Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

For those interested in replacing broken reeds on your harmonicas Richard Sleigh is having an rivet removal/replacement anvil machined that's an upgrade of the "out of production" Farrell Tool. He's taking orders at a discount right now. The price will go up after the one week sale. You can see Richard explaining and using the prototype at www.hotrodharmonicas.com. The Sleigh Light Box is available there also. These are "game changer" tools for working on harps. continue reading...

In response to the subsribers interest in upgrading their Hohner Marine Band 1896 cover plates, I assembled a pictorial “how to” article. After the modifications, you will find your Marine Band 1896 harmonica to be more crush resistance, louder, and arguably gorgeous.

STUFF continue reading...

Hi Kinya

I'm hoping you can help.

I've just replaced the wood comb on a Marine Band with a Corian Comb. I have used a pre-drilled Blue Moon comb and drilled the holes for the new reed plate bolts/nuts with the original comb fastened to the wood comb and then after dismantelong the harmonica I have countersunk/removed the burrs on the drilled holes and flat sanded the draw plate. 

Unfortunatly I didn't play the new harmonica before I do the modification so I'm not sure if It was like this before I did the modification :-/ continue reading...

Kinya, loads of harp troubles this week.  Here's the latest...

On my Sedel 1847 D harp, I seem to be having some strange problems with the 3 draw reed, especially when starting from a bend -- and most notably when combining a little 4 draw with it.  On fast passages, it seems to "stick", not sounding for a moment, then all of the sudden kicking in.  I wondered if it might be technique, but I don't seem to have the problem when playing the same licks with my Special 20 or Crossover D harps. continue reading...

Hi kinya

What in your opinion is the best method for opening MB cover plates up? 

Thank you

G

Regarding ultrasonic baths:

Is it OK to clean the Crossovers and the Thunderbird series (weekly)

in an ultrasonic bath ( using the US machine and solutioin that you recommend ?

 Thank you for  your time

                       Steven Barta

I receintly bought a new  Hohner special 20 harp in the key of B.  I have difficulty playing this  harp.  Its harder to perform the bends and harder to play any note- even the blow notes. I have to blow or draw harder to sound the notes.  I have no issues with bends or anything on the special 20 in   C or Bb or any other key.   Is there something different about a B harp that makes it more difficult to play?

Mark 

I'm trying to learn harp customization.  From what I can gather, there are five basic steps:

a. Tune the reeds

b. Gap the reeds

c.  Profile the reeds

d.  Emboss the slots

e.  Scoop the tips

What order should they be done in?

hi Kinya,

ive been collecting vintage Echo supervampers and marine bands for a while and am looking to customise them. 

I've started practising on some mb's, and find milling the reex plates fine. But struggle to mill the cover plates, any recommendations.

also when removing nails, what's the best way to ensure that the reed plates dont bow? I'm using custom combs and want to ensure tother maximum airtightness.

much appreciated

Gareth

Hello Kinya!

Im trying to retune my chromatic, but I notice that if I tune all the reeds to 0 cents (or +/-2) I get the sound of tremolo if I play the octave, bust also if I tune for example the A reed to 0 cents and play octave and match the pitch of the octave higher, the reed is not tuned in the same cents as the bottom note.

Whats the best "temperament" for chromatic?

I like to play with octaves....

Thanks

Best Regards! .... From Mexico