Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hi, I just got another Hohner Special 20 and it's really hard to play and not reponsive.  Is there a way to loosen up the reeds or will this happen in time as I play it more?   Thanks  Bill

Hey I've got a problem with my 2 draw on my harmonica. Could you tell me how to clean it or something?

I have some weird issue with the comb on my MB1896 - I posted it elsewhere on the forum.  I expect that it's a bad bit of wood that was used on the comb, and I know I can order a high quality replacement from a number of places.  I want to experiment with tweaking and tuning anyway, so this is a good candidate to experiment on.

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How do I clean the harmonica 

Hello Kinya,

So I bought a seydel lightning (key of A) and I've been anxiously waiting for it but apparently canada post will take another 2 weeks to deliver :|

I couldn't wait that long to have a new toy so I bought a Manji in the key of A from a local store haha

This is part of my try them all plan ( gonna compare apples with apples, key of A is my home base at this point) continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs.  Chromatic harmonica players know that the instrument’s windsavers (a.k.a. one-way check valves) are all things good--allowing us to play angelic notes that will make the sun shine brighter and people smile. On the other hand, when the windsaver fails, the note you were playing will come to an embarrassing stop. Naturally, dark clouds will appear, and people will start crying. continue reading...

• The video said a chart for each key...I am assuming that if I have a chart for Crossover in a particular key I could use it as a starting point for point another brand of harmonica but I need create one for that harmonica.  I am guessing that the alloys used in manufacturing a reed varies from brand to brand and that could change the gap.

Hello Harp Techs, I decided to download and bench test the “Tuner-Pitched” chromatic tuner for iOS platform (version 3.2.0). For the Google Android platform, you would download the Pitched Tuner. Developed by Jo and Andy at Stonekick. The free version has ads, and the $1.99 version is ad-free (worth it for me) continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs, it occurred to me that I could improve the efficiency of the air flow (read: playability) by channeling more air directly under the free end of the reed to give it more “lift”. Yes, it worked. These are the modifications I made:

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Hello Harp Techs, continue reading...