Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hello Kinya.  Great presentation as always.  I purchased the app and have a question.  For a general tuning of any harp. I will use a Spec 20 Key of C as an example, which is the best Temperament used for 12 bar blues?  i went to Settings, it brought me to Temperament Root Note (C), then I hit Temperaments which broughtt me to a list.  I assume I should choose Just Majar Inttonation for general blues?  Is Just minor Intonation only used with minor playing?  I don't want to start scraping reeds until I have a better understanding of this concept. continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs, this new episode of HARPSMITH Bench is chocked full of information--so buckle up and take copious notes!

Episode 3, Reed Mechanics & Tuning Best Practices

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harpsmith_bench

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

Hello Harp Techs,

Check out the new episode 3 of HARPSMITH Bench!

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harpsmith_bench

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

Greetings Kinya,

I've been trying to search the forums in case this topic has already come up. Do you provide any sort of certification for harmonica technicians? I've built up a relatively stable side business here in Canada, but eventually, I'd love to graduate into the realm of "approved" or "certified" repair technicians.

Could you share your thoughts or recommendations on this process?

Thanks,

-Rob

Kinya:

With apologies if you have a post somewhere here with all of this info, but your mention in the thread about swapping Hohner cover plates re being sure to use a 262/PZ 1x60 Pozidriv screwdriver for Crossover cover plate screws raises this question. Do you have a chart available for the best screwdriver size for various cover plate screws?  From my own collection I'm most curioue about:

Marine Band Deluxe (flat blade)

Special 20 (also flat blade)

Suzuki Olive

Seydel Session/Session Steel, and even: continue reading...

Hi Kinya

I've been watching your tuning videos recently and find them very interesting and easy to follow. I wanted to ask you if you know of any way that I could make the cover plates of my Hohner Crossover harmonica more comfortable to hold? I find the top left hand corner of the lip digs into my hand. Would the Rocket plates fit do you know? Would have to drill a couple of extra holes.

Thanks

Joel

Hello Harp Techs, thank you for nudging me to create this new feature to the bluesharmonica.com site. Starting yesterday, under the "Equipment" channel you will find HARPSMITH Bench, a video demonstration of the popular Forum topics. 

Our first video details how to make the 3 'n 1 harmonica tool. Based on the foundational Circle of 5ths (invented in 1670), friend and student, Ron Lew and myself modified the wheel specifically for the harmonica player: continue reading...

Hello Kinya!

I saw a post where you try some windsavers on the Lyra.I would love to know your thoughts and opinions about the Kongsheng Lyra.

And some pictures if possible, I cant find any trusted review on the web.

THANKS

Helllo to harp master KP! 

Happy to be here.

I wanted to ask about the two harmonicas from a technical standpoint and just get the vibe of an experienced player and tech like yourself - Which do you prefer and why?

I have seen pictures where it shows the Seydels clearly have post-production weights added to the tips, while the Thunderbirds have their own profiles, meaning they are actually cut like a "regular" tuned harp only with more metal accross the reed.... Which method do you think is better?

  continue reading...

Hi,

I recently discovered that more 4 draw reed was broken on my Hohner Marine Band Harmonica.

I thought I could just replace the reeds, but after looking online it looks like replacement reeds (the "deluxe kind") https://www.hohnershop.com/marine-band-deluxe-reed-plates/ are more expensive $45 than just replacing the entire harmonica.

Is this accurate?

If I break a reed should I just buy a new harmonica and....why would you guess that I broke a reed in the first place?

Thanks