Putting it all together
Looking for fast results? Want easier bends/overblows/overbends and better tone? Most player's needs can easily be met just by following the fundamental steps.
See also Five things you can do to make a harmonica play better.
Here's a quick reference to the process of upgrading a harmonica.
My method is broken down into two parts: Fundamental and Advanced.
____________________
Start here: Fundamental:
____________________
These are the things that are the most important to get right. I recommend you start with this. You cannot expect more advanced techniques to reach their full potential - or even have the desired effect - unless the foundation is solid.
Most player's needs can easily be met just by following the fundamental steps.
1- Making the harp airtight by straightening the reed plates (The Flatness tools) and flattening your comb. I can save you the work of flattening your comb by offering you my Dark combs™.
2- Precise tuning will augment your harps. They will sound better and stronger. I offer tuning tools to make the process a lot easier.
3- Consistent gapping. This is setting the resting position of each reed so that the reed responds equally to low and high breath force.
Gapping is only one part of what can improve the Dynamic Range Gapping is the last step you do, even if you do advanced work.
____________________
Advanced:
____________________
These techniques enhance the performance, volume and tone of each reed. These techniques are much more invasive than the fundamental techniques. Learning to do these techniques carries a greater risk of damaging your harp.
1- Reed work. The shape (curvature) of each reed can be greatly improved over the shape from the factory. The workers who assemble the harmonica don't usually have a lot of time to adjust the shape of the reeds. All you can expect from the factory is "good enough".
I offer a free PDF reed work reference guide.
I offer a solid brass reed shaping tool and a reed support tool/Plinker to make this easier.
2- Embossing. This brings the edges of the slot closer to the reed to bring out more volume, power and response from the reed. I offer a tool for this and instructions are available to download for free from that page.
____________________
Reed Replacement:
____________________
Reeds fail. Save money and learn to replace reeds on a harmonica just like you change strings on a guitar.
You can't become skilled at fixing harmonicas if you don't know how to change reeds. Likewise, you can't become skilled at changing reeds unless you know what it takes to make a reed play well. I can help you through the learning process. I offer a reed replacement kit and will give you all the support you need to reach success.