Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hello Everyone,
Next month, David and I will resume filming of the Harp Tech series. Our focus study will be on customizing the gold standard of all harmonicas, the 1896 Marine Band (yes the harmonica held together with nails).

I am in the process of creating my outline and wanted to ensure the lion's share of your MB wish list is covered. Please post your list of things you would like to see covered.

Your Harpsmith,
Kinya

Save those plastic food container lids, such as yogurt, potato chips, etc. They make terrific small parts holders!
Your Harpsmith,
Kinya

Hello Fellow Harp-Techs,
For those of you who can't get enough of a good thing ... check out the new issue of Harmonica Sessions:

http://harmonicasessions.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Pollard-Oct2011.pdf.

Here I review the line of Special 20 combs manufactured by BluesXlabs.

Your Harpsmith,
Kinya

Which harmonica is playing here Mr. Junior Wells?
http://s2.subirimagenes.com/imagen/previo/thump_7013330captura-de-pantal...

Hi Kinya,

One of the tines (is that the right word?) of my Marine Band Deluxe has shifted over to one side, so that one hole is now wider than the others, and the adjacent hole is smaller. I have 3 questions:

1. What causes this?
2. How do I fix it?
3. How do I prevent it from happening in the future?

I'm guessing the cause is swelling? I tried just pressing it back into place but it slides right back. If the cause is swelling, then I guess fully sealing my MB deluxe combs would help prevent it?

Thanks,

Steve

I used to use micropore between plates and comb in order to fix leakages, but someone advice me not to use micropore with wood combs.
I don't think is a good idea to sand a sealed comb (crossover one) and I was wondering if you know about any other material i can use to fix that.
Any alternative?

Thanks , Kinya.

sorry - can't figure out how to delete this post?

Hey Kinya. I have a couple of Marine Bands that were customized for me by a talented young man who was just starting out a couple of years ago. I wanted to help him at hi start up stage. He did an amazing job (that I'm just appreciating now) but as I got used to the size of the Seydels that I now use almost exclusively, I find the size of the MB to be small for my hands and difficult to switch back and forth if I want to use one of the MB's for a song. continue reading...

Hello Kinya,

Can you do a "Taken to the bench" with a Flisko harp?

Thank you,

Frank

Just in from Harrison Harmonica:

From: "Harrison Harmonicas (Brad Harrison)"
Date: August 4, 2011 6:18:51 PM PDT

Subject: Important message from Harrison Harmonicas Inc.

Dear valued customers, continue reading...