JPF Home Page Forums Creative Arts Forums Visual Arts and Photography Forum the making of a harp guitar

this is just amazing
i wish i had your skills
I even have some ideas of some easy to make instruments i'd try but i have zero luthier skills

thanks Priscilla! Once I finish this project, get back to me. I think it would be fun to "collaborate" with your musical instrument ideas and make something interesting!

The weekend offered a wee bit of time to work on this project - amongst all of the grass cutting that was greatly needed. So here's what I've done: I know I'm going to use an active EQ in this instrument, which requires a battery. I like being able to access the battery without having to dissassemble the instrument to get to it when it needs changing, so I routed a spot on the back for the 9v battery holder.


I also determined exactly what type and where the electronics were going with the design of the pickguard, so now I routed more on the front of the body for the electronics (3 volume knobs, 3 EQ/tone knobs, 1 pickup selector switch)

Normally all we get to see is the finished product and don't get to appreciate all the forethought that goes into instrument design - the hardware, the electronics and the controls etc.. This is fascinating to watch and really helps us appreciate instruments and perhaps gain some understanding why a good instrument isn't inexpensive.

This is not the best photo, but gives you a rough idea what's happening:

I am using a front panel from an old refrigerator for the pickguard. I covered the area that had the least amount of scratches with masking tape, and traced the pickguard pattern onto it. I'll take the big sheet to the bandsaw to cut it out, then use the jig saw or a jeweler's saw tp cut out the holes for the pickups.
Hard to see, but the peice of plexiglass is sitting on the case I will be converting for this instrument.

As of now, the body is finished with all the routing and drilling and it's tme to sand, prime and paint! I won't take any photos of the sanding process, as you won't see much anyway. The intent is to get it as smooth as possible. I'll go from a medium grit all the way up to about 230 for rough sanding.

I just finished down at the barn with the bandsaw; rough cutting out a section for the pickguard. Now I carried the piece and the jigsaw back to my work bench in the house and continued with cutting closer to the edge. For the pickups, I drilled holes in each area, and fed the blade through the hole to cut out the area for the pickup.

FREE TIME! I've been working like a madman covered in wood dust sanding the pieces getting them ready to be painted. The first thing to spray was the smaller neck. Since the pre-existing guitar neck that I've chosen has a flat finish, I decided to match the finish on the smaller neck. In this photo, the fingerboard has been masked off so that it doesn't get sprayed. All dust is wiped off the bare wood with a soft coth soaked in naptha. Two coats of a flat clear coat of nitrocellulose lacquer have already been sprayed - the photo is right after I sprayed - the glossy reflection is wet paint. Once dry it will not be shiny, matching the finish of other neck.
This is the perfect day for painting. Mild temperature, no humidity. Excellent day! I'll probably get several more coats on the neck before the end of the day - perhaps all I need.

The body received its first coat of white primer. I want to keep this very thin for tonal reasons, plus it allows me to see where I need to seal in areas of the wood that I missed earlier.

Getting closer Tom. Love the pictures.

This is really fascinating, Tom. Been following it from the start. Thanks for putting it together.

This is going to be a really cool guitar!

Scott

Hi Scott! I'm glad this "photo documentary" has been received so well. I wasn't sure folks would be interested in seeing all of the steps involved. It has slowed me down, because I have to stop every now and then and remember to take pics, and then process and upload them, but I think in the long run it's been worth it.

Now for more - not many pics were taken during the painting process. I just hang the pieces and do many light sprays to get even coats, sanding between layers. The body turned out pretty much like I wanted. I love the look of the aged, vintage Fender teles, so I went for the same kind of finish. The primer was pure white, and the top coat was Antique White. In areas, the final sanding thinned the top layer down allowing the primer layer to show through. In other areas, like edges, it was worn to the wood. This is such a soft wood, that there are a few dings in it already. No sense in trying to make it look perfect and then fear ever banging it into something or getting its first scratch. I'm clumsy and I'd bang it up in no time, so I like the characteristic aged finish shown here:

It wasn't "aged" enough, so I gave it an alcohol based stain wash of butterscotch. That did the trick. It soaked into the bare wood spots making them stand out more, and helped discolor the entire body in a way that I feel is visually pleasing.
I used automotive rubbing compound followed my Butcher's Wax (the kind used for bowling alleys) to final polish the body.

The next step was adding the individual pin nuts for each of the harp strings. These serve two purposes - they line the distance between each of the strings up evenly, and they raise the strings up enough so that they don't vibrate into (hitting) the body. Once I hammer-tapped them into the predrilled holes, I filed the tops of the brass pins so that they are even in height, checking constantly with a straight edge. Notice the pieces of tape to prevent the file from digging into the finish if I slip.
When the strings are installed, I will file a V groove in the pins where the strings will rest.


Even though I'm close, not much will happen on this next week as I'll be out of town again.

Hi Tom cannot wait for next installment. This has been fascinating. I hope we get to hear this instrument being played. Maybe someone can write a piece specially for it.

We should be hearing it soon - just a little more to go...
I snapped a bunch of pictures today. the heavy rains and thunderstorms prevented me from cutting the grass like I was supposed to do, so I got to do more work on this project.

Though I rough-cut the pickguard with the scroll saw, there is much back and forth with filing and sanding to get it to fit properly. I also had to route a bit more of the body to get it all to fit, and then bevel the edges and countersink screw holes. In this photo, you can see the three bridges are mounted and the pickguard, still covered with tape, is positioned to fit.


In the following photo, the jack is attached to the body. The wires had been previously soldered to the jack, and are color coded so I know which wire goes where.


A little eye candy - the brass pins are filed level across the tops, and the harp tuning gears are now installed.


I am now happy with the edges and work done on the pickguard, the pickups are installed, and the tape is removed

Hey, Tom, you missed a spot. Just kidding. It's looking fab. I like the butterscotch color.

Hi Jean! As always, thanks for checking out the progress.
As far as the painting goes, there's LOTs of spots that look like they've been missed. I assure you that at one time they were all completely covered. Had I had more paint, I could have put on enough layers to cover and make it look new, but I ran out of paint after the second coat, and the goal was to spend as little as possible, so I went for the opposite look, make it as old looking as possible, hence the worn to the wood spots. Actually, I like that look better. Harp guitars are nothing new, and have been around for quite some time - though electric ones are more unusual.

I'm so close to being finished, yet I have to go away for the week (leaving in 6 hours) and I'm not sure if it will be completed before I go. Still deciding if I should take it with me and work on it while away or not.

If you take it don't fly United, Tom.

HA! NO I rarely fly anywhere anymore. All my trips are by van for now.

Here's a fun anectode for ya - As for continuing with this instrument - you may recall one of the goals was to not spend money on this (or as little as possible). I needed hardware - the telecaster electronics plate - and didn't have an extra one. So to stay within my goals, I took it off one of my other instruments. Nothing in my goals about having to buy the plate for the OTHER guitar.

Not much to show for this, though I spent countless hours on the electronics over the weekend. It just wasn't working right, and lots of checking back and forth with the ohmmeter. Turns out the active EQ only works with one volume control. I really want separate volume control of the 3 necks, so I have to abandon the active EQ. Since I have 6 holes, I'll be going for the "standard" volume and tone for each neck. Found all the parts I need, but didn't get to install them yet.

I've been completely frustrated trying to figure out why the electronics are not working properly, so I dissassembled all of the components and discovered that I have two faulty components. One bad 500k potentiometer, and the jack that should be a stero jack has two of the pins going to the tip (not tip/ring/sleeve as it should be). NOw I have to wait until mid month to purchase a new 500k pot and a jack. UNbeleivable that I don't have spare cash right now for these cheap elements, but that's how it goes some times.
I also have a whole drilled in my tooth for almost a year now - the first part of a root canal, and couldn't afford the second part. I have my priorities straight though. The harp guitar comes first.

not being able to sleep well means I lie in bed and think. So I thought about that defective jack, and found another replacement for it in my box of stuff. Then brought back the Active EQ, and rewired the volume pots - IT'S ALL WORKING CORRECTLY!!!

Except now I don't have time to complete the setup before I leave for another week again.

SOON

Here's a quick photo. None of the components are screwed down yet, that's why you see all of the blue painter's tape.


I have strings on the smaller neck, but still need to set up the intonation. Also need to drill holes in the main guitar neck so that it can be mounted in the neck pocket.

Glad you got the electronics worked out, Tom. This is going to be really cool!

Scott

I was a bit delayed for another problem - the workshop was infested with fleas. After a good bombing, it was safe to go back in. I concentrated on the main guitar neck now, and set it correctly bolting it to the body, adjusted the bridge, set the string height and intonation. Then adjusted the pickup heights and sat and played it for a good hour.
Here's the harp guitar with the guitar neck installed:

The blue tape is still holding all the electronics and pickguards in case they need minor adjustments before they get screwed down.
Next it's time to install the harp strings. No idea what pitches I want for them or which gauge string to use. Experiment time!

It'scoming along nicely cannot wait to hear it....Re tuning and strings you might find this link helpful....

http://www.harpguitars.net/players/tunings.htm#chart

Good info indeed Jim!
I looked at this website a long time ago when I was first getting ideas. Now it's time to play around with this some more, so thanks for refreshing my memory with the different tuning chart ideas.

I have the instrument 2/3 playable right now. The harp strings are on, the guitar neck is on, and I've played it a bit. One problem I didn't count on - the smaller neck is a bit too close to the guitar neck. When I play the Barre F chord at the 7th fret of the guitar neck, my wrist hits the tip of the headstock and lower two tuning gears on the small neck.

I removed a bit more of the small peghead wood, but have to do something with the tuners. I could use the banjo type tuners (also used on Gibson Firebirds)that go straight out the back, then they'd be out of the way - but it would be an additional expense that I can't afford right now - and it would not fit in the case properly. I may end up reshaping the headstock on the small neck and putting the existing tuners on the flip side, like a left-handed Strat. This requires filling the existing holes with wooden dowels and recutting,finishing and reshaping the neck. If I'm to use it, I have to do something.
In the meantime, the guitar neck and harp strings are fully functional, and enjoyable to play. The body wood choice was perfect. I can feel the whole thing resonate and vibrate when I play - exactly what I wanted. The EQ has a WIDE tonal pallette. It's going to be great when the small neck is back on and functional.

I will definitely figure out how to record some audio samples so that you can hear it.

***a side note***
anyone that got to the JPF awards show had the pleasure of seeing one of the finest and best (in my opinion) harp guitar players, Stephen Bennett, perform.

What an honor it would be to have Stephen "test drive" my instrument once it's finished.

One can dream.

This a VERY cool Tom... Great skill bro.
Thanks for sharing this, It's not east to document and post etc...

Looks GREAT!

Mike

As noted earlier in my post, I am hitting the small neck with my wrist. Even with the tuners removed, the wood is in the way:


I have to remove some wood. After removing the tuners, I filled the original holes with glue soaked dowels and cut them flush.


I checked to make sure the tuners would fit on the other side of the peghead (bottom view):


And made a mark where I need to remove wood on the front of the peghead:

After a trip to the bandsaw (no snake this time, but it left behind a 5-6 foot skin that it shed) and a good bit of orbital sanding, I reshaped the peghead, then tested it:


This seems to be a lot better.

Now a trip to the drill press to drill holes for the tuners. Here's what it looks like with the tuners installed:


I don't like that the previous hole fills are so noticable. I'll try some creative staining, but I may end up painting it like the rest of the body. I also don't like the sharp point on the top of the peghead. I have already "rounded" it a bit with a few files to make the shape fit in more with the flowing curves of the rest of the instrument.

Paint a little decoration in the holes. Then people will think you did that on purpose.

Hi Jean,
I was actually thinking about doing some ornate inlay to mask the fix, but I think it would look odd since the rest of the instrument is very basic and utilitarian.

Rats - didn't get here in time. Could have saved you some work, Tom. You were only having a problem because you are playing the guitar correctly. If you sold it to someone like me (and there are many of us) who play with their thumb sticking up from the top of the fret board, there would be no problem!

Well, you did some work but probably have more options now as to who you can sell it to. And they are better players too....

Still really enjoying this!

Scott

HA HA Scott!
Sometimes I play incorrectly too, but it's tough to do on this one. The harp (bass strings) part even forces me to sit up straight - no slouching!

As a side note, I took the "playing" pictures myself - held the instrument in one hand, played the chord (properly), and snapped the camera with the right hand. Took a few shots till I got the correct stuff in the image and clear enough.

OOOH - you can still buy it if you want when I'm finished building it. I'll just make another for myself and start this ALL over again.
What an addiction I have.

I have an idea how to hide the holes.

Stay tuned, oh loyal readers...

Here's what I thought:
I remembered that I had really thin Maple veneer - and it might be wide enough to OVERlay the entire top of this peghead. I was right. I cut a piece with scissors:


The peghead was very thick, so if I was to add more wood, I had to take some away first. I went to the barn and used a very coarse grit on the orbital sander to remove a lot of the wood from the top. Then gathered all the small clamps I had:


and glued and clamped it:


Now I let it sit until the glue dries, but when finished, you wouldn't know from the front that this was ever reworked.

Tom,

I read this last night. You are amazing. I would have smashed the guitar it into a thousand tiny pieces by now. Can't wait to hear some audio of it.

Attack of the killer clamps.

Other than setting the intonation on the small neck, the harp guitar is now completed!!!

I got up early Sunday morning to wet sand, and use rubbing compound and polish to buff the small neck. I brought it with me on this recent trip, and finished assembling the tuners and mounting the components (pickguard and electronics plates) to the body. I also determined where the best place would be to mount the strap holders and installed them. It feels nicely balanced when held up with the strap - it's not neck heavy at all.

I will see if I can get someone to take a picture of me holding the instrument, and figure out how to post sound clips over the next couple weeks after I return home.

I also weighed the completed instrument. It comes in at 14 lbs.
As a comparison, Tele/Strats weight between 6.75 to 8.75 lbs, and a Les Paul average is around 9 lbs. So this is heavier than I wanted, but most of the weight is in the pickups and hardware. So my personal challenge is to make the next one lighter still.

Here it is folks:


Aside from being a bit heavier than I expected, it turned out EXACTLY how I had hoped. It plays well, and sounds GREAT. Now I have to record some snippets so you can hear it.

THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY!!!

Tom:

That looks fabulous!

Congrats on getting it done and thanks for sharing the process with us.

And, yes, hit us with some samples

Scott

Did you ever record any sounds, Tom?

Scott

Thanks for asking Scott. Where I live, everything gets covered with layers of dust so fast. Most all of my recording equipment is still in boxes from the move here 3 years ago. No place to set it up or do anything with it. I have some kind of software that I could just use with the computer, but my eyesight is so bad, I can't read the instruction manual and look at the screen without on/offing the glasses nonstop. It's too annoying, so to answer your question, no recordings yet.

But I've been thinking about it a lot though. I miss recording music. All I do is sit and play instruments in my little dusty room (when I'm not caring for the animal zoo).

That looks awesome, Tom. What are the harp strings tunings?

Hi Tom,

V E R Y ***** I M P R E S S I V E

you have a cool talent !

Calvin


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

THAT 'S TOTALLY AMAZING !!!

congratulations on completion : )

and thanks for sharing it all with us
jm

Jean, Calvin, and Joice,
Thank you all for the kind words, though I don't feel this project is "complete" until I can record something so everyone can hear it.

I hope that happens soon!