I’ve been asking that question too
That model does not seem to be offered everywhere – or perhaps it is offered under a different model name. I cannot find it for sale in Germany – and I’m not about to pay the ridiculous import fees to obtain it from a non-EU source.
– Slim
I was going to buy one today as I’m phasing out my Sonny Boys ( which were originally made by East Top I believe (because they no longer sell or make Sonny Boys on their site but exclusively sell East Tops) I was going to buy a Lightening to check them out but they hadn’t got the key I wanted so I settled for one of the models I bought before. I’m also planning on Phasing out my Lee Oskars I’m mainly going to have SP20’S East Tops and a few Wilde tuned Seydels when I can afford to get those
If I remember correctly @Luke in his video from SPAH was asking East top about this harp and IT should be T008S model but for Amazon market.
I have many as backups to my main ones. Tune them up some and valve them. They are pretty air tight. Great bang for the buck!!!
Thanks @dblues I’m planning to buy a few as I phase out some of my own older harps, I’ll probably tune them but I’m not too keen on valves,I had a few in my Lucky 13’s but I removed them because they kept buzzing, they play great without the valve, and sound better. Thanks for letting me know the Lightening’s are good though.
Don’t know about the Lightnings just have the 008k
Also, I have one 008s, which is the welded reed instead of riveted. They used to be only a couple of dollars more but now are around $20.00 more. Don’t know why???
I have several Easttops and find them good harps. I find them a little uncomfortable in long practice sessions because I’m accustomed to the rounded “ergonomic” type covers, But that criticism could also be made about some more expensive models of other brands. Also, I think I’ve seen some more expensive Easttop models that do have those rounded covers. My Easttop harps don’t seem to have quite the full-bodied strong sound I get from Hohner, Suzuki, and Tombo instruments. Those are the other brands I’m most familiar with. The Easttops use bronze phosphor reeds like Suzuki. But unlike Suzuki, I don’t think the Easttop reeds bend quite as easily as the other brands, By that I mean a bend will be a bit sharper than I intend unless I retrain some muscles to get it down to where it sounds right to me. But then you aren’t paying as much for an Easttop. When I was young, I was heavy into cycling and I found if you train on a cheap heavy bike and then switch to a more expensive light one for a race, you may move faster than you thought you could with the same effort. Similarly, if you practice with an inexpensive Easttop harmonica and then switch to a “better” brand when you perform for friends, you may exceed your expectations!
I found the East Top to play well but the mouthpiece is thicker which I find uncomfortable and slightly more difficult to seal well. might just be my particular style of play but it’s my humble opinion. I prefer the Conjurer for an in-expensive practice harp or for seldom played keys.
Yep! Straight from the horses mouth - the East Top Lighting is an Amazon-exclusively-branded 008s. Thanks for giving me the question to ask Dream @Adam1!
Hi @Luke have you played an East Top Lightning and if so did you do a review? What are your thoughts on them, some have said they are East Tops version of a cross harp? Is that true.
008k caught my facial hair…OUCH-!
Yep, I actually shaved my damn beard and moustache off, plus side is all my friends ( one mate actually ignored me because he didn’t recognize me!) think it knocks years off me, and my wife loves it. This far there’s been no negatives. Even my parents love it. But yes some harmonicas do this, unless you have custom made ones, I think Seydels are pretty beard friendly, but the prices are not wallet friendly. I’ve had hair plucked by my SP20’s too. It brings tears to your eyes when playing.
… maybe I should shave…
The only harp that grabbed my stash was the Lee Oskar but that was pretty much cured by carefully filling the gap in the corner of the upper cover with epoxy. I haven’t seen my upper lip in 54 years and ain’t gone start now.
Full set beard & tash here but I only recall a hair being pulled once and don’t recall which was the cuplret - My collection includes Honer SP20, Rocket & Golden Melody (old style), Lee Oskar, Seydel Steel, & Easttop 800.
Strange things beards, at times. LOL!
What @RussSkyman does sounds like a good idea, I have heard of dental wax being used also. Me I’m happy with the hassle of not having a beard, very much Like I’m glad I shaved my head and no longer have hair.
Good for you - Especially if you have Seydel and Hohner in your backyard!
On much of my head I managed that without assistance years ago. LOL!
Haven’t used a razor for well over 30 years (not far off 40?). The tash gets trimmed off my upper lip with scissors,
I use a razor first on my face then just keep going