Kongsheng Amazing 20 vs Hohner Special 20

A side-by-side comparison of the $15 Amazing 20 vs the $40+ Special 20. Yeah, the SP20 sounds a wee bit better. But if you don't have the scratch for an SP20, these Kongshengs make for a passable low-cost alternative.

[@charlesterski1461]

Yes these Amazing 20’s are great, just a hair under the original Special 20. But I wear out special 20’s in 6 months if I use one constantly. So I use a set of the less expensive Amazing 20’s for practice, and save the Special 20’s for when I want to get serious. Thanks for your amazing videos,

[@Tim48103]

Yeah, my track record with SP20s is similar - about 3 - 6 months for those harps in "heavy rotation". I've heard tho, that it's because I blow too hard, so I've been trying to work on breath control.... but when the music's pumpin', it's hard not to just rip into 'em, ya know? ANYway - your strategy is sound - wear out the cheapies and save the good ones for the big dance.

[@norfolknwhey4787]

Wearing them out is an awesome reason to learn how to re-tune or repair them!

[@sasaivanovic783]

Special.20 is great harmonica!! One of the best profesional harp!!

[@ryanquiriconi2318]

Special 20 for the win

[@OneHarp]

Cheers Tim. Great demo, and just what I was curious about with that Kkngsheng model... Tone is similar to the Spec 20, but volume definitely seems less. Wonder if it's down to the smaller channels in the comb? Looking to get a new F and E, and don't want to spend a lot of dough on those lesser used keys...

[@Tim48103]

Give 'em a go - note tho that on some of these less expensive harps, I *have* had some difficulties with those higher harps, particularly the F. I have an Amazing 20 in F that's absolutely fine, tho, but just sayin'.... you might need to fiddle with the reed gapping.

[@Jonathan-L]

The Special 20 sounds amazing. And the Amazing 20 sounds special.

[@Tim48103]

lol. perhaps a marketing mishap.

[@alanbooker1955]

Great video as usual Tim. Think seeing as how the special 20 has magical powers (such stopping your girlfriend beating you etc) I'll get one to see if it can make me handsome. :)

[@Tim48103]

lol. Well it obviously worked for me!

[@acr08807]

I'm glad your girlfriend stopped beating you, Tim.

[@Tim48103]

@@acr08807 a temporary reprieve, I'm sure. not getting rid of any SP20's in the meantime, just in case....

[@user-pk5zh7uj4d]

Special20 this is the best.

[@zokimirchovski2968]

Amazing 20 sound amazingly good. But there must be a reason why there is so much difference between those two in price though.

[@Tim48103]

I imagine it has a lot to do with the hourly wages of the people that build the harps ....

[@lkgreenwell]

I’ve got two of the Kongshengs. The Bb is really good - the C I can’t get to sound on the 2 draw. I want to experiment on it, and, yeah, it’s affordable. I definitely want to try a Solist, but that’s three times the price. My Special 20 has just doubled in cost (UK)

[@Tim48103]

Open the covers and check to see if the two draw reed is gapped correctly (compare it to the neighboring reeds). If not, GENTLY poke at it from the inside with a toothpick or something until the gap matches the others. There are lots of how-to vids out there if you're uncertain. Good luck!

[@lkgreenwell]

@@Tim48103 Thanks - also got a couple of Swans, one of which could do with a little TLC. Haven’t tried the Eastop yet

[@Tim48103]

@@lkgreenwell I've bought Swans in the past, but mostly to hand out at gigs if somebody has a birthday or to kids (back in the day before the Plague, of course). They're okay to mess about with, but you'll find the Easttop and the Kongshengs are a major step up in quality for not much more $$. Cheers!

[@lkgreenwell]

@@Tim48103 My Amazing 20 in C still wouldn't sound the 2 draw last night, so I decided to crack it open today. I was a bit nervous, as this would be my first attempt at mouth-organ mechanic-ing (I've got basic qualification for motor vehicles). This morning it started working! A bit ropy at first, but has been getting better through the day. My dodgy Swan seems to be curing itself as well. I've got quite a good opinion of the Swans - perhaps the quality has improved since you tried them. I got two for £20, which helps. My sister has got my first harmonica in a drawer, somewhere, she tells me. The comb had swelled and it was nailed together! I'm looking forward to seeing it again, after 50-odd years. Many thanks

[@Arrick]

Nice comparison. I’m a Special 20 player. Tried the Amazing 20 but wasn’t impressed other than the cost. Mine was squeaky on blow bends and over blows and felt leaky on low end. I keep mine in the car. It’s okay for that.

[@Tim48103]

Yeah, overall, the SP20 is a better harp, but if you can't (or won't) pony up $40 - $50 for *one* harmonica, and don't like the sandwich-style Easttop T008Ks, I think these Kongshengs work pretty well. I don't overblow much, so can't speak to that on these, but the blow bends have been fine on the three that I have. As to the leaky low end - definitely a problem on the C harp, no problems on the A and the F. That said, went back into the C and found that the blow reeds at the bottom were gapped way, *way* wide. Tightened those and it's still a little leaky but much better than it was.

[@DeanPorterEsq]

I think they sounded similar but could notice a slight difference in volume

[@Tim48103]

Yes. SP20 is a little louder. Not thru an amp, tho!

[@guga.brandao]

Tim, what about the comb sizes?? Looks like the Amazings are more alike Lee Oskars than SP20... Can you tell about? Tc!

[@Tim48103]

@Guga - you are correct. The Amazing 20 and the Lee Oskars have nearly exactly the same size comb, while the SP20 is a few mm shorter. The holes on the Amazing 20 are the smallest of the 3 (Lee Oskars are the biggest). The width of the space taken up by all the holes (outside of hole 1 to outside of hole 10) is nearly identical for SP20 and Lee Oskar, but a little narrower on the Amazing 20. For me, the only noticeable PLAYING difference in geometry is the post size between the holes, which is big for the Amazing 20 and smallest for the Lee Oskar.

[@jamesbk9831]

The special 20 seems to have a bit more treble to it from what you played.

[@arslongavitabrevis9032]

Hi Tim ! What do you think about Suzuki Bluesmaster harmonica? Is it good for an advanced beginner? Thanks

[@Tim48103]

HI - yes, the Bluesmaster is a fine harp for that level. Tomlin Leckie recommends it for his students, and he's a great teacher. I personally like the Harpmaster better since it doesn't have the full cover plates, but that's just a personal thing. They're both solid, solid harps, and Suzuki's attention to detail is tops. Cheers!

[@arslongavitabrevis9032]

@@Tim48103 Thanks Tom and cheers !

[@luneismos]

Nice video! I'm between Amazing 20 Kongsheng and Suzuki Folkmaster. What would you buy?

[@Tim48103]

Probably the Amazing 20. I've only had one Folkmaster, but wasn't impressed. Their Bluesmaster and Harpmaster lines are excellent tho.

[@luneismos]

@@Tim48103 Thanks!!

[@markieproductions22]

I had a Kongsheng in my hands a few months ago and it actually felt a bit heavier than the Hohner Special 20 and felt like a higher quality instrument as a result. Any feedback?

[@Tim48103]

Kongsheng makes a few different ones - the Amazing 20 is about the same, really, as the Special 20. However, their Bluebird, Sunrise and Solist models are definitely equal to or higher quality than the Special 20. The Solist has a metal comb, so, yeah, it's REALLY heavy, lol.

[@markieproductions22]

@@Tim48103 Thank you. What are your thoughts on the solist? Do you know the cost on that one too?

[@Tim48103]

@@markieproductions22 the Solist is about $50 US. It's a very good harp, but almost too sensitive for me - it requires very little breath to play. I blow too hard, and the reeds tend to choke on me. A lot of people like em tho!

[@markieproductions22]

@@Tim48103 thanks again. I did not get to play it but I held it and I liked the heavier, more solid feel. The guy who showed it to me, Roguie LaMontagne, liked it so I thought I’d try it out.

[@stuffnuns]

I have never liked the Special 20. For less money, Big River. Session Steels, 1847 Nobles and Golden Melodies and a couple of Delta Frosts from a decade ago, are in my gig rig.

[@jonathanpitman1]

Special 20 sounds quite a bit darker.

[@facovaleful]

Dude Tim, does that kongsheng harmonica in the video have any adjustments or is that how it comes from the factory? Cheers!

[@Tim48103]

I can't remember specifically, but I don't think I've ever done any adjustments on any of my Kongshengs. These days I'm focussed more on overblows, and I'd bet the gapping on the Amazing 20 would need to be "refined". But for straight ahead BLUES they're fine right from the jump. Cheers!

[@facovaleful]

@@Tim48103 Thanks friend

[@announcer_artem817]

Share your experience, are the bends good on the third hole on Kongsheng key C

[@Tim48103]

the 3 hole bend is difficult for many people regardless of which harp they play. For me, the Amazing 20 3 hole bend is just as easy as on any other harp, tho, so I guess the answer is "yes" they're fine here. Cheers!

[@announcer_artem817]

@@Tim48103 thanks! I will study hard

[@fletcherriverwood8964]

Kongsheng sounds a little bit more clear

[@robertbairt9094]

My Dog is more loyal, but "She's got a ticket 2 ride"🎶🐎 I have a Fender BD in C, ok. I will buy 2 Hohner's. Golden Melody 4 single notes in C and Hohner Spec 20 in C 4 Chord songs? $100.00 should do it for next 6mo practice 🤔 I'm 2mo 🍏 green but the Olive harp is$$. Tim what's a cheap Golden Melody tuned alternative?

[@terryharrison5355]

What were the high bends like.

[@Tim48103]

Fine - 10 hole blow bend, that "whammer" note needs to be finessed a little, but otherwise all's good.

[@miguelangelcolon1345]

Hi,the Hohner sounds louder to me.

[@RedHanded1969]

Your video are quite good.. But you need much better audio, the harp sound ok, but your voice is a little mumble. I hv to use earphone..

[@Tim48103]

Lol, it's just a phone camera. I don't have much of a production budget....

[@RedHanded1969]

@@Tim48103 For a price of a cheap harmonica you can get an ok Lav mic, Boya BY-M1.. Use it w free Open Camera app!

[@user-fh9el9wr3o]

Is it possible to replace the Kongsheng Amazing 20 comb with the Hohner Special 20 comb?

[@Tim48103]

Honestly, I have no idea, never tried it. It looks like the amazing 20 is slightly bigger both front to back and end to end, so I kinda doubt they'd fit...

[@user-fh9el9wr3o]

@@Tim48103 😀