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Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Tips and techniques for Chromatic and Diatonic harmonica maintenance, setups, tuning and customization

Gift of Song to my Harmoni-Friends

Posted Mon, 02/28/2022 - 09:37 by Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture

Hello Everyone! I wanted to thank you all for your continued interested in our work here, especially the new HARPSMITH Bench feature. The response has been wonderful.

Please enjoy my recording

https://soundcloud.com/user-678833265/off-the-ground_43022?utm_source=cl...

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/share/recordings/ground

Your HARPSMITH, Kinya

Special 20 and Rocket, both G

Posted Fri, 02/11/2022 - 15:21 by ÉricD
ÉricD's picture

I received today my new G Rocket, that I could compare to my current G Special 20.

I was surprised that bending is different, and easier to get with good tone on the Special 20 without playing louder (a very recently acquired ability!).

Holes 4 and 6 are very similar.

Hole 2 bends to the same pitch, but weaker and with hissing, as if most of the air was failing at moving the reed (2 draw without bending is fine).

Hole 3 is worse. If I dip it the same way as for the Special 20, it fails. Without dipping, 3' is harder to find, and 3'' sounds raucous. continue reading...

  • 7 comments

Help needed with setting a harp for OB OD

Posted Thu, 02/10/2022 - 23:00 by Angel Georgiev
Angel Georgiev's picture

Hello Kinya,

I need your wisdom yet once again.

I have decided to set up a harp for myself that would help me gradualy learn the OB OD techniques.

Since on that site there are some lessons available for a Bb harp I have decided to start with that.

Following all that I have learnt I have purchased a brand new special 20 and attempted on it the following customisations.

*Replaced the comb with a BMH corian one.

*flat sanded the blow plate and straightened the draw plate as best as i can. continue reading...

  • 8 comments

How to Replace Chromatic Harmonica Wind Savers and Tune Hidden Reeds (Ep8)

Posted Fri, 02/04/2022 - 18:43 by Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture

Chromatic Harmonica afficinados rejoice! Here on Episode 8, HARPSMITH Bench takes a deep dive into teaching solid techniques for tuning reeds and installing windsavers on the Chromatic Harmonica.

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harpsmith_bench

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

 

Hypothesis on bending problem

Posted Fri, 02/04/2022 - 16:05 by ÉricD
ÉricD's picture

Hi, I have tried a Fender Deluxe for a cheap Bb harmonica. And I cannot control the 3 draw bend, which goes very quickly to the bottom 1 1/2 step bend (3'''). One one hand I am still working on learning to bend, and hole 3 is still quite unstable... but with the "surrounding" keys A and C, I am able to explore the whole bending range, and 3''' is not the easiest. Why so different for Bb? continue reading...

  • 3 comments

How to Chamfer Reeds and Emboss/Size Reed Plate Slots (Ep7)

Posted Sun, 01/09/2022 - 18:09 by Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture

Hello Everyone, come join me for Episode 7 of HARPSMITH Bench, "High Performance Reed and Reed Slot Treatment" 

For many of you, these videos will be never-before-seen close up of the techniques required to super charge your Diatonic and Chromatic harmonicas. 

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harpsmith_bench (Episode 7, Parts 1&2)

After you had an opportunity to try out these reed and reed slot treatments, let me and the readers learn about your experiences.

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

How to Convert a Melody Maker Tuning to Richter Blues Tuning (Ep6)

Posted Mon, 12/27/2021 - 11:45 by Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture

Happy New Years Everyone! Episode 6 HARPSMITH Bench is now available for viewing. You will learn how to convert a Melody Maker (and Country Tuned) harmonica into a blues Richter tuned harmonica. It's super inexpensive and easy to do!

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harpsmith_bench

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

  • 6 comments

Broken thread Seydel blues session steel

Posted Fri, 12/10/2021 - 06:21 by Alex S.
Alex S.'s picture

Hi Kinya and everyone. By mistake I used the screws from Syedel Blues session steel covers on the reedplate and I think I damaged the thread (as cover screws are little larger in diameter). So when I'm fitting original/correct screws back they will keep turning without proper hold. Any suggestion except going for a replacement reed plate?Perhaps a screw of larger diameter or some kind of epoxy solution/etc.?

Many thanks

 

  • 3 comments

Chicago's WGN Radio 720 airs a cool broadcast about our beloved harmonica

Posted Sat, 11/20/2021 - 11:53 by Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture

Hello Harp Fans, Chicago's WGN Radio 720 airs (2015) a cool broadcast about our beloved instrument--the harmonica:

https://wgnradio.com/wgn-radio/ben-marks-chronicles-the-renaissance-of-t...

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

related Forum articles:

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/how_gang_harmonica_geeks_saved_soul_blues...

  • 2 comments

Too silly not to share

Posted Sat, 11/20/2021 - 09:48 by Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture

When you mention cool cars and harmonicas in the same sentence, you caught my attention... you be the judge ;p

https://youtu.be/q8_opcuGGLw

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

  • 5 comments
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