Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Right up front - I have never attempted or learned about gapping, tuning, replacing reeds, etc. I can open and clean a harp but that's about it. My question is this - When a draw reed (for me so far it's always a draw reed) goes flat a half step or so my action plan has been to either throw the harp away and order a new one or when possible, order replacement reed plates. Can a skilled/trained person fix a flat reed? Is this something I should be learning and if so how would you recommend I go about this. Thanks!

Well shoot I was going to post a picture but..... Anyway...

MB 1896 Mid years Hicksville

Where the key is usually stamped/ etched it has CIS. I'm not sure if it's and "I" or a "1". What can you tell us about this top secret harp. 

I haven't played it yet to be able to tell you about that. 

thanks.......Mike

Calling all Harp Techs, I am compiling a list of topics to feature on future forum articles. If you have not participated with me before, now would be a good time to start!

Learning to play this crazy instrument not withstanding, are there any frustrations or nagging questions you might have regarding the mechanics of your diatonic and/or chromatic harmonicas? Let me have it--please share with our tribe.

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

Hello Harp Techs, remember that Easttop brass chromatic harmonica that I reviewed a few weeks ago? Well, I got careless by placing this heavy harmonica on my armchair, then with my elbow, accidently knocked it off onto the hardwood floor, landing on the BUTTON!

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Hello Harp Techs

Typical Richter tuned diatonic harmonicas have twelve (12) bendable notes [8 draw and 4 blow]. continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs,

I have been promoting the importance of magnification to Harp Techs for numerous years. The precision work we do with reeds is difficult to see with the naked eye--sort of like trying to “spot a needle in a haystack”. It can be fatiguing and extremely frustrating to try to find the cause of a clicking or stuck reed.

Magnifying the view of your work will help, for example, locate that nasty burr hidden inside the reed plate slot. continue reading...

Hi Kinya,

 Can you recommend a specific ultrasonic cleaner?

Thanks

Hello Harp Techs,

There are numerous skills that must be mastered, then applied to the art of customizing a diatonic harmonica.

In particular, is a technique developed by former Hohner USA Technician, Rick Epping. As an accordion technician, he had discovered that by decreasing the air gaps surrounding the reed, he could reduce air loss, increase compression, and ultimately improve the playability of the accordion. continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs,

A mantra drummed into my head throughout my childhood, “Be true to your teeth and they won’t be false to you”.

The same could be said about your harmonica mouthpiece. Preventing debris from being sucked into reeds could help mitigate reeds from “locking up”. An event that occurs when particles lodges itself in between the reed and reed plate slot. continue reading...

I know this is not really a harp tech question, but I have to ask you. I am learning from your harp tech videos the basic maintanance of harmonica. I got interested and saw your series on tuning and gapping as well. But while learning gapping, I heard the little song you play in its introduction video. I loved it. Then I heard it again in the introduction of reed replacement series! Now I have to ask, what are you playing? And what key of harmonica is it? It sounds very catchy. I'd love to play it!

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