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

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

Gapping issue

Posted Tue, 03/10/2015 - 19:32 by Mark Vincent
Mark Vincent's picture

Hi Kinya,

 

I have a 3 draw that is choking. I watched your videos and gapped the 3 and (both draw and blow) and all of a sudden i had issues with the 1,2,3 and 4? so i worked on gapping them all and got everything playing better than before! why would that happen? continue reading...

  • 1 comment

Crossover tuning

Posted Mon, 03/09/2015 - 20:49 by Taylor Ward
Taylor Ward's picture

Hi Kinya,

Can you help me? I am having trouble finding a 442 tuning chart for Crossovers.

I found one Steve Baker did for 443.  I 'm not sure how to convert it.

-Taylor

  • 7 comments

reed alignment

Posted Fri, 03/06/2015 - 20:00 by jfpaschal
jfpaschal's picture

 

I been working on refurbishing an old hohner sp 20. and I about got it finished except I ran into a problem with reed alignment. Just about every time I start to tighten in the screws. the reed wants to pull to one side or the other down by the screw. It just a small piece of the reed that overlapping the slot. That's making a clicking sound when I go to play it. continue reading...

  • 3 comments

Post ultra sonic cleaning

Posted Sun, 02/22/2015 - 23:47 by msudvm97
msudvm97's picture

After cleaning a harp in the ultrsonic cleaner Using the EuroSonic cleaning

solution.....do you let it air dry ? 

-  If so how long does that typically take ?

- How often do you recommend changing the EuroSonic Cleaning solution

  (after every use, after every several uses, monthly ? )

- Do you then spray it with the MI-T-Misty solution after it is dry or while it is still wet after

   ultrasonic cleaning ?

- Do you recommend using the MI-T-Misty solution after every use ? continue reading...

  • 4 comments

Two Harmonica System

Posted Sun, 02/22/2015 - 21:42 by 2player
2player's picture

I have a new set of Special20 harmonicas and I am working on some song arrangements that use

two harmonicas of different keys throughout the song. I came up with a mounting system that uses

some small magnets as spacers between the harmonicas and some lengthwise rubber bands to hold the

two harmonicas together so that you can play either of them. It works pretty well but I was wondering

if the magnetic fields from the magnets would affect the tuning on the reeds? I got the idea for using the magnets continue reading...

  • 2 comments

Unscrewing Stuck Coverplate Screws

Posted Sun, 02/22/2015 - 03:27 by harpsquealer
harpsquealer's picture

Hello Kinya Pollard,

The other day I tried to take my harp apart so that I could clean it. Unfortunately, I could only loosen one of the the coverplate screws. The other screw was stuck to the clasp thingy on the bottom side. I attached a couple pictures that might clarify my post a bit more. How would you go about loosening a stuck screw?

 

continue reading...

  • 9 comments

Low Ab

Posted Sat, 02/21/2015 - 15:22 by Taylor Ward
Taylor Ward's picture

Hi Kinya,

My apologies for blowing up your forum as of late...  I need a LowAb harmonica to learn a few Gruenling songs but can't seem to find one anywhere.  I think he got him customized from Filisko way back in the day but wondering if you know someplace I might be able to find one stock or more affordable.

-Taylor

  • 6 comments

Low Bending

Posted Sat, 02/21/2015 - 13:56 by Taylor Ward
Taylor Ward's picture

Hi Kinya,

I'm working on my low harp bending skills.  I'm working my way down the Thunderbirds starting with LowF.  I noticed that I can bend the 1 draw on my LowF Lee Oscar down no problem but when I try it on the LowF Thunderbird I can't even get close.  Is there something I could do to my Thunderbirds or check that will make bending easier?

Thank you for any advice you might have.

Taylor

  • 1 comment
  • « first
  • ‹ previous
  • …
  • 50
  • 51
  • 52
  • 53
  • 54
  • 55
  • 56
  • 57
  • 58
  • …
  • 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