Wurlitzer pedal harp action

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This topic has 8 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 12 years ago by eliza-morrison.

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

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April 1, 2013 at 2:52 am #76405

james-blackhall
Participant

I don’t play the harp but I’m currently restoring an old Wurlitzer pedal harp #117 (to sell) that I’ve had for almost 30 years. ( I had a violin repair shop for many years and took it in on trade years ago for a violin repair. The neck was broken clear through so I’m making a new neck out of a piece of hard maple piano tuning block. It doesn’t seem to make any noise in the action when you move the pedals, so I don’t think it needs re-riveting. The questions I have are #1 can I clean the action while it is still in place with the brass side plates?, #2 since the neck is separated from the action can I re-lube the action effectively without removing it from the brass plates and column before the new wooden neck is re-installed?, and lastly #3 in reaming out for the taper fit tuning pins how far should the tapered tuning pins protrude through the neck for the string attachment and winding?

April 2, 2013 at 3:40 am #76406

carl-swanson
Participant

I’m curious to know how you would react if someone wrote to you asking you questions about repairing a violin(to sell no less) that clearly indicated that they didn’t know what they were doing. That’s what your post indicates to me. You don’t know anything about harp repair. You’re going to do a major repair on it and certainly get a whole bunch of things wrong. And then, you’re going to sell it. And at some point down the road, the buyer is going to bring the instrument to me or some other repairman and ask me or them why it has problems and what it will take to fix it. If you are a competent violin repairman, I would think you would cringe at the idea of an amateur repairing a violin. Well, that’s my reaction to your post.

April 2, 2013 at 4:40 pm #76407

james-blackhall
Participant

Actually, over the last 40 years of repairing violins I’ve had many dozens of people bring in instruments that had been butchered by ignorance of proper glues, woods, angles, wood types and thickness and wanted me to fix it right only to have them think I was trying to rip them off when I gave a high estimate or refused to do the job because of that butchery. Usually it was someone that bought a ‘fine’ old instrument for $25 only to find out that $1000 of work would make it worth $26; and while I sometimes would cringe at the thought of someone doing some jobs themselves, I cringe more at the thought of someone thinking I’ll only help if I can profit from it, knowing that if they don’t have the info necessary they’re more apt to mess it up than if they knew what they were getting themselves and their instrument in for. They could at least make a more informed decision and if they go ahead and mess it up it’s their own fault . I’ve never suffered from the old “if I tell you what I know then why would you bring it to me” syndrome. I also did not arbitrarily assume that someone would mess it up just because… I certainly understand your position. Never the less if someone doesn’t share your sentiments completely, I would still appreciate the info I asked for if you’re interested in helping me out. If I didn’t live 200 miles from the nearest repairmen I would certainly be more open to take it to them.

April 2, 2013 at 6:44 pm #76408

Tacye
Participant

I suggest you get hold of a copy of Pratt’s Affairs of the Harp as the section on rescuing harps when no repair man is available might give you useful tips. Do not go anywhere near that mechanism with brass polish as traces left behind can hasten corrosion.

For your 3rd question, can’t you tell from the broken neck? Some pins may have worked further through with time, but you should be able to work out what used to happen.

April 2, 2013 at 9:46 pm #76409

Allison Stevick
Participant

I don’t know anything about harp repair, but I do know that we do not all share the same sentiments here. Good luck with your project, I hope you are successful!

April 3, 2013 at 4:59 am #76410

james-blackhall
Participant

Thank you all for your kind inputs. Both the tip on brass polish and the book/article. I’ll definitely look it up. I’d read elsewhere that brass polish was a no no, but it’s nice to get corroboration as (at least in the violin world) there’s a lot of misinformation handed out for the sole purpose of leading people astray, cause them problems, then they’re forced to quit or seek the assistance of the professionals. I spent 30 years in violin repair, and while it is obviously not the same, I’m certainly aware of the need for proper techniques, glues, angles, acoustics, etc etc. I was in a motorcycle accident 15 years ago and broke my back in two places and have never been able to play violin since, and I kept this harp as it would always have been my second choice instrument. I still may keep it for that reason. However, financial constraints may prohibit that. we’ll see. Thanks again for all the input. Even yours, Carl. As I said earlier, I understand your frustration with things like this. From what I’ve read on the internet you are certainly held in high regard in the harp world. Kind regards, Jim.

April 6, 2013 at 2:54 pm #76411

ender-wiggen
Participant

I’ve been a long time lurker (though I had to set up a new account because I couldn’t remember any of my log in information) and I whole heartedly support your project. I’m not sure I would sell it though… While you will certainly make mistakes it is however a worthy endeavor for someone who at the very least has a better chance at being successful than most of us. My only advice is that you don’t get discouraged by the scathing remarks made by members who hold a bitter attitude toward anyone attempting to learn the craft of instrument making and repair. It’s a disease running rampant throughout most of the instrument manufacturing industry and our examples here have been exhibiting such displays longer than I’ve been lurking (the better part of a decade).

April 8, 2013 at 3:47 pm #76412

kay-lister
Member

James,

Maybe consider renting it out after you finish your rebuilding. That way, if something goes haywire, at least it would come back to you for repairs. Good luck with your project!

Kay

April 9, 2013 at 5:56 pm #76413

eliza-morrison
Participant

I actually agree with ALL of the above posts. It sounds like a fantastic project, and you will learn a lot from doing it. Your expertise in violin repair will stand you in good stead; many people have gotten into harp repair from a background of building/repairing other instruments. However, I also agree with those who say that the instrument should not be sold. Mistakes and mis-steps are inevitable in a project of this nature. You wouldn’t want a future owner to be paying dearly for those mistakes a year or two down the road. Perhaps you should consider completing this project under the mentorship of an experienced harp builder/repairer. I certainly wouldn’t take a harp apart without that guidance. Good luck to you!
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