Forerunner Chromatic Harmonica

Product: East top Chromatic Forerunner 1248NV or T12-48NV (NV stands for Valveless) Out of the box, every hole works. This is big for me. I recently purchased Hohner 64 Chromonica (16 holes) and Hohner CX12 Chromatic (12 holes) both in C key. Out of the box both with 3-4 holes not working no sound. I watched Hohner Service Workshop on YouTube on how to make adjustment on the reeds. The sound came out but not responsive and sound horrible. I contacted the seller through Amazon with no help. I contacted Hohner in Germany HQ and they sent me to Hohner US under warranty repair. Both chromatic harmonicas have sent to the shop and told would take 3 weeks after receiving them and 3 days quarantine with limited weekly work hours. The Hohner chromatic harmonicas have awesome sound if every hole works. I wanted an inexpensive chromatic harmonica to practice. I found the East top T12-48NV on Amazon for $45 something. Since it has no valve, I can do some heavy duty practice without worrying damage the wind savers (subject to fatigue much easier). The sound quality from this budget valveless chromatic harmonica is not in the same caliber as compared to the higher end chromatic harmonicas that have valves. The higher end chromatic harmonicas with valves or wind savers are air tight since the wind savers or valves will make the chromatic plays air tight. Also, seemed the sound comes out from the T12-48NV a little weaker than my Hohner, but Hey, this beauty’s every hole is working great with the tunes play accurately. Amazingly, this budget 12 hole chromatic harmonica is built in surprisingly good quality with good materials and great looking. Slider works great and smoothly without clicking sound. You can feel the weight when you hold the T12-48NV in hands but not heavy. Strangely, I thought the sound came out a bit weaker but the recorded practice session with the T12-48NV sounded great and laud. I am happy and can play it as much as I want without worrying a thing about if the sound will come out or not or something wrong especially the wind savers will get damaged and the blow holes will not play the notes. The T12-48NV does require a bit more air and you can feel it compared to the chromatic harmonicas with the valves or wind savers. I am very happy with the T12-48NV as my practice harmonica. As a practice harmonica, I can’t find any better one to take over this one. I heard from one of the elite harmonica pros on YouTube or some Website, the East top T12-48-Brass Comb or T12-48-Copper Comb is up there in the market against the best. Since the comb is brass or copper, the sound comes out from these two models are awesome. Normally brass comb will cost a lot more, but the East top T12-48-Brass Comb is not in 4 figures it’s around $350. I will check it out if my Hohner chromatic harmonicas break.

Good sound quality, easy to play.

I've been playing harmonicas for over 65 years, and usually used Hohners. I have the 64 note Hohner and it is, as expected, quite good. But it is also quite expensive. I wanted a smaller 12 hole chromatic harmonica that I could carry around and use as needed, but I did not want to spend what a 12 hole Hohner cost. I found this harmonica and ordered it, and it is about 1/5th the cost of a comparable Hohner. Yes, it does not have the Hohner's tone quality. But, as an easy to carry instrument with accurate tone, it certainly fills the bill. If tonal quality is extremely important, and money is no object, then get the Hohner. But as a backup for my big Hohner, this more than fills the bill.

For a change, my recent purchases of East top Forerunner C Key and East top T10-40 have been my best purchase from East Top. I was disappointed with my earlier purchase of King Dream (it was a total disaster as almost al holes in the higher octave seemed blocked). Both T10 - 40 and Forerunner are ideal for daily practice and value for money as they are without valve and can take the stress of daily practice sessions without giving any trouble. Both have rich sound and play the higher octave notes equally well. Practicing on Forerunner also helps to play more expensive harmonica in the actual occasions as one does not have to fear playing the correct hole. I am fully satisfied with the purchase of both - Forerunner and T10 - 40.

Don't hesitate to buy this East Top Forerunner chromatic harmonica. Mine was delivered from Amazon yesterday and it is a quality harmonica. The Forerunner chromatic is responsive and has very good tonal quality. The low price was just icing on the cake. If you are looking for a great starter chromatic, don't pass this one by.

I have just received my 2nd Forerunner 1248V. I fell in love with my 1st, which I have had for 2 months and have lost or misplaced it. It plays so beautifully (my wife loves the sound too) and not having to deal with valves is absolutely wonderful! I often play with a cold harp. I find that these chromatics have reasonable volume and are airtight, in spite of having no valves. I had to tighten the gap on hole 4 draw (B4) on my 1st Forerunner, but this one seems perfect. :) I find the Forerunner very easy to play and to control the air flow. My only nit is that the corners of the mouthpiece are quite sharp, but you do not touch them when playing. It feels so good in my hands and I find it a pleasure to play.

I purchased the East top Harmonica, Forerunner Chromatic Harmonica C Key 12-Hole 48 Tones Mouth Organ for my Mom as a gift. I haven't heard any complaints and it looks good and sounds good.

Perfect harmony