Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hi Kinya,

I've been wondering why Marine Bands converted from nails to screws often only have two screws securing the coverplates? I can see some advantage in it making it easier to assemble/disassemble the harp in that it only requires dealing with two sets of screws/nuts rather than four. Some might argue it's an aesthetic thing and that it 'looks cool'... continue reading...

hi,

i bought the "1896 marine band" in the key of A a few months ago and im playing it almost every day since then. few days ago the sound of the 5 draw has changed completly. now it sounds like the 4 draw. i wonder if theres something i can do about it myself. if so, how can i fix it?

thank you

Thanks Kinya, your videos have really helped me out.

I thought that I was going really backwards with my learning. I thought I was in for months of relearning my technique to drop some bad habits.

Nope! Turns out that my 'A' harmonica was just really in a bad shape. No wonder I couldn't play certain songs in a soft, warm, relaxed manner. It wasn't the songs at all, just the harmonica they were played on. Getting 3 draw to sound at all required something akin to sucking honey through a straw. And I had nobody who could tell me that it wasn't normal. continue reading...

Hi Kinya,

I'm working on "Blowin' The Blues" with all of its high octave blow bends.  When I practice the blow bend licks, I find that the draws, especially draw 8, stick on me.  They open if I draw very hard on the harp.

Do you think I need to adjust my harp, such as gap, or is it my technique that needs adjustment.

I'm relatively new to blow bends.

Thanks,

-Steve

Hello!!

i have a lot of Marine band deluxe and classic with reeds that need replace.I want to ask if there is some cheap harps (new) out there with same dimension reeds that i can use for parts.I have tried fron bluesharp but they are different size.Same with lee oscar's.

Thanks

George

Hi, Kinya:

I got a new Suzuki Manji, key of G, that is giving me some trouble on the 2 and 3 hole bends. On these holes, the unbent notes (both draw and blow) sound without effort. When I bend them down, it takes more effort than it should. There is also the sensation of air escaping from the harmonica.

I have been playing long enough to know that this is not how it should feel. Is this what people call a "leaky" harp? What does a harptech do about leaky harps?

I have a new seydel in the key of A.  I am having trouble with the two blow reed.  It is hard to describe but it's hard to blow on that reed.  I used a tuner and its in pitch.  I have to blow a lot harder than I should to make it sound. I took it apart and checked the gap On both sides and it appears to be equal.  

Any thoughts?

Hello Harp Techs,

In previous videos and blogs, I have commented that setting the Zero Point--the gap located at the rivet end of the reed--is just as important as setting the proper gap on the free end of the reed. continue reading...

Hi Kinya,

I had to flat sand a Crossover comb. I guessing that it should be seald again. I read a post and you stated 3-4 coats of Varathane while discussing a wood comb. Do you feel the Bamboo comb should recieve the same 3-4 coats and do you give a sanding after in case it has built up uneven?

Also, do you apply it using a brush or spray on?

Thanks in advance.

Mark

Kinya,

I'm stumped on this.  I have this trouble often. This reed I replaced, A Harp 5 Draw, is not sounding cleanly.  It's in tune but sounds as if it's hung up.  If you see the photo, i think it looks pretty well centered in the slot.  I tried three brand new factory reeds in this slot and same trouble.  I recorded a demonstration of it but it looks like I can't paste an mp3 into this forum.

Any idea what might be causing it?

  continue reading...