Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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

I recently got a great Seiko SAT800 digital tuner, French Harp Tuner device, and the PERFECT portable light box solution.  I talk about them more in the GEAR section of the forum with links if anyone is interested in checking them out.

Hi Kinya,

In your video and also in Richards Sleigh's video you talk about reed shaping.  I was under the impression that you want the reeds straight.  However, I ordered the Sydel tool that you used in your videos and it comes with a USB with videos and a pdf.  It states in their material that you want the curve the last 3rd of the reed upward.  Is this true?

-Taylor