker, Keith Dunn, Rick Estrin, Rick Epping, Adam Gussow amongst lots others - and thanks to all of them for the help which I now pass on to other students.
Performance wise, I have played in many blues bands, and different musical groups as well as performing solo and on cruise ships. I've played on the same bill as Larry Adler in 2000, jammed in concert with Jools Holland and had a long, hilarious and fascinating lunch with Billy Connolly showing him some harmonica techniques he wanted to know about.
Fine players of the harmonica include Big Walter, Little Walter, Sonny Terry, Sonnyboy Williamson Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Jason Ricci, Adam Gussow, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Magic Dick, Robert Plant, Steve Tyler, Taj Mahal, Kim Wilson, Charlie Musselwhite, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Reed, Larry Adler, Dave Gage, Furry Lewis, John Popper, John Sebastian, Neil Young, Bruce Willis, Sugar Blue, William Clarke, Paul Delay, Tom Ball, Mark Hummel, Jerry Portnoy, JJ Milteaux, Rod Piazza, Gary Primich, Rob Paparozzi, Joel Osborne, Shakira Starr, Alanis Morisette, Bono, David Bowie, Darth Vader, John Mayall, John Gindick, Jonny Mars, John Lennon, Allman Brothers, JP Allen.
Types of music to play to play on the harmonica: Blues, jazz, country, rock, bluegrass, folk, funk, classical, rock, hiphop, rnb, r and b, reggae, r'n'b
Makers: hohner, seydel, suzuki ,hering, sonnyboysmusicstore.co.uk
Models: Marine band, crossharp proharp crossover, big river, marine band deluxe, special twenty, special 20, pro-master, blues bender, golden melody, mostly Richter tuned.
✅Want to learn harmonica? Got a few minutes a day? 👀
Let me tell you more at www.HarmonicaM...

[@giusepperesponte8077]

This is the best harmonica I own. I own and have used more expensive ones and I really just like the high end bright sound that this has

[@harmonicamastery]

Good stuff Liam. I also like the Easttop Blues Player, mine is in Bb and it really pops.

[@DesmoDreams]

Just took delivery of one in D as my old Lee Oskar had become poblematic. Very fast delivery. Cheers Ben! 😃

[@harmonicamastery]

Great stuff - enjoy!

[@stevegriffiths627]

I have been playing harp for around 25 years and have used all sorts. I was spending a mint as I gig about 12 times a month and Hohners and Seydels were blowing out on me constantly. I now run Easttops and have only had my E and an A blow out after using them for 5 months.....They may not be as flexible as a Seydel pro out of the box but then I am no Mark Feltham, and they suit my Lee Brillaux type playing perfectly and they are the best quality harp on the market for the money.

[@harmonicamastery]

I don’t know about your playing obviously but when you mention Lee Brilleaux, he was a very forceful performer and player, and I would imagine he would blow out a lot of harps. I think the best way to play is without force and let the gain take the strain

[@MrHarsh3600]

I have the same harmonica but in black colour. It's one of the best harmonica in the market.

[@mrtambourineman6107]

What's the difference between the black and the blue ones?

[@VeteranJC]

I ordered this last year on my birthday and it was really high quality and really loud cause of the vents and I can recommend this harmonica to beginners. Also you are really great at playing the harmonica👍👍👍

[@harmonicamastery]

Most kind, great 'birthday' harp!

[@Memesfromthemonkey]

This was really helpful

[@rockrbilly]

I am impressed by the standard of advice Ben has to offer on the Eastop harmonica. My next step is to get one and start blowing the tunes, but not without a bit tweeking after Peking. ;-)

[@harmonicamastery]

good idea!

[@MrSpanky2001]

I play Eastops almost exclusively now. I love the tone and playability. Having said that, I (in my opinion) I believe there is something inherently wrong with their reed plates in the key of G. They crap out in no time. You can bet one reed or the other in the G harp is going to go sour sometimes within weeks after first playing it. I have bought my last Eastop in the key of G. I have a drawer full of defective Eastop G's. All other keys in the Eastop line have been great, but I wish the manufacturer would address this.

[@harmonicamastery]

Have you spoken to them? I'm sure they would want to know and sort that out.

[@MrSpanky2001]

@@harmonicamastery Well.........of late I have not blown out a G harp in quite some time. So I , to an extent, regret making that last comment. Maybe my technique has refined since the last time I replaced a key of G harp. They have always been very accommodating in replacing , what I thought, were defective harps. I really can't say enough good things about Eastops. They are my go-to's when performing.

[@Bbbb-kn6vz]

@@MrSpanky2001 Hi, I just wanted to order a G key easttop, and saw your comment. Do you still not recommend it? If not, what would you recommend for a beginner-intermidiate player? (plastic comb)

[@mrtambourineman6107]

Oh great! I've just bought my 1st Eastop.. ...in G

[@andydunn5673]

Nice post Great little film - review That would be interesting You buy from the States You always get a tax bill and not small

[@harmonicamastery]

True - try Rockin Rons

[@lavaskullentertainment4231]

You have been the best help out off all the what kind of harmonica to get.

[@harmonicamastery]

We try to tell it like it is and let people decide what they want to do!

[@MP-tf7cc]

Bought a T008K about 4 years ago... 👍

[@harmonicamastery]

ok

[@nacoran]

Easttop and Kongsheng I've heard of. Never heard of Seasound. I've tried the T008S (that's the spot welded one) , and Kongsheng Solist and Babyfats.

[@harmonicamastery]

Seasound have many brands - Golden Cup is one you may have heard of. They make brass, woodwind and stringed instruments as well as harmonicas. I tried two trumpets - great quality and very low prices.

[@AZWorshipSongs]

Thank you - your commentary was very helpful to a first-time harmonica purchaser.

[@harmonicamastery]

You're welcome

[@kdon8497]

Eastop is a pretty good harp, just got kongsheng mars1 which is also good at least in my opinion

[@ranisinha8301]

Hi from India I just enrolled your Udemy course And also bought this harmonica.

[@harmonicamastery]

Well done Rani! Did you know the same courses are cheaper on www.playharmonica.co.uk?

[@ranisinha8301]

@@harmonicamastery hi I've already purchased the full course on harmonica on Udemy. Hope I'll enjoy it

[@Scale_Slotcars_Latvia]

great reviewBen ! I ordered one from Aliexpress this evening , On another note ,how the world has changed now inporting from uk involves paying custom tax for European countries , Anyway best wishes and thank you for your post . like your channel and subscribed

[@harmonicamastery]

Thanks Harry, most kind! Are you in the UK? If so you are better getting it from us as it only takes a day or so whereas Ali is 20-40 days. These are not problems really - just awareness for people. www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-143-a-guide-for-international-post-users/notice-143-a-guide-for-international-post-users Also, you won't get a tax bill if you buy from us - if you buy from Ali you are importing from China personally so liable for import duty, vat, and often an admin charge on top. Plus if it goes wrong you can call us on a Uk landline as opposed to sending it back to China. What would shipping it back to China cost you? And how are you going to talk to the Factory? As I said it's perfectly do-able to use Ali, and it's probably cheaper, but at Sonnyboys we take away all the risk, we buy in bulk, we pay all the import and shipping for you as well as dealing with problems and communicating with the factory.

[@Scale_Slotcars_Latvia]

@@harmonicamastery I'm in Latvia which is Europe . For anything under 20 euro it's tax and vat free ,I really don't mind the wait ,I have plenty of harps to keep me busy 🤗 I will of course check your site for prices but 12 euro from AliExpress postage free is hard to beat 🙂

[@harmonicamastery]

@@Scale_Slotcars_Latvia True - hard to beat!

[@YoursUntruly]

Just ordered the G to see how it feels, as I just had my 7 marine band harps stolen, along with my $140 honner stand that I need to play guitar at the same time. Though from videos they seem like a great in between while i save up enough disposable income to buy my good ones back.

[@harmonicamastery]

Try the Easttop blues player pr020 also - more expensive than the T008K and better than a standard Marine Band I personally think

[@YoursUntruly]

@@harmonicamastery ɪ'ʟʟ ᴅᴇғɪɴɪᴛᴇʟʏ ᴛʀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ!

[@crimsonchrome3012]

great review ben....you can find better harmonicas but you cant find a better harmonica for the price than easttop and kongsheng harmonicas.............if they were made by hohner or seydel or suzuki they would likely cost about 50 dollars

[@harmonicamastery]

Good point sir!

[@mus1cman53]

People always ask me what harmonica to buy? I have told many of them to buy Easttop. If you are just starting out, I think these are really good, inexpensive (not cheap) harmonicas.

[@harmonicamastery]

Yes

[@TheMuscularMusician]

Thanks, very helpful, I hope to learn the harmonica soon, so fun!

[@harmonicamastery]

Have fun!

[@agriciobrazil2391]

Excellent harmonic !

[@justinbunn6714]

2:02 was that Star Wars lol? Great review and playing man

[@luv2jive]

Amongst my harp collection I've 2 Eastops. D and F keys. The 8 hole draw is terrible on both. Fiddle all you like. Good luck getting a decent note out of them.

[@harmonicamastery]

Strange - anyone else on KZbin had this problem? Have you talked to Easttop about it? I have many Easttops and never had this issue. We have sold hundreds at sonnyboysmusicstore and I don't recall anyone having a problem. Maybe you should send them back to wherever you got them.

[@danielfrey7222]

Ben, Thanks for your excellent Easttop Blues Harmonica T008K review. You mentioned tweaking a harmonica. Would you tell me how to tweak a harmonica, or send me a link? Thanks, Dan

[@harmonicamastery]

A simple tweak setting the reed gaps so it plays to your personal taste in terms of response. After that you are looking at flat sanding the comb and one reedplate and after that embossing. Talk to a customiser like Richard Sleigh for more details.

[@miguelangelcolon1345]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZW4i2lvdtmaoMU&ab_channel=Gussow%27sclassicbluesharmonicavideos

[@martinvegas1327]

I just ordered one thanks👍

[@harmonicamastery]

Let me know how you get on

[@martinvegas1327]

Will do thank you@@harmonicamastery

[@martinvegas1327]

Over the moon really thank you👍beautifully crafted absolute bargain of a harmonica❤️@@harmonicamastery

[@philippinefandango2859]

Ben, I bought a set of 7 T008K's for my starter set of Harps.. They were $81US.. I don't like to get my feet to wet on an initial purchase.. They are solid, and responsive.. I am satisfied with them.. Even though they are not perfect, I am glad you gave them a thumbs up.. Is it true that Rockin Rons' has the Hohner Marine Band deluxe exclusively?? You can not buy them anywhere else?? Thanks for the video... Cheers..

[@harmonicamastery]

Thanks Bruce! I wouldn't know about Ron's deal, they are widely available in the UK.

[@chrisjaybecker]

i bought a D harp from East Top last year and it shipped from China and took awhile. Last week I bought a Bb harp and an F harp and it took just 2 days. Why? because it shipped from East Top's new USA facility in Lexington, Kentucky. I'm guessing that they're still made in China and shipped in bulk to the Lexington facility. I've noticed, too, that the newer black 008Ks are identical in every way (except for the comb color) to the Fender Deville harmonicas, so I'm guessing that the Fender harps are made by East Top.

[@harmonicamastery]

Yes, much quicker if they are already in the country they are ordered from. I do remember seeing Fenders being made in one of the factories I visited near Shanghai a couple of years back but I don't remember which one - probably Easttop.

[@lorenzoblum868]

@@harmonicamastery hello again. I was just wondering about that. The fender midnight blues looks so much like the T008K but I have not gotten the chance to try neither of them. What do think? Have you tried the midnight blues?

[@harmonicamastery]

@@lorenzoblum868 I'm pretty sure I saw the fender being made at the Easttop factory when I was there so probably they are similar. They are both cheap so get one of each and let me know the difference.

[@declancrawford6552]

What price Ben. Pair 1 and for the set. Thank u for the review Ben... I am extending my learning from ur lessons. Your brill and cant wait to start playing as u do or even close too.. much gratitude Deco

[@harmonicamastery]

Best to check prices with Pete at [e-mail] please Deco

[@HarpoonDon]

I have a set of 12 that I bought before the prices went sky high. I think I paid about $120 U.S. for the set and the case.

[@harmonicamastery]

Do you like them?

[@HarpoonDon]

@@harmonicamastery Yes, I love them. They play well. They feel pretty solid in your hand. I can bend on them as well as any of my other harps (which isn't very good).

[@steveb9666]

So after having them for a while how would you rate them. I have a Pro20 in the key of C and love it. But they are twice as much or more for a complete set so I just ordered a set of T0087K in blue. I hope I like them and I hope they hold up

[@HarpoonDon]

@@steveb9666 Well, I actually don't play them much. I'm moving towards a set of 12 Hohner Marine Band 1896. I have one left to go and I'll have the standard 12-harp set. When I do play them, I've found them to be high-quality, air tight, good sounding harmonicas. I do not have a good reason for not playing them, I just don't break them out.

[@miguelangelcolon1345]

Hi, thanks for the review and info.

[@harmonicamastery]

You’re welcome

[@mineralaccess7070]

Thank you +++

[@harmonicamastery]

Welcome!

[@anoicinfo4414]

Have you tried the Easttop T002 or the PRO20 Also there is Chinese Brand called Golden Bird Golden Bird Harmonica Co. (Qiling Musical Instrument Co.) has been making quality instruments since 1978 A fellow reviewed on of their better diatonic on KZbin in 2018. Just wondered if you had any experience with them.

[@peterexley4985]

✌️🎼🎶🎷thanks I’ve learnt a lot from you when I get money 💵 I shall let you know 👌👍

[@harmonicamastery]

Please do!

[@michaelabrook6437]

Gonna order one of Amazon tomorrow

[@echssitamarhi6048]

I have also bought it yesterday. It is a high quality diatonic harmonica but how can I clean it.

[@harmonicamastery]

join www.playharmonica.co.uk, come to a free Q&A and ask the question there please

[@randallcrow1992]

Great video.What does it mean to "set the gaps" please?

[@harmonicamastery]

Try this from my pal Brendan - kzbin.info/www/bejne/imi6oqx3jNeHh8U

[@nealostrander6512]

Would love to know how to do the overblow tweek and gaping are there videos available

[@harmonicamastery]

The usual way is to set the gaps on both plates lower than the factory settings. Making it more airtight and efficient also helps and that requires different levels of customisation. Also building technique is crucial - see ‘how to hack your harmonica’ on www.playharmonica.co.uk

[@stephenbouchelle7706]

I have better harmonicas, but they cost A LOT more. I have several Easttops - regular and some Brendan Powers alternate tunings. I like them and recently bought another. I’m a pretty decent player and am happy to play these. Small point, but the cover plates come off more easily than some brands, so you can work on them (e.g. set gaps).

[@harmonicamastery]

Thanks Stephen, very helpful for people I think

[@theramblers69]

hi, i didn't watch your video yet but i will,,,,but right off the bat, i was disppointed with the east tops, no durability, i'm a live musiican, more or less 100 shows a year, rolling stones style gigs with solos divided half / half between harp and guitar, so yes there is alot of harp but not as much as a blues harmonica show per se,,,,,,my favorite has always been special 20 but they've become too expensive,,,,,i have my belt that holds 12 and have extras on the side, i have every key although live i've hardly ever used the Db or Ab live,,,,i use big rivers, suzuki bluesmasters, lee oskars for the minors and lows / highs, although i do kow that others have the lows too,,,,i also have a few other brands like the suzuki overdribe that i love, perfect to play john popper style, and also othet suzuki valved brands, i have a hohner manji in G that's really cool but i don't like wood on harps, plastic or metal for me ,,,,,,,and a recently new love, the fender blues deville, they are amazing and extremely durable and they sound awesome, -but i did stumble on a bad batch at the only music store that sells them in the Montreal Canada area and three in a row were defective onthe same notes,,,,,anyways, through ali express i disovered the knogshen mars that i really enjoyed,,,,then discoved the east top, i ordered 1 C, it semmed alright then ordred 2 more C's and 3 others,,,,,very disappointing, they don't last long, they're kinda made like the fender blues deville's but alot cheaper,,,,they sound alright but they do have a weird taste compared to all other harps that taste nothing,,,,anyways, soundwise they're ok, but i would never recommend them, you can actually blow one away after 1 gig, totally undependable, it's unfortunate

[@bigseanSM]

I can't get anything out of the 1 & 2 hole draw on mine, which is a shame because the rest of it sounds great

[@harmonicamastery]

Come to one of my zoomsessions and show me the problem - register on www.playharmonica.co.uk to get the invite

[@lorenzoblum868]

Hello Ben. Could not get my hand on that T008K but I saw a very similar model. Fender midnight blues. Have you had the opportunity to check it out?

[@harmonicamastery]

I think I just answered you on a different YT movie. No I haven't - try it and see, they can't be expensive

[@AminulIslamJoy007]

Which one will you suggest? Easttop T008k or Kongsheng Benders harp? What will be good for a beginner

[@harmonicamastery]

T008k

[@Dan-jl1fk]

I find the 'Benders' to have a smoother sound. The 008 is a louder more 'pronounced' player. I use both depending on the type of music I'm playing. And both have very good "playability".

[@user-jp6bm6nf9e]

What about replacement reed plates ???? Any ideas ??? Or do they fit from other brands ???

[@harmonicamastery]

Sorry I am not aware of the answer. I guess they have replacement reedplates in huge quantities - have you asked them?

[@user-jp6bm6nf9e]

Hi Ben truth is I never asked them but I guess that will cost specially for us here in EU with custom fees

[@EssS1226]

Bought one after seeing this and other recommendations. Arrived a couple of days ago and while it plays nicely, the corner of the metal edges over the comb are sharp and not smoothed. Something I could sand, i guess. Cant expect the world for a few dollars. still recommend it.

[@petervandenheuvel1417]

Finger nail file, file away from the holes, 30 seconds done.

[@warlock.420]

Will you review the easttop T1040 please?

[@harmonicamastery]

I only review instruments we have in stock to sell, and right now that is not one we keep. I'll be happy to review it if we get it in🙏

[@jonahlange9837]

What exactly do you mean by setting the gaps and by overblow?

[@harmonicamastery]

come to the live zoom Q&A sessions (Saturday 6pm timezone) and ask me - us02web.zoom.us/j/89252374326?pwd=bUxiU2tERWU2M1FSdGw4bnc2czdhQT09

[@tanvirhasnine4918]

I bought it 1 month ago.i can draw bend all the notes as well as blow bend.but can't over blow or over draw ...is it's my problem or the harp isn't made this way? Can you please tell me sir...

[@harmonicamastery]

It's a mixture of the harp and the player. An experienced player can get overblows on anything - I can not! For me some harps are much easier than others - even within the same model of harp. So the skill of the player is one aspect and the setup of the harp is another. Some harps like Golden Melodies are well known to be super easy to OB whereas Lee Oskars are the opposite. There are fixes for overblow issues - this will tell you everything - www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q17.html

[@tanvirhasnine4918]

@@harmonicamastery thanks a lot sir.

[@alexandrecarneiropaz]

its a good harmonica to start to play?

[@harmonicamastery]

It certainly is Alexandre

[@abhijitkarkera7114]

he want to critize that harmonica, but he cant.

[@rajchopra3868]

I don't think so. He was positive about it most time and he obviously wants to sell it so..