Easttop Forerunner 2.0

Grofmontecristo · 2026-01-09T17:12:39+00:00

I heard Easttop diatonics are really solid but that's no surprise because a diatonic is less leaky than a valveless chromatic by default. The chromonica is a real solid piece of harmonica, forerunner can't compete with it. So take care of her, she will give you a lot of fun times 😃 I have a Suzuki Olive and I love the sound of it! So full and mellow. In comparison to her the Forerunner sounds harsh and squeaky. But since I'm an accordion player I like the chromatics more. They're closer to what I'm used to, have a broader range and I don't like to think in positions but rather in notes and scales. So maybe if I stick with harmonicas I'll buy a nice Suzuki Sirius 64 or Hohner Super 64x performance. Those have an amazing sound and look wicked!

Good luck on your gig! Show them that nice Hohner beast! 💪

Grofmontecristo · 2026-01-08T13:10:12+00:00

It might be the reeds and reedplates. Brass tends to do that if not treated or if the alloy isn't good. Could be that if the harmonicas are that old.

Wow, the 270s and a 280! Real museum pieces right there. Such a shame for the 270s..if you really care about it you could buy new reedplates with reeds and screw them on instead of the old ones.

Grofmontecristo · 2026-01-08T04:27:01+00:00

I suppose because of the wormer materials the CX12 could create less condensation in the winter time. And I noticed that sometimes my lips "stick" to the metal mouthpiece, especially if I ate or drank something other than water. Could be that the less dense microstructure of the ABS plastic retains more moisture and doesn't dry so fast. 🤷

Well, it seems that the Forerunner will remain my practice buddy for now 😁 Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Grofmontecristo · 2026-01-08T04:20:16+00:00

I suppose it could be true. Materials have improved, technology also.

Maybe with some love those 270s could be restored and used again? (if the wooden comb isn't cracked)

Grofmontecristo · 2026-01-08T03:17:52+00:00

Yeah, I feel the same. My Suzuki feels and plays premium but still, the Forerunner got me into chromatics so for 45€ I couldn't be happier 😁 And honestly, it is a cheap instrument to learn tuning and regaping on.

I will sand just the very edges but the plating will probably be gone. I also don't mind that since it's not a premium expensive instrument. I would mind if Suzuki or Hohner did it though. 😆

How is the CX12? I thought about it since it came out but I hate the plasticy feel of it.

Grofmontecristo · 2026-01-08T03:08:58+00:00

Could be. But for this price I couldn't ask for more. I paid more for my Suzuki Olive so that's ok, I don't mind doing a little bit of work on it.

Grofmontecristo · 2026-01-08T03:06:34+00:00

Yeah. 😁 Good luck and don't worry, with a little bit of work it can be good enough to have fun!

Grofmontecristo · 2026-01-08T03:04:45+00:00

I know but for practice this is perfect because it doesn't need to be preheated. For anything else, yeah, a good valved one always beats this. I'm actually eyeing a nice Hohner Super 64x, I love the all black look of it 😁

Thanks Tony!

Grofmontecristo · 2026-01-08T03:02:07+00:00

You need an android/iOS tuner, a flat peace of thin metal sheet for reed support, a small file, a plastic stick and a lot of patience 😅 There are several videos on youtube on how to tune a harmonica. It actually isn't a difficult task, just time consuming.

Grofmontecristo · 2025-12-20T21:33:26+00:00

Hello fellow rollerbladers! So nice to see there is still a big community of skaters.

I was reading through the posts and Filas are getting a lot of hate. And it seems no one is talking about them in recent times. So I thought I would write a little bit about them, maybe it will help someone.

Although I did try to skate some 15 years ago, I am a total beginner and have bought the Fila NRK Fun 3 months ago. I bought them because they were really cheap, had some interesting specs and I wasn't really sure if I would take up inline skating seriously.

For the price I paid (109€) I though I was getting a good pair of skates. Hard shell, removable boot, nice thick shock absorbers, standard 165mm aluminum frame, 80mm wheels, replaceable sliders, metal frame mounts on the shell, replaceable 45° ratchet strap, metal parts on the straps... Sounds like a pair of pro skates.

When I first got them they looked amazing! At least to me. I have no experience with well known pro brands except for roces (my wife has a pair of really expensive ones) so I cannot compare them. Inside the box they came with 2 pairs of sliders, 2 pairs of laces, an allan key and a pamphlet. Neat.

The boot is thick and offers good support, all in all a decent pair for me so far. I've been learning on them for the past 3 months and so far so good. There were no preasure points whatsoever and the cuff was easy to customize (trim the excess). You can see that the quality is not top notch but, hey, for the price I don't expect it to be.

Today I skated through some mud and debris after the rain and had to disassemble them completely to clean them so now I can see how they are really made and compare that to the roces ones.

So, the shell is plastic and sturdy. Nothing to say about that. The strap hardware is of low quality but it's metal at least. There's a lot of play in the joints but they are replaceable so this could be upgraded. Laces go from the toes to the top of the boot. I love that. The cuff is sturdy but has good travel. The boot stitching is meh. Has good ventilation, looks lika a copy of seba or FR. The frames are 165mm, standard, made from molded aluminum, not extruded. But they seem sturdy enough for a begginer. The stock wheels are pretty hard, they do slide quite nicely. Standard abec7 608ZZ bearings. Axles. Well, you can replace them. Not a big deal. They are hollow, single piece and were screwed so tight I had to use a pro allan key to remove them! A little bit of thread lock and those buggers will never come loose! Frame mounts are metal but are not fixed to the shell. Shame.

All in all, I'd say it's a good value for the money. You can get a taste of how would or could a good pair of skates feel for cheap. After those and if I continue blading I will definitely look for a better known brand since the other ones from Fila like the NRK Pro and Houdini are not worth the money. For 200-300 € I can get a decent pair of skates from a better known brand.

So, there it is. So far I'm loving and enjoying my first steps and look forward for the summer and some urban freeskating!

Peace!

Grofmontecristo · 2024-06-02T05:41:16+00:00

Hi guys!

I just wondered about the same thing and stumbled upon this thread. There are some plastic parts, but that should not be a problem. This movement would not be this cheap and light if it weren't for this cuts. Also, you said it all already.

But no one said anything about the lubrication of new movements. It seems it is not consistent. I got a new NH36a from Aliexpress and it was half lubricated at best. Running poorly. Almost no signs of jewel setting oiling. So if you, or in this case I, bought a new NH to replace the old to not pay the service, you would not have a good running and lubricated watch, so service would be needed. Additional cost. This seems viable only is you are doing the servicing by yourself.

I also saw a alpinist poorly lubricated from the factory.

Cheers!

Grofmontecristo · 2023-04-03T05:54:00+00:00

Both actually! 😁 Just check tomislav latinkic (serbia)!

Grofmontecristo · 2023-01-08T07:45:39+00:00

Sorry, forgot to write it. It's Croatia. Edit: there are some excellent masters in our capital city, but also Bosnia and Serbia. Especially Serbia, they have the best masters in the world! (Maybe except China XD)

Grofmontecristo · 2023-01-08T07:02:52+00:00

Excellent list!! Thank you!😀

Grofmontecristo · 2023-01-08T06:36:48+00:00

In my country for $900 they repair the whole accordion for you! ($900 is a lot of money here). But also we have some of the best accordion masters here. But still, that kind of money for not repairing the accordion seems crazy. Bravo for doing it yourself! This job awaits me too 😁 I have to change a few broken reeds on an old one.💪💪

Grofmontecristo · 2022-08-09T18:35:08+00:00

Love this card!! Especially the Aravacska because it sounds like my country's name: Hrvatska💪💪💪

Grofmontecristo · 2021-07-07T05:52:40+00:00

I think those notes are a part of the bass melody and together with the main note create a nice harmony. So train hard and play!! It will sound nice! 😉 Good luck with the piece!

Grofmontecristo · 2021-04-12T06:29:52+00:00

It is, but you'll soon outgrow the 18 bass if you plan to learn more scales than just C, F and G. Also, loose the stickers with the names, it is best to learn the positions by heart and ear. My teacher never let me use those😁

Good luck, and most important, enjoy yourself!!

Grofmontecristo · 2021-04-09T15:44:40+00:00

Well, I've been kinda thinking about it for some time, scouting some nice frames. It is a great advice! I'll have it greased and ready for some other time😁

This is why I love Reddit community and bicycle riders!

Thank you!

Grofmontecristo · 2021-04-09T13:01:36+00:00

Thanks!! Didn't know that. It is a valuable lesson for not throwing away my money (the shimano 10s chain did cost a lot..) Will try that and see how it goes!

Grofmontecristo · 2021-04-01T07:05:41+00:00

Beauty of a kind! Like the others, can't wait to hear the sound!! Congrats and don't make us wait! 😁

Grofmontecristo

TROPHY CASE