- How do I figure out which string broke?
- How do I change a harp string?
- How do I know what kind of string to purchase?
- Is it safe to purchase a used harp online from a private individual?
- Ask your own question
1. How do I figure out which string broke?
This will depend on how many strings you have on your harp. You'll need to know both the letter name and the octave number of the string that you need to replace.Here is how you can figure this out.
- The octaves on the harp start on an E and end on F. In other words, the octaves are E-D-C-B-A-G-F. No matter what kind of harp you have, Middle C is part of the fourth octave.
- The E above any C is the FIRST string in that octave. For example, the fourth octave begins on the E string just 3 strings (counting with C as 1) above Middle C and ends on the F string 5 notes below Middle C (counting C as 1).
- The C above middle C is in the middle of the third octave and the C below Middle C is in the middle of the fifth octave.
- Figure out the closest C string to the string you need to replace. If you go up from that C to the nearest E, you have found the beginning of that octave. The F below that C is the end of that octave. Now you can identify what octave string you need to replace.
2. How do I change a harp string?
Tying Your Nylon and Gut Strings in the 0-3rd Octaves
Tie a single overhand knot in the string. Insert the string anchor through the knot, with the string end and anchor oriented in the same direction. Pull the knot tight. Now, make a second overhand loop around the string anchor and string end and pull it tight to create a double knot. You may wish to duplicate this step in the top octave (1st octave F and up). Tying Your Nylon and Gut Strings in the 4th-5th Octaves
In the 4th and 5th octaves, you will not need an anchor as these strings are thick enough to hold the knot. Using the end of the string, you will make two individual loops. The loop at the running end of the string should be fed through the second loop and knotted. Attaching Your String to the Tuning Pin
Feed the string through the hole in tuning pin. Pull on the string below the tuning pin away from the harp with the third, or ring, finger. Hold the string as indicated on sketch and start tuning the pin in a clockwise direction with the aid of the tuning key. Continue turning until string has overlapped to the position shown. Hold on to the string and swing it toward the neck of the harp to a point parallel with the instrument. Continue turning. Stop turning and let go of the string when the tension has reached a semi-tight stage. Place string in the groove on stationary pin. Keep turning tuning pin until correct pitch has been achieved, making sure that each wind moves toward the frame of the harp and does not overlap. Cut off excess string approximately 1/2” from tuning pin.
3. How do I know what kind of string to purchase?
Bow Brand Natural (BB) & Lever Gut (LG)
The finest quality natural gut string, each Bow Brand String endures a strict quality control to produce a consistently clear, rich note. Lyon & Healy and Salvi harps use Bow Brand Natural Gut exclusively. Available for lever and pedal harp.Bow Brand Concedo Gut (CO)
The world’s first white coated natural gut harp strings. Available for pedal harp in 00G to 5th octave A.Lyon & Healy Burgundy Gut (BG)
These natural gut strings, discounted due to slight imperfections in appearance, are a wonderful string selection for tonal quality and at a great price! Available for pedal and some lever harps in 00G to 5th octave A.Artist Nylon (AN)
The highest grade synthetic is used in combination with today’s technological advancements to produce our Artist Nylon Strings. Available for pedal and some lever harps in 00G to 5th octave A.Bow Brand Lever Nylon (LN)
A high quality, thinner gauge nylon (than our pedal harp Artist Nylon), specifically for use on most Salvi lever harps and on some light tension Lyon & Healy lever harps. Available for lever harp in 1st octave E to 5th octave ALyon & Healy Folk Harp Wires (LHFW)
The same high quality tarnish-resistant bass wires are available for your folk harp with color-coded C’s & F’s. Available for lever harp in 5th octave B to 6th octave C.Bow Brand Lever Bass Wires (BBLW)
These silver plated wires are specially designed for your lever harp with color-coded C’s & F’s. Available for lever harp in 5th octave E to 6th octave A.Lyon & Healy Bass Wires (concert tension) (BWTR) (BWSD)
Our bass wires are available in a special tarnish-resistant nickel-plated formula with either brass C’s & F’s or coloredcoded C’s & F’s, OR, in a standard silver-plated finish with copper C’s & F’s or colored-coded C’s & F’s. Available for pedal harp and some lever harps in 5th octave G to 7th octave C.
Original Stringing 22/23* String Harps:
Eire Lap Harp
LN - 1st octave A - 4th octave A/G*31 String Harps:
Clark Irish Harp
LN - 1st octave G - 2nd octave F
LG - 3rd octave E - 5th octave E
BBLW - 5th octave D - 6th octave E33 String Harps:
Silhouette
LN - 1st octave G - 2nd octave F
LG - 3rd octave E - 5th octave D
BBLW - 5th octave C - 6th octave CTroubadour I & II
AN - 1st octave G - 5th octave A
BWTR - 5th octave G - 6th octave C34 String Harps:
Shamrock, Aida, Heather, Julia,
Renaissance
LN - 1st octave A - 2nd octave F
LG - 3rd octave E - 4th octave F
BBLW - 5th octave E - 6th octave CLyon & Healy Folk Harp
AN - 1st octave A - 4th octave F
BB - 5th octave E - C
LHFW - 5th octave B - 6th octave E
BWTR - 6th octave D - C36 String Harps:
Troubadour III & IV
AN - 1st octave E - 5th octave A
BWTR - 5th octave G - 6th octave CTroubadour V
AN - 1st octave C - 4th octave F
BB - 5th octave E - A
BWTR - 5th octave G - 6th octave CLyric and Livia
LN - 1st octave C - 2nd octave F
LG - 3rd octave E - 4th octave F
BBLW - 5th octave E - 6th octave C38 String Harps:
Ana
LN - 1st octave E - 2nd octave F
LG - 3rd octave E - 5th octave F
BBLW - 5th octave A - 6th octave CEgan
LN - 1st octave C - 2nd octave F
LG - 3rd octave E - 5th octave A
BBLW - 5th octave G - 6th octave AMcFall
AN - 1st octave E - 2nd octave F
BB - 3rd octave E - 5th octave A
BBLW - 5th octave G - 6th octave CPrelude
An -1st octave E - 2nd octave F
BB - 3rd octave E - 5th octave A
BWTR - 5th octave G - 6th octave C40 String Harps:
Style 85 P and XP, Daphne 40
AN - 1st octave E - F
BB - 2nd octave E - 5th octave A
BWTR - 5th octave G - 6th octave A44 String Harp:
Style 85 GP
AN - 1st octave E - F
BB - 2nd octave E - 5th octave A
BWTR - 5th octave G - 7th octave D46 String Harps:
Styles 8, 15, 17, 22, 85 E,
100 SG, Daphne 46
AN - 1st octave 00G - F
BB - 2nd octave E - 5th octave A
BWTR - 5th octave G - 7th octave D47 String Harps:
Styles 11, 23, 26, 30, 85 CG,
100 CG, Daphne 47 & 47 EX,
Salzedo, Apollo, Apollonia, Arianna,
Aurora, Diana, Orchestra, Scolpita,
Sinfonietta, Minerva, Iris
AN - 1st octave 00G - F
BB - 2nd octave E - 5th octave A
BWTR - 5th octave G - 7th octave C4. Is it safe to purchase a used harp online from a private individual?
The best way to purchase a used harp is by seeing and hearing the instrument first. This is especially true when neither you nor the seller know what to ask or look for to determine the condition and fair price of the harp. Before you jump into a decision ask yourself: "Would I buy a used car without seeing or driving it or even having an inspection first?"Harps Etc. can help you by asking the right questions and assessing the answers. The fee for our consultation services begin at $150.00 and will vary by location. Please contact Harps Etc. for more information.
Send us an email: info@harpsetc.com
