Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hi Kinya -- who would you recommend to gap the harps for overblows, particularly the 4-5-6? I'd rather have someone do the work for me and get it right. Thanks. 

The tune chart for different types of tuning shows - or+ is it how many cents I have to add or take off based on 442? So let's say some draw hole shows plus 5 so do I calibre the tuner to 447?

Hi Kinya!  What is that UST tool you're referring too in the video series (gapping, level 2), I tried to look it up, but can't find it. Any official name or number? I tried "Universal sizing tool" but it did not work. Thank you.

Am restoring my dads vintage old standby. And I figured out how to remove the pesky nails. by using a flush cutter by gently griping them and pulling the nails out. The harmonica was in bad shape to start out. And my dad carried in his pocket when he was a truck driver. And some time over the years it got damaged. And he had Scott tape holding together one side. But when I got the nails out I noticed that one of the slots on the wooden comb was broke in the back. continue reading...

Hi Kynya! I wondered what was your approach with regards to tuning and gapping, i.e. should one come first or it does not matter, can we skip one (like only tune and be fine) or are both required. I ask because I have Richerd Sleigh book in which he really insists on the importance of "shaping" the reed (adjusting the curve), then adjusting the offset of the reed BEFORE tuning. Do you see things the same way?

This might be explained elsewhere.  If so, can you point me to a link. I am trying to understand what changing the gap of the read actually does progressively as the gap opens up.  And at what point it has gone too far.

In simple terms if you have 5 stages with 1 being closed what is the effect you can hear?  What happens at stage 2 3 4 etc as it opens too far to 5.  Where is the sweet spot you are trying to achieve and how do you know?

  continue reading...

Hi Kinya

I have been watching your video on reed replacement. On the video are you saying that if a reed is out of tune by 50 cents or more then it is better to replace the reed?

Are the Lee Oskar (major diatonic) reeds interchangeable as they are with Hohner reeds i.e. could I replace the 9 draw (F) on my C harmonica with a 9 blow reed from a Bb?

Do you know if it is possible to purchase individual reeds for Lee Oskars? I have only seen replacement reed plates online.

Thanks

Hello Kinya,

I just bought some new screws for my harmonica coverplates to replace some old ones that had corroded. I am wondering if the material could be harmful in any way though. Here is a link to the amazon page where I got the screws (I bought 2-56, 1/2'').

  continue reading...

Hi Kinya

I have a Sirius chromatic whose 3-blow G suddenly went very flat yesterday.  It was off about 40c in the morning, then descended to F# where it has stayed.  My question is: is there any point in trying to retune it, or should I just get the reed replaced?  Is a semitone too much?  FWIW, the F# sounds very nice, not at all dead. 

Thank you

Daniel

Your Harpsmith, Kinya