A Butterfly in Burgundy

Posted on October 9, 2024 by fretnot42

A recent commission comes from an Arizona musician who performs with autoharps and Guitarro at cosplay and Pagan festivals. She requested a light and colorful instrument with a “steampunk” vibe that she can play on her lap, in the traditional way, without crossing her hands. I created one of my smaller “Child ‘Harps” in a left-handed configuration.

The poplar soundboard and eight chord bars are colored burgundy with black for the remaining components. The finish is completed with several coats of satin lacquer.

A laser cut soundhole rosette is colored to resemble the Philodice butterfly that she uses as an online icon and identity.

This twenty-three string diatonic in the keys of G and D is tuned from A3 to D6.

Eight chord bars are carried upon combs with Delrin bases and #6 steel pins. This is an improvement over the slotted holders used in the past.

A new left handed autoharp (SOLD)

Posted on July 9, 2017 by fretnot42

I have recently completed a new left handed autoharp that I began last Fall. It was not a commission but built for general sale. It is a basic “A” style but differs from my previous builds as it features eighteen thinner chord bars carried on aluminium and steel combs instead of the traditional slotted chord bar holders. This makes for more chords, improved action, and less noise. I hope to include this feature on most of my future builds.

As a left handed autoharp, it is ideal for the left handed player wanting to play in an upright position or for playing on the lap by a right handed player ( read about left handed autoharps in the page on this site’s header).

Features

Standard 36 string chromatic with Fladmark strings
18 uncut chord bars in three rows with premium felt. Chords will be cut, arranged, and labeled to the buyer’s specifications
One piece laminated maple sides, back, and frame with no joints (for stability)
Mahogany trim, bridges, chord bars, chord bar holders, and tail cover
Solid spruce soundboard
Great tone with a low, quiet, chord bar action
22.5 inches long x 12 inches wide x 3 inches high (with rubber feet)
Weight is 6 pounds 11 ounces
Includes a quality T-handle star tip tuning wrench
Price is $850.00 plus shipping

Contact me for additional information or to arrange purchase. Contact information can be found in the header.

This instrument has sold. Check the “Instruments for sale” page in the header for future offers.

My autoharps

Posted on February 3, 2017 by fretnot42

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I began building traditional style autoharps for Marsha and myself in 2008. We were unhappy with manufactured autoharps that, even when new, required costly and time consuming mechanical modifications to make them play properly and meet our musical needs. Custom built luthier instruments were not affordable to us so I began making my own.

Soon after, I began offering autoharps for sale. Each one was different, defined by my experience and the customers needs. There are many, many ways to make an autoharp and for that reason I had never had “models” to choose from. I still don’t have models but to make ordering decisions easier, I’m going to describe some basic categories with options and prices.

Much of my work has been building quality, affordable left handed autoharps for left handed musicians and those who want to play the instrument on their laps without having to cross their hands. The few left handed models produced by factories decades ago have been of disappointing design and almost impossible to find. New left handed autoharps are available from most autoharp luthiers but at a higher price

My goal is to offer well built, handcrafted, great sounding autoharps at a cost somewhere between the $350 to $550 cost of new Asian manufactured autoharps and the $1200 to $2500 cost of those made by other American luthiers. Currently, that cost is $900.00 for my basic autoharp that includes many wood and setup choices. Features and prices for my autoharps can be found in the header above.