Diatonic
Harmonicas   By G.

Retail

Whilst my main role is harmonica technician, customers may find it convenient to purchase stock diatonic harmonicas through me.

When you purchase any plastic or metal comb Hohner diatonic harmonica through me, you may take advantage of my reed gapping and fine tuning services.

Repair

I offer repair services for new and used plastic comb Hohner diatonic harmonicas. Eg. Hohner Special 20, Golden Melody, MS Big River Harp, etc. As well as plastic comb double reed models.

Repair & maintenance pricing

There is a base cost for assembly, sanitising, evaluation & admininstration.
NZ$15 for plastic comb 10 hole diatonics.
NZ$20 for plastic comb double reed models (octave or tremolo).
To which you add the following service costs.

Repair service description

Base cost? For health reasons, every used harmonica I service needs to be disassembled, cleaned, sanitised, and then I can assess it. If you're not sure of what work needs to be done to your instrument, to arrange for your instrument to be sent, along with the base cost (per instrument), and coverage for return shipment. If after assessment you choose to go ahead, you've already covered the base cost, and will only need to pay for the work we agree on. If however you decide its not worth fixing, you've covered the cost of labour and shipping, so I'll return your instrument clean and reassembled.

Regapping reeds makes the notes respond more consistantly across the range of the instrument. This is the biggest aspect that determines whether your harp is great or a dud - if you've bought a lemon, this may make the all difference. Taking the player's level of technique for granted, this deals with notes that choke too easily, or notes that need too much breath to sound. It also affects how easily notes will bend. The ideal reed gapping for your instrument depends on the way you play, and this will need to be taken into consideration.

Smooth harp is where I polish and smooth the front of the comb, covers, and if the reedplates are exposed I smooth them too. With some models, it makes a big difference to the feel and comfort of playing.

Fine tuning has a big effect on the way your harmonica sounds, in terms of being in tune with accompaniment, and especially when playing chords, double stops and/or with reverb and echo effects. It also affects the way your harp sounds through your microphone and amplifier. The reference pitch to middle A, and the type of fine tuning that suits your needs will be taken into consideration.

References

Mr Bisdee
Harmonica repair and retune.
"Thank you very much for repairing my mouth organ. It sounds better than new!
... I have recommended you to the mouthorgan players that I know."

Vince Cheney
Retuned Lee Oskar 7 limit just intonation.
"Thanks a lot, got the harp back today! Man, this thing is great! Thanks, you're great... worth the wait!" and "If I could, I wouldn't change a thing. I've played it for about 10 hours worth and she is still perfect! Thanks a lot! "

Dick Cocker
Harmonica repair and retune.
"Hi ... Harmonica arrived safely. A beautiful job, it is literally like having a brand new instrument." and "I am so happy with the Hohner ... So here's a bit more to salve my conscience."

Ian Wilks
Several custom Hohner Special 20s 7 limit just intonation.
"Hi ... The harps arrived safely. Haven't had much time as yet - but they sound great and are lovely and "loose" to play - feels like they are already blown in so to speak.
The attack and depth of variation on each reed when bending is immense. I can feel a whole new era of harp sounds. I especially noticed how effortlessly they bend - and tongue slaps are so snappy! I have never had the higher reeds so easy to work either. I intend to try and master individual note bends in chordal sounds as the reeds seem so supple. I am impressed! By the end of the gig tomorrow I will have a far broader understanding of what the possibilities are! Great work - thanks a million!" ...and then early the next week...
"We went straight into [the] studios on Friday morning after the gig the night before... I have a CD of it all ... and boy the harps are soooo sweet. ...man oh man the instruments sound like honey. Am I happy with my instruments ... the tone says it all!"