East top is known for making awesome and also affordable harmonicas.
And I recently received the East top 12-Hole 48 Tones Forerunner C Key Chromatic Harmonica (1248MV).
This is the affordable chromatic harmonica from East Top at under $46.
A chromatic harmonica is one that has a button sliding bar which will redirect air from the hole in the mouthpiece. So, pressing the button can take the scale a semitone higher for each hole.
This harmonica is 12 holes long and is in the key of C.
So, let’s say when you have the button out, when you blow the first hole it’s C and when you draw a breath, it’s a D. But if you press the button, C turns to C sharp and draw turns it to D sharp.
Because it is fully chromatic, the chromatic harmonica is the choice of those who use a harmonica for jazz or classical music.
I also have the East top Forerunner Chromatic Harmonica EAP-12 and the difference aside from the fact that this EAP-12 is much more expensive ($129 vs. $46), the EAP-12 is made of precision phosphor bronze reeds, brass reedplate, brass cover with black paint. The Forerunner is made of precision-made plastic comb with phosphor bronze reeds.
So, the EAP-12 is made of a brass reedplate, the Forerunner (1248MV) is made of precision-made plastic comb.
The other difference, is that this comes with a plastic container and the EAP-12 comes with a brown leather button lock pouch.
With that being said, the East top 12-Hole 48 Tones Forerunner C Key Chromatic Harmonica (1248MV) looks and feels like a high quality expensive chromatic harmonica close to its older brother EAP-12 but what is made of brass, this is made of high-precision plastic.
But if you are on a budget, you can’t go wrong with this chromatic harmonica. East top makes quality harmonicas and this chromatic harmonica is no doubt worth owning.
