Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hello Harp Techs

Rick Epping retired from Hohner USA in 2005, but his research and body of work continues to serve the harmonica community. Reprinted here is Rick Epping's paper on "REED LONGEVITY; from ELASTIC to PLASTIC":

Why do harmonica last year is for some players yet others wear them out in a short time? What causes a harmonica reed to wear out and what can the player do to improve a harmonicas longevity? A look at the reed material, and the activity going on in response to force may hold the answers. continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs,

This installment is in response to an earlier post regarding improving the comfort of the Marine Band 1896 pearwood comb. Many Harp Tech players enjoy the history surrounding this beloved harmonica, but understandably, don’t appreciate the bloody tongue and lips after a hard night of gigging.

This occurs because the wooden tines swell (from playing, read: saliva), and the sharp edges rise past the edge of the reed plates--effectively transforming the mouthpiece into a rasp file! continue reading...

Hi Kinya

i am thinking about experimenting with sanding a draw plate and also the comb on a Seydel soloist pro. 

Thats a sealed wood comb.  So I will need to seal it again after sanding. I've seen a post where you recommended using this Varathane sealer :

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Varathane-11-25-oz-Clear-Satin-Water-Based-In...

Any any other tips or suggests you could share About the process? 

Andrew

Hi again

I just received one marine band deluxe for the first time.I loved the modifications.But first of all the rounded edges and the sealer on the comb.I will try to modify my marine bands with a small jewelery file and sandpaper to round the edges (i have a lot of combs from broken harps).But i want to ask you what is the type of sealer?or something that i can use similar??

Thanks

George

Hello Kinya

i'm looking to buy a brass comb for my marine band 1896.just to experiment with one.They are shiny,good looking,heavy.etc

What do you have to say about them?whats your opinion?And what's the best material for the comb under your opinion to use?plastic?exotic wood?aluminium etc?

Thank you

George

Whew! Yesterday we all had an exhausting, but satisfying workshop at my HARPSMITH studio located in San Jose, CA.

Everyone demonstrated proficiency with basic harmonica tuning techniques: tuning to NO BEAT/warbling--against a reference tone. Most memorable (as an Instructor) was the look on Reta's face, when she realized, that after calibrating the reed offsets (gapping) as PAIRS (e.g. 4 blow and 4 draw reeds), that it REALLY does make an "out of the box" harmonica respond (read: bend) better! continue reading...

Hello Amplified Harp Players

With exception to that little incident in Bolivia, The Sundance Kid was always quick to the draw, and rarely missed his intended target. His pistol was always holstered in the right place at the right time.

You’ll always hit your intended target by never having to reach back for your harp mic again. Hang your mic onto your vocal mic stand!

Check out this “out of the box” microphone holder. Originally designed for guitars, this device has never let me down. continue reading...

Hi Kinya I have a Lee Oscar harmonica in the key of E. that am working on for a friend. I have went in and used a cuticle stick to massage the reeds flats Reset the zero point and the gapping. And embossed all the reeds. all the bends work fine but just one, hole number 10 bend. I have tried closing both reed as close as I can. I have opened them both reeds up. But the bend is a struggle to get out. I have used a tuner to see if the note is even coming out and it register a C#. and when I try to bend the note up it does not want to bend easy. continue reading...

Hi Kinya

i have a question about the 7 limit tuning and that "pre-war sound". I am interested in changing the temperament of a harp that is a modern compromise tuning to a 7 limit / pre-war type tuning  

I really love the sound and I'd like to try it out. I undstand tunings have  changed a lot over the years and I am not up on all the details. But it seems 19 limit, compromised and Equal temperament covers a lot of the territory In the current landscape. continue reading...

Hi Kinya,

 While trying to gap my one and two blow reed on my 270 Deluxe I messed up the wind savers on the reeds next to them. The perforated wind saver is basically flat (a littler twisted but laying down) and the top one is up a bit. Any way to correct without replacing? continue reading...