Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hi Kenya, The reed on my 1896 marine band harp stopped on me. I dismantled and cleaned it; but the reed still didn't free up, so I had to fairly forcfully push it to get it moving again. I thought this was the end of the problem. It was playing well for a couple of days. Then it decided to do it to me again. I resolved this issue by getting a hair clip and pushed the reed free again. However I dont want this problem occuring again. What do you think is wrong, and what can I do about it?

Hi Kinya !!!!

A friend picked up an old Hohner Echo for me at an antique sale. 

Although it's a bit rough with obvious dirt and rust on the cover plates which are slightly up on both ends I find it very intriguing and will apply some of my learned harp tech skills to it. 

My question is , what do I have?

key of G Echo Hohner, with a half moon type shape at the whole side.

there are four embossed enscriptions. 

Grand Prix Geneva 1927

Grand Prix Philad. 1926

Grand Prix Paris 1937

Grand Prix Chicago (date worn off) continue reading...

Hello ,I recently got a Hohner Blues Harp in the key of D and have been practicing my bends

The issue which arises is i am not sure if its my lack in technique or a harp issue which needs some setting up 

but whenever i bend the 6 hole draw ,the bend fully bends and i can see on the tuner that it hits the bend note 

but along with it also comes this screeching sound ,very sharp sound along with the bent note, espcially when i hold bent note 

Would appriciate any guidance please 

Thanks 

Hi, 

  I'm having problems when I re-assemble my thunderbird after cleaning/gapping.  The 2 blow reed gets stuck.  Have you seen this before?  I've never has this problem with my Crossovers.  Anything different about lining up the comb and reedplates I should know about.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Marc 

Hello Kinya,

I just received a toolkit from RockinRon's website.  I have a Hohner Crossover Key of A and the 10 hole draw is not playing unless I inhale very hard.  

Is this a gapping issue?  Can you give me some recommendations on what I might do to improve this?

Thanks

Brett

Hi Kinya, i hope you're well and feeling good.

Mate, i just wanted to get the oil from you on some stories im seeing floating about on the web and of course they make their way through the social media.

this goes back to the labelling of the sp20 as 'progressive' and some problems with setup which occurred at the same time.  a lot of people began telling stories that the sp20 was not the same harp it previously was, and gradually more and more folk began to attribute this to 'outsourcing to china'.

now i see JP Allen is lending credence to this story. continue reading...

Kinya Gday.

First up let me say how much I enjoy your instruction videos. Not sure if this question is for you or Winslow. 

Bending with my C harp I am able to easily (relative to my A harp) bend all draw notes fully.  I have noticed that my 4draw, Db pitch is playing sharp, not going deep enough (no such issue with my A harp so assume not player error) Question, is this a gap issue or a tuning issue. All other draw notes including 3, down 3 half steps to Ab, are playing nicely. This is confirmed on Harp Ninja. continue reading...

Hi Kinya! continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs, this is a terrific time to stock up on supplies for your workbench. It’s MicroMark’s Summer Sale time. www.micromark.com

How about: 0-90 and 0-80 machine screws (hex, round, flat head), washers and nuts … tools including Taps and Drill Bits, the Universal Mini Nut Starter (#86628), Quick Wedge Screwdriver/Screw Starter (#83512), MicroLux Roto Buffer (#86774) continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs,

Here is a handy battery operated MicroLux Roto-Buffer (#86774) that every workbench should have.

continue reading...