Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hi Kinya,

What is the sequence you use when setting up harmonicas?  There's Tuning, Gapping, Reed Shaping, Embossing, etc.  What's the best order to do all these for hot rodding up my harmonicas?  Perhaps you could do a video segment sometime on the step by step of start to finish  that you go about monkeying with an out of the box harmonica before you throw it in your gig case as one of your workhorses.

I'm getting all these techniques but don't know the order to put them in.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Taylor

Hi Kinya,

I went to radio shack to look for those lint free cotton swabs q tips and they didn't have them.  Can I order them anywhere?  Which do you reccomend?

-Taylor

Given that the type of harp I use are the special 20's....is there any spray or cleaning method to be used after each use ?

I saw that you had recommend the ultrasound bathe / with the Mis T solution...this seems to be a lot to use after each use.

The there a spray that can cut down on debris and bacteria ?

Also some of the reeds seem to be sticking on me... I figure perhaps I am drooling to much ( gross) or perhaps this is normal.

That is why I thought that perhaps if I  a applied some type of solvent / cleaner / disoinfectent after each use it may continue reading...

Hi,

  I was considering putting together a simple kit for my harps.  Nothing to fancey..would

just like to remove the cover plates and take out /  remove any 'gunk' , ect.  may be tune some ?  Any recommendations

on any of the kits that are out there already ?  Or if you recommend getting indivual tools...which tools

( size/brand/type) would you recommend ? Supplies to have on hand ?

               Thank you for your time continue reading...

Hi Kinya,

  continue reading...

Hi Kinya,

  continue reading...

Hi Kinya,

Do you know if the reed plates on Manji harmonicas are brass?  Took one apart today and they look like steel.  The reason I ask is because I would like to emboss the slots so that it plays better.

Thank you,

Taylor

Hi Kinya,

Do you know if the reed plates on Manji harmonicas are brass?  Took one apart today and they look like steel.  The reason I ask is because I would like to emboss the slots so that it plays better.

Thank you,

Taylor

Have you seen the Oysler or Sleigh DVDs?  I was thinking of purchasing a set.  First question would abe if they go into more depth than the videos on this site and second would be which you would reccomend of the two sets.  They are rather expensive...

Thank you,

Taylor

Again , this time playing the Bb harp, the 5 draw went flat on me and is now the same pitch as 5 blow. Probably not tool, but rather the mechanic, again. 

So the question is should I attempt to raise the pitch back? Or is this more likely and indication of a crack in the reed making it not repairable?? Luckily a harp player at the club is a bit more advanced in his Tech work and happens to be going to a supplier tomorrow for spare reeds. That's 3 harps now in 6 months I lost the 5 draw on. 

John