Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hi Kinya and fellow harpers.

I've recently got Horner CX-12 and was quite impressed with its air tightness. Especially on lower end compared to Larry Adler 16 hole.

So, after recent reassembly, I have a feeling that higher holes became much more leaky.It feels that harp progressively leaks air from lower end (which is ok) to higher end (which sounds all airy and breathy)

I seriously can't figure out what's wrong. It's not such a complex assembly to mess it up:)

Any ideas? continue reading...

Hey, Kinya, hope all is well.

I posted this in Winslow's forum and he suggested I repost here.

I just recently bought a Hohner Rocket in B in order to record one song but I find the 3 draw sticks in unpredicatble ways. I'm slapping and drawing but all I get nothing until a moment passes and then it works. Unfortunately, this delay is enough to completely break my timing. continue reading...

Hello Kinya,

Thank you for the superb videos in which you explore three different harmonica tool kits.

Have you tried the Seydel Tool Kit? If so, what do you think of it?

There appear to be two versions:

https://harmonicaland.com/en/389-seydel-toolset.html (a whopping $200!)

There's also a less expensive version that I think has the same tools (it's the same unit #) but a cheaper carrying case:

https://harmonicastore.com/product/seydel-basic-toolset-harmonica-repair... continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs, the Peterson iStroboSoft tuning app[1], with two of my favorite “upgrades”; Harmonica Sweeteners and Harmonic Tuning can take the guesswork out of harmonica tuning. I use this on my iPhone as a Chromatic Tuner.

The Peterson iStroboSoft works well with all types of tuning modalities, including;

1. Tuning Table by Master Harp[2] 

2. The French Tuner by Andrew Zajac[3]  continue reading...

Hello Kinya,

Here's a tough one. I just discovered an issue with my Seydel and wonder if you could help.

My G harmonica has a matte finish on the top and bottom cover plates, which is more resistant to my sliding up and down the harp than the shiny finish is.  continue reading...

Happy 125th Birthday Marine Band, “you don’t look a day over 100”!

I recently had the pleasure of photographing number 69 of the 125 limited production golden Hohner Marine Band Harmonica. On May 10th, 2021 number 69 was awarded to Olivier Vander Baudwede, the winner of the best “Original Harmonica Composition”, a contest held here at bluesharmonica.com. Make certain you listen to Oliver’s award winning composition! [1] continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs,

Recently Angel Georgiev (Spain) posted questions regarding harmonica reed rivets. I thought it would be a useful topic to review: Tools required will be a light weight hammer, and a reed Removal/Peening anvil similar to Richard Sleigh and/or Bill Romel:

continue reading...

Hello Kinya,

I have tried looking up what material are the hohner rivets made of, but it does not seem to clearly described.

Would you happen to know the answer?

Thanks in advance!

Hello Harp Techs, recently I received a request to build a Paddy Tuned, half valved Hohner Rocket harmonica. Unusual, but definitely doable.

But why would anyone want one? continue reading...

Hello Kinya

I'd like to do my first steps with tuning my harps. I did some tests in advanced with the app Cleartune. Because the harps were still assembled with the coverplates on, I set the reference frequence to 440Hz. On all harps I tested, were the root notes on 4 blow about 10-15% sharp. Is it, because the harps had the room temperature and not the "body" temperature?

In case of yes, do I have to preheat the reads to body temperature before tuning? Or are just all my harmonicas out of tune?

Many thanks in advanced,

Attila