Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Kinya,

In this issue of the Mel Bay's Harmonica Sessions, you discuss the Marine Band 1896, Marine Band Deluxe and the Marine Band Crossover. I noticed you state that the Crossover is tuned to Equal 12 TET tuning. I think that's a little incorrect. I'm under the impression from Steve Bakers post on Harp L, http://www.harp-l.org/pipermail/harp-l/2009-October/msg00517.html that the Crossover is tuned to a Compromised Just which is closer to ET but still JI (approx 19 Limit JI I believe). Was the Crossover you had closer to ET still I wonder? continue reading...

I recently received the most unexpected gift -- a Suzuki G-48 chromatic. Yeah, the Harpsmith has terrific, caring friends ;o)

The owner's manual recommended applying oil (#SHO-01) to both sides of the slide and spring holes. When I was a boy, I played numerous band instruments that required oil. Those instruments did not have reed valves, however.

Hey Winslow, and Chro players any thoughts on this recommendation from Suzuki?

Kinya

Hi!
i have open the back of my Hohner Silver Star, and i notice
need more air to be played,
why this happen?

thanks
Marko

Kinya,

When replacing reeds, what size drill bit should I use to widen the opening in the reed and what size for predrilling the reedplate prior to using the tap bit?

I couldn't tell from your articles.

Are Seydel's harder to play? I just bought one and thought the $80 harp was going to be a good experience over the usual special 20s, which I have found often have a rattle. Alas, no such luck: I can only draw a pitch on the 3 intermittently, otherwise it's just plain air or a squeak. Are these harps harder to draw on, or might I have a defective one?

Thanks for anything you can tell me about Seydel.

Anne Marie

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...