Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hello Harp Techs, 

Harmonicas that offer the best bending experience have perfectly gapped reeds.

Why it Matters

Playing a harmonica that has had reeds gapped for your unique breath pressure will enhance your bending skills and unlock the capabilities of the instrument.

Learn the fundamentals of REED GAPPING by viewing Reel #7, "How to Gap Your Harmonica Reeds for Optimum Bendability" available at:

https://harpsmith.com/benchcraft (Reel #7)

Your HARPSMITH, Kinya

Hi Kinya!It's great to have an harmonica tech expert in this forum, I have many technical questions and it's nice to have this information on the site. I have been playing my A Hohner Rocket harp and I'm noticing a weird chirping metallic sound on the draw 1 reed when I play harder and using the T or K articulation.What is causing this sound? It is possible to fix it myself?Thanks a lot!

So, I've watched your videos on customizing the Marine Band harmonica. Fantastic series. It's really informative and helpful. However, I do have one question. I may be missing it somewhere, but i CAN NOT find a video on putting the harp back together. I know for the Reed plates you use 00-80 screws to assemble the reed plates to the comb. My question is, what all do you use to put the covers back on the harp? What screw, nut, and clearance drill size do you use?

Hello Harp Techs,

I just completed filiming and uploading Chapters 2 and 3 of my HARPSMITH Elusive Obvious Series. 

WHY IT MATTERS

• In Chapter 2 [REEL 4) you will learn how to Sweeten Your Harmonica Sound with TEMPERAMENTS
• In Chapter 3 [REEL 5] you will learn how to build a GOLDEN MARINE BAND HARMONICA!

Here is the link to my website that you can watch (and rewatch ;o) those things hiding in plain site that can make your harmonica sound better. continue reading...

I am setting up a harp maintenance corner in my shop to rework the many harps I have set aside over the years looking for the responsiveness I was hoping for.  Based on your great instruction and that of Andrew Zajac, I now know most of those harps can be made useable if not great. Now I have mastered enough technique that I can better judge when the fault is with me versus the harp.   For things like overblow, I still have miles to travel on technique so will not spend a lot of time optimizing my harps for that! continue reading...

Hello Kinya,

I have been strugling to tune one of my harps. so I need your advice on what approach I could use to determine the issue.

The problem I have experienced is with Octave tunning a C harp. Specificaly the 7 blow. continue reading...

Hi Kinya, lately I'm playing and modding my special 20. I think that they have nothing less than a crossover, but I'm dealing with and issue: the plates and the combs create some leaky spots near the edge of the reedplate. It's not a problem on the back, but on the left side, when tongue blocking there Is a massive air leakage (see attached photo https://ibb.co/1mRwR6r ).

How do you usually deal with this? How do you seal these spots?

TIA

Hello Harp Techs, the Elusive Obvious are good things hiding in plain sight.

WHY IT MATTERS

I have identified these things as Sweetners, and with little effort ($), applying them will enhance the sound of your harmonicas.

GO DEEPER:

https://harpsmith.com/benchcraft REEL #3

Your HARPSMITH, Kinya

Hello Everyone, in 2015 three of my all time favorite Artists were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, including:

1. Paul Butterfield
2. Bill Withers
3. Stevie Ray Vaughn

Bill Withers was truly an inspiration to me with his two mega hits, "Lean on Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine". When I was in the studio, I felt honored to arrange and record this Bill Withers medley. Joining me in the studio: continue reading...

Hello harpsmith!! I found my dad's harmonica and i want to clean it. How do i remove the reed plate? I don't want to make it playable... i just want to restore it a little bit..!

continue reading...