Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hi Kinya,

Loved the series, so incredibly informative. I do feel like I have much better handle on looking after my gear - which I would never have gotten elsewhere.

A question I have revolves around a previous post of yours.

If MB classic and MB deluxe have the same reed plate, why do you think hohner charge a good deal more for the deluxe reed plate replacement on their spare parts website? Is it got to do with tuning or?

Thanks!

Hello Harp Techs, I hope everyone is healthy and safe. I’ve certainly been one to take advantage of the shelter in place to work on my chops… working on Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” song (F#m) as my project (thanx Brandon Bailey for the inspiration). My midi DM48 was dropped one octave and patched through the Yamaha VL-70 tone engine as a muted bass. I used the DM48 (octave drop disabled) to play the synth part. continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs, Suzuki Musical Instruments pioneered the rivet-less process for installing reeds on reed plates, by using a sophisticated spot welding method. When I toured the Sukuki harmonica factory in Hamamatsu, Japan, I was able to witness first hand how ten phosphor bronze reeds were attached simultaneously to their matching Manji reed plate. It was an engineering marvel. In contrast, the Hohner Marine Band harmonica reeds are positioned in place by hand, one-at-a-time over the slot of the reed plate, then riveted into place by an operator’s foot pedal. continue reading...

Hello Kinya,

I need your help and wisdom yet again.

I am thinking to try and customize one of my harps so that it will help me pick up the overbending technique.

1. Which harp key would be best to begin with?

- Would wou recommend different keys for learning overblows and overdraws and which keys?

2. What adjustments do I need to make in order to make the overbends happen "easier" and sound smoother (less squeeky)?

I will probably have much more questions on the way but this is for starters :)

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Hello Harp Techs, the timing could not have been better for Professor Jim Antaki of Turbo Harp to offer the “Harmonica Bug Blaster”. A portable Ozone Sanitizer and Disinfector that promises to destroy 99.9% of all the nasty germs that love to live inside the nooks and crannies of our warm dark harmonicas.

https://www.turboharp.com/harmonica-sanitizer-sterilizer continue reading...

Hello Kinya,

So I'm wondering what exactly is required to get the hohner affiliated customizer title and is this something you could help out with as I progress towards mastery. 

From the hohner site :  continue reading...

Original title was Help! I think I borked it. But in the end this was the adult tittle to post.

Haha Hiya Kinya,

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Hi. I have an A Hohner Marine Band Crossover, about 18 months old. The 5 draw (D) is off, a little flat. I have taken the harmonca apart, cleared the reed with a wooden toothpick, put it back together, and it's still off. Is there a fix, or do I need a new harmonica? Thanks, Dave Menken.

Hello Harp Techs, much to the chagrin of the "other" people in the house, I am willing to bet that many of you have commandeered either your Dining Room or Kitchen Room table as your harmonica workbench. 

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Hello Harp Techs, the Embossing (a.k.a. Sizing, Burnishing) technique for harmonica reed plates is now applied worldwide by harmonica customisers and harp techs. Who originated this magical technique?

I was visiting Brendan Power’s website and happened upon an obscured article about Rick Epping, the former Production Manager for Hohner and inventor of the Embossing technique. Tip: you'll have to zoom in 200% to read from here, or go directly to Brendan's web page:  continue reading...