EAST TOP Updated FORERUNNER 2.0 without valves Chromatic Harmonica

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.

This is the most Comfortable harmonica I’ve ever played I quit playing for a few years because the ones with the wood combs after playing for a while swell up and cut your mouth to pieces. This has round holes that don’t hurt. It’s easier to blow than most of the others I’ve used throughout the years you can also bend notes very easily on all of them unlike most you can only bend a few if any like the 3,4 & 7 holes and most of them these aren’t easy to do but this is a chromatic so you still have all of the sharps and flats for every note along with 4 octaves and without the valves you can play very fast. Like I said it’s comfortable so you can play for hours and don’t have to heal up for a week after playing for a few minutes. An it sounds very good and clean No raspy notes you can make them sound that way if you want but it’s your choice. This is my all time favorite harp I liked the Gold Horner I use to have but this plays way better a lot of the expensive harps I’ve had were very temperamental if the weather changed just a little they wouldn’t work and you had to warm them up or they wouldn’t play most of the notes and you had to have several because after playing for around half an hour they would get where they wouldn’t work and you had to let them rest or they wouldn’t work. The EASTTOP doesn’t seem to have these problems also if you bend the notes most harps are really hard to bend and if you do a few times they stay bend and you have to replace the reads that gets old really quick. I’ve been using a Swan for a couple of years now without having problems but right out of the box the EASTTOP is way better it plays nicer notes bend easier and like I said the holes you blow in are way more comfortable to play to play and doesn’t hurt your mouth the slide is very tight with no air leaks but works very fast and easy. And they come in around all 12 keys not just in C I’m definitely getting more of these at least in A, D and G anyway get one of these you will really love them

Wanted to give the chromatic harmonica another try. I play diatonic at a pro level but every time in the past I have bought a chromatic harp, no matter how expensive, some holes didn't produce sound right or there was some other problem that soured me on chromatics. Became aware of East Top recently as prices for German harmonicas are now outrageous. Reviews seemed almost universally positive, Prime sale came up, so I figured I would give the chromatic another go with this Forerunner 2.0. Man, what a surprise. All holes sound perfectly, even the highest notes, it plays easily, lips glide across the holes, the tone is great, I like it better than the sound I got out of my Hohner 270, and this one was a fraction of the price of the Hohner. Now I am finally learning how to play the chromatic harmonica and loving it, so thanks, East Top!

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

really great to get started on chromatic harmonica. it's very nice that you can bend notes in the same manner as on a diatonic harp. Furthermore, the instrument feels very sturdy and sounds very good!