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Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

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

windsaver problem maybe on chromatic

Posted Fri, 04/17/2015 - 23:54 by ungar
ungar's picture

Hi Kinya continue reading...

  • 4 comments

Cute little 7 hole harp

Posted Tue, 04/14/2015 - 15:25 by Ruby2
Ruby2's picture

hi Kinya

i just stumbled upon your little 7 hole harp on a website.

is this something that you sell?

ps love your tutorials. 

Cheers

Richard 

  • 6 comments

Manji tuning

Posted Fri, 04/10/2015 - 09:24 by crazymilk
crazymilk's picture

Hey there,I am playing mostly with suzuki manji and I would like to know if the harmonica remained in the same pitches as it should be out of the factory, but I can not find the specific tunings the Manjis supposed to have, can you please help me so I can make sure i'm well tuned?:) thanks 

  • 5 comments

Ultrasonic cleaner: brass reeds, debris removal.

Posted Fri, 04/03/2015 - 04:06 by BCurtis
BCurtis's picture

Kinya:

I had been considering buying an ultrasonic cleaner. After watching your great videos on harmonica care I finally went and ordered one. It should show up next week. I had two questions.
1. I have no qualms placing my stainless steel reed Seydels in the cleaner, however I was concerned about my brass reed Hohners and LOs. Are there any issues with rusting on the brass? continue reading...

  • 3 comments

I fixed it

Posted Mon, 03/30/2015 - 00:59 by msudvm97
msudvm97's picture

This is more of a comment then a question.....a thank you.

I watched your segment on  harp repair and invested in the hohner repair kit, along with the

magnifaction glasses.  I spray my harps out with MI ty mist after each use and clean

them once a week in the ultrasound  bath.  The other day.. my 4 blow on my special 20 G harp  was

not working.  Tried several breaths..no avail.  removed the cover plate and reed and found the tiniest continue reading...

  • 1 comment

Reed buzzes on sustained 2 draw whole step bend

Posted Sat, 03/28/2015 - 02:31 by Dave Hall
Dave Hall's picture

G'day Kinya,

I'm servicing a D special 20.  the only thing i can find which needs attention is that the 2 draw will develop a buzz on a sustained 2 semitone bend. its ok at first and then the buzz creeps in after a second or so.  1 semitone is no problem.  if i back off the breath force i can actually sustain just the buzz and have none of the reed note. continue reading...

  • 5 comments

Zero-Point too tight OTB

Posted Fri, 03/20/2015 - 09:04 by stevetech
stevetech's picture

Hi Kinya,

 

I'm made an attempt to gap my Special 20 (pre progressive, with the larger screws, key of A) and found that the zero-point was quite tight.  I couldn't get my .002 gauge near the end of the reed.

 

In that case would you suggest attempting to open up the zero-point, or just let it lie?

 

Thanks,

 

Steve

  • 3 comments

Uncooperative Reeds

Posted Mon, 03/16/2015 - 14:09 by SFJorge
SFJorge's picture

Hi, Kinya.

I've really enjoyed tuning and retuning my harmonicas in the last few weeks.  It's made me realize that I play too loudly, as draw 3-7 are flat on almost all the harmonicas I've had for more than a year, while the other reeds stay in tune. continue reading...

  • 4 comments

Problem with 4 draw on a new chromatic super deluxe.

Posted Sat, 03/14/2015 - 16:20 by Roncw
Roncw's picture

Received it a couple of days ago and the 4 draw has a strange fluttering or gurgling sound.  Do I need to return it?   Seems fine with the slide pushed in.  

 

Thanks

  • 2 comments

Tools list

Posted Wed, 03/11/2015 - 20:10 by Taylor Ward
Taylor Ward's picture

Hi Kinya,

Just a heads up.  I know it's been a few years, but most of the links on your tools lists either don't work or the parts are unavailable.  I've been able to hunt down most of the tools from the reed replacement unit but I'm not sure what I need for the Drill Bits and Taps section.

Here's the list you provide

1) Micro-Mark (#14144CD) #52 Clearance Drill Bit for 0-80 bolt to pass through

http://www.micromark.com/-52-clearance-drill-for-0-80,6512.html

2) Micro-Mark (#14145TD) #55 Tap Drill Bit to create a pilot hole for 0-80 Tap continue reading...

  • 3 comments
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