Fender Blues Deluxe Harmonica Review REVISITED!

[@richardpierce7168]

I have 3 Fender Blues Deluxe in A,C,D, I keep in my car for when I'm waiting on my wife . They are probably between 5 and 6 years old. Still sound and play great. Ive even used them to play in public a couple times when the opportunity came up and they were what I had.

[@Tim48103]

Excellent - they're good harps. I get most of my practicing done in the car, too - "Traffic Jamming" as they say. Probably only slightly more dangerous than texting and driving, but at least I'll already have my harp when they cart me off to the pokey.

[@paulmccarthy7061]

Right Richard, that's a great way to kill time. Wife waiting 😂

[@ibleebinU]

Dayum you can toot those! I'll never be that good BUT I might just buy this set. It's been... 40 years since. Time flies.

[@Tim48103]

It does. Don't blink.

[@rahmet_sandigi]

Well done , I have just got mine the c blues deluxe from Fender

[@Paddling16]

Thank you for this. I got my Fender Blues deluxe in the key of C today. It’s great! My Special 20 is better BUT in Canada Sp20 are close to 70 bucks and the fender blues deluxe was only 10 bucks on sale. So I wouldnt say the hohner sp20 isn’t 7 times better. I would have skipped over the Fender harmonica if it wasn’t for your video. Thank you!!!

[@Tim48103]

I know! I always end up doing the math - is this harp X $$ times better than my Easttop or my Fender? and the answer is always, nope!

[@Paddling16]

@@Tim48103 yes for sure. Thank you again for the videos. I really enjoy them! Man you can play! The other Fender Blues Deluxe Harmonica keys are about 20 bucks here in Cda after taxes. But still a great deal! I’ll have to hunt around for them.

[@alanbooker1955]

Great video Tim, I started buying Fender harps after watching your last video on them. Find them really good for the money.

[@Tim48103]

Awesome. I agree with you! Rock on, good sir!

[@61mab]

I bought a couple to try other keys but for my level of ability .... Also very fun to take apart and practice reed work without fear of consequences.

[@Invert_Scrub]

Great sound! Just got my first harmonica, a Fender in Bb. You seem like you'd make a great teacher! You ought to upload some how-to-plays!

[@Tim48103]

Lol thanks! Lots of cats out here already doing that! Check out Adam Gussow. He's the MAN.

[@Invert_Scrub]

@@Tim48103 Sweet, will do! Thanks!

[@Caelum_NLD]

Hey, thanks for posting the vid. I bought one in C today and now was interested in if it was any good instead of the other way around xD Anyways, I got an old Hohner from my friend's grandfather, but I rather wanted to try learning on one with a bit more bluesy sound. And I thought, couldn't go wrong for 12 Euros. Glad the Fender also sounds great and if I understood you correctly it is easy to play. Happy! :D

[@jxxy666]

i’m thinking about getting one as well! was scared it was gonna be bad for the price and that i’d have to wait and save up for a more expensive one.. video changed my mind! :•)

[@jankucera8505]

more bluesy? brah

[@BaltasarM]

Thanks a lot for the video. I got my first harmonica about 15 days ago. And it was a bd gift from my mom. At my 36 yo she decided to gift me a music instrument... However she told me to choce the brand couse we know nothing about music. So i went with the Fender one because its a pretty famous and respectable brand on guitars, right ? However we are in south america... A Lee Oskar or Syndel here is way too expensive for a beginner working-class kinda people like me. Im just happy it sounds amazing to my ear... And just getting the major scale clean notes... My momma is smiling all day long... That is an harmonica good enough to me. Have a great year yall! 🤝

[@Tim48103]

That is awesome, Max - you have a great year as well, and tell your mom I said hi! Cheers!

[@BaltasarM]

@@Tim48103 Thanks Tim. I will say hi to her from you! 🥂🤝

[@countryrio7115]

You are awesome, I'm just about to buy them

[@greensqueezebox]

Tim, I think you could probably get awesome sound and tone out of an empty tin can.

[@Tim48103]

Aw thanks - but no, I've tried that. Cut up my face. And then my kids laughed at me. So for the time being, I'm gonna stick to harmonicas, lol.

[@thataussieblokemusicandmovies]

Hi there, I really enjoy your playing. I'm in Australia but new to the instrument, having played in blues bands for years, on drums or bass, so I have my rhythm thing going, which helped. We had great harp players and I always loved the sound. We have the Blues Deluxe harps available in Australia in a 3 pack with a little black case, so I bought those and am enjoying them as I learn. I may 'level up' at some point, but I have to say they sound bluesy enough to me. I could afford a Marine Band, but I figure I'll get my technique (both hand and otherwise) together before I invest further. I have a little Vox Pathfinder amp which I've experimented with - small amp. Your knowledge is really appreciated - thank you for helping us all out. Best wishes from Oz !

[@christredeau3516]

Could you demonstrate overblow technic on fender B flat harmonica? Thanks... 😎✨

[@Tim48103]

Check out Tomlin Leckie. He has a tutorial on that very technique using a Bb harp. Highly recommend.

[@nachmanedes9460]

Thank you!!

Thanks for review!

[@JedoDre]

I go this and a Suzuki to start with - seems fine so far. I don't like the occasional squealing, but I understand that's on me.

[@Tim48103]

My playing produces the occasional squeal no matter what harp I use, and I've been playing for 40 years! Stay the course!

[@tommie827]

As a newby, I wouldn't know how to hear a problem much less fix one. What is a good inexpensive harmonica that wouldn't need any adjustments?

[@Tim48103]

I'd go with either the Easttop T008k or for a few dollars more, the Kongsheng TinG. Neither has ever given me any problems off the shelf. Good luck!

[@tommie827]

@@Tim48103 Thank you! I appreciate your response. It is quite overwhelming reading and listening to all the opinions. I'll take your advice! PS. After checking my order, to my surprise, I didn't have to cancel it as I ordered the Easttop T008k. I appreciate your review. I found it most helpful of all I listened to today.

[@chriscaskenette]

You made those Fender's sound great Tim!! What's your favorite harp ? Personally I love the special 20's. Off topic but could you recommend a good blues amp. I usually play through the PA but need to find a good stage amp for that Chicago sound. Thanks and great channel.

[@Tim48103]

Thanks Chris! My favorite harp? Lol - changes with the moon. Right NOW, it's the Hohner Golden Melody. Tomorrow might be something else. And yeah, the SP20 is a solid choice. RE amps: for serious gigs, I blow through a Kalamazoo Model 2. I mic it if needed. They're hard to find these days, only made for a couple of years back in the 60's. Killer amp. A good modern harp amp is the Stage 5 (about $250), which can come with a line out as an option for extra volume thru the PA. I use that for jams and rehearsals. For busking, the battery-powered Lectrosonics Maxi Mouse. All of these deliver that Chicago tone. To help, tho, I use my Silverfish Hi-Z mic for extra grit (plus they look cool). Check out my recent vid on the Silverfish... I play thru some of the amps I just mentioned, see whatcha think!

[@chriscaskenette]

@@Tim48103 Thanks for that great info, much appreciated.. Solid choices, I was looking at that Stage 5. The Ronnie Shellist model with the line out. I will definitely check out the Silverfish mic. Man, harmonica playing can get a bit expensive, lol but well worth it.

[@Tim48103]

@@chriscaskenette yup! For a thing what cost about $11 back when I started, I seem to have shelled out some SERIOUS cash ever since. If you end up getting the RS, tell Rick Davis I said hey. I have the 3rd Stage 5 they made, love it. Cheers!

[@chriscaskenette]

@@Tim48103 Sounds good Tim, Cheers

[@raccoon6072]

messing with $60 harp: no. messing with $10 harp: yes.

[@jayceeknight2575]

Could you do a little tutorial on how to fix the little problem you had please?

[@Tim48103]

Hi Jaycee - there are a lot of vids out there that cover this by guys that know more than I do. Here's a short one that covers the basics: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3yoanaEaZ6HoNk

[@JC-fj7oo]

The real question is how much breath does it take. The more sealed and efficient a harp is, the better it will be to learn on. The main problem that plagues cheap, beginner, and bargain harps is that they leak. If I play the same riffs on a newer marine band and then on a cheapo harp I would be out of breath.

[@marujobhzmarcelov.araujo4273]

hi. nice show. what is the name/model of the kay to repair the harmonica? for buy together with the pack... tks

[@MP-tf7cc]

Thanks. Have seen other positive reviews of the blues deluxe too. Btw do you have an opinion of the fender blues deville?

[@Tim48103]

Yeah, it's basically a rebranding of the Easttop T008, just more expensive. Good harp, but save your money and go for the Easttop directly.

[@viharikrishnan5588]

Thank you for your review sir❤

[@1337wafflezz]

Great review. Think i’m gonna get one of these as one of the shoebox gifts for a kid. I just hope they don’t blow on it too hard lol, could mess up the reeds

[@Tim48103]

Lol. Yeah, they hold up great until they start throwing them at each other...

[@Jack-fs2im]

Please Please can you tell me the length of the Harmica its listed everwhere as 29x19x9cm which is meaningless.Because most are 10.2 was hoping this a bit longer.thanx

[@Tim48103]

4.05 inches (10.28 cm) by my measurements....

[@Jack-fs2im]

@@Tim48103 Thank you v v much.Love yr videos some of the best.Bought a Sazuki Airwave to learn on,holes far apart ,and now want to get proper one.

[@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward]

I don't think a beginner should have to do maintenance work to get the thing to work. Not bad though man. Wouldn't mind a key of F if they have it

[@Tim48103]

That's a good point. However, I rarely find a harp at ANY price that I don't have to open up and mess with, but I'm also kinda particular about gapping. It's a good set of techniques to learn.... And you might as well learn em on something you can afford to mess up. But I hear ya. Foolproof beginner harp? Hohner Special 20 or Suzuki Harpmaster. But 2x to 3x the $$ over these Fenders....

[@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward]

@@Tim48103 I found a nice deal on a set of special 20s and went for it. Been playing less than a year. I also have a crossover and marine band 1896 and like them all. I just have a fear of taking them apart or just no understanding. Maybe you can do a video on that

[@Tim48103]

@@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward Look up Andrew Zajac. He's the go-to resource on messing with harp innards. Beware tho, it's addictive.

[@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward]

@@Tim48103 We'll see, a lot to learn. Thanks

[@Tim48103]

@@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward PS - be careful with the inexpensive harps in the key of F. It's a difficult key for manufacturers to get "right". oh hey - I have a video! Cheers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6vLXolmZ9ShmKc

[@BluesManx_]

So is it great to get one to learn on it ?, i don't think i have the breath for it anyway 😁

[@felixgaming3236]

Do you prefer Special 20s over Fender Blues Deluxes? Do you play Fender Blues DeVille harmonicas?

[@Tim48103]

I haven't tried the Blues Deville, but from the looks of them, they LOOK like an Easttop T008k, which you can get a lot cheaper than the Blues DeVille. And yes, I do prefer the Special 20 over the Fender Blues Deluxe, but it also costs 4x as much. I don't like it 4x better, but I do like them better. A nice compromise is the Suzuki Harpmaster - great workmanship, more consistent quality out of the box than the Fender Blues Deluxe, no sharp corners like the Special 20, and usually around $30, so only about 2x as expensive as the Fender Blues Deluxe. The whole point of my Fender schtick, though, is that if you're strapped for cash, it's a perfectly good harp to use. There are better harps, sure, but a lot of us can't afford those.

[@felixgaming3236]

@@Tim48103 The Blues Deville is basically a cheaper Fender version Hohner special 20 with a slick design on the front. Also do you play Kongsheng Solists?

[@Tim48103]

@@felixgaming3236 I have two - one in A and one in F. They're excellent harps from a playability perspective, but the acoustic tone is too reedy for my taste these days. I know a number of players that swear by them, tho - they're probably as responsive as any OOB harp on the market, which for me is a little problematic since I blow harder than I should, and the Solists lock up on me sometimes. But that's my bad, not the fault of the harp in this case....

[@orangecaprinun]

recently, i started looking into harmonicas, thought i could give it a try and see if its something i might stick with in the future, so anyways, currently im stuck between two options, the suzuki m20 manji and the fender blues deluxe, was wondering if you'd reccommend one over the other?

[@Tim48103]

Well, I personally don't much care for the Manji, although they have a lot of fans that swear by them. Suzuki makes some great harps like either the Harpmaster (my favorite of theirs) or the Bluesmaster, both of which are cheaper than the Manji. The Harpmaster and Bluesmasters are also both a bit better in quality and tone than the Fender Blues Deluxe, but also more expensive. If I had to only get ONE decent harp for not a whole lot of money, it'd be the Harpmaster, I think. If I were to need a bunch of harps in different keys, then probably the Easttop T008k, or as a second choice, the Fender Blues Deluxe. Does that help?

[@sanumusic007]

Great to watch... I have decided to spend my money on them..

[@Tim48103]

Nice! Let me know what you think when you get them!

[@estebangarcia399]

Cool

[@Jak3am]

I was actually just thinking of picking up the harmonica... picking 2 of these up so I may 4yr old can play with me =)

[@JLee-bi4es]

I have the fender hor rod deluxe it's valved whatever that means. I don't like the tone of it. I'll have to try the regular blues deluxe

[@Tim48103]

The Hot Rod Deluxe is basically a re-branded Easttop T008K (with valves - those are just little flappy plastic things that are meant to make it easier to bend notes - I find them tiresome). The Easttop T008K is a very "reedy" sounding harp, and the Hot Rod Deluxe is no different. The "regular" Blues Deluxe, while still made by Easttop, doesn't have that reedy sound, but overall is somewhat flimsier than the Hot Rod. Good bit cheaper, too. For a couple dollars more, there's also the Kongsheng Amazing 20 to consider, another solid entry in the low-cost harp field....

[@JLee-bi4es]

@@Tim48103 I have the kongsheng amazing 20 in key of d,c, and A. Love them I order most my harps from ol rockinrons. Have you heard of another Chinese brand called goldenbird? Those are pretty good as well. For $20 I just buy different brands of harps just to see the difference and just to keep things fresh I have to say my favorite brands are kongsheng and dabell. I like them better than the overpriced seydel session steel harp I bought for like $75.

[@Tim48103]

@@JLee-bi4es couldn't agree more. Dabell is probably one of the best out of the box harps I've come across, and man, I really do *NOT* like any of the Seydels (tho haven't tried the Lightning yet, but don't want to put another mortgage on the house). Dabell has a brand new model called The Contender that I just ordered from Ron - can't wait to get it.

[@JLee-bi4es]

@@Tim48103 really wow im going to order now as well lol. And yes dabells have been the best out of the box harps I've ever had as well. I ordered the eastop blues player from Amazon the green one with aluminum comb. Key of c should be here Friday so I'm excited about that

[@VEXG32]

Are they responsive like the special 20 or do you need to force air through em?

[@Tim48103]

They are not quite as responsive as the Special 20, not straight out of the box anyways. If you're willing to tinker with the reed gaps yourself, they can be made to be just as responsive, or more so, with about 5 minutes of work or less. However, the stock responsiveness per dollar ratio is excellent.

[@VEXG32]

@@Tim48103 thanks for responding. I’m torn between one of these, a bushman delta frost, or a Stagg BJH-B20

[@Tim48103]

@@VEXG32 The "new" Delta Frosts (Woody or Steelie) are really, really good, but kinda expensive - the "classic" Delta Frost with the plastic comb aren't all that great. I don't know the Stagg tho.

[@eberalvarez9585]

Bluesmaster suzuki ? Q tal master ?

[@michaeltodd2923]

Love mine. In c.

[@ChromaticHarp]

I just bought one for 8 bucks on Amazon

[@thaironynarazaki8120]

"... and a bag of candy!" 😂

[@landztranz]

Thanks, Tim. Hey, maybe YOU should get out more... :-)

[@Tim48103]

lol. fair point. In truth, been REAL busy on the outdoor gig circuit lately, plus the renewed project(s) with Citizen Jones ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5bUl2pmfNqsaKc ). So I *have* been getting out some, at least, lol, wish it were more! Cheers mate.

[@landztranz]

@@Tim48103 Thanks for replying! I love your vids and your playing -- I've been playing for 14 years and wish I could do some of the things you do on the harp. Two questions: 1) What's your opinion of the H. Blues Harp? 2) Did you have a teacher or are you self-taught?

[@Tim48103]

@@landztranz The blues harp was the first one I ever had, a gift from my grandmother. It was held together by rubber bands by the time I retired it, lol. These days tho, along with the standard marine band, I find them a bit uncomfortable to play due to the barely sealed wooden comb, tho the tone and response remains top of the class. As to 2), I had one lesson with Madcat Ruth when I was 18, and two with Howard Levy when I turned 60. Those, tho, we're mostly me going "holy hell, man, I'll *never* be able to do all THAT". So yeah, gonna go with self taught, lol.

[@landztranz]

@@Tim48103 LOL! I bought an A Blues Harp recently and noticed that the comb looks different, lighter in color, maybe it's more sealed, too?

[@rick43pen]

There will always be the snobs who sneer at "cheap" instruments. Reminds me of the old adage " it's a poor craftsman that blames his tools." Awesome playing btw.

[@mosyey240]

I can’t open the case

[@Tim48103]

😂

[@niltomega2978]

Well thats that I think a noob like me will not know the difference. Fender it is. They sell a 7 pack on Amazon for 59.99 so that puts them at about 8.50 each. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L0VGMRS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@Tim48103]

Lol. Truth be told a lot of the non-noobs wouldn't know the difference either. Enjoy!

[@paulcook68]

With all these cheaper harps sounding so good, I don't think I'll buy an expensive one again..

[@Tim48103]

The only real caveats are a) durability, but at $12 a pop, who cares and b) overblows - if you use 'em a lot, these cheaper harps will be disappointing. Me, I "can" overblow, but I have yet to ever do it in a gig, so "b" doesn't really apply to me either. Cheers!

[@paulcook68]

@@Tim48103 yeah I've never needed to use a overblow. Probably a good thing because I can't overblow! Lol

[@paulcook68]

@@Tim48103 actually I don't really gig. My brother has a band, I just play around the campfire..lol

[@Tim48103]

@@paulcook68 NOBODY gigs at the moment, so those campfires put you way ahead of the game!

[@paulcook68]

@@Tim48103 Yup! Lol

[@zapnot]

Led Zeppelin 🙏

[@ellew4573]

Show off.

[@Tim48103]

guilty as charged.

[@TheRealCornelius]

Start video by insulting viewer 👍

[@johnnyappleseed2277]

Why do you think that a really good harmonica that sound that nice and well put together only cost 13 USD

[@Tim48103]

Pretty simple - cheap labor. Also, I suspect Fender might sell these at a loss to promote the brand.