Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hi Kinya,

I've just picked up a near new Gold CX12 from eBay at a great price. It arrived tonight and I've noticed that on some of the reed slots the previous owner has elevated the windsavers using a thin piece of string. I'm not sure whether this has any purpose and assume it's safe to remove them? They appear to be only on holes 3, 5, 7 and 9 on the top reedplate and holes 6 and 8 on the bottom. I've tried to see if there's any difference in playing as a result and it appears that I can bend the holes 3 and 7 down a semitone. Is this a common customising technique do you know? continue reading...

Hi Kinya,

I've just picked up a near new Gold CX12 from eBay at a great price. It arrived tonight and I've noticed that on some of the reed slots the previous owner has elevated the windsavers using a thin piece of string. I'm not sure whether this has any purpose and assume it's safe to remove them? They appear to be only on holes 3, 5, 7 and 9 on the top reedplate and holes 6 and 8 on the bottom. I've tried to see if there's any difference in playing as a result and it appears that I can bend the holes 3 and 7 down a semitone. Is this a common customising technique do you know? continue reading...

Hello Stomp Pedal fans,
Lately I have been "sitting in" with a local favorite band called Shark Sandwich (aka Daddy-O), which performs regularly at San Jose's Fairmont Hotel. Set up and volume are issues I didn't want to wrestle with, so I decided to play through the PA. Of course it sounded crappy. continue reading...

Hello Everyone,
A couple of days ago I had Andy Just in my shop. In preparation for his month long European tour I decided to address his Suzuki Manji "sticking" reed issues. The reed slot tolerances of the Manji are extraordinary, making any Harp-Tech weep with envy. The downside for players; however, if you allow condensation and saliva to coagulate, you can expect your reeds to stick. continue reading...

Hello fellow Harp Techs

Readers and students know by now that I cobbled together much of my harp-tech tools and materials from Micro-Mark - the Small Tool Specialists.

www.micromark.com is holding their huge sale (save up to 60%). Do hesitate, now is the time to stock up!

"Play the notes people want to hear" (c) 2008

Kinya
The Harpsmith

ok i know i read somewere about you having pauls actual amp but could you tell me what kind he used and the mic and any effects if any i think he used an sm58 i think thanks

Hi!!!

I bought recently a hohner blues harp,
and i like it very much :)

It has the same comb and reed plates of the marine band ?

thanks,
Best Regards

Marko

My 3 hole draw on my A hohner blues harp produces a high pitched rattling noise when I play it, very similar sounding to the rattling caused by the reed hitting the cover plates on my G golden melody 1 hole (but higher in pitch). Pretty sure it isn't the reed hitting the cover plates, none of the lower reeds on my A harp rattle and i get rattling even with very soft playing. I googled around and it seems like the most likely cause is due to the reed being misaligned with the reed slot, however i opened up the reed plate and held it up in front of a light, the reed looks pretty aligned to me. continue reading...

I have been asked numerous times over the years for my recommendations on the best sealant to use on pearwood combs (MB1896). Not including my fooling around period using bees wax (what a mess that was!), my response was always "Flecto's Diamond Sheen" in the spray can. Last year, however, Teri D. from my HMW '09 workshop found the ZINSSER Bulls Eye Shellac, also in a spray can -- recommended for Hobbies, Crafts, Toys, etc. This appears to be a safer replacement ...

What are some of your favorite concoctions?

“Play the notes people want to hear” © 2008

Kinya Pollard, continue reading...

Hi,
I have been using a Vintage CONN ST-11 strobotuner. Its looks like it may need repair, so I was looking at new models. What is your opinion of the new Stroboflip from Peterson.

What is better to use for tuning harps, the old mechanical tuner or the new digital stuff?

Al