JPF Home Page Forums Creative Arts Forums Visual Arts and Photography Forum Harp guitar revisited

Thanks for checking it out and your kind comments, Mike.
The bass/harp strings that I want to use are based on the Bennett tuning, so it's not like I could even steal them off a regular bass guitar:
G .040-.044
D .052-.057
C .057-.062
B .058-.064
A .063-.070
G .068-.076

Just in case anyone thinks I've abandoned this project, I haven't. It's just slowed down. Here's an update:
I had sold a bass guitar, so it gave me the extra money to order strings. I got them. First thing I had to do was change the ferrules where the strings feed in through the back of the instrument. The original strings I used had guitar ball ends. The new strings I've got have bass ball ends, which are a lot bigger. So I needed bigger ferrules. Fortunately, I had two sets of bass ferrules, giving me all I needed. I pulled the old ones out, and drilled slightly larger holes for the new ferrules and mounted them.
Next, I put on the two end strings. I didn't want to put all of the strings on just yet, just enough to "hear" the pickup.
The pickup works fine, but the volume is so much quieter than the guitar side, I may have to install either a volume boost, or a newer bass/harp pickup.

...Still thinking.

Is this to be one of these??



I was so wondering what that thing was called.

It looks incredibly cool.
Thanks Tom, what an amazing project to see coming along!

Linda

Hi Linda,
Yes, you don't see many famous people with the old Gibson harp guitars. That's what Jimmy has in the above pic. These are probably the most rare. I've only ever seen one other performer use the Gibson harp guitar - David Lindley. There are other makers of these instruments, and a new resurgence in the instrument, thanks to the late Michael Hedges.

Haven't looked in on this thread for awhile, Tom. Doesn't seem that long ago but seasons have passed and coats of paint have come and gone. And I'm very sorry to see that you have suffered two losses in your family too.

But, with a two step forward, one step back, approach, the guitar has taken shape. It's a thing of beauty - dings and all. If the character of the sound matches the character of the appearance, you'll have a wonderful instrument.

Thanks again for posting a running documentary - and please remember to post sound samples when the time comes!

Scott

Just a little more tweaking as I go, but it's functioning and playable!

I went through all the spare pickups I had and found the pickup that sounds best, and used that. The harp strings are still a bit quieter than the guitar side, but I can balance the volume with the control knobs. I've been enjoying playing this one - it just sounds so much better than the first time around, and plays better too. Here's a pic in the case:


Notice the long plastic bags - that's how they ship the bulk strings! Each bag has a different gauge.


...and here's a pic of the happy harp guitar player:


Next is an audio recording....

Sorry Linda, I don't have windows where I can pose like Mr. Page.

Scott - the sound samples will be forthcoming in the next few days

Oh that's OK Tom, you still look smashing!!
You look very very happy with your completed gem! She's a beaut.

Looking forward to the track.

Where else can I hear this instrument? Any "big" hits?

And w/Page being the collector he's rumored to be it doesn't surprise me if the one in his photo is rare.


OK I'm lame maybe but those look like bass strings?
So is it more of a bass on that side?

And I scrolled through rather quickly, I missed the family losses Scott mentioned .... my condolences to you, Tom. Hugs.




Linda

HI Linda - thanks, I'm very happy with the results.
And yes, they are bass strings, that are used to "accompany" what is played on the guitar side.
It's not a terribly easy instrument to play - it's quite unwieldy. For examples, go to youtube, look up:
Harp guitar
Andy McKee
Michael Hedges
Stephen Bennett
John Doan

Here's a BUNCH of them all together:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pawgzVGC9-4

geepers !! what an amazing thing -- your guitar

and video clip ! -- thanks for sharing Tom !

This has to be the best ever! I love this guitar so much, the shape is so cool and you look great with it Tom.

Congrats man now put your feet up as you deserve a break lol This has been a great project to follow so thanks for doing it and sharing it with us.

Linda check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cvar4ZsqsEo

Andy Mckee he's up there with the best IMO.

HI Brother Tom!

Fascinating Reportage, Amigo...

I'd seen "Doubleneck" Guitars, but never-before a Harp-Guit'!

Googled 'em...Wow..what a Classic! (&..oldies sellin' for $6-8K..Yowza!) Really Enjoyed Your Inside Story..Hope you'll record & play back something here..when you've finished this up!
(Liked that "Sunburst" look your Flash gave it in that recent shot..might be snazzier than All-Black, eh?)

Thanks for Sharing, Amigo! Few KNOW all the Trials & Tribulation that go into creating Something Special!

Best Wishes/Continued Good Luck/& a Big Guy-Hug,
Stan

My goodness! I've just read through your "documentary". This has been an incredible undertaking, Tom. What a labour of love. Truly inspiring on a number of levels.

The instrument is beautiful. It's clear from the photograph that you both were made for each other.

Donna

Joice, Andy, Stan, Donna,
Thank you all for our kind words. I do hope that I can record an audio sample of the instrument today. I haven't "mastered" it yet, but it'll certainly be a labor of love.
I can at least do a demo showing all of the tonalities.

Tom, I am completely envious of your luthiery skills. Great job!

Thanks Kevin!

For all those that want to hear, I just finished uploaded an audio demonstration. Plugged the harp guitar and a cheap vocal mike directly into the computer, used Audacity for the first time, and winged it. ENJOY!
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10126475

Don't listen too closely at the Bmin chord which sounds slightly out of tune....

THIS IS AMAZING!!!! The acousitc pickup combined with the neck and with the tone roled over blew me away. It makes it sound like a massive dreadnought.
The bass being played over the guitar sounds incredible. It's mad the way it dose'nt sound like two diefferent instruments but sounds like one. Can't get my head around that but one thing I'm sure about is that I LOVE what you've created Tom.

You are a truly gifted guys.

Thanks Andy - remember, I had it plugged directly into the computer. The electronic pickups sound even better and bigger when playing through a guitar amp (that's what they're designed for). So I couldn't even hear it as I recorded it, I was just remembering the cool tones from when I plugged it into an amp.
This thing sounds like a TONE MONSTER when I play it.

I still need to get better at grabbing those harp strings at the right time. Guess I need to go practice.

Man, there's no way I would have thought that was an electric guitar.

Very impressive, Tom - the variation is sounds you are able to get by using different combinations/settings on the pick-ups.

It sounds great!

Scott