Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Kinya:

I had been considering buying an ultrasonic cleaner. After watching your great videos on harmonica care I finally went and ordered one. It should show up next week. I had two questions.
1. I have no qualms placing my stainless steel reed Seydels in the cleaner, however I was concerned about my brass reed Hohners and LOs. Are there any issues with rusting on the brass? continue reading...

This is more of a comment then a question.....a thank you.

I watched your segment on  harp repair and invested in the hohner repair kit, along with the

magnifaction glasses.  I spray my harps out with MI ty mist after each use and clean

them once a week in the ultrasound  bath.  The other day.. my 4 blow on my special 20 G harp  was

not working.  Tried several breaths..no avail.  removed the cover plate and reed and found the tiniest continue reading...

G'day Kinya,

I'm servicing a D special 20.  the only thing i can find which needs attention is that the 2 draw will develop a buzz on a sustained 2 semitone bend. its ok at first and then the buzz creeps in after a second or so.  1 semitone is no problem.  if i back off the breath force i can actually sustain just the buzz and have none of the reed note. continue reading...

Hi Kinya,

I'm made an attempt to gap my Special 20 (pre progressive, with the larger screws, key of A) and found that the zero-point was quite tight.  I couldn't get my .002 gauge near the end of the reed.

In that case would you suggest attempting to open up the zero-point, or just let it lie?

Thanks,

Steve

Hi, Kinya.

I've really enjoyed tuning and retuning my harmonicas in the last few weeks.  It's made me realize that I play too loudly, as draw 3-7 are flat on almost all the harmonicas I've had for more than a year, while the other reeds stay in tune. continue reading...

Received it a couple of days ago and the 4 draw has a strange fluttering or gurgling sound.  Do I need to return it?   Seems fine with the slide pushed in.  

Thanks

Hi Kinya,

Just a heads up.  I know it's been a few years, but most of the links on your tools lists either don't work or the parts are unavailable.  I've been able to hunt down most of the tools from the reed replacement unit but I'm not sure what I need for the Drill Bits and Taps section.

Here's the list you provide

1) Micro-Mark (#14144CD) #52 Clearance Drill Bit for 0-80 bolt to pass through

http://www.micromark.com/-52-clearance-drill-for-0-80,6512.html

2) Micro-Mark (#14145TD) #55 Tap Drill Bit to create a pilot hole for 0-80 Tap continue reading...

Hi Kinya,

I have a 3 draw that is choking. I watched your videos and gapped the 3 and (both draw and blow) and all of a sudden i had issues with the 1,2,3 and 4? so i worked on gapping them all and got everything playing better than before! why would that happen? continue reading...

Hi Kinya,

Can you help me? I am having trouble finding a 442 tuning chart for Crossovers.

I found one Steve Baker did for 443.  I 'm not sure how to convert it.

-Taylor

I been working on refurbishing an old hohner sp 20. and I about got it finished except I ran into a problem with reed alignment. Just about every time I start to tighten in the screws. the reed wants to pull to one side or the other down by the screw. It just a small piece of the reed that overlapping the slot. That's making a clicking sound when I go to play it. continue reading...