Kongsheng TinG Harmonica Review (a follow-up)

More info about the very nice Kongsheng TinG harps: good sound, good playability, good construction, all at a very reasonable price (~$25). PS - this video was filmed and produced by Sam and Wilhelmina, who are tired of my cell-phone videos ("dad - dude, you're holding the phone the wrong way...."), lol.

[@landztranz]

Great, enjoyable review, and super playing by both of you!

[@Tim48103]

That boy is getting SO good.

[@luisdesantis6035]

I am a fan of TinG harps, the only issue with them is that I find the reeds more fragile than Easttops, LOHs and even Hornehrs

[@Tim48103]

Definitely possible - I haven't had mine long enough to say much about their durability - although they're inexpensive enough so that if they do blow out, it doesn't hurt that much to get a new one (unlike, say the Hohners or the Lee Oskars....).

[@jeffsimslmt]

Why am I resisting these Asian harmonicas? They sound really good.

[@Tim48103]

There's really no need to avoid them from a product price/quality perspective. Some of these harps are excellent instruments. Now, on the "global neighbor" issue, there are valid arguments to be made against Chinese products, but I try not to traffic in such discussions. Harp on!

[@faethe000]

I smell a Cheap Harp Comparison III video coming

[@Tim48103]

Lol. You *might* be on to something....

[@paulcook68]

Very nice 👌! Great drummer too!

[@Tim48103]

I'm a huge fan of his, but I might be biased.

[@bonedaddy6600]

fun and informative review Tim! boogie childin'... ;)

[@Tim48103]

Lol. Your stickers all OVER that amp, too. Cheers, mate.

[@bonedaddy6600]

@@Tim48103 Ha!

[@peteaustin5327]

Being the lead player in a cover band, I feel your pain Tim just when you think you have all your bases covered somebody wants to do a song in Gm or something ! nice review though !!

[@agc_custom_harps]

Nothing wrong with getting harps in those keys :) but A harp played in 5th position is not so odd and works well for that. 2 blow is your root note. Nice review by the way.

[@Tim48103]

Might work better if you're a monster player like you are, Andre! But thanks, and now I'm gonna start working on this 5th position thingy! Cheers!

[@Jonathan-L]

Are these TinG harmonicas reliable? I'm looking for something that will last well.

[@Tim48103]

Honestly, I don't really know. I have them in odd tunings in my kit (C#, F#, Db) that I don't use very often - I have them in there "for completeness". The construction of them seems solid, and my other Kongshengs were very durable (Mars, Bluebird, Solist), so I don't have any reason to believe these wouldn't also hold up to abuse, but again, I can't say for certain, just based on lack of playing time on them....

[@mcconlogue1898]

Better than the Mars?

[@Tim48103]

No. Different. The TinG has a brassier, louder acoustic tone - the Mars is a fairly mellow harp. The Mars is constructed more solidly that the TinG, and tho I have no evidence, the Mars feels like it would be more durable. They are about equally responsive. The Mars is set up better, tho, so little or no reed gapping is necessary, where the TinG is kinda hit or miss - some are great, some need just a little tweaking. And, yes, the Mars looks cooler. Summary - TinG for the better bang for the buck, Mars wins if budget isn't an issue.