BS: I'm buying a harp!

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: LesleyA
Date: 12 Jan 02 - 01:28 PM

I visit now and then. I'm now waiting for Charlie to see my previous comments and wait for the roof to take off. I'm a guitarist so I have my own addiction to cope with

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: Helen
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 08:57 PM

Hi LesleyA,

I repeat my previous warning: Once you have been hit by the harplust bug you never recover - and this means you, too.

Welcome to Mudcat. Have a look around the site, check out the Newcomer's info (FAQ) thread, and some of the other threads and once you get to know a few people here you might find out that the Mudcat bug has hit you as well.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: LesleyA
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 12:47 PM

WHO is buying a harp????? As usual Daughter number 1 has managed to sell her parents the idea that a harp would be a REALLY good idea. Hmmm As I speak/type dad is looking into the repair in a fairly hands on way..we have the glue... we can rebuild it?? if I am lucky it will be repaired well before Charlie gets time for me to take it up and I will have time to try it out for myself.... she may have to be very sweet and delightful just to get her hands on it, but then that's not difficult.

Oh and by the way, she doesn't inherit her spelling from me.

Hi there daughter, bet that's surprised you. Mum

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: Helen
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 06:20 PM

Peg,

Just to clarify, the computer string analysis is different to what you might get elsewhere. It is very specifically worked out according to the physics of the sound of the strings.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: Peg
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 11:55 AM

thanks for the advice Helen and harpmaker!

I have also learned there is a local shop in Belmont, MA and I think I will try there so someone can look at it in the flesh (or in the rosewood, as it were) and diagnose that needs to be done.

I mentioned in the thread on Tony Cuffe; he and I had talked about my getting private harp lesson from him (he built a lovely small harp from a kit and played it beautifully); sadly his illness progressed rapidly soon after this conversation...He inspired me to pursue this small harp thing; one need not have a big fancy harp to be a harpist, clearly...he did not have the means to buy a big one so he built a small one! Gotta love that.

Peg

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: Hrothgar
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 05:45 AM

1. I hope you play the harp better than you spell. :-)

1. I hope you'll be very harpy together.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: JedMarum
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 11:02 PM

sorry ... jus' teasing!

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: JedMarum
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 11:02 PM

I bought a harp last week, but it uses reeds. Bronze reeds, a diatonic scale and came in the of Eflat.

'course I suppose a mouth harp isn't so exciting!

;-)

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: harpmaker
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 07:19 PM

You can also get strings from: Jack Hayward. 5 Sun Gardens, Burghfield Common, Reading. RG7 3JB 0118-983-3922 Or; Salopian Strings. Oakfields farm, Bourne Road, Defford, Worcester WR8 9BT 01386 750631.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: CharlieA
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 09:47 AM

that should read wait!

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: CharlieA
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 09:46 AM

i haven't learnt to play it yet! can't wit to start tho. it'll be nice to play something i can sing with (flute is somewhat hard to do that too!) Cxxx

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: gnu
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 07:52 AM

Now that's worth a hearty congrats ! Lovely instrument. Not to be too commercial about this, but you will probably be swamped with gigs. Round here, in a population of about 200,000, I know of only two harpists, and they hardly have time to stand up. Good luck.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: CharlieA
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 05:11 AM

yorkshire's not too bad - i am in coventry. will give him an email when i get home. i am soooo exited. gona have to get a weekend free for mum to come and stay but that in itself is no hardship!!! HURAH and congrats on the new guitar bob! Cxxx

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: Helen
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 09:12 PM

My best advice on making it sound better is to get new strings. Ha Ha, sorry, just kidding around.

Actually my best advice is to contact
Markwood Strings and pay for a string analysis and then they will make up the strings which will give the best sound for the shape of your harp. It's based on the harmonic curve - ideal string lengths for the best sound - as well as the most appropriate composition and gauge of strings. Complex physics which I don't completely understand, but well worth the exercise. I have used Markwood strings on the three harps I have had - 1 sold, 2 still living here with me - and the results are excellent.

www.markwoodstrings.com/mtglen.htm

There may be other harp string companies which offer the same service, but I don't know of any.

Usual disclaimers, no connection with company, etc etc.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: Peg
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 07:17 PM

Helen; I basically need soemone to look at this old thing and tell me how to make it sound better than it does 9an dthen do what isnecessary to make it do that).Tthe strings are old and need replacing.

peg

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: Helen
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 05:26 PM

Warning: harplust is an insidious disease and once you have one harp the harplust just gets stronger and stronger. Why stop at one??

We have had a few harp-related threads. Just put the word "harp" in the forum search box and have a look, but half the threads will be about that really nifty type of harp which you can carry around in your back pocket, and which never needs tuning because it doesn't have strings.

"Congrats" is not nearly a big enough word for this experience. Welcome to your new life as a harp owner.

Peg, what sort of advice do you need about strings?

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: Willa
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 02:50 PM

Don't know where you are in the UK, but you could contact Dolphin Harps in Yorkshire, makers of harps. email [e-mail]

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: 53
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 02:26 PM

that's great, i'm buying a guitar, and now we'll both have something new. BOB

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: Peg
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 01:11 PM

I could use advice on restringing; I have this small 23 string one I bought from the Mudcat auction and have been practcing it a bit but it does need new strings!!! (no sharping levers)

Peg

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: CharlieA
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 12:16 PM

cool will have a look round. my folks have said ok and are picking it up on thurs!!!!!!!!! Cxxx

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 11:43 AM

That's great!

I think you will find that several Catters have had some experience with making harps right, and maybe they will offer some thoughts if you keep the thread running. Maybe there are past harp-repair threads, too.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: CharlieA
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 11:17 AM

I'm only a beginner so i've gone foe one that ain't got a name. (not yet anyhoo) I'm getting it from my (ex) local Hobgoblin shop. It was one that was a kit, made and the maker didn't use the right glue for the base. they don't have the time to repair it so will sell it for £50 to someone who can - he said (i've known him for a while so its not a scam) anyone who has a knowledge of woodwork and a practical mind can repair it and for that price i'm willing to try (i'm a jeweller but my housemate does woodwork!). I don't get to see it till my parents come up. Dad is picking it up on thurs (that is if he agrees with me but i'm good at doing the sweet daughter thing to convince him ). It also needs a couple of new strings but he's given me the name of someone who sells them seperate and if not i'm sure i can ger a few names from the 'cat!

Subject: RE: BS: I'm buying a harp!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 11:07 AM

Congratulations to you AND the harp!

No BS!

Whatcha gettin'?

~S~

Subject: I'm buying a harp!
From: CharlieA
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 11:00 AM

I'm buying a harp! I'm buying a harp! I'm buying a harp! I'm buying a harp! Sorry just got a tad exited. it needs a little basic repair and re stringing but is a VERY good price! HOORAH. i've wanted one for ever! Cxxx