the HARPSMITH STORY

Kinya Pollard

In 1973, on local FM station KSJO I heard the haunting sounds of Mark Ford's harmonica playing and was immediately hooked. The next day I purchased my first HOHNER Marine Band harmonica.

Since 1998

Kinya Pollard

Not satisfied with "off the shelf" selection of harmonicas, my fabricator's mindset has led me to spend hundreds of hours on the workbench chasing the perfect harmonica. For inspiration I toured the HOHNER factory in Trossingen, Germany and met with Manji Suzuki at his factory in Hamamatsu, Japan.
As a Harp-Tech Expert with David Barrett's bluesharmonica.com, I share my knowledge of harmonica mechanics to students all around the globe.

Today

Kinya Pollard

Today

Carved from a single block of AWESOME, the HARPSMITH enhanced HOHNER Marine Band harmonica is built on top of a precision cut, moisture resistant DymaLux Comb (layers of white birch infused with resin) that will astound all Players
I am delighted to work with Brendan Power on the development and promotion of his latest innovations, including the patented OB-Booster Diatonic Harmonicas

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at kinya@harpsmith.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Q1: I am new to diatonic harmonica playing, will I be able to play all the notes available on the HARPSMITH OB-Booster?

A1: NO! The HARPSMITH OB-Booster is intended for diatonic harmonica players proficient in fundamental bending skills

Q2: What do you mean by fundamental bending skills?

A1: Fundamental bending skills refers to the skillset that enables the player to modify their embouchure--"tune their mouth"--and be able to produce the 8 eight missing notes on the DRAW holes 1~6 and 4 four missing notes on the BLOW holes 8~10

Q3: OK, so I'm not ready for the HARPSMITH OB-Booster harmonica. Where can I go to learn my fundamental bending skills?

A3: go to David Barrett's bluesharmonica.com website

Q4: I am proficient with my bending skills, how many new notes will I expect to produce on the HARPSMITH OB-Booster?

A4: You should be able to produce 8 eight unique notes that were not available before. This will include 4 four Overblow notes and 4 four Overdraw notes. Combine this with the 20 built-in notes, the 12 twelve notes available with your fundamental bending skills, the HARPSMITH OB-Booster will provide you with 40 notes!

HARPSMITH

Ross Garren awarded 2026 "HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR"

Aki Kumar Plays HARPSMITH ROCKET HARMONICAS

HARPSMITH Ross Garren OB-Booster (design by Brendan Power)

HARPSMITH Ross Garren OB-Booster (design by Brendan Power)

WHY IT MATTERS

Monster HOHNER Artist, Isaac Corbitt

For the Serious Harmonica Player we offer:

amazingly playable professional grade harmonicas

Gregory Hommert

the HARPSMITH STORY

Kinya Pollard

Kinya Pollard

Kinya Pollard

Since 1998

Kinya Pollard

Kinya Pollard

Today

Kinya Pollard

Today

Frequently Asked Questions

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You're going to love your new HARPSMITH Harmonica!

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