Autoharp repair help/parts needed

Subject: Autoharp repair help/parts needed
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Dec 15 - 05:54 PM

I got this message in an email. Can anybody give John advice, and tell him where to order strings and felt? If you need to contact John Privately, email me and I'll forward to him.
Anybody know of a shop in Auckland that has Autoharp felts and strings?
Thanks.
-Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor-
[e-mail]

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Greetings.

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is John C. I live in Auckland, New Zealand.
I own a Chromaharp Tokai Gakki autoharp with 15 chords. I have installed a pick-up which enables me to amplify the sound through a 40 watt Ashdown solid state Amplifier. The sound output and quality is very satisfactory for me.
The instrument is used to accompany unplugged group singing alongside unplugged instruments such as guitar and accordion.

Over the years, some of the felt on the bars have compressed where the strings press against them.
Am I able to purchase from you, the felt, ready cut, to glue them to the appropriate chord bar?
Do you supply the felt, singularly for each bar, rather than for a complete set for the whole instrument?
(Only a few require replacement at this stage.)

I also require Price and Availability for a set of strings for this autoharp.

Please give me an indication about other charges such as freight/postage packaging etc.

I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

John C

Subject: RE: Autoharp repair help/parts needed
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Dec 15 - 08:16 PM

Many years ago I got some felt (uncut square) from a gasket company. This was a slightly thicker felt, but MUCH more resilent... it never seems to wear and compress much.

I sliced it into strips with a razor blade and carefully marked the positions of the strings by holding it against the worn bars. Then removed the worn felt and glued the new felt bars on....UNCUT.... then cut notches where the spaces were on the old bars.

In Auckland there just 'might' be someplace like that gasket manufacturing company. (My piece was free... just a leftover from a scrap bin).

You used to be able to buy replacement felt from Oscar Schmidt, but I have no idea whether it would work on a Chromaharp Tokai Gakki autoharp. I never bought any because that replacement felt was so good.

Subject: RE: Autoharp repair help/parts needed
From: SqueezeMe
Date: 02 Dec 15 - 09:59 PM

There must be a piano-tuners' supplier in Auckland. Usually a good source of decent felt. Might even be able to help with strings????

Subject: RE: Autoharp repair help/parts needed
From: GUEST,Roger Knowles
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 02:11 AM

The UK autoharp association (click) may be able to assist - email them and see if they can help.
Best wishes

Subject: RE: Autoharp repair help/parts neededadvisein UK b
From: Leadfingers
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 06:35 AM

There is harperscraft.com - Mike Fenton - in UK but may be able to advise

Subject: RE: Autoharp repair help/parts needed
From: Susan of DT
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 06:35 AM

Oscar Schmidt sold chord bars when I was last looking for them 45 years ago. They sold both the ones for all of their models and also custom chord bars for other chords. I think Chromaharp and autoharp use the same size chord bars - You should be able to find the length of the chord bar from Oscar Schmidt. I just looked at their web site and they still sell chord bar blanks. There are many other web site that offer chord bars.

Subject: RE: Autoharp repair help/parts needed
From: GUEST,harpy
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 01:35 PM

Hi Joe, How are you?

Tom Fladmark is considered to be the best source for his own handcrafted autoharp strings and felt.


love, harpgirl

Subject: RE: Autoharp repair help/parts needed
From: GUEST,harpy
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 01:38 PM

https://www.facebook.com/groups/131381806914678/?ref=ts&fref=ts



Tell him we hang out here....

Subject: RE: Autoharp repair help/parts needed
From: GUEST,harpy
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 01:46 PM

One final link for stuff from Bob Lewis's store. Very knowledgeable, reliable, etc.





http://autoharpworks.com/




love, harpgirl

Subject: RE: Autoharp repair help/parts needed
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 01:55 PM

Where would you buy a single wound bass string for an Oscar Schmidt from ?

I know we can cut and modify the loop of a guitar string.
but it would be better to get an exact match for consistent tone as all the other strings are still as bright as 'brand new'.
The Autoharp was imported some years ago from a US internet shop to the UK by the first owner, and the string broke on first clumsy tuning.

Subject: RE: Autoharp repair help/parts needed
From: GUEST,hg
Date: 03 Dec 15 - 01:58 PM

From someone who sold tom fladmark strings. or in a pinch, one string from Elderly Instruments in Lansing, Mich. or pinch one from another instrument.

l, hg

Subject: RE: Autoharp repair help/parts needed
From: GUEST,Bob Briehl/Appalachian Instruments
Date: 19 Jan 16 - 08:06 AM

Appalachian Instruments in Canada has been helping out autoharp players since 1981 and is still here for repairs, strings and free advice.
I also do mail order requests across Canada.
Most people have found my services to be fairly priced.
Contact [e-mail] or appalachianinstruments.ca tel. [phone].
Bob