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First harp guitar build
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=31269
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Author:  es guitars [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  First harp guitar build

Hello all,


Recently finished my first attempt at a harp guitar build. A couple issues I did have. The neck is adjustable with a elevated fingerboard and because of this the bass strings aren't on the same plane as the guitar neck strings. Don't know if this will be an issue as I don't play. Finsh is shellac and I won't even go there. All and all I'm happy with how it turned out, and enjoyed this build. some specs; B&S and neck blac limba Top C. spruce.
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Author:  Colin North [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 6:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First harp guitar build

I don't know what to say.
I's very, ehm, impressive? (read looks massive!) idunno
Nice workmanship, how long did it take to build?
Do you know anyone who plays harp guitar? I do really like to hear them played, but must admit I am not up for building them myself.

Author:  TonyKarol [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 6:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First harp guitar build

Thats a pretty sweet looking job form the pictures .. the mitred binding at the cutaway and all .. excellent looking transition to the harp headstock, and some nice woods .. its very well done. Having just built my first, I know they arent easy to do ... You should be very proud of the effort !!!!

As for the raised neck, I am not sure why you felt you needed to do this ... I cant say if this would cause difficulty in playing or not without trying it. For sure you can get used to it.

Author:  cphanna [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First harp guitar build

First, let me admit that what I know about harp guitars wouldn't fill a thimble. Having admitted that, I will also say this instrument looks like a voluptuous beauty for sure. I have a hunch the bass strings not being in the same plane as the guitar strings will be an issue for many players, but perhaps not. Overall, I think your instrument is just plain beautiful.

Cheers,
Patrick

Author:  fingerstyle1978 [ Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First harp guitar build

Cool. I really want to play one of them one of these days.

Author:  lactose [ Sat Feb 26, 2011 1:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First harp guitar build

Nice ! I like the soundhole placement.

Author:  TonyKarol [ Sat Feb 26, 2011 9:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First harp guitar build

I think you like the neck placement .. the soundhole is in its normal centred position !!!! beehive

Author:  Mike OMelia [ Sun Feb 27, 2011 12:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First harp guitar build

Very Nice!! With all these harp posts, we may get our own sub-forum one day. :)

Mike

Author:  Dave White [ Mon Feb 28, 2011 9:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First harp guitar build

Mike O'Melia wrote:
Very Nice!! With all these harp posts, we may get our own sub-forum one day. :)

Mike


Why - do we upset people here on the main Forum that much :shock:

Brent - Lovely instrument. Black Limba's a great choice for b/s wood as I suspect you geat very good string clarity and articulation across the range. Which spruce is C spruce? Is it one of the European ones - p.occidentalis (Caucasian) or p. abies (I'm guessing it could be that marketing brand "Carpathian" maybe)? As for the sub-bass strings being lower, I had that on the last one I made and it doesn't bother me too much as a player- if it did I'd use suporting posts on the peg head to raise them. You could always use longer posts on the peg-head to raise them a little - Mike Doolin makes his own I know.

Author:  Mike OMelia [ Mon Feb 28, 2011 2:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First harp guitar build

Dave White wrote:
Mike O'Melia wrote:
Very Nice!! With all these harp posts, we may get our own sub-forum one day. :)

Mike


Why - do we upset people here on the main Forum that much :shock:
.


No, not at all. But I would not be suprised at all if some "purists" in here take some offense to distorting the beautiful shape of the OM (or Jumbo, etc) ;)

Author:  es guitars [ Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First harp guitar build

Thanks all for the kind words. Dave yes Carpathian Spruce that started as a orpaned cello top from Old world tonewoods. I did turn string posts for the peg head and the pins for the base strings. dont think I could raise the posts much. I think the only fix for the string height would to make a new necck and drop it lower to the sound board.
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Thanks Brent

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