Thread: My Harp

Richard,

Keep watching this board as I have ordered the strings and hardware to do 3 harps. They are, 31 str Gothic, ( like the one I did but with different string set), 34 str Regency ( like the one Jerry suggested to you ) and finally a 36 Str Gothic. I got a plan for each of the 34 and 36 string harps. I have ordered some tapered tuning pins for the 31 str Gothic to replace the zither pins that they supplied me previously, because the tapered pins fits in with the 'normal' harp standards.
Maybe I'll do the Regency first, so I'll definately keep you posted. Have you ordered your "blueprint" yet..........( what a fancy name for a photo copied plan....lol )

Maybe I should post a request on who has Alaskan Spruce for sale under 'Buy & Sell' for the sound boards.

Hi Joe


Yep, ordered the Regency plans and am tracking down wood suppliers. Still deciding whether to use cherry, walnut or maple. I am tending to walnut at the moment but it comes down to which is the cleanest available. Apparently hard maple is the most commonly used wood for harps (historically), but I gather it is difficult to work with. I have used walnut before for a jewelry box and found it to be lovely stuff. I have tracked down some 3.0 mm thick 6 ply Finnish birch - hope that is the right stuff for the soundboard.

I had a long chat with a NZ harp maker yesterday. He had some really interesting comments about glue etc. He uses marine epoxy as it doesn't creep with time although I gather musicmakers recommend aliphatic resin. He also made the comment that soundboards fail quite often and he has just repaired a large concert harp which is onto its 4th soundboard. Not sure whether anmal glue would make repair in the future easier.

Anyway, I'm itching to get the plans and to start figuring out how to laminate bits of expensive timber.

All the best

Originally Posted by RichardL

Might not be that soon, I imagine it'll take me a year or so the rate I go!!

Sounds like were making instruments at about the same rate. I have cobwebs on my tools at present but Im planning a quieter second half to the year workwise so things will start to move again on the luthiery front. Next instrument off the poduction line will be a Torres style Classical instrument.

In an earlier post I promised to get back to you with the name of the Kiwi made AR clue that is good with NZ native timbers....its called "Holdfast".

Cheers

Martin

Hi Martin

I have used holdfast. Good on NZ softwoods - not so sure about hardwoods. I had a few problems with one batch I used on a large Ash clock.

I have just come accross a Yahoo group dedicated to harp making.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/harpmakers

if anyone is keen. There seems to be a large collective knowledge of all things related to harp making.

One response suggested a book "Folk harp design
and construction" by Jeremy H Brown. as a good place top start with harps, so I'm off to track it down.

Incidentally, I mentioned walnut before. Our local (ish) timber supplier said that walnut was less reliable with regard to knots so I may use maple instead.
All the best

Richard

I'm very impressed, Joe - we downloaded the video clip & our musical daughters were most impressed, too! Very inspiring!

Thanks for sharing,

Jill

Thank you for that Jill. I'm glad you guys liked it. Wish I had someone to play it regularly. The hardware for the next batch of three is on the way from the States, so now it's a matter of finding suitable wood again.What instruments do your daughters play. My twins play guitar and show no interest in the harp. :mad: ( not really mad! lol )

Hi gatiep,

Our daughters play the digital piano, and our eldest has just invested in an Arranger Workstation - Yamaha TYROS, which has a fantastic reproduction of sound. Our second daughter is learning guitar (and plays the piano)...but they are passionate about music - and the eldest composes intricate pieces. With the TYROS and a bit of software, she'll be able to record her own compositions as sheet music - through the PC, and record to CD. They love to see any new instrument, though, and love your harp. See the way the players' left hand played two notes together to form the bass later in the clip - and the expression he achieved - I'd be lucky if I found the right STRING, let alone timing and expression!!!

Shame your kids don't play the harp, alright! As they get older they may gain an interest in playing harps, who knows - esp. with their dad building them at this rate of speed!

Cheers,

Jill

Tha's a fantastic piece of craftmanship Joe . I'm just trying to develop a mental picture of a "stoked" 91 year old . or are you having us on ?

Peter

Quote: "or are you having us on ?"


Only a little but I am more than 2/3 rds of the way there.

Thanks for the nice post. I'm very happy with the harp, wish I could play it. The hardware for the next 3 should be here any day now
Take care
Joe....the not soooooooo old but definately not so cold! ( I've got a heater! )

Originally Posted by RichardL

Hi Martin

I have used holdfast. Good on NZ softwoods - not so sure about hardwoods. I had a few problems with one batch I used on a large Ash clock.

I have just come accross a Yahoo group dedicated to harp making.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/harpmakers

if anyone is keen. There seems to be a large collective knowledge of all things related to harp making.

One response suggested a book "Folk harp design
and construction" by Jeremy H Brown. as a good place top start with harps, so I'm off to track it down.

Incidentally, I mentioned walnut before. Our local (ish) timber supplier said that walnut was less reliable with regard to knots so I may use maple instead.
All the best

Richard

Richard, that book is available from Musicmakers, Jeremy Brown is the owner of Musicmakers. It is a very concise book on harpmaking........to the point.

Have you got your plans yet? I got the hardware supplies, after the customs ordeal and have picked out the Sheoak from Carbatec in Perth for the 36 sting gothic harp (read big sucka ) today! I also got a plan for the regency but I havn't decided what wood to use. Maybe Rock Maple which is cheaper than Sheoak here, Cherry is a bit too expensive, ofcourse Teak is top dollar. Others that are easily available in Perth as Carbatec keeps stock of them are Euro Beech, Tas Blackwood and African Mahogany. Guess its a matter of decisions, decisions....................

Good luck