Upcoming workshop at School of the Blues?
Hi, Kinya:
I'll be attending your upcoming workshop at the School of the Blues next year. What materials should I have for this workshop? Should I purchase a set of harmonica tools? I know you generally say that someone should get the toolkit made by the harmonica company, but I have harmonicas from several different companies. Should I get a toolkit from someone like Richard Sleigh or Andrew Zajac?
http://rsleigh.com/harmonica-tools/
http://harp.andrewzajac.ca/Tools
Thank you.
Thank you. I have harmonicas from different makers. Mostly they are Hohners, but I have been playing the Suzuki Manji more and more. If I bought a professional kit from Richard or Andrew, would they be good enough to service harmonicas from both companies?
What do you recommend as far as a "magnification device"?
Q: If I bought a professional kit from Richard or Andrew, would they be good enough to service harmonicas from both companies?
A: My advise would be to email that question to both Richard and Andrew.
* the reason I recommend matching the tool kit with the brand of harmonicas you play, is because, every harmonica manufacture has it's own proprietary rivet reed pad dimension--meaning, that manufacture's reed wrench will only fit their reeds (of course ;o)
Q: What do you recommend as far as a "magnification device"?
A: Hang on another couple of days. I received a recommendation from a master jeweler regarding his new favorite. I will be contacting the manufacture by Thursday. Let me check it out ...
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
I bought Richard Sleigh's kit. We will only be working on gapping and tuning during this session, so his tools will work for any brass reeds. In the future, if I get into reed replacement, he includes a reed wrench that would fit Hohner harmonicas. I would probably not ever replace the reeds on a Manji, since Suzuki sells replacement reed plates.
Thanks for your help. Let me know when you have a recommendation on a magnification device. I was looking at something like the Carson MagniVisor. What do you think?
http://www.amazon.com/Carson-MagniVisor-Head-Worn-Magnifier-CP-60/dp/B00...
Hi Marc, the Carson MagniVisor would be a good starter unit, but for long term usage--I believe you will be disappointed...
Last Sunday I test drove two; dimmable high lumen (output) LED "Abney Diamond Bright" modified Optivisors with belt mounted Lithium Polymer (LiPO) battery cells (not tethered to AC cords). The results were phenomenal.
The DA5 magnified the reeds x 2.5 times at 8" (distance from lens to reeds). This was perfect for harp tech work.
The DA7 magnified the reeds x 3.0 times at 6". I liked working on reeds the size of a Buick Skylark; however, 6" was a little too close for my comfort level.
The Abney Diamond Bright solution was designed for people who demand super clear (high definition) 3D vision for close tolerance work (guilty as charged ;o) and it is priced accordingly.
Contact: Larry Abney at (541) 233-3363 for pricing and availability
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hello Marc
Here is a draft of the workshop outline that will be distributed to the students:
Qualifications
Purpose
Graduates of the Level One Harp Tech Study course will be proficient in the following standard Harp Tech practices:
Gapping the blow and draw reeds to match their playing style
Tuning reeds (on an assembled harmonica) to Compromised Just Intonation
Required:
Magnification (also bring light source for best illumination--if not attached to your magnification device)
Diatonic harmonica
Basic harmonica tool kit--offered by the same manufacture of the harmonica brand you prefer to play (e.g. Hohner, Seydel, Lee Oskar, etc.). Options: Professional Harp Tech tools, by Richard Sleigh and/or Andrew Zajac
We are looking forward to seeing you at the Level One Harp Tech Workshop!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya