Need Autoharp Repairperson

Subject: Need Autoharp Repairperson
From: Easy Rider
Date: 24 Oct 02 - 10:58 PM

My girlfriend has a 1973 Oscar Schmidt autoharp that may need some rapair and/or adjustment. I haven't seen it yet, but she says the strings don't stay in tune. Maybe the tuning pegs are slipping.

I have called a couple of guitar stores in NY City, but none, so far, not Mandolin Bros., nor Matt Umanov, nor Bob Jones, takes in autoharps for repair. Can anybody help me with a referral, preferably in the NY metro area?

SECOND QUESTION: Is this instrument a collectable? What is it worth, assuming very good condition?

Thanx,
EZR
( [=O=)==={:::]

Subject: RE: Need Autoharp Repairperson
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 24 Oct 02 - 11:18 PM

1st Question: go to www.autoharp.org and post your question to the Cyberpluckers. There are several good autoharp repair persons, but you'll probably have to mail your instrument to them.

2nd question. Not really. Assuming excellent condition, maybe $300. It may cost you close to that much to get new strings and repairs done depending on what repairs are needed. The good thing about autoharps is that you can actually do most repairs yourself.

Subject: RE: Need Autoharp Repairperson
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Oct 02 - 11:49 PM

Bet it's worth a lot less than $300. Do a search on E-Bay under autharps and you'll find dozens for sale.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Need Autoharp Repairperson
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 12:25 AM

Hit the pegs with a wooden mallet to re-seat them - save yourself a bundle.

Subject: RE: Need Autoharp Repairperson
From: wilco
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 09:50 AM

Cyberpluckers can point you to a repair person. It might be something inexpensive, like strings that need to be re-placed. the whole 37 string set cost about $35.00, and you will need to get someone to re-string it. I would estimate that you will have about $100.00 in replacing the strings. If the pegs holes are loose, you can really do some damage seating them yourself with a hammer. Itcan work, but you might split the harp. If it needs felts, you can figure another $75.00.
    Most of these used harps are available for less than $50.00. Harpers will occasionally buy them and re-build them as diatonic harps, with new strings, felts, springs, etc. You'll have about $250.00 in it, which is the price of a comparable new one.

Subject: RE: Need Autoharp Repairperson
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 02:33 PM

Speak to Manny Salvador. When I last heard from him a few years ago, he was located downtown in Manhatten. Your problem sounds rather minor in comparison to what I have seen him do. One time a friend brought him a severely damaged favorite instrument that everyone else had refused and he repaired it to good sound and no visible signs of the damage.

Subject: RE: Need Autoharp Repairperson
From: denise:^)
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 05:35 PM

I'd recommend going to the Cyberpluckers list, as well. (Hi, Nathan!)

We have some of the top luthiers (builders) and repair/restoration experts on that list!! They can tell absolutely ANYBODY how to do ANYTHING with, for, or to an autoharp. There are folks who sell discounted-price supplies, and those who do repairs, etc., when you send your 'harp to them through the mail.

Check us out!

Denise:^)

Subject: RE: Need Autoharp Repairperson
From: harpgirl
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 10:03 PM

Bob Lewis of the Cyberpluckers will help you. Nathan is correct, a 21 bar OS from that era would fetch about $275 on EBay. A fifteen OS 1973 would fetch less than $150.

Subject: RE: Need Autoharp Repairperson
From: Easy Rider
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 12:51 AM

Thanx, everybody, for all the advice. I knew I could count on the Mudcatters.

I think we will try to get her harp fixed, because of its sentimental value.

EZR