I tune them plus I customize them. I tune compromise for myself because of those hot chords and octaves. I use the Andrew Zajac method based on 442 pitch. Since then, I tuned all my harmonicas whatever the brand. You'd be surprised at how slim is the difference between brands and models when they are all tuned the same way!!! Andrew Zajac is a great canadian customizer who shares a lot of his knowledge. The combs he produces are fantastic too by the way. Because, I did not knew about tuning a year ago, I kept buying harps. Now, because I decided to, it gave me a ton of experience tuning and customising. Very good video and I hope more players will get to do it themselves.
YES, you must have them tuned. John Cook has tuned my harps for a few years now since i attended your Edinburgh workshop. His work is brilliant. Thanks Mick.
Recently Iv’e been replacing the reed plates if a single reed breaks. Its fairly cost effective, do not have the time to mess about tuning or replacing single reeds.
@@TomlinHarmonica This is true but it is very seldom I have a Seydel or crossover out of tune straight out the box, if I do then i will attempt to re-tune myself as I know it will not be far out and I am working with new kit. Or as it possibly cost £60 maybe £70 and under warranty I'll return it and ask for another harmonica. I try now and purchase all my "stuff" from one music supplier then they can see your a loyal customer and have no issue with replacing harmonicas. I know if it was to get O.B-country tuned etc then yes I wouldn't hesitate to send them away to a professional customiser :-) admittedly some notes sound in tune until I try and play octaves then it is more noticeable they are out.
Great vid, thanks Tomlin. This is a practice that any serious (maybe even non -serious) harp player should learn & do. When I started playing ('70's), Hohners were $11. LOOK at the price of them now! ($50+). I switched to Seydel harps a few years back, as they offer certain styles with stainless steel reads (Hohner typically uses brass reeds). The stainless steel reeds are much more durable, & after tuning several times, you can always purchase new reed plates (plug - Rockin' Ron's Music 4 Less). I typically check new harps out of the box with a chromatic digital tuner, & you'd be surprised by the tuning tolerances allowed (or lack of). With the information that's available on RUclips, ANYONE can learn to tune the reeds, just MAKE SURE you try it on an old harp first. Sometimes it's a matter of a single scratch to the reed that can change the tuning. Thanks again Tomlin - Harpe Diem!
I think it's worth it to keep the life of your harmonica going and as you say, less wasteful. As some have commented maybe worth learning to do it yourself
I play drums as well as harmonica, and it has always bothered me that those are 2 instruments that have so much waste associated with them. But this is nice to see that we can extend the life of our harps.
It's always a good idea to re tune - they will take to re tuning many times until the reeds finally lose all their tensile strength. But a better way is to learn to do it yourself! I could help you with that,,,been doing it for many many years - it's pretty easy. Once you get the hang of it you can do a reed in about 2 minutes - if you have several reeds out a little bit longer...... I teach harmonica back here in the states so I am not being a wise guy...just trying to help bro! By the way you are an excellent player - great moves and tone!!
@@VSerino -- That's okay, Vincent. Someone else has already made such a video, and I'd like to know your opinion of it: ruclips.net/video/rflrvFRlvt8/видео.html
Thanks for the kind words Vincent - I have actually done harmonica tuning in the past but it takes me so long to get it in tune that it makes more sense for me to ask John to do it.
@@TomlinHarmonica yeah it does require a little bit of a skill set for sure. I am an old tool maker from General Electric in a past life - lol so it isn't too difficult for me. Keep up the good work bro - the video was a good idea for the flock out there!
Interesting; but I was sort of assuming this would be DIY tuning demonstration/lesson. If one was going to sling the harp otherwise, one has little to lose giving it a go.
I've been thinking about the waste of tossing harps too. I'm very seriously considering buying a Seydel with the stainless steel reeds and all, I've heard they last a long long time. I can always change out the reed plates and basically keep it forever as long as they are available, correct?
just tune them myself, lot of videos out here on YT how you do it. love the vid though. btw what amp is in the background to be seen? greetings from Cologne.
Please help me how to tune a harmonica i just buy in for a really cheap price and it arrived put of tune and now It's been sitting in my closet for a month and I wanna play but I remember it's not tuned, Please someone help me
I will have absolutely no problem taking your old out of tune Harps. I'll even pay the shipping. Simply box them up for me and you will now have a nice clean space in your studio ..... to collect more out of tune harps for me... ;~] I've been tuning my own now for a while. Practiced on a 15 dollar harp then started on my Promasters as needed. It's really simple. I use a Korg TM-50 Combo Tuner / Metronome. Got it on Amazon. There are a few tuning vid's on RUclips that were really helpful. Just search Harmonica Tuning . Cheers -v-
Hi Robert - I've done tuning in the past but it takes me so long to do it as well as I want to (3 hours per harp) that I just can't justify the time spent doing it. Most of the pros I work with don't tune their harps either...
Imagine having to repair your own guitar every time it breaks... You have to have a lot of tools, time and knowledge. It's easier and more logical to give your guitar to a luthier/guitar repairer, so he can do the job. It's his craft. As a musician myself, I understand him. It's much better to focus on practicing, otherwise you can become stuck in doing unnecessary repairs.
Tomlin, great vid, and an important issue to think about. In my part of the world Ontario, Canada the harps I buy ( Seydel Blues 1847 Classic) cost approx, $126.00 plus 13% tax. So for me it's an expensive investment not just for one, but when you've got many different keys, and duplicates, or triplets in some keys, the idea of disregarding a harp when in need of repair for tuning or new reed is not an option I could afford. So use and reuse, giving renewed life to a tired harp is the way to go. For me the cost of repair for one new reed is about $ 28.00, plus an extra cost for tuning and cleaning ( in some cases) if needed. Big difference as one can see between repairing and replacing with a new one. Plus it's done right by a professional. I've attempted to fix myself but that's never worked well.
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I tune them plus I customize them. I tune compromise for myself because of those hot chords and octaves. I use the Andrew Zajac method based on 442 pitch. Since then, I tuned all my harmonicas whatever the brand. You'd be surprised at how slim is the difference between brands and models when they are all tuned the same way!!! Andrew Zajac is a great canadian customizer who shares a lot of his knowledge. The combs he produces are fantastic too by the way. Because, I did not knew about tuning a year ago, I kept buying harps. Now, because I decided to, it gave me a ton of experience tuning and customising. Very good video and I hope more players will get to do it themselves.
YES, you must have them tuned. John Cook has tuned my harps for a few years now since i attended your Edinburgh workshop. His work is brilliant. Thanks Mick.
Recently Iv’e been replacing the reed plates if a single reed breaks. Its fairly cost effective, do not have the time to mess about tuning or replacing single reeds.
Hi Kenny this is a good suggestion. The only potential issue is if the reedplates are not in tune out of the box...
@@TomlinHarmonica This is true but it is very seldom I have a Seydel or crossover out of tune straight out the box, if I do then i will attempt to re-tune myself as I know it will not be far out and I am working with new kit. Or as it possibly cost £60 maybe £70 and under warranty I'll return it and ask for another harmonica. I try now and purchase all my "stuff" from one music supplier then they can see your a loyal customer and have no issue with replacing harmonicas. I know if it was to get O.B-country tuned etc then yes I wouldn't hesitate to send them away to a professional customiser :-) admittedly some notes sound in tune until I try and play octaves then it is more noticeable they are out.
Great vid, thanks Tomlin. This is a practice that any serious (maybe even non -serious) harp player should learn & do. When I started playing ('70's), Hohners were $11. LOOK at the price of them now! ($50+). I switched to Seydel harps a few years back, as they offer certain styles with stainless steel reads (Hohner typically uses brass reeds). The stainless steel reeds are much more durable, & after tuning several times, you can always purchase new reed plates (plug - Rockin' Ron's Music 4 Less). I typically check new harps out of the box with a chromatic digital tuner, & you'd be surprised by the tuning tolerances allowed (or lack of). With the information that's available on RUclips, ANYONE can learn to tune the reeds, just MAKE SURE you try it on an old harp first. Sometimes it's a matter of a single scratch to the reed that can change the tuning. Thanks again Tomlin - Harpe Diem!
Great suggestion Karl :-)
This is great. Good points about sustainability and meeting interesting people.
I think I will try to listen and just as any start to go out of tune, I will give it to a beginner. Like ya like a cousin!!
That's one way to do it :-)
I think it's worth it to keep the life of your harmonica going and as you say, less wasteful. As some have commented maybe worth learning to do it yourself
I play drums as well as harmonica, and it has always bothered me that those are 2 instruments that have so much waste associated with them. But this is nice to see that we can extend the life of our harps.
Oi, drummer & harmonicaplayer here too! Do you ever play them together and if so, do you have tips for songs?
Couldn't agree more Graham :-)
It's always a good idea to re tune - they will take to re tuning many times until the reeds finally lose all their tensile strength. But a better way is to learn to do it yourself! I could help you with that,,,been doing it for many many years - it's pretty easy. Once you get the hang of it you can do a reed in about 2 minutes - if you have several reeds out a little bit longer...... I teach harmonica back here in the states so I am not being a wise guy...just trying to help bro! By the way you are an excellent player - great moves and tone!!
That's great, Vincent. Maybe you could do a RUclips video on tuning a harmonica.
@@ConwayBob Really don't have time...I just try to help people as they come into my life...
@@VSerino -- That's okay, Vincent. Someone else has already made such a video, and I'd like to know your opinion of it:
ruclips.net/video/rflrvFRlvt8/видео.html
Thanks for the kind words Vincent - I have actually done harmonica tuning in the past but it takes me so long to get it in tune that it makes more sense for me to ask John to do it.
@@TomlinHarmonica yeah it does require a little bit of a skill set for sure. I am an old tool maker from General Electric in a past life - lol so it isn't too difficult for me. Keep up the good work bro - the video was a good idea for the flock out there!
Interesting; but I was sort of assuming this would be DIY tuning demonstration/lesson. If one was going to sling the harp otherwise, one has little to lose giving it a go.
I’m an American living in Japan Tokyo how do I find someone to tune my Suzuki
The title is "Should you TUNE your harmonicas?". The video talks about "Should you PAY someone else to TUNE your harmonicas".
Sure is in sweet tune!👍😎
I've been thinking about the waste of tossing harps too. I'm very seriously considering buying a Seydel with the stainless steel reeds and all, I've heard they last a long long time. I can always change out the reed plates and basically keep it forever as long as they are available, correct?
You can definitely get new reedplates for the Seydels. You can also get new reeds for Hohners for what it is worth :-)
@@TomlinHarmonica That is awesome to know! And I did take the plunge and ordered a Seydel 1847 Silver ☺
Excellent information ✅
Your such a good guy in addition to being a damn good teach!!
i need to do this as the 2 yonbergs i bought at christmas both need gapping and one has the 4 blow out of tune
just tune them myself, lot of videos out here on YT how you do it. love the vid though.
btw what amp is in the background to be seen? greetings from Cologne.
Thanks buddy - the amp is a Fender Custom Shop 57 Champ Reissue - ULTIMATE HARP AMP!
Please help me how to tune a harmonica i just buy in for a really cheap price and it arrived put of tune and now It's been sitting in my closet for a month and I wanna play but I remember it's not tuned, Please someone help me
I can do 432 hz tuning there? Thenk you
Is there anybody who tunes harps in Ontario, Canada. Any tips on how i might find a tuner?
How much does it cost to have it tuned? 😊
he said half of the price of a new harmonica. So around 25-30 dollars I guess.
I will have absolutely no problem taking your old out of tune Harps. I'll even pay the shipping. Simply box them up for me and you will now have a nice clean space in your studio ..... to collect more out of tune harps for me... ;~]
I've been tuning my own now for a while. Practiced on a 15 dollar harp then started on my Promasters as needed. It's really simple. I use a Korg TM-50 Combo Tuner / Metronome. Got it on Amazon. There are a few tuning vid's on RUclips that were really helpful. Just search Harmonica Tuning . Cheers -v-
Lol - I would love to send you my harps but then what will I play?
@@TomlinHarmonica
Well! I know you have at least one that's in tune . Hahahahaha!!!!
thanks! great idea!
I’m actually quite surprised a professional player like yourself does not tune his own harmonica’s !
Hi Robert - I've done tuning in the past but it takes me so long to do it as well as I want to (3 hours per harp) that I just can't justify the time spent doing it. Most of the pros I work with don't tune their harps either...
Tomlin Leckie - that’s interesting, thanks for your respons.
Imagine having to repair your own guitar every time it breaks... You have to have a lot of tools, time and knowledge. It's easier and more logical to give your guitar to a luthier/guitar repairer, so he can do the job. It's his craft. As a musician myself, I understand him. It's much better to focus on practicing, otherwise you can become stuck in doing unnecessary repairs.
Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to ‘Subscribe’ and turn on notifications to never miss another Harmonica video. :-)
Can I make a request for a harmonica song?
@@danielevans8910 no
@@lemau8458 :(
What Ulta Sonic cleaner do you use ?
I think we should lear how to tune them too…
Tomlin, great vid, and an important issue to think about. In my part of the world Ontario, Canada the harps I buy ( Seydel Blues 1847 Classic) cost approx, $126.00 plus 13% tax. So for me it's an expensive investment not just for one, but when you've got many different keys, and duplicates, or triplets in some keys, the idea of disregarding a harp when in need of repair for tuning or new reed is not an option I could afford. So use and reuse, giving renewed life to a tired harp is the way to go. For me the cost of repair for one new reed is about $ 28.00, plus an extra cost for tuning and cleaning ( in some cases) if needed. Big difference as one can see between repairing and replacing with a new one. Plus it's done right by a professional. I've attempted to fix myself but that's never worked well.
where in Ontario do you send them for tuning/cleaning? I'm in Ontario too, and have tried adjusting reeds, making them worse.
Look me in the eyes god dammit, plz
You teach harmonica and you can't do your own tuning :)