Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

hi kinya i was wanting to know. if you have ever experimented with orthodontic wax. using it wax the riveit end of the reed. i seen a stament on it at overblow.com 

http://www.overblow.com/?menuid=140

i wanted see what you think about it versus beeswax or nail polish.

On my 'C' Suzuki Harpmaster and Bluesmaster and also on my 'C' Oskar I get a high pitch tone when I hit the bend to 'A' on the 3 hole. It's very subtle and I hear it in my right ear.  Doesn't happen on the Manji C, nor on any of the other keys I have.  What's going on?

Hello Kinya I have been doing some research on drill bits sizes. And I was wanting to know if this sounds right to you. So that way I can go into a normal hardware store and not have to special order stuff and wait. The reason I am doing this is because I was looking at my Dremel drill bits and the look really close.

(14145TD) #55 = 3/64 drill bit

(14144CD) #52 = 1/16 drill bit

and am pretty sure am going to have to special order the (14145T) 0-80 tap.

Do new harps need a 'breaking' in period?  If so, what's the best way of doing that? 

Hello Harp Techs,

When setting up my shop for filming of the Harp Tech Study Series, I thought it would spruce things up a bit by covering my stainless steel work bench top with brown suede. Not real leather--but an inexpensive faux suede contact paper product (found at most hardware/homeware stores).

“It looks terrific, you say--but quietly you are thinking; what does this have to do with harmonicas”? Read on ... continue reading...

Hi Kinya

I get that comb and reedplate flattening is what is needed to produce an airtight harp with MB style  combs but what about plastic recessed reedplates like lee oscar where you cant sand the comb flat. Is there a gasket material you would reccomend? Micropore?  

Thanks

Hello Harp Techs,

For those of you frustrated with those pesky harmonica tuning recipes, "CENTS: Plus +, Minus - ... up ↑ down ↓... HELP"! I suggest you try the Peterson iTunes smart phone app-- with harmonica sweetener.

Once you have selected your favorite harmonica tuning; for example, the Hohner Special 20, you simply target tune each of the 20 reeds to display the pitch (note) as ZERO--as in “0”.

For iTunes, go to your app store, then search Peterson iStrobe ($9.99) into the search bar: continue reading...

Kinya

I've watched your videos and just purchased an ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machine and a bottle of the cleanser that comes with it. Looking forward to using it tonight. 

Question is, is it safe to out the harp in my mouth after using the jewelry cleanser sold with the machine?  The bottle says if the cleanser is ingested to dilute by drinking water. Do you use a different type?  

Thanks. 

There's alot of tools you can use to tune with. One thing you should understand is that the factory uses a agressive approach because they wantn to get the tuining done quickly. The person doing the tuning does a lot of harps during the day. Sometimes you'll find that the tools that are used leave gouges that weaken the reed. continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs

Time to stock up on small tools, machine screws and nuts, etc. Micro Mark's sizzlin' summer sale is on!

www.micromark.com