INDEX

Welcome to CustomHarmonicas.com

Will custom harmonicas last longer than stock harmonicas?
Many people have reported that custom hamonicas hold up longer between tunings and repairs. Some people have reported that custom harmonicas played very well but did not last as long as stock harmonicas. Custom harmonicas are very airtight and responsive, so they deliver more air pressure to the reeds. If you play a custom harmonica with the same amount of force that you use on your stock harmonicas, you will subject the custom harmonica reeds to more stress than the stock reeds, thus possibly shortening the life of the custom harmonica.

There are two reasons that custom harmonicas have the potential to hold up longer. One is that custom harmonicas are carefully adjusted for a balanced, even response. People have a tendency to play all of the notes on a harmonica with the same force needed to get the most stubborn notes to respond. The custom harmonica requires less force in this respect. Custom harmonica reeds also have sharp edges, mill marks and scratches reduced to spread stress over a larger area of the reed. This helps to promote longer life. To make a long story shorter, the way you play the instrument can increase or decrease its life-span in ways over which I have no control. My main goal is to make gorgeous sounding, highly responsive harmonicas. If your primary reason for ordering custom harmonicas is to have instruments that will take a lot of punishment, I would advise you not to order them.

What is the best way to break in a custom harmonica?

Custom harmonicas do not really require breaking in, however they do require getting used to. I would highly recommend taking a harmonica that you are familiar with and a custom harmonica in the same key and listen very carefully as you go back and forth between them. Pay extra attention to what happens when you play them very quietly. The true potential of the harp comes out in the low end of the dynamic range. Listen for clarity of tone and pitch definition. Now increase the volume and try to get a sense for when you have reached the point where you get maximum volume and tone without straining. This will give you a good idea of the range of the instrument and its potential for subtlety.

If you are not used to playing the harmonica in the low end of the dynamic range, you may discover a whole new world of sounds and textures. Many of the great harmonica players (Little Walter, for example) were not hard players. If you follow this process, it will help you get the most out of your instrument.

Do custom harmonicas require special maintenance?

I would advise that you avoid temperature extremes (hot amplifiers, cold cars, etc.) and keep them dry and bring them close to body temperature (or slightly warmer) before playing. Wiping them off and cleaning the grunge out of them is always a good practice, but other than that, "I it ain't broke, don't fix it." is a good way to stay out of trouble.