Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Dear Kinya,
I watched Davids demo on the chromatic tuner and realized I was only watching the note and note paying particular attention to the needle being centered. Then using my Korg LCA-120 I checked my Suzuki Promaster and found that the first 5 holes were playing flat both blow and draw, the ones i use most...(-20? whatever that means)..all Key of A.
I checked my brand new Manji and Firebreath and they were in the middle .. more or less.
What does it mean when your harp goes flat?
Should i just throw it out?
How long is the average life of a harp.. continue reading...

Hi Kinya,
I have followed your articles on repair, modification and tuning and I am a big fan.

I have enjoyed some success myself at adjusting reed profile and gap on my harps to get the responsiveness I prefer. However, I know there is much more I could be doing with the profile and I would appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

Could you provide some advice on some of the finer points of reed profile to help me take responsiveness and bending ease to the next level?

Thanks,
Al

Hi Kinya. I was wondering if you new how Alan Wilson retuned his harmonica to play On the Road Again?

Any tips on cleanly opening the covers and adding side vents a la the cover of Carlos Del Junco's Blues Mongrel? Thanks!

Kinya,
I have spent many hundreds of dollars on harmonicas and i have not been playing that long...
I figure the more you pay the better it must be...I like Suzuki because they just look better and i like the way they feel...they dont come cheap...I just got a Fire Breath $75 and right out of the box..the 2 draw drags...
It seems everytime i order a harp...I take it out of the box and sure enough one of the holes does not draw or blow correctly....
Why is this?
Do I have to become a mechanic? continue reading...

Hello all Queunliskanphobias,

On top of my workbench I use a low CFM air brush compressor to blow saliva and condensation off reed plates and combs. continue reading...

Hello Fellow Harp-Techs,

Those of you who have attended my Harp-Tech Workshops know I am a fan of rotary tools (Dremel) for reed work. I'm always on the look out for durable, lightweight solutions.

Today I took the new Micro Mark mini Engraver (#84446) out for a spin *LOL* and @ $19.95, I think I found my new favorite high speed tuning tool. Powered by two AAA batteries, this tool held easily like a pencil, is balanced and lightweight enough for traveling.

Check it out and let me know how you luv this time saving solution. continue reading...

Hi Kinya, was wondering if it was possible to take an equal tempered tuned harp (golden melody) and flaten the pitches a little on ,I think the 5 draw and 9 draw, and give the golden melody the same chordal sound or pitch as the other marine bands. I have spc 20`s and 1869`s and they sound a little different to me when playing chords. Maybe its just me. Just wanted some input because I really like the GM harp.

I have just received a Hohner MB Crossover in A. It is a nice harmonica, very responsive even to me, a beginner (playing 2 years before joining this site).
However the first hole inhale makes a irritating ringing noise if inhaled strong but not too strong.
I experienced this also on my Hohner Golden melody in G (also first hole inhale).
Is this a malfunction. Do I have to send it back (complicated, bought it abroad on the Internet) or can I do something myself?

best wishes, Izaak

I have several Seydel 1847 harps that have #5 draw reeds that have gone flat and will not respond to retuning efforts, I have an extra 1847 "B" flat with a bad reed and I could cannibalize this harp for the reeds if neccesary. What I need to know is if any of these reeds would be a substitute for the #5 draw reed in a 1847 "A" harp? Thanks!