Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hello Harp Techs

Friend, and internationally recognized harmonica player and fabricator, Brendon Powers strongly endorsed the Chinese made Easttop T12-48 brass comb chromatic harmonica on his web site. He gave high marks for craftsmanship, playability and a tone unique to brass comb harmonicas--all at an affordable price! I was intrigued.

I recently received my Easttop T12-48 chromatic harmonica. It is an excellent value. continue reading...

Hello Kinya,

I have a new hohner crossover in the key of G(out of the box).  I am working an a solo study that has a fast passage on the low end and requires a lot of bending.  I was wondering if I make the gaps on the lower end a little tighter woud that make the response time faster and less effort to acheive the bends? if so what amount of gap should I use?  

Thank you 

Kinya,

Does such thing exist?

I am thinking:

Symptom  |  Cause  |  Resolution

Reed is late to respond -> Gap is too big -> Decrease the gap

Reed stalls -> Gap is too small -> Increase the gap

Bending is too hard -> Gap mismatch between blow and draw reeds (?) -> Balance the gap (?)

Tone is flat more than half-step -> Reed is cracked -> Replace the reed

Metallic rattle -> Reed is off-centre, or touching the cover -> Center the reed or bend the cover continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs, I’m “back”!

Recently, I purchased a NOS (new old stock) Hering Professional 40 Chromatic from ebay. The delivery was rapid and my enthusiasm was high.

continue reading...

I wanted to personally thank master Harp Tech Richard Sleigh for covering for us during my recovery from spine surgery. We hope that you will continue to visit us here at bluesharmonica.com!

Kinya

I would like to let you know that I got some key sticker sheets printed and pre-cut for labeling harmonicas.

The stickers are small enough to fit on the short side of a Marine Band harmonica between the reed plates. I've tried other stickers that overlapped the reed plates and altough they are larger, they are tricky to deal with when you take the harmonica apart to work on it.

There are 96 black stickers with white type, a varied selection for all 12 keys (12 in the key of A, for example) They also fit on the side tab of a cover plate. continue reading...

I have a harp with a lot of rust on the rivets.  Is there anything that can be done?  It still plays fairly well.

Thanks

 I would greatly appreciate being able to fix my own harmonics. I do simple mantenance, cleaning etc, but I never had to change any blade, until now. Question: As we get the vanes directly from the manufacturer, with the right specifications, do we need to tune them after setting or do they come to us ready to use? 

Hi Kinya,

Do you have any videos on cleaning the harmonica?

Also is it safe to put my harmonica under running water for a quick cleaning?

Thanks,

David Weiss

Hi Kinya

I want to smooth Special 20 plastic comb edges (picture). The left one rubs when I play to 1-hole.

What grit size sandpaper should I use? I don't want scratches on the plastic comb...

I also want to smooth the cover where it folds to form sharp 90-degree angle.

Or any fine sandpaper will do?