EAST TOP Updated FORERUNNER 2.0 without valves Chromatic Harmonica 12-Hole 48 Tones G Key Chromatic Mouth Organ Harmonica for Adults,Beginners and Students

This is a well made item. Intonation is really nice. How the Chinese can turn out this harmonica at this price point beggars belief. Admittedly it doesn’t have wind valves and his is not necessarily a bad thing as having wind valves and can throw up other issues with this type of instrument. It’s a little quieter than high end equivalents. In the main this instrument is good value for the money and would consider purchasing again perhaps in another key in the new year.

A good harmonica! This is amazing value for money. It is difficult to fault.

I got the Easttop Forerunner 2.0 out of curiosity after hearing good things, and overall, I’m genuinely impressed. For the price, it punches way above its weight. The build quality is solid – it feels sturdy, not cheap at all. The slide is smooth, and the response is fast enough for most styles. It’s got a bright, clear tone that cuts through nicely, and it holds up surprisingly well even on faster passages. I’ve been playing mostly classical and melodic lines, and it definitely handles those well. That said, I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because the tone, while good, doesn’t quite have the warmth or richness of higher-end models. But honestly, that’s to be expected at this price point. Overall, a fantastic choice if you’re stepping up from a beginner model or want a reliable chromatic without spending a fortune. It’s not perfect, but it’s absolutely playable and capable of serious music.

I bought my first chromatic harmonica after being unable to play a specific melody part I wanted for recording a song of mine when using a blues diatonic one instead. Prices for most chromatic harmonicas weren’t cheap, which drew me to the East Top. I was immediately impressed by the build quality and sound - this didn’t feel like a toy like some cheap harmonicas I’ve played before . The bigger holes made playing easier and more accurate, and despite the button slide taking a bit of practice for playing certain notes, I was finally able to play the melody I wanted note perfectly. An excellent bit of kit.

Fantastic chromatic. Great value and no hassle with valves

Extremely swift delivery. The harmonica has a nice tone.

I have played diatonic harmonica for many years, but I wanted to learn the theme from Midnight Cowboy which needs a C chromatic harp. I didn't want to pay the earth so based on other reviews went for the Forerunner 2.0 by East Top. Wow! It is ridiculously easy to play, the slide is smooth and tuneful. Within minutes I was playing Midnight Cowboy and sounding really close to the original. The harmonica feels good quality and I find it delivers clean notes with ease. I was a little surprised at how big it is compared to diatonics. Noting that there are a lot of chromatics out there for over £100, I think this is a bargain. Highly recommended, now to find more songs with chromatic harmonica parts!

FORERUNNER 2.0 Review August 2023: I have bought quite a few Chromatic Harmonicas over the years And i now have three of these valveless Eastops They take a little getting used to if you are used to Suzuki's as they are not as loud but, they are half the price/ I agree price is not everything/ I have found these to be well tuned and they stay well tuned. I guess if you intend buying a few different keys once you have played one of them they all react pretty much the same.There are two schools of thought you can buy a few diffferent keys and swap harps or learn the different keys on a 16 hole Chromatic, My advise for what its worth is Make some song playlists on youtube in the keys of your harmonicas and practice along with them.Search: "song key finder" and you will find songs in your harmonicas key. A C harmonica is also a C#/Dflat Harmonica if you push in the slide.. Buying.. Bb/C/D/E/F#/G# Chromatics and you have all keys covered.

Très bel instrument facile a jouer sonne juste,vient bien au lèvres le piston est doux et pas brillant très bon qualité prix

Man kennt East Top vielleicht nicht so gut wie Hohner oder Seydel, aber insbesondere diese Forerunner Serie ist hervorragend in der Verarbeitung, spricht gut an und benötigt nicht zu viel Atem für die Draws and Blows. Die Töne sind korrekt gestimmt out of the box und man kann direkt loslegen mit einer Session. Für diejenigen, die wie ich einen Ausflug aus der Ecke der diatonischen Harmonikas zu diesen chromatischen macht, ist es sicher bequemer, eine Harmonika wie diese zu nutzen, die keine "Ventile" hat. Die "Ventile", die hier gemeint sind, sind naturgemäß keine richtigen Ventile, wie man sie von einer Klarinette oder einer Trompete kennt, sondern kleine Folienblätter, die über den Reeds liegen, um den Luftfluss zu kontrollieren und auch das Volumen zu erhöhen. Sie sind gängig in allen teuren chromatischen Harps (wie z.B. in der Hohner M27001X Super Chromonica 270 C für ca. 175 EUR), machen aber (für jemanden aus der diatonischen Ecke) die Wartung etwas komplizierter, und haben den massiven Nachteil, dass sie bei Kälte oder längerem Gebrauch verkleben, und dann kein Ton erzeugt werden kann. Daher finde ich den Ansatz der Forerunner, chromatisch OHNE Ventile, ideal, um das Thema "chromatisch" einfach mal auszuprobieren, ohne allzuviel zu investieren. Die Wartung ist auch genauso einfach wie bei einer diatonischen Harp, man muss lediglich ggf. darauf achten, wie und wo die Feder für den Glider eingehackt ist, damit nach dem Zusammenbau wieder alles funktioniert. Sehr positiv ist, dass East Top auch Ersatzteile (Schrauben, Feder) mitliefert, falls mal etwas bei der Wartung verloren oder kaputt geht - das macht nicht jeder! Wenn man mit Harmonikas startet, sollte man sicher eine in " C " nehmen; wenn man seine Sammlung ergänzen möchte um andere gängige Tonarten, dann ist diese hier eine gute Wahl - A, Bb, C, D, E, F, and G sind ja die, welche man "in der Tasche" haben sollte für die verschiedenen Tonlagen von Stücken. Der Unterschied dieser Forerunner 2.0 zum Vorgängermodell ist genau das - man kann diese auch in anderen Tonarten als " C " kaufen, was (trotz der ja auch bei anderen Tonarten vorhandenen gleichen Tönen) Sinn macht, falls man ein Stück in einer anderen Tonart spielen möchte (muss?), aber die gelernten Abfolgen von Draws and Blows nicht verändern möchte / kann. Man kann definitiv sagen, dass sich die East Top nicht hinter den bekannten Marken verstecken muss. Würde ich insgesamt wieder kaufen - ist eine gute Ergänzung zum fairen Preis! ##################### Ich hoffe, ich konnte euch ein paar nützliche Informationen für eure Kaufentscheidung geben!

Sorprendido agradablemente por su presentación, viene en un práctico estuche de cremallera que permite llevarlo en el bolso comódamente, ya que el tamño de la armonica es apenas mayor que la de 10 agujeros Es de agradecer el detalle de que trae el muelle del slide y los tornillos de repuesto que mas se suelen romper o extraviar. Tiene un bonito diseño y el sonido claro y muy bien equilibrado. Mas fácil de dominar que las mas caras que llevan válvulas, siendo ideal tanto para uso avavzado como principiants. Acostumbrado a otras acabadas en cromado, encuentro esta mas bonita. Aconsejo antes de tocar, desmontar el frontal y suavizar muy ligeramente con una lija de grano 1000 o mas fina las aristas de las ventanas del slide por al parte que apoyan el el cuerpo de plástico para evitar posibles rayas al deslizar.

Por el precio que tiene no se puede pedir más, buena armónica con afinación perfecta para practicar la parte mecánica pero no es recomendable para tocar en directo a otras personas, se nota que no tiene válvulas tanto en el sonido bajo y sin brillo, como en la facilidad que tiene para tocarse para un principiante, puesto que al carecer de valvulas no se bloquea nunca el sonido

I recently purchased the Easttop Forerunner 2.0 12-hole chromatic harmonica in C key, and I must say it's an incredible addition to my collection. What caught my attention first was the very economical price, offering great value without compromising on quality. The crystal ABS comb not only adds an attractive look to the harmonica but also contributes to its airtightness for a valveless chrome. I may sand flat the top of the comb surface under the mouthpiece to further tighten up the air if I want to but don’t need ti (I did it with my Forerunner 1.0). I appreciate that all keys function correctly without any issues, and the quiet slider enhances the overall playing experience. The absence of valves means no fuss or worry about temperature effects on the sound and key functions, making it a reliable choice in various conditions. As someone who owns high-end chromatic harmonicas, I can confidently say that this second upgraded version surpasses its predecessor. Whether I'm practicing in the car or on the ski slopes, the Forerunner 2.0 consistently delivers a great performance. It's a real upgrade with better design, aesthetics, functionality, airtightness, and a quieter slider. For those seeking a valveless chromatic harmonica that excels in all aspects, the Forerunner 2.0 is a fantastic choice. Excited to share my recent discovery – the Easttop Forerunner 2.0 12-hole chromatic harmonica, which I'm thrilled to take to the stage for an upcoming jazz jam. This harmonica has proven itself to be a true gem, especially when playing jazz classics like 'The Jody Grind,' 'In A Sentimental Mood,' 'Misty,' and 'Take Five.' Again, Its economical price doesn't compromise on quality, and the crystal ABS comb adds an appealing look while ensuring airtightness. All keys function flawlessly, and the quiet slider enhances the overall experience. The absence of valves means I can focus on the music without worrying about temperature effects. As someone who values high-end instruments, the Forerunner 2.0 stands out with its upgraded design, functionality, and a quieter slider. It's not just a harmonica; it's a reliable companion for musical exploration. I can't wait to showcase its fantastic sound and versatility in the jazz jam, confident that it will shine in every performance. BTW, That is so great the Forerunner 2.0 comes with a range of keys: C, G, A, B, D, F, F#, Ab, Bb & Eb (both great for playing in jazz jam without needing to transpose from C to Bb or Eb), & Db.