Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Two quick questions as I get started on your video series.

1) Is the Precision WIHA Pozidrive #1x60mm Screwdriver the only size I'm likely to need when working mostly on Hohner Special 20 harmonicas?

2) I noticed your Special 20 harmonicas have your nickname and the key in white letters on the comb. Is there a source for that?

Thanks!

Hello Kinya, continue reading...

Hi Kinya,

i have been watching the repair videos on tuning etc and much appreciate all your in depth advice. Thank you!

i had a friend pick up an HRT-10 Suzuki tool kit while in japan. its an expensive kit, but my friend owed me for some work, so we did a trade, worked out well.

i love using those tools as they seem to be very precise in punching the holes in the reed plate and reeds, especially since Suzuki uses welded reeds.

i am wondering if that tool kit can be used on other harmonicas other than Suzuki? I used it for my chrome Suzuki G-48.  continue reading...

Hi Kinya.

I killed a 5 draw reed and since I am not yet ready to tackle changing a single reed I bought replacement reed plates.  Once I changed them, the harp seems "airry" now.

It is a Crossover A harp.

Any thoughts, is there something else that I should do besides just replacing the reed plate.  I know there is wiggle room with them and I thought I lined it up the same as the other harps but maybe I still didn't do a great job.

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

J.D.

Kinya,

Can you tell me a good source for official Hohner-made reedplates?  I need to find a blow reedplate for a B-Flat Crossover.  I did a Google search and found a place called CShop under wwww.hohnershop.com, but I don't know how legit they are.

Do you have anyone to recommend?

Hello Harp Techs

Mastering the essential skill of embossing (aka: sizing, burnishing) reed plate slots is a worthy endeavor for every serious Harp Tech. I, nor will you ever tire of the thrill of playing a harmonica that was successfully embossed. continue reading...

in my LOA 4 submission, the strut, David noticed my D harp had a flat 4 draw. Which I didn't realize and I was so surprised that he caught it. Professionalism at its best. So after watching your lessons on tuning I have attempted to tune that flat reed and to my surprise I successfully did it. So again thanks Kenya for all the efforts you put into your lessons and teaching in an easy to duplicate way for success. I don't have any of the correct tools you describe and mostly made due with a pocket knife and some jewellers screw drivers and my IPhone. continue reading...

Kinya!  How are you?  It's been a while since I posted here, and I have a question. continue reading...

Here is how it sounds:

http://picosong.com/9XDg/

I uploaded only pictures of the draw reeds, If you need the blow reeds too tell me... I especially get the metally sound when I do articulation, fast riffs or chords where it sounds horrible. thanks in advance. continue reading...

Just getting started looking at your videos to upgrade my skills. In my work I tend to shape all the reeds first to get them to enter their slots the way I prefer. I then gap all the reeds. My final step is tuning each reed. I'm not sure about the benefit v time of embossing so I generally forego that. continue reading...