@Timbo500 Once you have 2 or 3 harps you’d have chucked out try building a workable harp from the bits, it will teach you a lot about customising, if it works great if it doesn’t nothing lost but experience gained. Jay1
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Hi Kim,
I am very interested in learning how to customize my own harps I’ve been stockpiling a few That I don’t really like to work on .I’m aware of gaping and I’ve done that with some success. But I was wondering if you could give me a place to start. For example I have a sound in my head that I would like to translate to my harmonicas if that is at all possible?
If you need a good harp tech that is more than fair on pricing and does things right call Rockin Rod and ask for the harp tech he recommends. I would post his name but have not ask him is he minded. Rod casn tell you all about him.
Scott
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I’m based in the UK so sending stuff off or purchasing stuff from the US it costs a fortune after they add the taxes and postage. And customizers in the UK seem far and few between and somewhat eccentric when it comes to payments postage etc. I’ve just got a lot of unused harps thought I might give it a go
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@Andy2 Andy, don’t know about diatonic but I customise all my chromatics and it’s not that difficult but it does take time, care, good light and magnification. I use mainly watchmaker tools, look at local markets where they sometimes have second hand stuff at next to nothing. Car feeler gauges are useful and so are ex dental tools. Start on something that doesn’t matter. You’ll need a small sheet of smooth glass to use as a base for wet & dry paper used for flattening reed plates & combs. Bad news is it can become addictive and it’s easy to go too far so small steps and try the harp after every adjustment. Hope that’s helpful Jay1
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Thanks Jay, luckily I’m a former modeller so I have and abundance of jewellers tools dental tools and all sorts plus a great light too. Feeler gauges I’ve been thinking about. I’ve also got a basic tool kit I’ve been tuning my harps and gaping them myself, getting really great results so I thought why not give it a go, I’ve got a stock pile of harps I don’t use other models I’ve tried but I didn’t really like. So I thought I’d play with those then I haven’t lost anything money wise. Thanks so much for this advice.
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I wanted to give an update from my Hohner experience.
I emailed Hohner services , and asked about their lack of quality control .
A representative from KHS America contacted me , saying she regretted my experience. And because I purchased my Hohner harmonica’s from unauthorized dealer , my warranty was invalid.
And although she did not address the quality control issues, she would send me a Special 20 in C for no charge .
I told her how this was very kind and sent her my address . In less then a week a brand new in the box Special 20 that plays effortlessly arrived at my door . And now it’s one in my quiver. Way to go Hohner !!
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That’s great Timbo, but, I think the fact you didn’t purchase it from an authorized dealer is a bit sus to me, if Hohner are concerned about unauthorized dealers then really the should vacuum pack their boxes in clear plastic then there’s no suspicion of tampering etc
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