Have you ever seen people playing 'Orchestral' harmonicas of various types and sizes and thought I'd love to try that, but they are so expensive - what if I don't like it?
Easttop are known for producing good quality harmonicas at a budget - I'm sure many people reading this have experienced the T008K blues harp, which is a superb diatonic available for just £22.00.
So, when I saw the Easttop Pocket Bass I just had to have a closer look. Hopefully the pictures explain a few things that words can't - I have included a standard diatonic in a couple of the pictures so you can see the difference. Weight-wise it comes in at just under 400 grams, about the same as five average diatonics.
Tuning is in fifths as you move along the bass - again as shown in the pics - which is quite easy to get your head around if you have a circle of fifths to hand. When playing, it takes a little while to get used to the distances between holes, but producing a simple bass rhythm is possible quite quickly - I've not gone beyond that yet!
Unless you are a big Bass fan, this is very much used to accompany other musicians - wouldn't it be great to get small, local harmonica groups meeting in the same way as ukulele groups do?
Unlike most harmonicas, you play this little beauty blow only - there are no drawer reeds - and breath gently, as blowing hard will often not produce a sound. Generally, playing is all single notes, unless you like discordant music!
I think this is great fun to play with, but despite the relatively low price (for it's type), it is still quite an investment. Is it worth it? Well, I may be biased (!), but I think it is great fun! Not for everyone, but hopefully really enjoyable for anyone that takes the plunge!
