Skip to main content
Blues Harmonica logo

User Account

Username:*
Password:*
Forgot Your Password?

Visitor Menu

  • Sign Up
  • Sample Lesson #1
  • Sample Lesson #2
  • Student Recordings
  • Forums

Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

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

gasket for lee oskar harps

Posted Fri, 07/15/2016 - 08:59 by chas foster
chas foster's picture

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

  • 3 comments

Peterson iStroboSoft Chromatic Tuner App for Harmonicas

Posted Tue, 06/28/2016 - 19:25 by Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture

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...

  • 24 comments

Ultrasonic cleanser

Posted Fri, 06/24/2016 - 03:47 by curciopaul@gmail.com
curciopaul@gmail.com's picture

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. 

  • 7 comments

Tuning tools

Posted Mon, 06/13/2016 - 14:41 by Jon M Harl
Jon M Harl's picture

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...

  • 12 comments

Sizzlin' Summer Sale

Posted Sun, 06/12/2016 - 06:42 by Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture

Hello Harp Techs

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

Micromarkwww.micromark.com

tuning harmonicas

Posted Thu, 06/09/2016 - 22:17 by bordercollie
bordercollie's picture

Hi Kinya

A lot of my harmonicas are becoming somewhat flat in certain holes.

I will use cleartune or harp ninja to a get an approximate initial tune-up. Is there anything else that I should do or check before doing a quick retune?

 

Thanks

  • 1 comment

Retune Harmonica to A=432hz?

Posted Wed, 06/01/2016 - 01:18 by blueshoes
blueshoes's picture

Hi Kinya,

I was wondering if you happen to know of any customisers who can tune my harmonica to reference pitch A=432hz?

best regards,

 

  • 3 comments

Retune Harmonica to A=432hz?

Posted Wed, 06/01/2016 - 01:17 by blueshoes
blueshoes's picture

Hi Kinya,

I was wondering if you happen to know of any customisers who can tune my harmonica to reference pitch A=432hz?

best regards,

 

Retune Harmonica to A=432hz?

Posted Wed, 06/01/2016 - 01:17 by blueshoes
blueshoes's picture

Hi Kinya,

I was wondering if you happen to know of any customisers who can tune my harmonica to reference pitch A=432hz?

best regards,

 

  • 2 comments

new reeds for hohner marine band

Posted Fri, 05/20/2016 - 10:06 by naxgal@yahoo.gr
naxgal@yahoo.gr's picture

Hello,

i'm trying to find new reeds to repair my MB's.The donor harps that i have have finished their life!

Any help please???

 

Thanks

George

  • 3 comments
  • « first
  • ‹ previous
  • …
  • 40
  • 41
  • 42
  • 43
  • 44
  • 45
  • 46
  • 47
  • 48
  • …
  • next ›
  • last »

Sign me up!

Full access to all lessons starts at $20/month! (with annual subscription)

Subscribe

Free Sample Lessons

After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.

  • Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
  • Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills

Contributors

  • Aki Kumar
  • Joe Tartaglia
  • Gary Smith
  • Mark Hummel
  • Joe Filisko

Site Links

  • About David Barrett
  • Accredited Instructors
  • Links
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Hohner
© 2009 - 2025 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.comSyndicate content