Just bought a set of 7 008k harps from Ebay, the price was stupid cheap $123 AUD delivered. I have a couple of Lee Oskar and SP20 harps in C and A, *and a Blues Harp in C gifted 20 years ago). I figured at that price it would be good to try out the different keys and find the ones I favour (later obviously).
Anything I should be aware of?
I know they are not at the same standard of the BIG4 manufacturers. But I’m hoping they’ll be adequate for my beginner level.
I would say you may have to gap all or some of the top high notes, I’d just play em first to find out the ones you are having trouble with. I must admit I have bought a couple recently and they’ve been absolutely spot on. But they can be a bit hit and miss. I had a go at opening the back up on one of my East Tops. It was quite difficult compared to my Hohner’s they use Thicker stainless steel and they are painted, I have a sheet steel bending tool and even with that it was a struggle ( I won’t be opening up any more!) but being honest it is now louder. But I use East Tops as my back ups, I will while I’m at it recommend the East Top Pro 20 this is a beautiful harp I don’t know if you can get them in your part of the world but they are worth the few quid/dollars extra, they are a combination of a special 20 and a Marine band deluxe really easy to play nice to bend, you can’t really over-blow on them ( well you might if you gapped them for it, I haven’t as I’m a Blues player and don’t use overblows that often) but I find East Tops value for money and I do believe they will get better and eventually the big 4 will be playing catch up.