Tech: autoharp repair

Subject: Tech: autoharp repair
From: EBarnacle
Date: 24 Dec 18 - 12:25 AM

Lady Hillary has recently gotten around to putting her Oscar Schmidt autoharp into playable condition. She has run up against two issues.

The strings have what appears to be a metal grommet on the loop end of the strings. She is having problems locating these. What have people used if she cannot locate the original style?

Just above the attachment point is a squared off piece of wood which is before what corresponds to the crosspiece "nut" on a guitar or mandolin. This instrument appears to have had a good bit of use and there are fairly deep grooves in this crosspiece. Can someone recommend a repair for this problem? If so, what kind of wood or other material?

Subject: RE: Tech: autoharp repair
From: Stanron
Date: 24 Dec 18 - 05:47 PM

Is it like this?

string end

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xWjoeLNcmQo/TMBynP8FjiI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/IvZV14cdTRM/s320/guitar+string+ball+end.jpg

If so this is a standard steel string guitar string. If not can you supply an image? The simplest guitar nut repair is to fill with bone dust and super glue. If the surface is wood you might want to try wood dust and glue to raise the surface or glue in a small piece of wood, the harder the better. Again a picture would help.

The blue clicky isn't working but the URL is OK

Subject: RE: Tech: autoharp repair
From: GUEST,lady Hillary
Date: 24 Dec 18 - 07:41 PM

try this again-
My OS autoharp has pins at the anchor end. the old existing strings have what look like small washers with a concave grove around the perimiter. The string ends are placed in the grooved washers, and then the washers are placed over the ends of the pins. So-If I use strings without the stress-reliving washers will the strings cut thru the pins? If I get the strings with the Balls the inside diameter is less then the diameter of the pins. Which do I use?

Subject: RE: Tech: autoharp repair
From: GUEST,Lady Hillary
Date: 24 Dec 18 - 07:48 PM

if I get the strings with out the Balls- are the grooved washers available?
Shoe lace holes? Scientific machine part?

Subject: RE: Tech: autoharp repair
From: Stanron
Date: 24 Dec 18 - 08:00 PM

Mandolins and banjos use what are called loop end strings. These strings end in loops and the loops fit over pins. So you should be OK, if you can get loop end strings, to fit them onto the pins.

What I call ball ends are approximately 3.5 mm diameter and 3 mm deep, and yes they have a groove around the perimeter. If the measurements match, my ball ends and your fat washers may well be the same thing.

Subject: RE: Tech: autoharp repair
From: EBarnacle
Date: 26 Dec 18 - 01:53 AM

We discussed the string end issue with a shop teacher friend today and he came up with a simple solution. Small pop rivet sleeves are just the right size to become the "ball" ends. Being aluminum, the skinny end can be slightly flared so that both ends of the ball are wider than the center.

Subject: RE: Tech: autoharp repair
From: GUEST,Mark Bluemel
Date: 26 Dec 18 - 09:47 AM

This link may help

Subject: RE: Tech: autoharp repair
From: Pamela R
Date: 27 Dec 18 - 12:28 AM

sounds like you have a solution but if anything else comes up, I have found the folks at AutoharpStore.Com to be wonderfully helpful answering questions, and I have been able to buy from them any parts I needed to repair my authoharps. They also have extremely useful instructional youtube videos if memory serves. (My diatonic conversion is still not done, but that is entirely my own fault!).

Subject: RE: Tech: autoharp repair
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Mar 19 - 09:33 PM

I got this request by email:

Hey Joe,

I was wanting to post a thread asking if anyone knew how to repair the loose string anchor. I have 2 autoharps and the 1st anchor

Came completely off, so got another harp. Now after 26 years or so, that anchor is coming loose.

Thanks so much!

Debi D

Subject: RE: Tech: autoharp repair
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 01 Apr 19 - 10:25 AM

This is important to know. Is this/Are they "A" model or "B" model harps? Are they 12 bar, 15 bar, or 21 bar harps?   Are they Oscar Schmidt Auto Harps, Chromoharps, or any of the specialty shop harps out and about?

Don Meixner

Subject: RE: Tech: autoharp repair
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Apr 19 - 09:14 PM

I just chatted with EBarnacle & Lady Hillary at the memorial for Dick Greenhaus about her autoharp.
I have 3 older ones which I assume are similar, and I see nothing quite like she describes. To attach the loop end of the strings, I have only pins to take the loops. Could those grommets/washers... whatever... be someone's invention to address a problem?
She intends to send me a picture to show me the issue and we'll scheme...

More later, just for public interest...

Subject: RE: Tech: autoharp repair
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Apr 19 - 08:17 PM

They are OS45C Models. The anchor was glued down, but has pulled up and won't stay in tune. Is there anyone who knows how to repair an unglued autoharp string anchor?

Subject: RE: Tech: autoharp repair
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Apr 19 - 08:23 PM

RE: OS45C - Also they have 21 bars/36 strings.

Thank you for any input! I really want to get them up and working again. I even contacted Oscar Schmidt but no response whatsoever. :/

Have a great day!
Debi D.

Subject: RE: Tech: autoharp repair
From: GUEST,LinB
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 08:22 PM

Go to Youtube and check out Hal Weeks Stalking the Wild Autoharp tutorial series. He has a tutorial about how to do this. There are many, many video tutorials on how to play, how to tune, just about anything you need to know. He also provides music lessons for a reasonable price. He's a great guy, will answer questions etc. Jo Ann Smith is another great resource on YouTube. I highly recommend them. Also there are several Autoharp groups on Facebook. 'AutoHarp' and 'Yes, I Can Play The Autoharp' are great groups. Both Jo Ann and Hal are members as well as many professional players and suppliers, such as Pete D'Aigle of 'D'Aigle Autoharps' located in Tacoma Washington USA.

You will be happy to have accessed these resources. Good Luck!!

Subject: RE: Tech: autoharp repair
From: GUEST,TomHodge
Date: 13 Mar 23 - 04:35 PM

I have an old Rythmband Chromaharp Caroler, 28 chord lap/desk harp. I need new springs for the chord bars and am having a heck of a time finding them. I’ve checked with Eldery Instruments, D’Aigle, and Rhythmband but come up short. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Subject: RE: Tech: autoharp repair
From: GUEST,Bento
Date: 02 Apr 24 - 08:48 PM

Hi! I have the R.B.I. Caroler Autoharp parts. Springs and nails. Leave contact info.